FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs): A new family of peptides from amphibian defensive skin secretions

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Jun 5;383(3):314-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.04.002. Epub 2009 Apr 7.

Abstract

Amphibian defensive skin secretions are known to contain a plethora of biologically-active peptides that are often structural and functional analogues of vertebrate neuropeptides. Here we report the structures of two invertebrate neuropeptide analogues, IPPQFMRF amide (IF-8 amide) and EGDEDEFLRF amide (EF-10 amide), from the defensive skin secretions of two different species of African hyperoliid frogs, Kassina maculata and Phylictimantis verrucosus, respectively. These represent the first canonical FMRF amide-related peptides (FaRPs) from a vertebrate source. The cDNA encoding IF-8 amide was cloned from a skin secretion library and found to contain a single copy of the peptide located at the C-terminus of a 58 amino acid residue open-reading frame. These data extend the potential targets of the defensive arsenal of amphibian tegumental secretions to parasitic/predatory invertebrates and the novel peptides described may represent the first vertebrate peptidic endectocides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anura / genetics
  • Anura / immunology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • FMRFamide / chemistry
  • FMRFamide / genetics
  • FMRFamide / immunology*
  • FMRFamide / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • FMRFamide