[Modulation of melittin-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes]

Three main groups of chemicals influence melittin-induced hemolysis including neutral compounds and inhibitors and activators of hemolysis. Inhibitors include divalent cations Zn2+ and Ca2+, albumin, DIDS, etc.; their potency significantly increases if they are present at early stages of peptide-membrane interaction. The rate of melittin-induced hemolysis depends on time of preincubation with the cells in physiologic saline but does not depend on the presence of inhibitors or activators. Longer incubation increases the rate of hemolysis. These effects can be due to membrane inhibitory components with specific affinity to melittin which initially protect the membrane from its lytic effect; these components can dissociate from the cell surface after dilution and incubation in physiologic saline. According to the suggested model, characteristics of peptide-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes are determined by sequential stages of peptide-membrane interaction and depend on the formation of triple non-lytic complex comprising the membrane inhibitory component, the blocker, and the peptide; the complex inhibits destruction of the membrane.