title: [Antimicrobial proteins of insect and their clinical application].
abstract: We isolated three antimicrobial proteins from the hemolymph of immunized Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) larvae. These are sarcotoxin I, sapecin and antifungal protein (AFP). Sarcotoxin I and sapecin are highly specific for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. AFP was found to have fungicidal activity. Primary target for these antimicrobial proteins was assumed to be microbial membrane. We were able to identify a core undecapeptide of sapecin B. We modified this peptide and finally obtained KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 and its D-enantiomer. These peptides were effective against various bacteria including MRSA. We found that MRSA-infected mine are cured by treating with these peptides.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Natori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007313:Insecta / Q000737:chemistry*; D007814:Larva / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007301:Insect Hormones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C057638:sapecin protein, Sarcophaga; C042572:sarcotoxin I protein, Sarcophaga peregrina