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Spontaneous polymerization of the antibiotic peptide magainin 2
Author(s) -
Urrutia Raul,
Cruciani Ricardo A.,
Barker Jeffery L.,
Kachar Bechara
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(89)81230-x
Subject(s) - magainin , peptide , polymerization , biophysics , ionic strength , chemistry , antibiotics , substructure , antimicrobial peptides , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , polymer , aqueous solution , structural engineering , engineering
We describe here the ability of the magainin 2 peptide to assemble spontaneously into characteristic 13‐nm diameter filaments having a 30 nm periodic helical substructure. Optimal conditions for extensive polymerization into filaments of several hundred microns required low pH and high ionic strength. Polymerization of the magainin 2 peptide may be involved in its recently described in vitro membrane‐disrupting and antibiotic activities.