The impact of transmembrane peptides on lipid bilayer structure and mechanics: A study of the transmembrane domain of the influenza A virus M2 protein.

Transmembrane peptides play important roles in many biological processes by interacting with lipid membranes. This study investigates how the transmembrane domain of the influenza A virus M2 protein, M2TM, affects the structure and mechanics of model lipid bilayers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging revealed small decreases in bilayer thickness with increasing peptide concentrations.