Merck, M2272-1MG, Melittin from honey bee venom

General description
Chemical structure: peptide
Melittin is hydrophobic in nature except for a region with Lys-Arg-Lys-Arg sequence near C-terminal end. This structural characteristic makes melittin a highly surface-active and a powerful, direct haemolytic agent.† The encoded protein containins 26 amino acids. Monomeric form of melittin has a molecular weight of 2,840 Daltons and tetrameric form has molecular weight of approximately 12,500 Daltons.
Application
Melittin from honey bee venom has been used:
In 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to determine its cytotoxicity effect on the growth of human cell lines.
To study the anti-microbial activity of melittin on the growth of Borrelia burgdorferi in in vitro conditions.
As a positive control in hemolysis assay and as a cytotoxic agent against HeLa cells.

Biochem/physiol Actions
Binds calmodulin in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner; inhibits Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase.
Melittin acts as an anti-coagulating protein by increasing the time of blood clotting in vitro. Melittin inhibits the activity of S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and plays a vital role in Epilepsy treatment.
Other Notes
The principle hemolytic component of honeybee venom.