Lasioglossins: Three novel antimicrobial peptides from the venom of the eusocial bee Lasioglossum laticeps (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)
Abstract
Three novel antimicrobial peptides H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Lys-NH2 (LL-I), H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Lys-NH2 (LL-II) and H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Val-Lys-NH2 (LL-III) designated lasioglossins were identified in the venom of the wild be Lasioglossum laticeps. They possess high antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and low hemolytic activity.
As indicated by CD and NMR spectroscopy, lasioglossins can adopt an amphipathic α-helical secondary structure in an anisotropic environment such as the bacterial cell membrane. NMR study confirmed that this α-helical structure is curved with a concave hydrophobic and convex hydrophilic side.