Identification of three novel Phyllomedusa sauvagei dermaseptins (sVI-sVIII) by cloning from a skin secretion-derived cDNA library.
The defensive skin secretions of many amphibians contain a wide spectrum of biologically active compounds, particularly antimicrobial peptides that act as a first line of defence against bacterial infection. Here we describe for the first time the identification of three novel dermaseptin-related peptides (dermaseptins sVI-sVIII) whose primary structures were deduced from cDNAs cloned from a library constructed from lyophilised skin secretion of the South American hylid frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagei. The molecular masses of each were subsequently confirmed by interrogation of archived LC/MS files of fractionated skin secretion followed by automated Edman degradation sequencing. The heterogeneity of primary structures encountered in amphibian skin antimicrobial peptides may in part be explained by individual variation-a factor essential for selective functional molecular evolution and perhaps, ultimately in speciation.
Chen
Tianbao
T
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK.
Tang
Lijun
L
Shaw
Chris
C
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D029845:Amphibian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001001:Anura / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015723:Gene Library; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013020:South America
D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C070905:dermaseptin