Mast cell degranulating peptide: a multi-functional neurotoxin.
This review discusses our present knowledge of the structure and activities of the mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP). This peptide is a basic, 22 amino acid residue component of honey bee venom with striking immunological and pharmacological activities. MCDP is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, but at low concentrations it is a strong mediator of mast cell degranulation and histamine release. MCDP is also an epileptogenic neurotoxin, an avid blocker of the potassium channels and can cause a significant lowering of the blood pressure in rats. Some of the biological activities of MCDP appear to have distinct mechanisms and may represent a good illustration of the structure-function relationship.
CNS Research Department, American Cyanamid Company, Pearl River, New York 10965.
M R
MR
Ziai
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S
Russek
H C
HC
Wang
B
B
Beer
A J
AJ
Blume
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D001514:Bee Venoms; D009498:Neurotoxins; D010455:Peptides; D015221:Potassium Channels; C008331:mast cell degranulating peptide