Structural and biological characterization of two novel peptides from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes

Author(s)

Mendes, Maria Anita ^[1] ; Souza, Bibiana Monson de ; Marques, Mauricio Ribeiro ; Palma, Mario Sergio

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Biologia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 44, n. 1, p. 67-74, July 2004.
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry

Abstract

The venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes was fractionated by RP-HPLC resulting in the elution of seven fractions; the last two were re-fractionated under RP-HPLC by using isocratic elution conditions and the purity of the fractions were confirmed by using ESI-MS analysis. Both fractions are constituted of peptide components, which were sequenced by Edman degradation chemistry, resulting in the following sequences: Protonectin I-L-G-T-I-L-G-L-L-K-G-L-NH2 Agelaia-MP I-N-W-L-K-L-G-K-A-I-I-D-A-L-NH2. Both peptides are manually synthesized on solid-phase and functionally characterized by using Wistar rats cells. Protonectin is a non-hemolytic chemotactic peptide for polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMNL), presenting some mast cell degranulating activity and potent antimicrobial action both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Agelaia-MP was characterized as a hemolytic mast cell degranulator toxin, presenting a poor antimicrobial action and no chemotaxis for PMNL. (AU)