moricinとは 意味・読み方・使い方

Moricin is a highly basic antibacterial peptide that was isolated from the silkworm Bombyx mori. It consists of a long alpha-helix with 8 turns from a 42 amino acid sequence over almost the entire protein. The entire protein is 71% helical, with exception to 4 N terminal residues and 6 C terminal residues. With this data, we can conclude that the majority of the protein consists of alpha helix. These alpha helices are considered coiled coils. The N terminus of the helix is amphipathic, and the C terminus of the helix is predominately hydrophobic. The amphipathic N-terminal segment of the alpha- helix is mainly responsible for the increase in permeability of the bacterial membrane which kills the bacteria. With this being said, this segment of the alpha helix is the active center of moricin for antibacterial activity. Moricin functions as an antibacterial against gram positive and gram negative bacteria, with its main activity being towards gram positive bacteria. However, the exact role of moricin in our immune system is unknown.