Cloning and expression of a novel gene encoding a new antibacterial peptide from silkworm, Bombyx mori

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998 May 19;246(2):388-92. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1998.8626.

Abstract

We differentially screened a novel gene encoding a new antibacterial peptide from the immunized Bombyx mori cDNA library. The gene showed a similar structure to that of cecropin-family, encoding 59 amino acids including a putative leader peptide and mature peptide. The deduced peptide, named Enbocin, had conserved amino acid residues which have been known to play an important role in the antibacterial activities. Enbocin genomic sequence revealed that the transcription unit of Enbocin gene was about 1.2 kb, and the coding sequence was interrupted by an intron of 660 bases. Recombinant Enbocin, expressed under the control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter, demonstrated a broad range of antibacterial activities against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins / pharmacology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / genetics*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Restriction Mapping

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA Primers
  • Insect Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • enbocin protein, Bombyx mori
  • DNA