Mirror Images of Antimicrobial Peptides Provide Reflections on Their Functions and Amyloidogenic Properties.
Wang, C.K., King, G.J., Conibear, A.C., Ramos, M.C., Chaousis, S., Henriques, S.T., Craik, D.J.(2016) J Am Chem Soc 138: 5706-5713
- PubMed: 27064294 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b02575
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
5INZ - PubMed Abstract: 
Enantiomeric forms of BTD-2, PG-1, and PM-1 were synthesized to delineate the structure and function of these β-sheet antimicrobial peptides. Activity and lipid-binding assays confirm that these peptides act via a receptor-independent mechanism involving membrane interaction. The racemic crystal structure of BTD-2 solved at 1.45 Å revealed a novel oligomeric form of β-sheet antimicrobial peptides within the unit cell: an antiparallel trimer, which we suggest might be related to its membrane-active form. The BTD-2 oligomer extends into a larger supramolecular state that spans the crystal lattice, featuring a steric-zipper motif that is common in structures of amyloid-forming peptides. The supramolecular structure of BTD-2 thus represents a new mode of fibril-like assembly not previously observed for antimicrobial peptides, providing structural evidence linking antimicrobial and amyloid peptides.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.