Antimicrobial activity of synthetic all- d mastoparan M

• Published in: International journal of antimicrobial agents 2000, Vol.13 (3), p.203-208
• Main Authors: Li, Ming-Liang, Liao, Ru-Wen, Qiu, Jian-Wen, Wang, Zhi-Jian, Wu, Tzong-Ming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemical synthesis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial; Bacteria; Circular Dichroism; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Escherichia coli - ultrastructure; Mastoparan M; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Peptides - chemical synthesis; Peptides - chemistry; Peptides - pharmacology; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - growth & development; Staphylococcus aureus - ultrastructure; Stereoisomerism; Wasp Venoms - chemical synthesis; Wasp Venoms - chemistry; Wasp Venoms - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0924-8579; 1872-7913
• DOI: 10.1016/S0924-8579(99)00127-2

Mastoparan M, a tetradecapeptide toxin (INKAIAALAKKLL-NH2) from hornet venom and its d-form mastoparan M were synthesized chemically. All d- and l-mastoparan M forms were found to adopt 28% α-helical structures in a 30% trifluroethanol solution as shown by the circular dichroism spectrum. All- d mastoparan M caused 3H-thymidine release from labeled bacterial cells after incubation for 1 h and complete cell lysis by 4 h. Both l- and d-mastoparan M showed strong activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. All- d mastoparan M showed 2-fold higher antibacterial activity than l-mastoparan M. The effects of all- d mastoparan M on the surface morphology of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC29213) and Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) were studied by scanning-beam electron microscopy. Blast-like bleb extrusions on the surface of some S. aureus and swellings on the end of E. coli were seen after culture with all- d mastoparan M. These findings indicated the all- d mastoparan M could kill bacteria by disrupting cells.