Structure-Activity Relationship of New Chimeric Analogs of Mastoparan from the Wasp Venom .

Mastoparan (MP) is an antimicrobial cationic tetradecapeptide with the primary structure INLKALAALAKKIL-. This amphiphilic α-helical peptide was originally isolated from the venom of the wasp . MP shows a variety of biological activities, such as inhibition of the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as hemolytic activity and activation of mast cell degranulation.

Cell-penetrating peptides modulate the vascular action of phenylephrine.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are a family of peptides able to penetrate the cell membrane. This group of compounds has attracted consideration as potential therapeutic tools for the delivery of various substances into cells. Here, we investigated possible interactions between several CPP synthesized in our laboratory and the vascular action of phenylephrine.