The crude skin secretion of the pepper frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus is rich in metallo and serine peptidases

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 6;9(6):e96893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096893. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Peptidases are ubiquitous enzymes involved in diverse biological processes. Fragments from bioactive peptides have been found in skin secretions from frogs, and their presence suggests processing by peptidases. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize the peptidase activity present in the skin secretion of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus. Zymography revealed the presence of three bands of gelatinase activity of approximately 60 kDa, 66 kDa, and 80 kDa, which the first two were calcium-dependent. These three bands were inhibited either by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and phenathroline; thus, they were characterized as metallopeptidases. Furthermore, the proteolytic enzymes identified were active only at pH 6.0-10.0, and their activity increased in the presence of CHAPS or NaCl. Experiments with fluorogenic substrates incubated with skin secretions identified aminopeptidase activity, with cleavage after leucine, proline, and alanine residues. This activity was directly proportional to the protein concentration, and it was inhibited in the presence of metallo and serine peptidase inhibitors. Besides, the optimal pH for substrate cleavage was determined to be 7.0-8.0. The results of the in gel activity assay showed that all substrates were hydrolyzed by a 45 kDa peptidase. Gly-Pro-AMC was also cleaved by a peptidase greater than 97 kDa. The data suggest the presence of dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs) and metallopeptidases; however, further research is necessary. In conclusion, our work will help to elucidate the implication of these enzymatic activities in the processing of the bioactive peptides present in frog venom, expanding the knowledge of amphibian biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphibian Venoms / enzymology
  • Animals
  • Anura
  • Metalloproteases / chemistry*
  • Metalloproteases / isolation & purification
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / isolation & purification
  • Skin / enzymology
  • Skin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amphibian Venoms
  • Metalloproteases
  • Serine Endopeptidases

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, grant numbers 563972/2010-6 and 302925/2012-0), the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP), the Foundation for Research Support of the Federal District (FAPDF, grant numbers 193.000.414/2008 and 193.000.461/2011) and the University of Brasilia Foundation (FUB/UnB). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.