Structural diversity and species distribution of host-defense peptides in frog skin secretions.
Summary of "Structural diversity and species distribution of host-defense peptides in frog skin secretions."
Cationic peptides that adopt an amphipathic α-helical conformation in a membrane-mimetic environment are synthesized in the skins of many frog species. These peptides often display cytolytic activities against bacteria and fungi consistent with the idea that they play a role in the host's system of defense against pathogenic microorganisms, but their importance in the survival strategy of the animal is not clearly understood. Despite the common misconception that antimicrobial peptides are synthesized in the skins of all anurans, the species distribution is sporadic, suggesting that their production may confer some evolutionary advantage to the organism but is not necessary for survival. The low potency of many frog skin antimicrobial peptides is consistent with the hypothesis that cutaneous symbiotic bacteria may provide the major system of defense against pathogenic microorganisms in the environment with antimicrobial peptides assuming a supplementary role in some species.
Affiliation
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, jmconlon@uaeu.ac.ae.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS
ISSN: 1420-9071
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21560068
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00018-011-0720-8
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Ranavirus
A genus of IRIDOVIRIDAE which infects amphibians. It is non-pathogenic for its natural host, Rana pipiens, but is lethal for tadpoles and Fowler toads. Frog virus 3 is the type species.
Schistosoma Japonicum
A species of trematode blood flukes belonging to the family Schistosomatidae whose distribution is confined to areas of the Far East. The intermediate host is a snail. It occurs in man and other mammals.
Amanitins
Cyclic peptides extracted from carpophores of various mushroom species. They are potent inhibitors of RNA polymerases in most eukaryotic species, blocking the production of mRNA and protein synthesis. These peptides are important in the study of transcription. Alpha-amanitin is the main toxin from the species Amanitia phalloides, poisonous if ingested by humans or animals.
Siadenovirus
A genus of ADENOVIRIDAE comprising species including viruses of frogs (FROGS AND TOADS) and TURKEYS. The type species is Frog adenovirus.
Xenopus Laevis
The commonest and widest ranging species of the clawed "frog" (Xenopus) in Africa. This species is used extensively in research. There is now a significant population in California derived from escaped laboratory animals.
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