Role of the Wasp Venom Peptide Mastoparan in the Study of Mechanisms Involved in Cell Death

Abstract

The effect of mastoparan on membrane function in Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MOCK) cells was studied. Mastoparan increased [ 3 H]- inositol phosphates formation 56% (p<.001), 172% (p<.001), and 231% (p<.001} following treatment of 25, 75, and 100 ugjml mastoparan, respectively. Mastoparan-induced LDH release reached 8% at 1 min (p<.005) and 32% at 15 min (p<.001). Mastoparan also mediated the accumulation of inositol-trisphosphate with a concommitant decrease in the level of phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate. Furthermore, mastoparan significantly activated (p<.001) phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-phosphate kinase activities in a time and dose dependent fashion. These data suggest that the cellular toxic effects of mastoparan may in part be due to changes in phospholipid metabolism, thereby altering membrane structure and function.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 23, 1989
Accession Number
ADA634873

Entities

People

  • Samuel P. Eng

Organizations

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amines
  • Amino Acids
  • Bites And Stings
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Glycosides
  • Health Services
  • Insect Bites And Stings
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Organic Chemistry

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry