ISSN:
1075-2617
Keywords:
Melittin immunogenicity
;
T-cell epitopic secondary structure
;
melittin toxicity
;
substituent effects
;
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Peptides derived from the bee-venom melittin were fitted with the haptenic group dinitrocarboxyphenyl(Dncp) and tested in out-bred guinea pigs for immunogenicity by measuring the IgG anti-Dncp antibody response by ELISA. Dncp-conjugates comprising virtually the entire melittin proved to be strong immunogens producing antibody responses comparable to those of proteins. Weak responses were obtained with considerably shortened seqences. Conjugates with N-terminal Dncp gave markedly reduced antibody responses compared to peptides with C-terminal Dncp. An N-terminal biotinyl substituent abolished the immune response whereas N-terminal lauryl and caprylyl had little effect. Insertion of L-proline into a hexadecapeptide conjugate abolishing the possibility of helix formation gave an immunogen to which individual animals clearly responded on a low level. Oligomerisation, but not the cytolytic activity of melittin peptides, may contribute to the immunogenicities observed.
Additional Material:
7 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/psc.310010206
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