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Protein Science (2006), 15:1476-1488. Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Copyright © 2006 The Protein Society
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Interpretation of the dissolution of insoluble peptide sequences based on the acid-base properties of the solvent

Luciana Malavolta, Marcelo R.S. Pinto, Jamile H. Cuvero and Clóvis R. Nakaie

Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, CEP 04044-020, São Paulo, Brazil

(RECEIVED November 7, 2005; FINAL REVISION February 6, 2006; ACCEPTED February 27, 2006)

The dissolution process of model insoluble peptide sequences was investigated in view of the electron acceptor (AN) and electron donor (DN) solvent properties. The Alzheimer's disease-inducing (1–42) Abeta-amyloid peptide and its (1–21) fragment, the (66–97) transmembrane bradykinin B2 receptor sequence, and the strongly aggregated VVLGAAIV were selected as models of insoluble peptides. Solvents presenting similar AN and DN values failed, despite their polarities, to dissociate peptide chains (free in solution or bound to a polymer). The maximum solubility of these aggregated sequences was attained in solvents presenting the highest possible (AN–DN) values (in positive or negative mode). The AN–DN values ranged from approximately –20 to +80 and, notably, the lowest dissociation power was ascribed to solvents presenting values of approximately +40. The strong hydrogen bond donor water is located in this region, indicating that, for dissociation of specific insoluble segments, the solvent should appropriately combine its acid/base strength with the potential for van der Waals interactions. We also observed a sequence-dependent pH effect on peptide solubility confirmed through circular dichroism spectroscopy. This approach also revealed a complex but, in many cases, consistent influence of peptide conformation on its solubility degree, even when structure-inducing solvents were added. In conclusion, the random method of selecting solvents to dissolve insoluble and intractable peptide sequences, still in use by some, could be partially supplanted by the strategy described herein, which may be also applicable to other solute dissociation processes.

Keywords: peptide; solvent property; solubility; polarity; Alzheimer's disease


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