Peptide structure and silver ion affinity: influence on the formation of α-helices upon metal binding

Metal ion binding is essential for many critical life-sustaining protein functions. To clarify Ag(+) resistance, we studied model peptides based on the SilE protein. By focusing on a specific sequence of SilE known to form α-helices and mutants thereof, we discovered trends in the α-helical structure induced by Ag(+).