Antinematodal effect of antimicrobial peptide, PMAP-23, isolated from porcine myeloid against Caenorhabditis elegans

J Pept Sci. 2004 May;10(5):304-11. doi: 10.1002/psc.518.

Abstract

The antinematodal activity and mechanism of a 23-mer antimicrobial peptide, PMAP-23, derived from pig myeloid was investigated. PMAP-23 displayed a strong antinematodal activity against the eggs and worms of Caenorhabditis elegans. To investigate the antinematodal mechanism of PMAP-23, fluorescence activated flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were performed. C. elegans treated with PMAP-23 showed higher fluorescence intensity by propidium iodide (PI) staining than normal cells. Confocal microscopy showed that the peptide was localized in the egg's shell and cell membrane. The action of the peptide against C. elegans membranes was examined by testing the membrane disrupting activity using liposome (PC/PS; 3:1, w/w). The result suggests that PMAP-23 may exert its antinematodal activity by disrupting the structure of the cell membrane via pore formation or via direct interaction with the lipid bilayers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Antinematodal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects*
  • Eggs*
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Swine

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Antinematodal Agents
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • porcine myeloid antibacterial peptide 23