Cationic model peptides containing simple repeats, H-(LARL)3-(LRAL)n-NH2 (n = 0, 1, 2, and 3), were synthesized, and their antibacterial and hemolytic activities were investigated. Antibacterial activity decreased with an increase in the chain length of the peptides, whereas the reverse situation was found for hemolytic activity. As a result of measuring the bacterial membrane permeabilization, it was indicated that the complicated surface membrane structure of bacteria prevented the penetration of the long and rigid peptides into the inner membrane portion. Another peptide, H-(LARL)3-PRAL-(LRAL)2-NH2, which has a kink in the middle portion of the molecule, showed some antibacterial activity in spite of its long peptide chain.
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Niidome et al. (2005) studied this question.
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