1. The cecropin superfamily of toxic peptides.
- Author
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Tamang DG and Saier MH Jr
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Sequence, Amphibian Proteins classification, Animals, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides classification, Databases, Protein, Evolution, Molecular, Fish Proteins classification, Insect Proteins classification, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Amphibian Proteins chemistry, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides chemistry, Fish Proteins chemistry, Insect Proteins chemistry
- Abstract
All sequenced peptide toxins of the cecropin, pleurocidin and dermaceptin/ceratotoxin families in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database as of May 2005 were identified and shown to comprise a single superfamily. The peptide sequences were multiply aligned, revealing conserved residues that may play roles in structure and function. Signature sequences were derived for each of the 3 constituent families. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the relationships of these peptides to each other, and average hydropathy/amphipathicity studies provided structural information. This study serves to characterize a large superfamily of toxic peptides that perform host defense functions in a range of animal kingdoms., (Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.)
- Published
- 2006
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