Structure and biological activities of eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), a new mast cell degranulating peptide in the venom of the solitary wasp (Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado)

Toxicon. 2000 Nov;38(11):1505-15. doi: 10.1016/s0041-0101(00)00083-0.

Abstract

A new mast cell degranulating peptide, eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), was isolated from the venom of the solitary wasp Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado, the most common eumenine wasp found in Japan. The structure was analyzed by FAB-MS/MS together with Edman degradation, which was corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. The sequence of EMP-AF, Ile-Asn-Leu-Leu-Lys-Ile-Ala-Lys-Gly-Ile-Ile-Lys-Ser-Leu-NH(2), was similar to that of mastoparan, a mast cell degranulating peptide from a hornet venom; tetradecapeptide with C-terminus amidated and rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids. In fact, EMP-AF exhibited similar activity to mastoparan in stimulating degranulation from rat peritoneal mast cells and RBL-2H3 cells. It also showed significant hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes. Therefore, this is the first example that a mast cell degranulating peptide is found in the solitary wasp venom. Besides the degranulation and hemolytic activity, EMP-AF also affects on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster walking leg preparation. Three analogs EMP-AF-1 approximately 3 were snythesized and biologically tested together with EMP-AF, resulting in the importance of the C-terminal amide structure for biological activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Degranulation / drug effects*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Female
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mast Cells / drug effects*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nephropidae
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Wasp Venoms / chemistry*
  • Wasp Venoms / isolation & purification
  • Wasp Venoms / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Wasp Venoms
  • eumenine mastoparan-AF