Two families of antimicrobial peptides from wasp (Vespa magnifica) venom

Toxicon. 2006 Feb;47(2):249-53. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2005.10.015. Epub 2005 Dec 5.

Abstract

The hornet possesses highly toxic venom, which is rich in toxin, enzymes and biologically active peptides. Many bioactive substances were identified from wasp venom. Two families of antimicrobial peptides were purified and characterized from the venom of the wasp, Vespamagnifica (Smith). The primary structures of these peptides are homologous to those of chemotactic peptides and mastoparans isolated from other vespid venoms. They also share similarity to temporins which are amphibian antimicrobial peptides identified from the skin of the frog, Ranaboylii. These peptides show antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi. However, they show little hemolytic activity against human blood red cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / isolation & purification*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Wasp Venoms / chemistry*
  • Wasps / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Peptides
  • Wasp Venoms