Abstract
Ceratotoxins are antibacterial 3-kDa amphiphilic peptides isolated from the female reproductive apparatus of the medfly Ceratitis capitata. The antibacterial activity of a chemically synthesized ceratotoxin A (ctx A) has been investigated. Ctx A was mainly active against Gram-negative organisms, and it had a lytic effect on nongrowing Escherichia coli K-12. Data showed that ctx A alters both the outer and the inner membrane of E.coli K-12 cells.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
-
Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
-
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
-
Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects
-
Diptera
-
Escherichia coli / drug effects*
-
Escherichia coli / metabolism
-
Female
-
Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
-
Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
-
Insect Hormones / chemistry
-
Insect Hormones / isolation & purification
-
Insect Hormones / pharmacology*
-
Insect Proteins*
-
Molecular Weight
Substances
-
Anti-Bacterial Agents
-
Insect Hormones
-
Insect Proteins
-
ceratotoxin A protein, Ceratitis capitata