title: Induction of transient ion channel-like pores in a cancer cell by antibiotic peptide.
abstract: The anticancer activity of anti-bacterial cecropins makes them potentially useful as peptide anti-cancer drugs. We used the cell-attached patch to study the effect of cecropin B (CB; having one hydrophobic and one amphipathic alpha-helix) and its derivative, cecropin B3 (CB3; having two hydrophobic alpha-helices) on the membrane of Ags cancer cells. Application of 10-60 microM CB onto the membrane of the cancer cell produces short outward currents. Comparative study with CB3, which induces no outward currents, shows that the amphipathic group of CB is necessary for the pore formation. The results provide a rationale to study the cell-killing activity of antimicrobial peptides at the single cancer cell level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, 14 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jian-Shan
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Xiao-Jing
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: King Wong
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Hueih Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fwu-Shan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Sheu
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006531:HEPES / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D007477:Ions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D019789:Tetraethylammonium / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007477:Ions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010455:Peptides; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; C031162:cecropin B protein, Insecta; D006531:HEPES