title: Identification, structure and differential expression of novel pleurocidins clustered on the genome of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum).
abstract: Antimicrobial peptides form one of the first lines of defense against invading pathogens by killing the microorganisms and/or mobilizing the host innate immune system. Although over 800 antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from many different species, especially insects, few have been reported from marine fish. Sequence analysis of two genomic clones (15.6 and 12.5 kb) from the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) resulted in the identification of multiple clustered genes for novel pleurocidin-like antimicrobial peptides. Four genes and three pseudogenes (Psi) are encoded in these clusters, all of which have similar intron/exon boundaries but specify putative antimicrobial peptides differing in sequence. Pseudogenes are easily detectable but have incorrect initiator codons (ACG) and often contain a frameshift(s). Potential promoters and binding sites for transcription factors implicated in regulation of expression of immune-related genes have been identified in upstream regions by comparative genomics. Using reverse transcription-PCR assays, we have shown for the first time that each gene is expressed in a tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific manner. In addition, synthetic peptides based on the sequences of both genes and pseudogenes have been produced and tested for antimicrobial activity. These data can be used as a basis for prediction of antimicrobial peptide candidates for both human and nonhuman therapeutants from genomic sequences and will aid in understanding the evolution and transcriptional regulation of expression of these peptides.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine Biosciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. susan.douglas@nrc.ca
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patrzykat
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pytyck
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gallant
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D029941:Fish Proteins; D005432:Flounder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011544:Pseudogenes / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D017931:DNA Primers; D029941:Fish Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C105851:pleurocidin