Characterization of dual effects induced by antimicrobial peptides: Regulated cell death or membrane disruption

► AMPs exhibit cytotoxic ability by mechanism not well understood. ► Cell death-inducing activities by four β-hairpin AMPs were compared. ► At low concentration AMPs promoted cell death by different intracellular mechanisms. ► At high concentration AMPs promoted membrane disruption with different features. ► Different actions by β-hairpin AMPs are observed despite their similar structure.