Structural and biological characterization of mastoparans in the venom of Vespa species in Taiwan

► Five cDNAs of precursor polypeptide of MPs were first identified. ► MPs adopt α-helical conformation in the presence of 40% TFE or 8 mM SDS. ► All MPs exhibit multifunctional activity, i.e., mast cell degranulation activity; antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; hemolytic activity on chicken, human, and sheep erythrocytes; membrane permeabilization on E. coli BL21.