Structural and biological characterization of two novel peptides from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes

Toxicon. 2004 Jul;44(1):67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.04.009.

Abstract

The venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes was fractionated by RP-HPLC resulting in the elution of seven fractions; the last two were re-fractionated under RP-HPLC by using isocratic elution conditions and the purity of the fractions were confirmed by using ESI-MS analysis. Both fractions are constituted of peptide components, which were sequenced by Edman degradation chemistry, resulting in the following sequences: Protonectin I-L-G-T-I-L-G-L-L-K-G-L-NH(2). Agelaia-MP I-N-W-L-K-L-G-K-A-I-I-D-A-L-NH(2). Both peptides are manually synthesized on solid-phase and functionally characterized by using Wistar rats cells. Protonectin is a non-hemolytic chemotactic peptide for polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMNL), presenting some mast cell degranulating activity and potent antimicrobial action both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Agelaia-MP was characterized as a hemolytic mast cell degranulator toxin, presenting a poor antimicrobial action and no chemotaxis for PMNL.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Brazil
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Chemotactic Factors / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / genetics*
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Peptides / genetics*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Wasp Venoms / chemistry
  • Wasp Venoms / genetics*
  • Wasp Venoms / metabolism
  • Wasps / chemistry*

Substances

  • 2-(4-isothiocyanatophenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinene 2-oxide
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Peptides
  • Wasp Venoms
  • protonectin (1-6), Agelaia pallipes pallipes
  • mastoparan