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Zaman S, Lengerer B, Van Lindt J, Saenen I, Russo G, Bossaer L, Carpentier S, Tompa P, Flammang P, Roelants K. Recurrent evolution of adhesive defence systems in amphibians by parallel shifts in gene expression. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5612. [PMID: 38987280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49917-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural selection can drive organisms to strikingly similar adaptive solutions, but the underlying molecular mechanisms often remain unknown. Several amphibians have independently evolved highly adhesive skin secretions (glues) that support a highly effective antipredator defence mechanism. Here we demonstrate that the glue of the Madagascan tomato frog, Dyscophus guineti, relies on two interacting proteins: a highly derived member of a widespread glycoprotein family and a galectin. Identification of homologous proteins in other amphibians reveals that these proteins attained a function in skin long before glues evolved. Yet, major elevations in their expression, besides structural changes in the glycoprotein (increasing its structural disorder and glycosylation), caused the independent rise of glues in at least two frog lineages. Besides providing a model for the chemical functioning of animal adhesive secretions, our findings highlight how recruiting ancient molecular templates may facilitate the recurrent evolution of functional innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Zaman
- Ecology, Evolution & Genetics Research Group (bDIV), Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Lengerer
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Unit, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000, Mons, Belgium
- Evolutionary and Developmental Biology, Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joris Van Lindt
- Center for Structural Biology, VIB-VUB and Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Indra Saenen
- Ecology, Evolution & Genetics Research Group (bDIV), Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Center for Structural Biology, VIB-VUB and Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laura Bossaer
- Ecology, Evolution & Genetics Research Group (bDIV), Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sebastien Carpentier
- Proteomics Core - SyBioMa, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49 - 03.313, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Tompa
- Center for Structural Biology, VIB-VUB and Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Patrick Flammang
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Unit, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Kim Roelants
- Ecology, Evolution & Genetics Research Group (bDIV), Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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2
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Lu Y, Zou W, Wang L, Xi X, Ma C, Chen X, Chen T, Shaw C, Zhang X, Zhou M. Kassporin-KS1: A Novel Pentadecapeptide from the Skin Secretion of Kassina senegalensis: Studies on the Structure-Activity Relationships of Site-Specific “Glycine-Lysine” Motif Insertions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020243. [PMID: 35203845 PMCID: PMC8868508 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the abuse of traditional antibiotics and the continuous mutation of microbial resistance genes, microbial infections have become serious problems for human health. Therefore, novel antibacterial agents are urgently required, and amphibian antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are among the most interesting potential antibacterial leads. In this research, a novel peptide, named kassporin-KS1 (generically QUB-1641), with moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, was discovered in the skin secretion of the Senegal running frog, Kassina senegalensis. Using site-specific sequence enrichment with a motif “glycine-lysine” that frequently occurs in ranid frog temporin peptides, a series of QUB-1641 analogues were synthesized, and effects on selected bioactivities were studied. The greatest activity enhancement was obtained when the “glycine-lysine” motif was located at the eighth and ninth position as in QUB-1570.QUB-1570 had a broader antibacterial spectrum than QUB-1641, and was eight-fold more potent. Moreover, QUB-1570 inhibited S. aureus biofilm most effectively, and significantly enhanced the viability of insect larvae infected with S. aureus. When the “glycine-lysine” motif of QUB-1570 was substituted to reduce the helix ratio and positive charge, the antibacterial activities of these synthetic analogues decreased. These data revealed that the “glycine-lysine” motif at positions 8 and 9 had the greatest enhancing effect on the antibacterial properties of QUB-1570 through increasing positive charge and helix content. This research may provide strategies for the site’s selective amino acid modification of some natural peptides to achieve the desired enhancement of activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyang Lu
- School of Medicine & Holisitc Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Wanchen Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Xinping Xi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Chris Shaw
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Medicine & Holisitc Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (W.Z.); (L.W.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (M.Z.)
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3
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A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide (Kassinatuerin-3) Isolated from the Skin Secretion of the African Frog, Kassina senegalensis. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9070148. [PMID: 32630734 PMCID: PMC7408539 DOI: 10.3390/biology9070148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions are remarkable sources of novel bioactive peptides. Among these, antimicrobial peptides have demonstrated an outstanding efficacy in killing microorganisms via a general membranolytic mechanism, which may offer the prospect of solving specific target-driven antibiotic resistance. Here, the discovery of a novel defensive peptide is described from the skin secretion of the African frog, Kassina senegalensis. Named kassinatuerin-3, it was identified through a combination of “shot-gun” cloning and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing. Subsequently, a synthetic replicate was subjected to biofunctional evaluation. The results indicated that kassinatuerin-3 possessed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria but no effect against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, it was active in biofilm eradication on S. aureus and MRSA and in the antiproliferation of selected cancer cell lines. Moreover, it had a very mild hemolytic effect, which demonstrated a high therapeutic index for kassinatuerin-3. Collectively, although kassinatuerin-3 did not demonstrate remarkable bioactivities compared with other natural or synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), it offered a new insight into the design of antimicrobial derivatives.
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4
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Patocka J, Nepovimova E, Klimova B, Wu Q, Kuca K. Antimicrobial Peptides: Amphibian Host Defense Peptides. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:5924-5946. [PMID: 30009702 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180713125314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are one of the most common components of the innate immune system that protect multicellular organisms against microbial invasion. The vast majority of AMPs are isolated from the frog skin. Anuran (frogs and toads) skin contains abundant AMPs that can be developed therapeutically. Such peptides are a unique but diverse group of molecules. In general, more than 50% of the amino acid residues form the hydrophobic part of the molecule. Normally, there are no conserved structural motifs responsible for activity, although the vast majority of the AMPs are cationic due to the presence of multiple lysine residues; this cationicity has a close relationship with antibacterial activity. Notably, recent evidence suggests that synthesis of AMPs in frog skin may confer an advantage on a particular species, although they are not essential for survival. Frog skin AMPs exert potent activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, and fungi by permeating and destroying the plasma membrane and inactivating intracellular targets. Importantly, since they do not bind to a specific receptor, AMPs are less likely to induce resistance mechanisms. Currently, the best known amphibian AMPs are esculentins, brevinins, ranacyclins, ranatuerins, nigrocin-2, magainins, dermaseptins, bombinins, temporins, and japonicins-1 and -2, and palustrin-2. This review focuses on these frog skin AMPs and the mechanisms underlying their antimicrobial activity. We hope that this review will provide further information that will facilitate further study of AMPs and cast new light on novel and safer microbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Patocka
- Department of Radiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Klimova
- Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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5
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Du Q, Wang H, Ma C, Wu Y, Xi X, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. Identification of a Novel Vasodilatory Octapeptide from the Skin Secretion of the African Hyperoliid Frog, Kassina senegalensis. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22071215. [PMID: 28753966 PMCID: PMC6152130 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22071215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The defensive skin secretions of amphibians continue to be an excellent source of novel biologically-active peptides. Here we report the identification and pharmacological activity of a novel C-terminally amided myotropic octapeptide from the skin secretion of the African hyperoliid frog, Kassina senegalensis. The 8-amino acid peptide has the following primary structure: WMSLGWSL-amide and has a molecular mass of 978 Da. The primary structure and organisation of the biosynthetic precursor of WL-8 amide was successfully deduced from cloned skin secretion-derived cDNA. The open-reading frame encoded a single copy of WL-8, located at the C-terminus. Synthetic WL-8 amide was found to cause relaxation of rat tail artery smooth muscle with an EC50 of 25.98 nM. This peptide is unique in terms of its primary structure and is unlike any other peptide previously isolated from an amphibian source which has been archived in the NCBI database. WL-8 amide thus represents the prototype of a novel family of myotropic peptide from amphibian defensive skin secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Du
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Yue Wu
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Xinping Xi
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
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6
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Xu X, Lai R. The chemistry and biological activities of peptides from amphibian skin secretions. Chem Rev 2015; 115:1760-846. [PMID: 25594509 DOI: 10.1021/cr4006704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology , Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
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7
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König E, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Shaw C. The diversity and evolution of anuran skin peptides. Peptides 2015; 63:96-117. [PMID: 25464160 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians exhibit various, characteristic adaptations related to their "incomplete" shift from the aquatic to the terrestrial habitat. In particular, the integument was subject to a number of specialized modifications during the evolution of these animals. In this review, we place special emphasis on endogenous host-defence skin peptides from the cuteanous granular glands anuran amphibians (frogs and toads). The overview on the two broad groups of neuroactive and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) goes beyond a simple itemization in that we provide a new perspective into the evolution and function of anuran AMPs. Briefly, these cationic, amphipathic and α-helical peptides are traditionally viewed as being part of the innate immune system, protecting the moist skin against invading microorganisms through their cytolytic action. However, the complete record of anuran species investigated to date suggests that AMPs are distributed sporadically (i.e., non-universally) across Anura. Together with the intriguing observation that virtually all anurans known to produce neuropeptides in their granular glands also co-secrete cytolytic peptides, we call the traditional role for AMPs as being purely antimicrobial into question and present an alternative scenario. We hypothesize AMPs to assist neuroactive peptides in their antipredator role through their cytolytic action increasing the delivery of the latter to the endocrine and nervous system of the predator. Thus, AMPs are more accurately viewed as cytolysins and their contribution to the immune system is better regarded as an accessory benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico König
- AG Systematik und Evolutionsbiologie, IBU - Fakultät V, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Strasse 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Olaf R P Bininda-Emonds
- AG Systematik und Evolutionsbiologie, IBU - Fakultät V, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Strasse 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Chris Shaw
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Center, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
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8
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Ollivaux C, Soyez D, Toullec JY. Biogenesis of d
-amino acid containing peptides/proteins: where, when and how? J Pept Sci 2014; 20:595-612. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Ollivaux
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 8227; Integrative Biology of Marine Models, Station Biologique de Roscoff; CS 90074, F-29688 Roscoff cedex France
- CNRS, UMR 8227; Integrative Biology of Marine Models, Station Biologique de Roscoff; CS 90074, F-29688 Roscoff cedex France
| | - Daniel Soyez
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, ER3; Biogenèse des signaux peptidiques; 7 Quai Saint Bernard F-75251 Paris cedex 05 France
- CNRS, ER3; Biogenèse des signaux peptidiques; 7 Quai Saint Bernard F-75251 Paris cedex 05 France
| | - Jean-Yves Toullec
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7144; Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff; CS 90074, F-29688 Roscoff cedex France
- CNRS, UMR 7144; Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff; CS 90074, F-29688 Roscoff cedex France
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9
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Konishi Y, Iwamuro S, Hasunuma I, Kobayashi T, Kikuyama S. Molecular Cloning and Multifunctional Characterization of Host Defense Peptides from the Bullfrog Harderian Gland with Special Reference to Catesbeianalectin. Zoolog Sci 2013; 30:185-91. [DOI: 10.2108/zsj.30.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Senegalin: a novel antimicrobial/myotropic hexadecapeptide from the skin secretion of the African running frog, Kassina senegalensis. Amino Acids 2013; 44:1347-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1470-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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11
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Medusins: a new class of antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of phyllomedusine frogs. Biochimie 2013; 95:1288-96. [PMID: 23415652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Natural drug discovery represents an area of research with vast potential. The investigation into the use of naturally-occurring peptides as potential therapeutic agents provides a new "chemical space" for the procurement of drug leads. Intensive and systematic studies on the broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides found in amphibian skin secretions are of particular interest in the quest for new antibiotics to treat multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections. Here we report the molecular cloning of the biosynthetic precursor-encoding cDNAs and respective mature peptides representing a novel group of antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of representative species of phyllomedusine leaf frogs: the Central American red-eyed leaf frog (Agalychnis callidryas), the South American orange-legged leaf frog (Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis) and the Giant Mexican leaf frog (Pachymedusa dacnicolor). Each novel peptide possessed the highly-conserved sequence, LGMIPL/VAISAISA/SLSKLamide, and each exhibited activity against the Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus and the yeast, Candida albicans, but all were devoid of haemolytic effects at concentrations up to and including the MICs for both organisms. The novel peptide group was named medusins, derived from the name of the hylid frog sub-family, Phyllomedusinae, to which all species investigated belong. These data clearly demonstrate that comparative studies of the skin secretions of phyllomedusine frogs can continue to produce novel peptides that have the potential to be leads in the development of new and effective antimicrobials.
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12
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Wu Y, Wang L, Lin C, Lin Y, Zhou M, Chen L, Connolly B, Zhang Y, Chen T, Shaw C. Vasorelaxin: a novel arterial smooth muscle-relaxing eicosapeptide from the skin secretion of the Chinese piebald odorous frog (Odorrana schmackeri). PLoS One 2013; 8:e55739. [PMID: 23405205 PMCID: PMC3566010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The defensive skin secretions of amphibians are a rich resource for the discovery of novel, bioactive peptides. Here we report the identification of a novel vascular smooth muscle-relaxing peptide, named vasorelaxin, from the skin secretion of the Chinese piebald odorous frog, Odorrana schmackeri. Vasorelaxin consists of 20 amino acid residues, SRVVKCSGFRPGSPDSREFC, with a disulfide-bridge between Cys-6 and Cys-20. The structure of its biosynthetic precursor was deduced from cloned skin cDNA and consists of 67 amino acid residues encoding a single copy of vasorelaxin (vasorelaxin, accession number: HE860494). Synthetic vasorelaxin caused a profound relaxation of rat arterial smooth muscle with an EC50 of 6.76 nM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wu
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chen Lin
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Yan Lin
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Liang Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Connolly
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Tangshan Gongren Hospital, No.27, Wenhua Road, Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China
- * E-mail: (YZ); (CS)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (YZ); (CS)
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13
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Zhou Y, Jiang Y, Wang R, Bai B, Zhou M, Chen T, Cai J, Wang L, Shaw C. PD-sauvagine: a novel sauvagine/corticotropin releasing factor analogue from the skin secretion of the Mexican giant leaf frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor. Amino Acids 2011; 43:1147-56. [PMID: 22134582 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1170-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sauvagine is a potent and broad-spectrum biologically active peptide of 40 amino acid residues originally isolated from the skin of the South American frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagei. Since its discovery, no additional sauvagine structures have been reported. Following the discovery of sauvagine, peptides with similar primary structures/activities were identified in mammalian brain [corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin]. Here, we report the identification of a second sauvagine from the Mexican giant leaf frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor, which displays primary structural features of both sauvagine and CRF. A cDNA encoding the peptide precursor was "shotgun" cloned from a cDNA library constructed from lyophilised skin secretion by 3'- and 5'-RACE reactions. From this, the primary structure of a 38-mer peptide was deduced and this was located in reverse phase HPLC fractions of skin secretion and both its mass and structure were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The biological activities of synthetic replicates of PD-sauvagine and sauvagine were compared using two different mammalian smooth muscle preparations and the novel peptide was found to be more potent in both. Bioinformatic analyses of PD-sauvagine revealed that it shared different regional sequence identities with both sauvagine and CRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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14
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Li X, Feng W, Zhou M, Ma C, Chen T, Zeller M, Hornshaw M, Wang L, Shaw C. Kasstasin: A novel potent vasoconstrictor peptide from the skin secretion of the African red-legged running frog, Kassina maculata. Biochimie 2011; 93:1537-42. [PMID: 21624426 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions are established sources of bioactive peptides. Here we describe the isolation, structural and pharmacological characterisation of a novel vasoconstrictor peptide from the skin secretion of the African hyperoliid frog, Kassina maculata, which exhibits no structural similarity to any known class of amphibian skin peptide. The peptide consists of 21 amino acid residues, FIKELLPHLSGIIDSVANAIK, and is C-terminally amidated. The provisional structure was obtained by MS/MS fragmentation using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer and L/I ambiguities were resolved following molecular cloning of biosynthetic precursor-encoding cDNA. A synthetic replicate of the peptide was found to possess weak antimicrobial and haemolytic activities but was exceptionally effective in constricting the smooth muscle of rat tail artery (EC(50) of 25 pM). In reflection of its exceptional potency in constricting rat arterial smooth muscle, the peptide was named kasstasin, a derivation of Kassina and "stasis" (stoppage of flow). These data illustrate the continuing potential of amphibian skin secretions to provide novel natural peptide templates for biological evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohe Li
- Molecular Therapeutics Research, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL Northern Ireland, UK
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Jilek A, Mollay C, Lohner K, Kreil G. Substrate specificity of a peptidyl-aminoacyl-L/D-isomerase from frog skin. Amino Acids 2011; 42:1757-64. [PMID: 21424715 PMCID: PMC3325411 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0890-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the skin of fire-bellied toads (Bombina species), an aminoacyl-l/d-isomerase activity is present which catalyses the post-translational isomerization of the l- to the d-form of the second residue of its substrate peptides. Previously, this new type of enzyme was studied in some detail and genes potentially coding for similar polypeptides were found to exist in several vertebrate species including man. Here, we present our studies to the substrate specificity of this isomerase using fluorescence-labeled variants of the natural substrate bombinin H with different amino acids at positions 1, 2 or 3. Surprisingly, this enzyme has a rather low selectivity for residues at position 2 where the change of chirality at the alpha-carbon takes place. In contrast, a hydrophobic amino acid at position 1 and a small one at position 3 of the substrate are essential. Interestingly, some peptides containing a Phe at position 3 also were substrates. Furthermore, we investigated the role of the amino-terminus for substrate recognition. In view of the rather broad specificity of the frog isomerase, we made a databank search for potential substrates of such an enzyme. Indeed, numerous peptides of amphibia and mammals were found which fulfill the requirements determined in this study. Expression of isomerases with similar characteristics in other species can therefore be expected to catalyze the formation of peptides containing d-amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jilek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040, Linz, Austria.
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Baccari GC, Pinelli C, Santillo A, Minucci S, Rastogi RK. Mast Cells in Nonmammalian Vertebrates. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 290:1-53. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-386037-8.00006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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