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XB-ART-21575
Biochim Biophys Acta 1994 Feb 23;11901:181-4.
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Cooperative membrane insertion of magainin correlated with its cytolytic activity.

Ludtke SJ , He K , Wu Y , Huang HW .


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Using oriented circular dichroism, we have found that magainin adopts an alpha-helical conformation with two distinct orientations when interacting with a lipid bilayer. At low concentrations, magainin is absorbed parallel to the membrane surface. However, at high concentrations, magainin is inserted into the membrane. This transition occurs at roughly the same critical concentration required for cytolytic activity, implying that the membrane insertion is responsible for magainin's cell-lysing activity.

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Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: magainins