Cecropin-B – Other Categories

Cecropins are a lytic peptide family, originally isolated from Hyalophora cecropia. Cecropin-B is a cationic helical peptide that can form pores, this is believed to be the reason for its such potent lytic activity. Cecropin-B has been shown to be effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria plus numerous cancer cell lines including multidrug-resistant types. The ability to insert into the cell membrane and lead to pore formation is attributed to the amphipathic groups present creating amphipathic regions. The effectiveness of cecropin-B on cancer cells has led to further use of the peptide as a model for potential new anticancer drugs including cyclic cationic forms.