Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B · 1969 · 13 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesBiochemistryEntomologyProtein BiochemistryStructural BiologyStructural BiophysicsPeptide AnalysisPeptide ChemistryVenom BiologyAmino Acid Sequence-structure RelationshipsBiological Activity FeaturesMolecular Weight DeterminationPeptide Structure - Activity RelationshipsPeptide Structure AnalysisSurface Active MoleculesToxin BiochemistryToxin Structure
Melittin is the (main) toxic peptide of bee venom having a molecular weight of 2840, with a known sequence (s. fig. 1). Optical rotatory dispersion of non-crystalline melittin in aqueous solution suggests that the polypeptide chain is random, although 7% α-helix has been determined. These results are in agreement with the amino acid sequence of melittin and the assumption that the biological activity is attributable to its surface active character.