cDNA cloning and functional characterisation of four antimicrobial peptides from Paa spinosa.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides found in many organisms defending themselves against pathogens. AMPs form the first line of host defence against pathogenic infections and are key components of the innate immune system of amphibians. In the current study, cDNAs of precursors of four novel antimicrobial peptides in the skin of Paa spinosa were cloned and sequenced using the 3'-RACE technique.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of freshwater mussel (Lamprotula leai).

Lamprotula leai is one of the most commercially important freshwater pearl mussels in China, but there is limited data on its genetic diversity and population structure. In the present study, 119 individuals from four major geographical populations were investigated using 15 microsatellite loci identified via cross-species amplification. A total of 114 alleles were detected, with an average of 7.