Abstract

Oblique orientated α-helices are highly specialised protein structural elements that penetrate membranes at a shallow angle and are used to promote membrane destabilisation by a number of protein classes. Here, the use of extended hydrophobic moment methodology shows that the amphibian extrudates, aurein 1.2 and citropin 1.1, may use oblique orientated α-helices in their antimicrobial action and that such use may be shared by other antimicrobial peptides. This appears to be the first systematic analysis of these peptides for the possession of oblique orientated a-helical structure.

Keywords: peptides, hydrophobicity, membrane destabilisation, haemolysis, non-bilayer lipid structures