an inhibitor of protein-kinases and cell membrane lytic factor from the venom of the Honeybee, Apis mellifera.

26-amino acid peptide with no disulfide bridge, from Apis mellifera bee venom; the NH2 terminal part of the molecule is predominantly hydrophobic and the C terminal part is hydrophilic and strongly basic.

• Molecular Weight : 2,847 Da.
  
  
• Solubility in : well in water and saline.
  
  
• Purity min. : Percent by weight:
  Melittin: 67 Peptidic contaminants: 9
  Acetate: 9 H₂0: 15
  Phospholipase max.: 0.01
  Percent by mole:
  Phospholipase max.: 0.002
  
  
• Biological Activity : inhibitor of protein kinase C, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, myosin light chain kinase and Na+/K⁺-ATPase (synaptosomal membrane), with an IC50 of 1-4 µM; cell membrane lytic factor.
  
  
• Toxicity (LD₅₀) : mice (i.p.): 12 µg/g.
  mice (intracisternal injection): 0.86 µg/g.
  
  
• Storage recommendations : store preferably at -20°C; solution for use: 100 µM; the solution can be freezed and thawed.
  
  
• CAS Reg. No. : 20449-79-0
  
  
• Bibliography :
  
  1. Raynor et al., "Membrane interactions of amphiphilic polypeptides mastoparan, melittin, polymyxin B, and cardiotoxin." J. Biol. Chem. 1991 266(5):2753-2758
  2. Schweitz, "Lethal potency in mice of toxins from scorpion, sea anemone, snake and bee venoms following intraperitoneal and intracisternal injection." Toxicon (1984). 22:308-311
  3. Habermann, "Bee and wasp venoms: the biochemistry and pharmacology of their peptides and enzymes are reviewed." Science (1972). 177:314-322