Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
7
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-7-24
pubmed:abstractText
Synthetic D- and L-amino acid type cationic 9-mer peptides (all sequences were synthesized as D- or L-amino acids) derived from the active sites of insect defensins were tested for their ability to modify the growth of blood-stream form African trypanosomes in vitro. One of them, the D-type peptide A (RLYLRIGRR-NH(2)), irreversibly suppressed proliferation of the Trypanosoma brucei brucei GUTat3.1 parasite. The presence of negatively charged phosphatidylserine on the surface of the parasites was demonstrated, suggesting electrostatic interaction between the peptide and the phospholipids. Furthermore, this peptide was found to alter trypanosome membrane-potentials significantly, an effect apparently due to the removal of the parasite's plasma membrane. The potential toxic effects of D-peptide A on mammalian cells was assessed using human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Only minor effects were found when the endothelial cells were exposed for 16 h to peptide concentrations of less than 200 microM. These findings suggest that insect defensin-based peptides represent a potentially new class of membrane-disrupting trypanocidal drugs.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
1347-6947
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
73
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1520-6
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Amino Acid Sequence, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Brain, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Cattle, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Cell Membrane, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Defensins, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Endothelial Cells, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Insect Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Membrane Potentials, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Microbial Sensitivity Tests, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Microvessels, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Molecular Sequence Data, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Oligopeptides, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Phospholipids, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Stereoisomerism, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Trypanocidal Agents, pubmed-meshheading:19584534-Trypanosoma brucei brucei
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Characteristics of novel insect defensin-based membrane-disrupting trypanocidal peptides.
pubmed:affiliation
Innate Immunity Research Unit, National Institute of the Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural