Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel antibacterial peptide, defensin, from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari.
A full-length cDNA clone with high homology (62% mature peptide sequence identity) to an Acalolepta luxuriosa antibacterial gene, possessing a conserved cysteine-stabilized alphabeta motif, was cloned by screening an Apriona germari cDNA library. This gene (AgCRP) had a total length of 360 bp with an open reading frame of 207 bp, and encoded a predicted peptide of 69 amino acid residues. The mature AgCRP peptide was 27 amino acid residues long and had a cysteine-stabilized alphabeta motif of C...CXXXC...C...CXC consensus sequence, similar to insect defensins. Northern blot analysis revealed that the AgCRP exhibited fat body-specific expression and was up-regulated by wounding, bacterial or fungal challenge.
Lu
Wei
W
Joint Laboratory of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University & Dong-A University, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
Cui
Zheng
Z
Wang
Dong
D
Lee
Kwang Sik
KS
Park
Nam Sook
NS
Kim
Doh Hoon
DH
Jin
Byung Rae
BR
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics*; D023082:Defensins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017344:Genes, Insect; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D023082:Defensins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D010455:Peptides