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Sigma-Aldrich Melittin from honey bee venom, ≥85% (HPLC)
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Specifications:
| Application | Peptide Synthesis | ||
| Storage Temperature | -20°C | ||
| Product Type | Proteins & Peptides | Forms | lyophilized powder |
| Product Brand | Sigma-Aldrich | ||
| Product Grade | HPLC Grade | Formula | C₁₃₁H₂₂₉N₃₉O₃₁ |
Melittin, the principal active component of honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom, is a 26-amino acid amphipathic peptide known for its potent biological activity, particularly its membrane-disrupting, antimicrobial, cytolytic, and hemolytic properties.
This product is supplied as a lyophilized powder with ≥85% purity as determined by HPLC, and is suitable for a range of biochemical, pharmacological, and cell-based assays. Due to its hydrophobic nature, melittin interacts strongly with lipid bilayers, forming pores or disrupting membranes, and serves as a model compound in studies of cell permeability, apoptosis induction, antimicrobial action, and membrane protein interactions.
Key Features & Benefits
- ✅ High Purity (≥85%) verified by HPLC
- ✅ Lyophilized powder for long-term stability and consistent performance
- ✅ Soluble in water (5.0–5.2 mg/mL, clear to faint yellow solution)
- ✅ Active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
- ✅ Exhibits cytotoxic, hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties
- ✅ Inhibits Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and S100B protein; binds calmodulin in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner
Amino Acid Sequence
Gly-Ile-Gly-Ala-Val-Leu-Lys-Val-Leu-Thr-Thr-Gly-Leu-Pro-Ala-Leu-Ile-Ser-Trp-Ile-Lys-Arg-Lys-Arg-Gln-Gln-NH₂
Biological Activity
- Antimicrobial: Active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
- Cytotoxic: Disrupts eukaryotic membranes; used in cancer cell apoptosis studies
- Hemolytic Agent: Model peptide for membrane lysis and red blood cell assays
- Neurobiological Modulator: Inhibits S100B protein and prolongs blood clotting time
Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| MTT Cytotoxicity Assays | Evaluate melittin-induced cell viability in various human cell lines |
| Hemolysis Assays | Used as a positive control for red blood cell lysis studies |
| Antimicrobial Testing | Assess in vitro inhibition of bacterial strains (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi) |
| Epilepsy Research | Inhibits S100B protein, a therapeutic target in neurological conditions |
| Calmodulin Interaction Studies | Binds calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner |
| ATPase Inhibition | Inhibits Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, impacting cellular ion regulation |
Specifications
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Source | Animal (Apis mellifera) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Molecular Weight | ~2846.46 Da (monomer); tetramer ~12,500 Da |
| Purity | ≥85% (HPLC) |
| Solubility | Water: 5.00–5.20 mg/mL |
| Activity | Antimicrobial, cytolytic, hemolytic, neuroactive |
| Foreign Activity | Phospholipase A₂ ≤0.5% |
| Storage Temperature | −20°C |
| SMILES / InChI Key | Available on product page |
| PubChem Substance ID | 24896718 |
| MDL Number | MFCD00076868 |
Safety & Handling
- Store at −20°C
- Reconstitute in water for immediate use
- Handle with care due to cytotoxic and hemolytic activity
Sigma-Aldrich Melittin from honey bee venom is a biologically active peptide with a well-documented profile in membrane biology, toxicology, pharmacology, and microbiology. Its ability to disrupt lipid bilayers, bind calmodulin, and inhibit key cellular enzymes makes it a valuable reference compound in both basic research and drug development.
Whether used in cell-based assays, antimicrobial studies, or membrane interaction research, this high-purity melittin preparation delivers reproducibility, performance, and biochemical reliability across applications.
- Pack Size: 5mg 25mg 1mg