Home FOR AUTHORS General Physiology and Biophysics 2017 General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.36, No.4, p.373–381, 2017

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Quarterly, 80 pp. per issue
Founded: 1982
ISSN  1338-4325 (online)

Published in English

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General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.36, No.4, p.373–381, 2017

Title: Biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with tetrameric melittin: preparation and membrane disruption evaluation
Author: Azucena Gonzalez-Horta, Arely Matamoros-Acosta, Abelardo Chavez-Montes, Rocio Castro-Rios, Jorge Lara-Arias

Abstract: Melittin is the main component of bee venom consisting of 26 amino acids that has multiple effects, including antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory in various cell types. This peptide forms pores in biological membranes and triggers cell death. Therefore it has potential as an anti-cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic application of melittin is limited due to its main side effect, hemolysis, which is especially pronounced following intravenous administration. In the present study, we formulated tetrameric melittin-carrying poly-D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs) and analyzed the lytic activity of this system on liposomes that resembles breast cancer cells. Tetrameric melittin binds avidly to PLGA-NPs with an encapsulation efficiency of 97% and retains its lytic activity demonstrating the effectiveness of PLGA-NPs as nanocarriers for this cytolytic peptide.

Keywords: Melittin — PLGA nanoparticles — Liposomes — Leakage — Fluorescence — Circular dichroism
Published online: 13-Sep-2017
Year: 2017, Volume: 36, Issue: 4 Page From: 373, Page To: 381
doi:10.4149/gpb_2017011


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