Membrane-binding peptides, design

There are seven membrane forms of GC, designated GC-A to GC-G [33], Two forms, GC-A and GC-B (Mr = 120kDa), serve as receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and related peptides. ANP is a 28-amino-acid peptide isolated originally from cardiac atria as an important factor in the regulation of sodium excretion and blood pressure. GC-A binds ANP, as well as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and is located in vascular tissue and kidney. 

A biological example of E° is the reduction of Fe(III) in the protein transferrin, which was introduced in Figure 7-4. This protein has two Fe(III)-binding sites, one in each half of the molecule designated C and N for the carboxyl and amino terminals of the peptide chain. Transferrin carries Fe(III) through the blood to cells that require iron. Membranes of these cells have a receptor that binds Fe(III)-transferrin and takes it into a compartment called an endosome into which H is pumped to lower the pH to —5.8. Iron is released from transferrin in the endosome and continues into the cell as Fe(II) attached to an intracellular metal-transport protein. The entire cycle of transferrin uptake, metal removal, and transferrin release back to the bloodstream takes 1-2 min. The time required for Fe(III) to dissociate from transferrin at pH 5.8 is —6 min, which is too long to account for release in the endosome. The reduction potential of Fe(IH)-transferrin at pH 5.8 is E° = —0.52 V, which is too low for physiologic reductants to reach. 

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