EFFECT OF HEAD GROUP AND CURVATURE ON BINDING OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDE TRITRPTICIN TO LIPID MEMBRANES

► Upon interaction with model membranes the antimicrobial peptide TRP3 acquires secondary structure. ► The conformation of TRP3 is independent of lipid composition in both bilayers and micelles. ► The conformation is different in bilayers and micelles. ► Binding to bilayers corresponds to the first step of peptide-membrane interaction. ► Micelles can be used to mimic the peptide-lipid topology in toroidal pores.