Sarka Malkova

Configuration of PKCα-C2 Domain Bound to Mixed SOPC/SOPS Lipid Monolayers

X-ray reflectivity measurements are used to determine the configuration of the C2 domain of protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha-C2) bound to a lipid monolayer of a 7:3 mixture of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine supported on a buffered aqueous solution. The reflectivity is analyzed in terms of the known crystallographic structure of PKCalpha-C2 and a slab model representation of the lipid layer. The configuration of lipid-bound PKCalpha-C2 is described by two angles that define its orientation, theta = 35 degrees +/- 10 degrees and phi =210 degrees +/- 30 degrees, and a penetration depth (=7.5 +/- 2 A) into the lipid layer. In this structure, the beta-sheets of PKCalpha-C2 are nearly perpendicular to the lipid layer and the domain penetrates into the headgroup region of the lipid layer, but not into the tailgroup region. This configuration of PKCalpha-C2 determined by our x-ray reflectivity is consistent with many previous findings, particularly mutational studies, and also provides what we believe is new molecular insight into the mechanism of PKCalpha enzyme activation. Our analysis method, which allows us to test all possible protein orientations, shows that our data cannot be explained by a protein that is orientated parallel to the membrane, as suggested by earlier work.

X-ray studies of the interface between two polar liquids: neat and with electrolytes

We demonstrate the use of X-ray reflectivity to probe the electron density profile normal to the interface between two polar liquids. Measurements of the interfacial width at the neat nitrobenzene/water and the neat water/2-heptanone interfaces are presented. These widths are consistent with predictions from capillary wave theory that describe thermal interfacial fluctuations determined by the tension and bending rigidity of the interface. Variation of the temperature of the water/nitrobenzene interface from 25 degrees C to 55 degrees C indicates that the role of the bending rigidity decreases with increasing temperature. X-ray reflectivity measurements of the electrified interface between an aqueous solution of BaCl2 and a nitrobenzene solution of TBATPB demonstrate the sensitivity of these measurements to the electrolyte distribution at the interface. A preliminary analysis of these data illustrates the inadequacy of the simplest, classical Gouy-Chapman theory of the electrolyte distribution.

Configuration of membrane-bound proteins by x-ray reflectivity

Copyright 2011 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Chen, C. H., Malkova, S., Cho, W., & Schlossman, M. L. 2011. Configuration of membrane-bound proteins by x-ray reflectivity. Journal of Applied Physics, 110(10). and may be found at http://jap.aip.org/resource/1/japiau/v110/i10/p102215_s1. DOI: 10.1063/1.3661985