Bactenecin, a leukocytic antimicrobial peptide, is cytotoxic to neuronal and glial cells.

Abstract

Small antimicrobial peptides are abundantly produced by leukocytes. These peptides are active against a broad range of pathogens, notably bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses, but hardly anything is known about their physiological and pathophysiological relevance. We observed that bactenecin, a dodecapeptide, is strongly cytotoxic to rat embryonic neurons, fetal rat astrocytes and human glioblastoma cells. This neurotoxicity is unique to bactenecin, as a panel of antibacterial peptides from vertebrates and invertebrates, like defensins, corticostatin, indolicidin, cecropin P1, tachyplesin I, the magainins, or apidaecins did not impair neuronal viability.

• Authors: S W Radermacher, V M Schoop, H J Schluesener
• Journal: Journal of neuroscience research (J Neurosci Res) Vol. 36 Issue 6 Pg. 657-62 (Dec 15 1993) ISSN: 0360-4012 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8145294 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Peptides, Cyclic
• bactenecin

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (toxicity)
• Astrocytes (drug effects)
• Cell Line
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Humans
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Neuroglia (drug effects)
• Neurons (drug effects)
• Peptides, Cyclic (toxicity)
• Rats
• Tumor Cells, Cultured