Abstract
Group 3 late embryogenesis abundant proteins (G3LEA) are composed of repeat sequences of characteristic 11-mer motif. This motif is likely responsible for protecting biomolecules against desiccation stress. In our previous studies, we showed that a short model peptide (LEA peptide) which has two tandem repeats of the 11-mer motif could protect proteins from desiccation-induced aggregation. However, it remains unclear whether or not it has the similar anti-aggregation effect on celluar membranes. Here, to address this issue, we prepared the solutions of giant vesicles (GV) with/without addition of the LEA peptide and measured the size distribution of GVs before and after desiccation. Moreover, to understand the protection mechanism at atomic level, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for model systems composed of membrane bilayer and a LEA peptide. These results suggest that the LEA peptide protects GVs from desiccation-induced aggregation by shielding the lipid membrane surface so as to disturb direct membrane-membrane interactions.
