Cecropin A

Cecropin A is a 37 amino acid chain that functions as an antibacterial and anti-cancer peptide. It is characterized by two alpha helices and has been researched because of the low cytotoxicity produced. Cecropin A produces synergistic effects with some chemotherapeutic agents, enhancing cytotoxic activity. Cecropin A has been shown to cause bacterial and cancerous cell death by insertion into the cellular membrane due to amphiphilic N-terminal residues.