Cytochrome b5 and cytochrome b5 reductase-phospholipid vesicles. Intervesicle protein transfer and oreintation factors in protein-protein interactions.

NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase readily binds to preformed phospholipid vesicles either below or above the phase transition temperature of the lipid and in the absence of detergents. The isolated vesicles are free of unbound reductase, and the lipid is present as small, closed bilayers (250 to 400 A in diameter) as indicated by gel filtration, density gradient centrifugation, and internal volume measurements with [3H]glucose. The order of substrate specificity of the bound reductase is: ferricyanide = cytochrome b5 bound to reductase vesicles (100%) greater than cytochrome b5 heme peptide (13%) greater than unbound cytochrome b5 (4.5%) greater than cytochrome b5 vesicles (0.1%). This indicates that a specific orientation of cytochrome b5 and reductase in the bilayer is required for optimal interaction. Protein transfer occurs between reductase vesicles and cytochrome b5 vesicles. The transfer is time-dependent (40 to 70% complete in 2 h), does not involve vesicle fusion, is most rapid at the phase transition temperature of the phospholipid, and appears to require a fluid bilayer.