artículo científico
Synthetic peptides derived from the C-terminal region of Lys49 phospholipase A2 homologues from Viperidae snake venoms: biomimetic activities and potential applications
Fecha
2010Registro en:
1381-6128
1873-4286
10.2174/138161210793292456
20687875
Autor
Lomonte, Bruno
Angulo Ugalde, Yamileth
Moreno Robles, Edgardo
Institución
Resumen
Lys49-phospholipase A2 homologues constitute a large family of toxins present in the venoms of viperid snake species, which
despite lacking catalytic activity, cause significant skeletal muscle necrosis. The main structural determinants of this toxic effect have
been experimentally mapped to a region near their C-terminus (115-129), which combines cationic and hydrophobic/aromatic amino acid
residues. Short (13-mer) synthetic peptides representing this C-terminal region can mimick several of the effects of Lys49 PLA2 homologues.
In addition to their ability to damage muscle cells, these peptides display antibacterial, antiendotoxic, antifungal, antiparasite, and
antitumor activities, as well as VEGF-receptor 2 (KDR)-binding and heparin-binding properties. Modifications of their sequences have
shown possibilities to enhance their effects upon prokaryotic cells, while decreasing toxicity for eukaryotic cells. This review presents an
updated summary on the biomimetic actions exerted by such peptides, and highlights their potential value as molecular tools or as drug
leads in diverse biomedical areas.