STIMULATION OF PHOSPHOLIPASE ACTIVITY AND PROSTAGLANDIN BIOSYNTHESIS BY MELITTIN IN CELL-CULTURE AND INVIVO

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 18  (3) , 507-517
Abstract
Melittin, a membrane-active peptide of bee venom, and synthetic melittin stimulated the biosynthesis of prostaglandins [PG] by mouse transformed fibroblasts (MC5-5), human fibroblasts (D550), rabbit aorta endothelial cells (CLO), rat lung type II alveolar pneumocytes (L-2) and rabbit smooth muscle cells (R-I). The melittin peptides also stimulated the release of arachidonic acid from the cellular phospholipids of MC5-5 cells. The stimulated PG biosynthesis by MC5-5 cells was inhibited by indomethacin and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone also inhibited the release of arachidonic acid by MC5-5 cells. In mice i.p. inoculation of melittin increased 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 levels in peripheral blood. Prior injections of the mice with indomethacin prevented the melittin-induced increase in this PGE2 metabolite.