Novel antimicrobial peptides isolated from skin secretions of the Mexican frog Hyla eximia

Protein Pept Lett. 2009;16(11):1371-8. doi: 10.2174/092986609789353727.

Abstract

In this work, we describe the original characterization of peptides and proteins present in the skin secretions of the Mexican amphibian Hyla eximia. To this purpose, a novel water/dark extraction method, as well as the classic electrical stimulation procedure, was applied in order to extract the skin secretion. Two novel antimicrobial peptides He-1 and He-2 were sequenced. In addition, a molecular mass fingerprint revealed more than one hundred different molecules. Eight peptides in homogeneous form were assayed against five species of bacteria. Thereafter, the peptide He-2 demonstrated high antiparasitic activity against ookinete forms of malaria parasites at low concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / isolation & purification*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Anura*
  • Bacteria
  • Bodily Secretions / chemistry*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chemical Fractionation / methods
  • Mexico
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmodium berghei
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein
  • Skin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides