Conformational analysis and in vitro immunomodulatory and insulinotropic properties of the frog skin host-defense peptide rhinophrynin-27 and selected analogs

Amphibian host-defense peptides with potential for Type 2 diabetes therapy - an updated review

Investigations conducted since 2018 have identified several host-defense peptides present in frog skin secretions whose properties suggest the possibility of their development into a new class of agent for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapy. Studies in vitro have described peptides that (a) stimulate insulin release from BRIN-BD11 clonal β-cells and isolated mouse islets, (b) display β-cell proliferative activity and protect against cytokine-mediated apoptosis and (c) stimulate production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and inhibit production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. Rhinophrynin-27, phylloseptin-3.2TR and temporin F are peptides with therapeutic potential. Studies in vivo carried out in db/db and high fat-fed mice have shown that twice-daily administration of [S4K]CPF-AM1 and [A14K]PGLa-AM1, analogs of peptides first isolated from the octoploid frog Xenopus amieti, over 28 days lowers circulating glucose and HbA1c concentrations, increases insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance and lipid profile. Peptide treatment produced potentially beneficial changes in the expression of skeletal muscle genes involved in insulin signaling and islet genes involved in insulin secretion in these murine models of T2D. Lead compounds uncovered by the study of frog HDPs may provide a basis for the design of new types of agents that can be used, alone or in combination with existing therapies, for the treatment of T2D.

Conformational change following conversion of inactive rhinophrynin-33 to bioactive rhinophrynin-27 in the skin of the frog Rhinophrynus dorsalis

Skin secretions of the Mexican burrowing toad Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Rhinophrynidae) contain the proline-arginine-rich peptide, rhinophrynin-27 (RP-27; ELRLPEIARPVPEVLPARLPLPALPRN) with insulinotropic and immunomodulatory properties, together with a higher concentration of the biologically inactive form, rhinophrynin-33 (RP-33) that constitutes RP-27 extended from its C-terminus by the hexapeptide KMAKNQ. Determination of the conformation of RP-33 by NMR demonstrates that in both water and in a solvent that promotes protein folding (50% trifluoroethanol-water), the majority of the proline residues are found in a polyproline type II helical region. The peptide adopts a horseshoe (U-shaped) conformation with pronounced bends in the molecule of around 100°-120° at Glu¹³ and Arg¹⁸. The hexapeptide extension adopts a α-helical conformation. When the hexapeptide is excised to generate RP-27, the molecule adopts an L-shaped conformation with a single bend at Glu¹³. A search of protein sequence databases indicated the P-X-P-XXX-P-XXX-P-X-P motif found in RP-27 and RP-33 occurs in a number of proteins although its functional implications are unclear. The data suggest that RP-33 represents a biosynthetic precursor of RP-27 that is activated by a protease cleaving at a single lysine residue of the type previously identified in Xenopus laevis skin secretions.