Induction of synthesis of an antimicrobial peptide in the skin of the freeze-tolerant frog, Rana sylvatica, in response to environmental stimuli.
An extract of skin taken from specimens of the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica, that were collected from cold (<7 degrees C) ponds and maintained at 5 degrees C lacked detectable antimicrobial activity. In contrast, an extract of skin taken from specimens maintained at 30 degrees C for 3 weeks under laboratory conditions contained a high concentration (approximately 4 nmol/g) of a single antimicrobial peptide of the brevinin-1 family (FLPVVAGLAAKVLPSIICAVTKKC). The peptide inhibited growth of Escherichia coli (minimum inhibitory concentration 45 microM) and Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration 7 microM). The data suggest that synthesis of the peptide is induced when the animal is in an environment that promotes the growth of microorganisms consistent with a role in the animal's defense strategy.
Matutte
B
B
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178-0405, USA.
Storey
K B
KB
Knoop
F C
FC
Conlon
J M
JM
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005615:Freezing; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011898:Ranidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013696:Temperature
D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C078413:brevinin-1 protein, Rana