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A skin secretion metabolome analysis of the Greek Dodecanese Lycian salamanders: Preliminary evidence of dietary alkaloid sequestration in urodeles.

Authors :
Karolos Eleftherakos
Roza Maria Polymeni
Eleni V Mikropoulou
Konstantina Vougogiannopoulou
Christos Georgiadis
Eleftherios A Petrakis
Leandros A Skaltsounis
Maria Halabalaki
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 19, Iss 8, p e0300278 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2024.

Abstract

Lyciasalamandra species, like most amphibians, secrete a wide array of compounds from their granular and mucous skin glands, including the internally synthesized samandarine alkaloids, making their skin a complex organ performing a variety of functions. Lyciasalamandra helverseni and L. luschani basoglui are insular endemics of the Dodecanese islands of SE Greece, bearing distinct isolated populations, with well-documented phylogenetic profiles. Here, we employ a metabolomics approach, utilizing UPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS data of the skin secretions sampled from a number of specimens found in the islands of Karpathos, Kasos and Kastellorizo, in an effort to reveal aspects of their chemistry and diversity across populations. The results indicated statistically significant variation between all taxa examined, based on various secreted compounds. The underlying factors of variation highlighted by the multivariate analysis were differences in samandarine and other alkaloid content as well as in animal size. Metabolite annotation, based on dereplication tools and most importantly HRMS and HRMS/MS spectra, yielded a number of known samandarine alkaloids, reported for the first time in the currently studied Lyciasalamandra species. We also present documentation for novel members of the samandarine alkaloid family, as well as preliminary evidence for a possible dietary alkaloid sequestration. This work can set the basis for further research of this often-neglected endemic species of the Salamandridae, as well as the structural investigation of the samandarine alkaloid group.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
19
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.40ed48c975e498a8230b191a57390de
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300278