Anticancer activities of an antimicrobial peptide derivative of Ixosin-B amide

Two potent antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), KWLRRVWRWWR-amide (MAP-04-03) and KRLRRVWRRWR-amide (MAP-04-04), which were derived from a derivative of Ixosin-B-amide (KSDVRRWRSRY), were investigated for their anticancer activities. MAP-04-03 and MAP-04-04 were designed, characterized, and assayed for their effects on the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by the antiproliferative assay. Effects of peptide on cancer cell migration and on the cytoskeleton alteration and cell morphology were analyzed by the wound-healing assay and confocal microscopy. Results indicated that MAP-04-03 not only exhibited inhibitory effects on the proliferation (IC50 = 61.5 μM) and on the cell migration of cancer cells (at a concentration of 5 μM), but also affected the cytoskeleton at the concentration of 25 μM. Results demonstrate it is a promising candidate for further development of anticancer agents.