N. Sakai et S. Matile, On the electrostatics of cell-membrane recognition: From natural antibiotics to rigid push-pull rods, CHEM-EUR J, 6(10), 2000, pp. 1731-1737
The question why pore-forming, a-helical natural antibiotics are not toxic
is discussed within the general context of the interaction of electrostatic
ally asymmetric "nanorods" with neutral, anionic, and polarized bilayer mem
branes. We suggest that simplification of the structural complexity of natu
ral systems will be necessary to ultimately define the involved subtle bala
nce between constructive and destructive electrostatic interactions.