The unknown antimicrobial peptide firstly found in Kamchatka crab
The new antimicrobial peptide has been detected in the Kamchatka crab that was previously unknown. Scientific experts from the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the RAS consider that this finding will contribute significantly to solving the problem of increasing resistance of microbes to antibiotics.
Russian scientists found that small protein molecules in the digestive system of Kamchatka crabs are capable of destroying the cell walls of pathogenic bacteria and some other dangerous microorganisms.
They studied the properties of the enzymes present in the hepatopancryas – the digestive organ of the Kamchatka crab. Scientists extracted short peptide strands from this organ and tested their effects on the cell walls of micrococcal bacteria and bacillus, as well as on the intestinal rod. Experiments showed the presence of a small protein in the extract of the digestive organ, which effectively destroyed the components of the bacterial membranes.
The antibacterial activity of peptide extracts suppressed the growth of bacilli and slowed the growth of coliform. Further study of the properties of this molecule is believed to lead to the creation of new antimicrobial agents.