Magainin 1

Magainin are antimicrobial peptides that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi and induce osmotic lysis of protozoa. They kill bacteria by permeabilizing cell membranes without exhibiting significant toxicity against mammalian cells. Magainin I are thought to preferentially bind to anionic phospholipids abundant in bacterial membranes with the formation of dynamic peptide-lipid supramolecular pore and cell permeabilization.