Maximin H5 is an anticancer peptide

Publication date: Available online 27 February 2017
Source:Biochimie
Author(s): Sarah R. Dennison, Frederick Harris, David A. Phoenix
Here we report the first major example of anionic amphibian host defence peptides (HDPs) with anticancer activity. Maximin H5 is a C-terminally amidated, anionic host defence peptide (MH5N) from toads of the Bombina genus, which was shown to possess activity against the glioma cell line, T98G (EC50 = 125 μM). The peptide adopted high levels of α-helical structure (57.3%) in the presence of model cancer membranes (DMPC:DMPS in a molar ratio of 10:1). MH5N also showed a strong ability to penetrate these model membranes (Π = 10.5 mN m^-1), which correlated with levels of DMPS (R² > 0.98). Taken with the high ability of the peptide to lyse these membranes (65.7%), it is proposed that maximin H5 kills cancer cells via membranolytic mechanisms that are promoted by anionic lipid. It was also found that C-terminally deaminated maximin H5 (MH5C) exhibited lower levels of α-helical structure in the presence of cancer membrane mimics (44.8%) along with a reduced ability to penetrate these membranes (Π = 8.1 mN m^-1) and induce their lysis (56.6%). These data suggested that the two terminal amide groups of native maximin H5 are required for its optimal membranolytic and anticancer activity.



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