Lipid–protein interactions in DHPC micelles containing the integral membrane protein OmpX investigated by NMR spectroscopy

Intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between the integral outer membrane protein OmpX from Escherichia coli and dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine (DHPC) provided a detailed description of protein–detergent interactions. The NOEs were measured in 3D 15N- and 13C-resolved [1H,1H]-NOESY spectra recorded with selectively methyl-protonated and otherwise uniformly 2H,13C,15N-labeled OmpX in micelles of DHPC at natural isotope abundance. In these mixed micelles the NMR structure of OmpX consists of an eight-stranded antiparallel β-barrel. The OmpX surface area covered with intermolecular NOEs to the DHPC hydrophobic tails forms a continuous cylinder jacket of approximately 28 Å in height, which is centered about the middle of the long axis through the β-barrel. In addition, some intermolecular NOEs with methyl groups of the DHPC polar head were identified along both boundaries of this cylinder jacket. The experimental data suggest that the hydrophobic surface areas of OmpX are covered with a monolayer of DHPC molecules, which appears to mimic quite faithfully the embedding of the β-barrel in a double-layer lipid membrane.