Elucidation of structural requirements of mastoparan for mast cell activation-toward the comprehensive prediction of cryptides acting on mast cells.

Mastoparan, a toxic peptide from wasp venom, induces various biological functions including histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Here we report that, for the activation of mast cells by mastoparan, at least two positively charged side chains are required on the hydrophilic side of the amphiphilic structure of the peptide. The present results are expected to be utilized for the bioinformatic and comprehensive identification of endogenous mast cell-stimulating cryptides.