AI Article Synopsis
- The Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) is part of a group of six frog species in western North America, and its populations are declining due to vulnerability to pathogens.
- An analysis of its skin secretions identified six antimicrobial peptides, with two (ranatuerin-2CSa and brevinin-1CSa) demonstrating significant antibacterial properties, particularly against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
- Taxonomic studies reveal that R. cascadae, along with two other species, forms a distinct clade, suggesting complex evolutionary relationships among ranid frogs are still being researched.
Article Abstract
The Cascades frog Rana cascadae belongs to the Amerana (or Rana boylii) group that includes six additional species from western North America (R. aurora, R. boylii, R. draytonii, R. luteiventris, R. muscosa, and R. pretiosa). R. cascadae is particularly susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms in the environment and populations have declined precipitously in parts of its range so that the protection afforded by dermal antimicrobial peptides may be crucial to survival of the species. Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions led to the identification of six peptides with differential cytolytic activities that were present in high abundance. Structural characterization showed that they belonged to the ranatuerin-2 (one peptide), brevinin-1 (one peptide), and temporin (four peptides) families. Ranatuerin-2CSa (GILSSFKGVAKGVAKDLAGKLLETLKCKITGC) and brevinin-1CSa (FLPILAGLAAKIVPKLFCLATKKC) showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity (MIC
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2007.03.010 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!