Interaction of beta-endorphin with sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous solution. 1H-NMR investigation.

1H-NMR spectra at 600 MHz and 270 MHz and photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) spectra at 360 MHz of beta-endorphin in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles are reported and discussed in terms of structural changes and immobilization upon binding. On addition of micelles several NH protons show slow H-D exchange rate in 2H2O at p2H 4.6, 25 degrees C, which indicates that some regions of the polypeptide are buried and shielded from the direct interaction with the solvent. Moreover, in the methyl region of the spectrum strong changes are detected both in chemical shifts and line-widths, suggesting an appreciable interaction between the hydrophobic residues of beta-endorphin and the detergent micelles. All aromatic residues are strongly affected by the presence of SDS, supporting the notion that beta-endorphin can interact with both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic portion of the micelles. At physiological pH photo-CIDNP experiments indicate that SDS has about the same immobilizing effect on Tyr-1 and Tyr-27 as n-dodecylphosphorylcholine.