Antibiotic magainins exert cytolytic activity against transformed cell lines through channel formation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 May 1;88(9):3792-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.88.9.3792.

Abstract

Magainins are an ionophoric class of vertebrate peptides with antibiotic activity against various microorganisms. Here we show that magainin 2 and synthetic analogues can rapidly and irreversibly lyse hematopoietic tumor and solid tumor target cells with a relative cytotoxic potency that parallels their antibacterial efficacy and at concentrations that are relatively nontoxic to well-differentiated cells. The cytotoxicity is prevented by cell depolarization. Magainins represent a natural cytolytic agent in vertebrates and may provide another therapeutic strategy for certain tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chlorides / physiology
  • Gramicidin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Ion Channels*
  • Ionophores*
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Peptides / toxicity*
  • Potassium / physiology
  • Sodium / physiology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects*
  • Xenopus Proteins*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Chlorides
  • Ion Channels
  • Ionophores
  • Peptides
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • magainin 1 peptide, Xenopus
  • Gramicidin
  • Sodium
  • Potassium