1. VARIABILITY AND PROPERTIES OF HOST DEFENSE PEPTIDES FROM THE SKIN SECRETIONS OF ANURANS.
- Author
-
Oskyrko, O., Dudkina, J., Nikolaieva, I., Halenova, T., and Marushchak, O.
- Subjects
- *
BASIC proteins , *HYLIDAE , *ANURA , *SECRETION , *FUNGAL viruses , *IRIDOVIRUSES , *ANTIMICROBIAL peptides - Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial proteins are an important part of innate nonspecific immunity. It is the first defensive level, which is inherent in almost all living organisms. The main objective of such proteins is the destruction of dangerous microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses, parasites etc.). The skin of amphibians is a rich source of these molecules, which are produced and stockpiled in skin glands, which are usually located on the dorsal side of the body. Basically, they are spread over the surface of the body or grouped in special morphological structures – parotids. Currently the host defensive proteins were found in members of all families of amphibians, that suggests a connection among them with evolutionary advantages. Moreover, amphibian antimicrobial proteins can be used in modern medicine. Amphibians can become a rich source of biologically active agents and usage of them is very beneficial for pharmaceutical industry. These substances appeared to have much more abilities than it was believed before. For example, they can be used in methods of blood folding or antiviral therapy. Taking this into account, it is very promising to study antimicrobial proteins in Ukraine (from 15 anuran species of 5 families (Pelobatidae, Hylidae, Bufonidae, Ranidae and Bombinatoridae). This article describes the chemical structure and properties of the antimicrobial proteins presently known from the studies and their presence in different families of Anura. The main aim of the work is to show the variability of these substances in anurans to create a background for further investigations of amphibians' antimicrobial proteins in Ukraine and studying of their pharmaceutical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF