AbeTx1 Is a Novel Sea Anemone Toxin with a Dual Mechanism of Action on Shaker-Type K⁺ Channels Activation.

Voltage-gated potassium (K) channels regulate diverse physiological processes and are an important target for developing novel therapeutic approaches. Sea anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) venoms comprise a highly complex mixture of peptide toxins with diverse and selective pharmacology on K channels. From the nematocysts of the sea anemone , a peptide that we named AbeTx1 was purified and functionally characterized on 12 different subtypes of K channels (K1.

Chitosan derivatives targeting lipid bilayers: Synthesis, biological activity and interaction with model membranes.

The antimicrobial activity of chitosan and derivatives to human and plant pathogens represents a high-valued prospective market. Presently, two low molecular weight derivatives, endowed with hydrophobic and cationic character at different ratios were synthesized and characterized. They exhibit antimicrobial activity and increased performance in relation to the intermediate and starting compounds.

Pro-necrotic Activity of Cationic Mastoparan Peptides in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Via Membranolytic Action.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal malignant brain tumor. Because of its complexity and heterogeneity, this tumor has become resistant to conventional therapies and the available treatment produces multiple side effects. Here, using multiple experimental approaches, we demonstrate that three mastoparan peptides-Polybia-MP1, Mastoparan X, and HR1-from solitary wasp venom exhibit potent anticancer activity toward human glioblastoma multiforme cells.