MAGAININ II

Magainin 2 (Magainin II) is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) isolated from the skin of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Magainin 2 displays antibiotic activity against numerous gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Magainin 2 also is active against protozoa[1]. Magainin 2 exerts its cytotoxicity effects by preferential interactions with anionic phospholipids abundant in bacterial membranes[2].

Magainin II is a member of the antimicrobial peptides family. It is a cationic peptide with Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Phe-Leu-His-Ser-Ala-Lys-Lys-Phe-Gly-Lys-Ala-Phe-Val-Gly-Glu-Ile-Met-Asn-Ser amino acid sequence. Magainin II is water soluble and non-hemolytic at its effective and amphiphilic antimicrobial concentrations.

Magainin II acts as an antibiotic in a variety of organisms. Magainin II exhibits cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects via pore formation in bladder cancer cells. In mice, it acts as an anti-tumor agent in several cancer cell lines and tumors. Magainin II facilitates lactate dehydrogenase discharge from mammalian cells. It directly interacts with certain cell membranes via amphiphilic α-helix and forms permeable ion channels, which results in depolarization and irreversible cytolysis and finally cell death. At low concentrations, Magainin II retards the growth of bacterial and fungal species and it promotes cytolysis in protozoa.

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[1] M Zasloff, et al. Magainins, a class of antimicrobial peptides from Xenopus skin: isolation, characterization of two active forms, and partial cDNA sequence of a precursor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Aug;84(15):5449-53. DOI:10.1073/pnas.84.15.5449
[2] K Matsuzaki, et al. Magainins as paradigm for the mode of action of pore forming polypeptides. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1998 Nov 10;1376(3):391-400. DOI:10.1016/s0304-4157(98)00014-8