Amphipathic-Lipid-Packing-Sensor interactions with lipids assessed by atomistic molecular dynamics

► The Amphipathic-Lipid-Packing-Sensor (ALPS) motif is studied by molecular dynamics. ► Trajectories are performed in pure DOPC and in a mixture DOPC/DOG (85:15 molar ratio). ► The introduction of DOG in a DOPC bilayer induces packing defects. ► ALPS displays more flexibility in a loosely packed membrane. ► ALPS lipid packing sensing capability may have an entropic origin.