LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Coombs, Melanie

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) are small peptides that exhibit increased toxicity towards cancer cells. Mastoparan is an amidated venom peptide extracted from the wasp species Vespula lewissi. Mastoparan acts as a broad-spectrum ACP that possesses increased toxicity towards cancer cells compared to normal cells. With a single amino acid change from the parent peptide 4 derivatives of the peptide have been made: R7, S8W14, W1, G2. Here we report the anti-cancer effects of mastoparan and derivatives of mastoparan on the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line in vitro. Following treatment with mastoparan, it was found through a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay that HCT-116 cell metabolic activity decreased. Through flow cytometric analysis, a decrease in cell viability and an increase in PI positive cells was also observed following treatment with each ACP. ACP W14 demonstrated decreased cell metabolic activity towards colon cancer cells at lower concentrations in comparison to other ACPs. Further understanding the mechanism by which mastoparan kills colon cancer cells and exploring the full potential of known mastoparan derivatives in addition to new mastoparan derivatives are areas of interest in the future.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3301