Anticancer effects of CAMEL peptide

Abstract

This study analyzed whether therapy with CAMEL, an antimicrobial peptide (KWKLFKKIGAVLKVL), possess anticancer benefits. Although the peptide was cytotoxic for all the cell lines tested, it did not cause hemolysis, which suggests that CAMEL does not damage cell membranes. After cellular internalization, CAMEL localized to mitochondria and lowered the mitochondrial potential, resulting in the organelles' swelling, a decrease in cellular ATP level and, finally, cellular breakdown. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, a necrotic death marker, was shown to be released from cells treated with CAMEL. Growth of B16-F10 melanoma tumors was clearly restrained after injections with CAMEL and could be kept in check throughout the period of peptide administration. However, if therapy was stopped, tumors started to grow again 3-4 days later. To reduce tumor volume and block tumor relapse, a combined therapy was required involving CAMEL and plasmid DNA carrying the interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene. The two therapeutic agents used in combination (a series of CAMEL injections first, followed by daily administration of plasmid DNA) delayed tumor growth and extended survival of treated animals in a statistically significant manner. Complete tumor regression was found in 60% of cases.Laboratory Investigation (2010) 90, 940-952;

D-K6L9 Peptide Combination with IL-12 Inhibits the Recurrence of Tumors in Mice

“…A similar effect was observed when using a combination of glycyrrhizin with CAMEL peptide, which also triggers cell necrosis (Smolarczyk et al 2010, 2012). In most likelihood tumor relapse that we observed following cessation of therapy was mediated by surviving cancer cells or CSC.…”

“…A similar effect was observed when combining CAMEL peptide and plasmid DNA carrying IL-12 gene, where tumors disappeared in 60 % of mice bearing B16-F10 melanoma tumors (Smolarczyk et al 2010). IL-12 combination with drugs that cause necrotic tumor cell death (CAMEL, D-K 6 L 9 ) seems to be the best therapeutic option.…”

Characterization of the Antimicrobial Peptide Penisin, a Class Ia Novel Lantibiotic from Paenibacillus sp. Strain A3

“…A 1% Triton X-100 (G-Biosciences, USA) solution in water was used as a positive control, and PBS was the negative control. The samples were centrifuged after 24 h of incubation, and supernatants were transferred into a 96-well plate to assay erythrocyte lysis at a wavelength of 405 nm (29).…”

Laterosporulin10: a novel defensin like Class IId bacteriocin from Brevibacillus sp. strain SKDU10 with inhibitory activity against microbial pathogens

“…The positive control used was 1 % Triton XÀ100 (G Biosciences USA) in water and sterile PBS as a negative control. After incubation at 37 C, all treated samples were centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 min and supernatants were transferred to a fresh 96-well plate to examine erythrocyte lysis by spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) at a wavelength of 541 nm (Smolarczyk et al, 2010).…”