pH‐Induced insertion of the amphiphilic α‐helical anchor of Escherichia coli penicillin‐binding protein 5

Abstract
By treating vesicles prepared from Excherichia coli K12 with various reagents, we have investigated the mechanism by which peicillin-binding protein 5 anchors to the inner membrane. The Results indicate that there are two forms of anchoring; one which is inaccessible to urea and probably inserted into the bilayer and one which is accessible. Association of the accessible form with the membrane seems to involve significant hydrophobic interaction and this form is triggered to undergo reversible ''insertion'' by a decrease in pH.