Symbol Cecropin InterPro IPR000875 SCOP 1f0d | Pfam PF00272 PROSITE PDOC00241 SUPERFAMILY 1f0d | |
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Cecropins are antimicrobial peptides. They were first isolated from the hemolymph of Hyalophora cecropia, whence the term cecropin was derived. Cecropins lyse bacterial cell membranes; they also inhibit proline uptake and cause leaky membranes.
Contents
Cecropins constitute a main part of the cell-free immunity of insects. Cecropins are small proteins of about 31 - 37 amino acid residues active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cecropins isolated from insects other than Hyalophora cecropia (Cecropia moth) have been given various names; bactericidin, lepidopterin, sarcotoxin, etc. All of these peptides are structurally related.
Members
Members include :
Derivatives
A derivative of Cecropin B is an anticancer polypeptide(L). Structure consists of mainly alpha helixes, determined by solution NMR. Protein molecular weight = 4203.4g/mol.
Some of the cecropins (e.g. cecropin A, and cecropin B) have anticancer properties and are called anticancer peptides (ACPs). Hybrid ACPs based on Cecropin A have been studied for anticancer properties.