Antimicrobial peptides that inhibit the growth of numerous species of bacteria and fungi and induce osmotic lysis of protozoa. Rapidly inactivates channel catfish herpesvirus (ED(50)=48 uM) over a wide temperature range (PubMed:15193922). Magainins are membrane lytic agents. Synthesized in the stomach and stored in a novel granular multinucleated cell in the gastric mucosa. It is stored as active, processed peptides in large granules within the granular gland secretions of the skin. Belongs to the gastrin/cholecystokinin family. Magainin subfamily. When a frog swallows a fly - Issue 7 of February 2001