Synthetic peptides, peptides A (Arg-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Gly-Arg-Arg-NH2) and B (Arg-Leu-
Arg-Leu-Arg-Ile-Gly-Arg-Arg-NH2), derived from the beetle Allomyrina dichotoma defensin,
have antimicrobial activities. Immunotoxicological effect of these peptides was evaluated by
cytotoxicity of mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, antigenicity of these peptides was
studied by evaluating antibody responses in mice immunized with these peptides. The
toxicity of peptide A toward mouse peritoneal cells was less than that of polymyxin B, when …