Antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of a novel cationic α-helical dodecapeptide, a partial sequence of cyanate lyase from rice

► A dodecapeptide from rice was a novel cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptide. ► The peptide contains three arginine and two lysine residues. ► The peptide exhibited the antimicrobial activity against a periodontal pathogen. ► The peptide disrupted giant unilamellar vesicles in a detergent-like manner. ► Arginine residues at positions 15 and 24 are critical for the antimicrobial activity.