Novel L-amino acid oxidase with antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from epidermal mucus of the flounder Platichthys stellatus

FEBS J. 2010 Jan;277(2):453-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07497.x. Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Abstract

Fish produce mucus substances as a defensive outer barrier against environmental xenobiotics and predators. Recently, we found a bioactive protein in the mucus layer of the flounder Platichthys stellatus, which showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. In this study, we isolated and identified the antibacterial protein from the mucus components of P. stellatus using a series of column chromatography steps. We then performed gel electrophoresis and cDNA cloning to characterize the protein. The antibacterial protein in the mucus had a molecular mass of approximately 52 kDa with an isoelectric point of 5.3, and cDNA sequencing showed that it corresponded completely with the peptide sequence of antibacterial protein from the gill. A BLAST search suggested that the cDNA encoded an antibacterial protein sharing identity with a number of L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) and possessing several conserved motifs found in flavoproteins. RT-PCR using a specific primer, and immunohistochemical analysis with anti-LAAO IgG, demonstrated tissue-specific expression and localization in the gill. Moreover, the anti-LAAO IgG was able to neutralize the antibacterial activity of the protein against methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Thus, we demonstrated that this antibacterial protein, identified from P. stellatus-derived epidermal mucus, is a novel LAAO-like protein with antibacterial activity, similar to snake LAAOs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Epidermis / enzymology
  • Fish Proteins / genetics
  • Fish Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Fish Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Flounder / genetics
  • Flounder / metabolism*
  • Gills / enzymology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Isoelectric Point
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase / genetics
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase / isolation & purification*
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase / pharmacology*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Mucus / enzymology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fish Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • L-Amino Acid Oxidase