Applications and evolution of melittin, the quintessential membrane active peptide.
Biochem Pharmacol
; 193: 114769, 2021 11.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34543656
ABSTRACT
Melittin, the main venom component of the European Honeybee, is a cationic linear peptide-amide of 26 amino acid residues with the sequence GIGAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKRKRQQ-NH2. Melittin binds to lipid bilayer membranes, folds into amphipathic α-helical secondary structure and disrupts the permeability barrier. Since melittin was first described, a remarkable array of activities and potential applications in biology and medicine have been described. Melittin is also a favorite model system for biophysicists to study the structure, folding and function of peptides and proteins in membranes. Melittin has also been used as a template for the evolution of new activities in membranes. Here we overview the rich history of scientific research into the many activities of melittin and outline exciting future applications.
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1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Abelhas
/
Meliteno
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article