Effect of melittin on ion transport across cell membranes
Yang, S.; Carrasquer, G.
Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 18(1): 3-5
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9756 PMID: 10072885 Document Number: 477599
Extensive work with melittin has shown that the venom has multiple effects, probably, as a result of its interaction with negatively changed phospholipids. It inhibits well known transport pumps such as the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Melittin increases the permeability of cell membranes to ions, particularly Na+ and indirectly Ca2+, because of the Na(+)-Ca(2+)-exchange. This effect results in marked morphological and functional changes, particularly in excitable tissues such as cardiac myocytes. In some other tissues, e.g., cornea, not only Na+ but Cl- permeability is also increased by melittin. Similar effects to melittin on H(+)-K(+)-ATPase have been found with the synthetic amphipathic polypeptide Trp-3.