A molecular view of amphipathic helix/phospholipid membrane interactions using computer simulations

Patrick Fuchs
Laboratoire des Biomoléles, UPMC - CNRS - ENS, Paris, Francee
Mercredi 26 Septembre 2018, 11h00
bibliothèque LCT, tour 12 - 13, 4^ème étage

Amphipathic helices (AH) represent a general protein motif which target peripheral proteins to various lipid membranes. They are also found in antimicrobial peptides or cell-penetrating peptides. In this talk, two examples of AH/membrane interactions studied by computer simulations will be presented. The first deals with the ALPS motif, which is a curvature sensor. I will show how simulations can help understand the "surface properties" of phospholipid membranes, and how it is relevant to the recognition of curvature - or more generally of lipid composition - by AH. The second example deals with the venom peptide mastoparan. I will show how we can use simulations to study the insertion and folding of AH within the membrane at all-atom resolution.