Hi Qassim,

I have only managed to amplify a lysozyme gene (encoding mature peptide) from mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Under normal condition, they do not express the gene. You need to feed them with bacteria (E. coli) and incubate for at least 2 hours followed by an RNA extraction and RT-PCR.

These insects seem to love sucking on lysogeny broth for sure...am not sure with other insects...:-)

Dear Abu Bakar,

Thank you so much. Could you please inform me if you tested or examined these peptides against E. coli and compared it with antibiotics?

In my home country (Sudan ), there are some traditional medicinal applications using bee stings against some topical inflammations.

I think the toxins in the bee sting are polypeptides. Am I right?

Thank you so much I appreciate.

Regards

Emad 

Dear E.M.Abdullah

I am also trying to isolate a new antibacterial peptide from Bombyx mori. So, many antibacterial peptide has been isolated from insect like Cecropin, Morision, Lysozyme, Lebosin etc.You can try any of the methodology. I am attaching few of them. Pl go through it.

Oh! A lot of thanks,  Satadal.

That is exactly what I need.

I am very thankful.

Cheers

Emad

Deat Emad,

I have not managed to clone the gene. Either it is too toxic or I have not optimized the ligation reaction. Therefore, I changed to trying making human lysozyme. This enzyme was succesfully made in recombinant form and posses antimicrobial activity towards E. coli and marine vibrio. On the basis of comparison in terms of activity with antibiotics (synthetic form like ampicilin or kanamycin), lysozyme is a protein. Protein degrades within time, unlike the mentioned synthetic form. So it is not a proper apple to apple comparison.

Bee venom contains a lot of toxin that are useful and potential as antibiotics, actually, it exists in all form organisms.

I have not tried to isolate these wonderful peptide in its native form. I am more into making these antimicrobial as recombinant form. They carry huge potential and I hope one day, someone finds a a way to easily produce it in bacteria...:-).

Currently, I am trying to make a platform on how these toxic antimicrobial peptides can be produced in bacteria.

The human lysozyme in my lab inhibits E. coli at 50-60 ug/ml.

Interesting!, Its a wonderful research project. 

I think you are on the right way.

Based on up to 5 years research on antimicrobials, I believe that the regular antibiotics is not sufficient inn our combat against super-bugs, we should focus on one of three :

1- Natural antimicrobials extracted from plants,

2-Natural polypeptides extracted from invertebrates of vertebrates.

3-Activating the immune system

Thanks for time spent and sharing ideas and good luck

Regards

Emad

Dear Emad,

Good luck to you and your research.

The Russians have made a mixture of compounds which contains:

1. Invertebrate (insect) antimicrobial peptide (consists of defensins, proline rich, glycine rich, diptericin and one more class of antimicrobial peptide I can't remember)

2. Activating immune system (insect) and

3. Cell and tissue repair (also from insect)  for wound healing

Regards,

Awang