Probing membrane permeabilization by the antimicrobial peptide distinctin in mercury-supported biomimetic membranes

► Distinctin forms rapidly ion channels selective toward inorganic cations in lipid monolayers. ► Distinctin is adsorbed on lipid bilayers in the form of aggregates. ► Distinctin ion channels in lipid bilayers are formed by nucleation and growth of embedded monomers. ► Distinctin molecules must partition between the two sides of a lipid bilayer in order to form ion channels.