Membrane topology of N-terminal residues of cytochromes P-450 2B4 and 1A2

Abstract

The paper describes the reactivity of fluorescein isothiocyanate towards the N-terminus of cytochromes P450 2B4 and 1A2 in solution, in the natural membrane of microsomes and in proteoliposomes (cholate and ultrasonic). The results obtained indicate, that the N-terminus of microsomal or proteoliposomal cytochromes P-450 2B4 and 1A2 spans the membrane only once and faces the vesicles interior. It was suggested that of major importance in orientation of N-terminal residues in the membrane is not the hydrophobic segment itself but rather the positively charged fragment, following it.