The interaction of nisin, a membrane-interacting cationic polypeptide, with membranemimicking micelles of zwitterionic dodecylphosphocholine and of anionic sodium dodecylsulphate was studied. Direct contacts have been established through the observation of NOES between nisin and micelle protons. Spin-labeled DOXYL-stearic acids were incorporated into the two micellar systems. From the paramagnetic broadening effects induced in the 'H-NMR spectrum of nisin it is concluded that the molecule is localized at the surface of the micelles. Biochem. 235,. The hydrophobic residues are immersed into the micelles and oriented towards the center, whereas the more polar or charged residues have an outward orientation. The micellar systems are considered to model the first step in the mechanism of antimicrobial action of nisin, this step is the binding of nisin to the cytoplasmic membrane of target bacteria. Detailed information on this initial binding step is obtained. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions appear to be involved in the nisin-micelle contacts. It is suggested that subtilin, a lantibiotic structurally related to nisin, has a comparable membrane interaction surface.Keywords: bacteriocin; lanthionine-containing polypeptide; inode of action; NMR; spin labelThe polycyclic 34-residue-containing polypeptide nisin (Gross and Morel], 1971) ( Fig. 1) belongs to the class of lanthionine-containing polypeptides known as lantibiotics (Schnell et al., 1988). They are characterized by the occurrence of unusual amino acids, such as lanthionine, 3methyllanthionine, dehydroalanine (Dha) and dehydrobutyrine (Dhb). Lantibiotics are the end products of ribosomal synthesis and post-translational modifications. They are produced by a large number of Grampositive bacteria; the producer of nisin is Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The post-translational modification involves dehydration of serines and threonines resulting in cx,p-unsaturated amino acids, of which some react with thiol groups of cysteine residues to form lanthionine or 3-methyllanthionine (Ingram, 1970).Nisin possesses bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria or their spores. Because of this activity it is exploited as a food preservative in the dairy and canning Correspondence fo C. W. Hilbers, NSR Center, Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Toernooiveld, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands Fux: +31 24 3652112. Ahhvevicztions. Ah:, 3-methylalanyl moiety of (2S, 3S, 6X)-3-metliyllanthionine; Ah,, i,-alanyl moiety of tnesn-lanthionine; .Ah, L-alanyl moicty of meso-lanthioninc or of (2S, 3S, hR)-3-methyllanthionine; 1/2/