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Updated: May 2, 2026

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
Published on: May 4, 2018
An ATPase inhibitory peptide with antibacterial and ion current effects
Jie Lu1, Zheng-wang Chen1, Ying Wu1
1Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Avenue, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
Abstract:
An 84-residue bactericidal peptide, PSK, was purified from a Chrysomya megacephala fly larvae preparation. Its amino acid sequence is similar to that of a previously reported larval peptide of the Drosophila genus (SK84) noticed for its anticancer and antimicrobial properties. The PSK sequence is also homologous to mitochondrial ATPase inhibitors from insects to humans (35-65% sequence identity), indicating an intracellular protein target and possible mechanism for PSK. It contains a cluster of six glycine residues, and has several two- and three-residue repeats. It is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria via a mechanism apparently involving cell membrane disintegration and inhibition of ATP hydrolysis. In addition, PSK induces an inward cationic current in pancreatic β cells. Together, the findings identify a bioactive peptide of the ATPase inhibitor family with specific effects on both prokaryotic and mammalian cells.
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