Other · Royal jelly protein-associated peptide
Apisimin
Also known as —
A 54-residue royal jelly peptide studied for its association with MRJP1 and its contribution to native protein complexes.
- Length
- 54 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- Apisimin associates with major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1) and contributes to the organisation of oligomeric royal jelly complexes. No specific signalling receptor is established; its best-characterised role concerns protein assembly rather than receptor agonism.
- Studied in
- Purified-protein reconstitution, structural analysis and royal jelly fractionation examine apisimin–MRJP1 association, complex stoichiometry and assembly behaviour.
About Apisimin
Apisimin is a small peptide identified in royal jelly from the honeybee, Apis mellifera, and first described in 2002. Its mature sequence contains 54 amino acids and is enriched in serine and valine. Unlike the cysteine-rich defensins found in bee secretions, apisimin has no disulphide-stabilised defensin fold. It is especially notable for its association with major royal jelly protein 1, the abundant protein commonly abbreviated to MRJP1.
Structural and biochemical studies show that apisimin is a component of oligomeric MRJP1 assemblies, which can also contain bound lipids. Its contribution is therefore investigated through complex formation, stability and organisation rather than through a known cell-surface receptor. Experiments with isolated apisimin do not necessarily reproduce the properties of native royal jelly complexes. Protein composition, lipid content and solution conditions all deserve attention when comparing reconstituted material with fractions isolated from royal jelly.
Laboratory notes
- Assess peptide identity and purity independently of MRJP1 contamination when working with material isolated from royal jelly.
- Document pH, ionic strength and lipid content in complex-assembly experiments, as these variables affect comparisons with native material.
- Pair size-exclusion chromatography with an orthogonal mass or size measurement to distinguish complexes from nonspecific aggregates.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Apisimin
Is apisimin the same molecule as MRJP1?
No. Apisimin is a separate 54-amino-acid peptide that associates with the much larger MRJP1 protein.
Is a receptor target established for apisimin?
No specific signalling receptor is established. The strongest mechanistic evidence concerns its association with MRJP1-containing protein complexes.
Can isolated apisimin represent the complete native complex?
No. Native assemblies contain additional components, including MRJP1 and, in structurally characterised complexes, lipids. Reconstitution requires attention to composition and stoichiometry. Apisimin is for research use only.
Is Apisimin for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.