Melittin Peptides

Melittin-S: 1.4-fold less hemolytic and adopts a less organized secondary structure than melittin. Melittin: Main toxin of bee venom with strong hemolytic activity. Forms a pore in the cell membrane by inserting into lipid bilayers in an alpha-helical conformation and has multiple effects, probably, as a result of its interaction with negatively charged phospholipids. It inhibits well known transport pumps such as the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. It increases the permeability of cell membranes to ions, particularly Na(+) and indirectly Ca(2+), because of the Na(+)-Ca(2+)-exchange. It acts synergistically with phospholipase A2.