title: Structural basis for antimicrobial activity of lasiocepsin.
abstract: Lasiocepsin is a unique 27-residue antimicrobial peptide, isolated from Lasioglossum laticeps (wild bee) venom, with substantial antibacterial and antifungal activity. It adopts a well-defined structure consisting of two α-helices linked by a structured loop. Its basic residues form two distinct positively charged regions on the surface whereas aliphatic side chains contribute to solvent-accessible hydrophobic areas, thus emphasising the amphipathic character of the molecule. Lasiocepsin structurally belongs to the ShK family and shows a strong preference for anionic phospholipids; this is further augmented by increasing concentrations of cardiolipin, such as those found at the poles of bacterial cells. The membrane-permeabilising activity of the peptide is not limited to outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. The peptide interacts with phospholipids initially through its N terminus, and its degree of penetration is strongly dependent on the presence of cardiolipin.
authors: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague 6 (Czech Republic).
authors: Lenka
authors: L
authors: Monincová
authors: Milos
authors: M
authors: Buděšínský
authors: Sabina
authors: S
authors: Čujová
authors: Václav
authors: V
authors: Čeřovský
authors: Václav
authors: V
authors: Veverka
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010539:Permeability; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021381:Protein Transport
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001514:Bee Venoms; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C576085:lasiocepsin
keywords: Lasioglossum laticeps; NMR spectroscopy; ShK family; antimicrobial peptides; membranes