Antimicrobial · Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP)
Pleurocidin
A 25-amino-acid AMP from winter flounder that forms alpha-helices to disrupt microbial membranes, noted for its activity in high-salt conditions.
- Length
- 25 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- Pleurocidin forms amphipathic alpha-helices that interact with and disrupt the anionic membranes of bacteria and fungi, causing leakage and cell death.
- Studied in
- In-vitro studies explore its broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, as well as its notable salt tolerance, which is relevant for activity in physiological fluids.
About Pleurocidin
Pleurocidin is a cationic antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin mucus of the winter flounder, *Pleuronectes americanus*. As an AMP from a marine fish, it is adapted to function in high-salt environments. The 25-residue peptide adopts an amphipathic α-helical structure, a common motif for membrane-active peptides.
Its mode of action involves electrostatic attraction to negatively charged components on microbial surfaces, followed by insertion into the lipid bilayer. This disrupts membrane integrity, leading to the leakage of ions and metabolites and eventual cell death. A key focus of laboratory research on Pleurocidin is its retained efficacy in the presence of high salt concentrations, a property not shared by all AMPs.
Laboratory notes
- An important control is to test its activity in buffers of varying NaCl concentrations (e.g., 0 mM to 150 mM) to confirm its salt tolerance.
- Use circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to confirm its conformational change from a random coil in solution to an α-helix in the presence of membrane-mimicking environments (e.g., SDS micelles or liposomes).
- Assess activity against marine and non-marine bacterial isolates to characterise its spectrum.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Pleurocidin
What is the natural source of Pleurocidin?
It was first identified in the epidermal mucus of the winter flounder, a marine flatfish. It is part of the fish's innate immune defense system.
Why is salt tolerance a significant feature for an AMP?
The activity of many cationic AMPs is inhibited by high salt concentrations, such as those found in physiological fluids. An AMP that retains activity in high salt is a more robust candidate for certain research applications.
Does Pleurocidin target specific types of microbes?
Laboratory studies have shown it possesses broad-spectrum activity against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some fungi.
Is Pleurocidin 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.