Identification of a new myotropic decapeptide from the skin secretion of the red-eyed leaf frog, Agalychnis callidryas

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 3;15(12):e0243326. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243326. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs) family is one of the most significant myotropic peptide families derived from frog skin secretions. Here, a novel BRP callitide was isolated and identified from the red-eyed leaf frog, Agalychnis callidryas, with atypical primary structure FRPAILVRPK-NH2. The mature peptide was cleaved N-terminally at a classic propeptide convertase cleavage site (-KR-) and at the C-terminus an unusual -GKGKGK sequence was removed using the first G residue as an amide donor for the C-terminally-located K residue. Thereafter, the synthetic replicates of callitide were assessed the myotropic activity and showed a significant contraction of balder, with the 0.63 nM EC50 value, more potent than most discovered myotropic peptides. The binding mode was further speculated by molecular docking and stimulation. The result indicated that the C-terminal of callitide might selectively bind to bradykinin receptor B2 (BKRB2). Further investigation of the callitide needs to be done in the future to be exploited as potential future drug leads.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphibian Proteins / chemistry*
  • Amphibian Proteins / genetics
  • Amphibian Proteins / metabolism
  • Amphibian Proteins / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anura / genetics*
  • Anura / metabolism
  • Female
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2* / agonists
  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2* / chemistry
  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2* / metabolism
  • Skin / chemistry*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amphibian Proteins
  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province [LY20H310006] to D.W.; the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81803590] to Y.G. and [81803345] to D.W.; and the Wenzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau [Y20180178] to Y.G.. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.