Article
Zoology
Vaclav Gvozdik, Martin Knytl, Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou, Nicola R. Fornaini, Barbora Bergelova
Summary: This study uses cytogenetics to investigate the dwarf clawed frogs in the African pipids, revealing that the captive dwarf clawed frogs should be referred to as Hymenochirus sp. instead of the commonly used names 'H. boettgeri' or 'H. curtipes'. The study also identifies the karyotype of H. boettgeri as tetraploid, evolved through chromosome fusion and subsequent allotetraploidization. Additionally, a stable presence of a single B chromosome is observed in the captive population of Hymenochirus sp.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenjie Wang, Wanqing Yang, Shouying Du, Xinping Xi, Chengbang Ma, Lei Wang, Mei Zhou, Tianbao Chen
Summary: Bioactive proteins secreted by amphibian skin glands exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, offering potential for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The antimicrobial peptide temporin-FL and its analogues show potent activity against MRSA, with enhanced efficiency and lower cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. These peptides disrupt bacterial membranes, block biofilm formation, and provide insights for developing new drugs for MRSA infections.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Domenico D'Andrea, Alessandra Romanelli
Summary: This review provides an overview of Temporins, short peptides secreted by frogs worldwide. They possess antimicrobial activity, primarily against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains. Recent studies have explored their potential as anticancer or antiviral agents. The review focuses on the most extensively studied peptides, discussing their mechanism of action, three-dimensional structure, and analogues designed to enhance bioactivity and reduce toxicity. It also touches on the potential applications of Temporins in drug development, antimicrobial materials, and other technologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jie Yang, Chengliang Tong, Junmei Qi, Xiaoying Liao, Xiaokun Li, Xu Zhang, Mei Zhou, Lei Wang, Chengbang Ma, Xinping Xi, Tianbao Chen, Yitian Gao, Di Wu
Summary: The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor family is a well-studied group of proteins mainly found in plants. Recently, attenuated peptides with inhibitory motifs have been discovered in the skin secretions of amphibians, with one peptide named livisin identified in the skin secretion of the green cascade frog. Livisin was found to be a potent inhibitor against several serine proteases. Comparative activity studies were conducted to investigate the structure-activity relationship of livisin, and it was suggested as a potential tool for drug discovery and development.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Haixin Qin, Hantian Fang, Xiaoling Chen, Lei Wang, Chengbang Ma, Xinping Xi, Tianbao Chen, Chris Shaw, Mei Zhou
Summary: Amphibian skin-derived antimicrobial peptides are gaining increasing attention for their low drug resistance and potential for further bioactivity optimization. This study isolated a novel dermaseptin peptide with antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities, and designed cationicity-enhanced analogues to explore activity enhancement thresholds. The research suggests that improving net charge can enhance bioactivities up to a certain limit, beyond which bioactivities decrease or remain constant.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guizhu Feng, Lin Wei, Helong Che, Yan Shen, Jun Yang, Kai Mi, Jin Liu, Jing Wu, Hailong Yang, Lixian Mu
Summary: A novel peptide called antioxidin-NV was identified from the skin of plateau frog Nanorana ventripunctata. It has been found to protect against UVB-induced DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory response, thus preventing photoaging.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Han Liu, Xiaopu Guo, Tangwei Yi, Yihan Zhu, Xinyi Ren, Renxian Guo, Yi Dai, Shaohui Liang
Summary: The tree frog Hyla annectans in the southwestern plateau area of China may possess novel peptides with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can protect the skin from UV-induced damage by modulating stress signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Mechkarska, Gervonne Barran, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Norbert Nowotny, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: Skin secretions from Lithobates palmipes, a species of frog found in Trinidad, were analyzed and found to contain 10 host-defense peptides belonging to the ranatuerin-2, brevinin-1, and temporin families. One of the peptides showed decreased antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus but maintained activity against Echerichia coli. Cladistic analysis based on the primary structures of ranaturerin-2 peptides supported the division of New World frogs of the family Ranidae into the genera Lithobates and Rana, with L. palmipes having a sister-group relationship with Lithobates warszewitschii.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maolin Tian, Junfang Liu, Jinwei Chai, Jiena Wu, Xueqing Xu
Summary: Brevinin-2MP is a novel antimicrobial peptide with anti-inflammatory properties that can destroy bacterial cell membranes and inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators induced by LPS. It has been shown to alleviate acute inflammatory responses and could be a promising candidate for the treatment of bacterial inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoman Ju, Dongmei Fan, Lingmei Kong, Qihong Yang, Yiying Zhu, Shaohua Zhang, Guifeng Su, Yan Li
Summary: Brevivin-1RL1, an AMP isolated from frog skin secretions, selectively inhibits tumor cells through induction of necrosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The peptide mainly targets the surface of cancer cells and could be considered as a potential candidate for the development of anti-cancer drugs.
Article
Biology
Jackson R. Phillips, Amanda E. Hewes, Molly C. Womack, Kurt Schwenk
Summary: Frog larvae undergo multiple transformations before metamorphosing into adults, including transitioning from bubble sucking to breaching and from passive adaptation to active regulation of blood oxygen. These transitions occur simultaneously in Xenopus laevis tadpoles, but lung vascularization does not significantly increase until metamorphosis, suggesting that lung maturation alone cannot account for increased pulmonary capacity earlier in development.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fei Wu, Yi Gong, Lili Song, Haoyi Li, Xiangmin Zhang, Hongyan Li, Shicui Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that Pt5-1c promotes wound closure in vitro and accelerates healing and re-epithelialization in vivo. It activates migration and proliferation of fibroblasts and promotes collagen contraction. Pt5-1c shows potential as a therapeutic candidate for promoting wound healing.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xue-Feng Yang, Xin Liu, Xiao-Yi Yan, De-Jing Shang
Summary: This study explored the effects of frog skin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) temporin-1CEa and its analogs on ox-LDL induced macrophage-derived foam cells. The results showed that frog skin AMPs significantly improved cell viability, reduced intracellular lipid droplets, and decreased levels of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester. The AMPs also inhibited foam formation by reducing CD36 protein expression and suppressed inflammatory cytokine release by inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Guixi Wang, Zhizhi Chen, Pan Tian, Qinqin Han, Jinyang Zhang, A-Mei Zhang, Yuzhu Song
Summary: Cathelicidin-DM promotes cell proliferation and migration by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, facilitating wound healing. In animal experiments, it accelerates skin wound healing and early debridement, suggesting a new approach for treating infected chronic wounds.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seyda Kara, Cemil Kurekci, Muharrem Akcan
Summary: Naturally occurring frog skin peptides are a significant source of antimicrobial peptides, which have advantages such as broad spectrum activity and low susceptibility to drug resistance. However, they also have disadvantages such as hemolytic activity and high production costs. By designing new analogues, the antimicrobial activity and hemolytic activity can be improved, enhancing their potential clinical applications.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Colombe Delage, Lou Breard-Mellin, Caroline Theresine, Sephora Simioneck, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Magalie Benard, David Vaudry
Summary: This study analyzed the phenotypic and transcriptomic differences of 5 PC12 cell lines from different origins under different conditions. The results showed significant variation in terms of morphology, proliferation rate, motility, adhesion, and gene expression among these cell lines. The study highlights the importance of using well-characterized cell lines and standardized protocols to generate reproducible results.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentine Barasse, Nathan Tene, Christophe Klopp, Francoise Paquet, Niklas Tysklind, Valerie Troispoux, Hadrien Lalague, Jerome Orivel, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Martin Kenne, Maurice Tindo, Michel Treilhou, Axel Touchard, Elsa Bonnafe
Summary: The study characterized the venom peptidomes of six ants belonging to different tribes of Myrmicinae using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, identifying a total of 79 myrmicitoxin precursors. The myrmicine ant venom peptidomes showed heterogeneous compositions and precursor signal sequences were divided into eight families based on hierarchical clustering analysis, indicating variation and conserved patterns in evolutionary and structural analyses.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Lauren Hunter, Samir Attoub, Bruno Casciaro, Milena Mechkarska, Yasser H. A. Abdel-Wahab
Summary: Ocellatin-3N is a peptide that inhibits the growth of various bacteria and pathogens, and has potential therapeutic effects. It also regulates insulin release and intracellular calcium ion concentration.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Mechkarska, Gervonne Barran, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Norbert Nowotny, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: Skin secretions from Lithobates palmipes, a species of frog found in Trinidad, were analyzed and found to contain 10 host-defense peptides belonging to the ranatuerin-2, brevinin-1, and temporin families. One of the peptides showed decreased antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus but maintained activity against Echerichia coli. Cladistic analysis based on the primary structures of ranaturerin-2 peptides supported the division of New World frogs of the family Ranidae into the genera Lithobates and Rana, with L. palmipes having a sister-group relationship with Lithobates warszewitschii.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marie-Anne Le Solliec, Arnaud Arabo, Saloua Takhlidjt, Julie Maucotel, Melodie Devere, Hind Berrahmoune, Alexandre Benani, Emmanuelle Nedelec, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Marie Picot, Nicolas Chartrel, Gaetan Prevost
Summary: This study reveals that the absence of 26RFa does not significantly affect the glycemic phenotype in obese/hyperglycemic mice, but it can be compensated by an increase in BAT mass. In diabetic insulin-deficient mice, the antihyperglycemic effect of 26RFa is completely blocked, probably due to the impaired insulin production in this model, preventing the action of the peptide.
Article
Cell Biology
Carmine Rocca, Anna De Bartolo, Rita Guzzi, Maria Caterina Crocco, Vittoria Rago, Naomi Romeo, Ida Perrotta, Ernestina Marianna De Francesco, Maria Grazia Muoio, Maria Concetta Granieri, Teresa Pasqua, Rosa Mazza, Loubna Boukhzar, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio, Teresa Soda, Nicola Amodio, Youssef Anouar, Tommaso Angelone
Summary: Cardiac lipotoxicity is a major factor in cardiovascular complications during obesity. A small peptide (PSELT), derived from SELENOT, has been found to protect cardiomyocytes against lipotoxicity. PSELT counteracts cell death, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation induced by palmitate, and it regulates mitochondrial function and ER network.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Ascoet, Axel Touchard, Nathan Tene, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Francoise Paquet, Laurence Jouvensal, Valentine Barasse, Michel Treilhou, Arnaud Billet, Elsa Bonnafe
Summary: This study explores the cytotoxic effects and mechanisms of a peptide called U9 isolated from the venom of Tetramorium bicarinatum, a species of ant. It was found that U9, similar to M-Tb1a, can form pores on the cell membrane, but U9 also induces mitochondrial damage and caspase activation in high concentrations. These findings reveal an original mechanism of cytotoxicity for U9 and raise questions about potential valorization and endogenous activity in T. bicarinatum venom.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Laure Guilhaudis, Samir Attoub, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Milena Mechkarska
Summary: This study investigated the peptides present in the skin secretions of Leiuperinae species, particularly the Tungara frog. Several previously undescribed peptides were isolated and characterized, including pustulosin-1 and pustulosin-3, which showed cytotoxic activity against human tumor-derived cell lines. However, these peptides also had toxic effects on non-neoplastic human cells. Additionally, the study found that tigerinin-1EP, another identified peptide, exhibited no activity against both tumor-derived cells and bacteria.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yasaman Karami, Samuel Murail, Julien Giribaldi, Benjamin Lefranc, Florian Defontaine, Olivier Lesouhaitier, Jerome Leprince, Sjoerd de Vries, Pierre Tuffery
Summary: This article introduces a method for the rational design of head-to-tail cyclization linkers. Firstly, the conformation of cyclized peptides can be accurately predicted based on the linear peptide and linker sequence. Secondly, effective candidate linker sequences can be proposed based on inferred information from protein structures. Finally, case studies demonstrate the potential of this approach for cyclic peptide-based drug design.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. Michael Conlon, Laure Guilhaudis, Samir Attoub, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Milena Mechkarska
Summary: Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions from Boana boans frogs led to the isolation and structural characterization of five host-defense peptides with limited structural similarity to figainin 2 and picturin peptides. These peptides showed antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against human tumor-derived cells.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Milena Mechkarska, Taylor S. Cunning, Megan G. Taggart, Nigel G. Ternan, Jerome Leprince, Laurent Coquet, Thierry Jouenne, Jordi Tena-Garces, Juan J. Calvete, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: The venom of the Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion contains peptides with antimicrobial activity and potassium channel and sodium channel toxins. Among the peptides, TtAP-1 exhibits strong bactericidal activity against various bacteria and can rapidly kill clinically relevant bacteria. However, its high hemolytic activity limits its potential as an anti-infective agent.
Article
Neurosciences
Karen P. Briski, Prabhat R. Napit, Abdulrahman Alhamyani, Jerome Leprince, A. S. M. Hasan Mahmood
Summary: Central endozepinergic signaling is implicated in glucose homeostasis. Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) metabolic monitoring governs glucose counter-regulation. Current research addresses the premise that the astrocyte glio-peptide octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) imposes sex-dimorphic control of metabolic sensor activity and neurotransmitter signaling in these neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana Medina-Felix, Francisco Vargas-Albores, Estefania Garibay-Valdez, Luis Rafael Martinez-Cordova, Marcel Martinez-Porchas
Summary: In this research, the effects of Nocardia infection on fish gastrointestinal microbiota were analyzed. It was found that the infection led to decreased survival rate, severe damage to the stomach microbiota, and a significant increase in Proteobacteria. A negative correlation network between Proteobacteria and other important phyla was observed. Therefore, Nocardia sp. is an emerging pathogen capable of inducing dysbiosis and causing significant mortalities.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lele Wu, Wen Sun, Jiale Zhou, Yaolin Li, Jun Li, Zongcheng Song, Changbin Song, Shihong Xu, Xinlu Yue, Xian Li
Summary: The study finds that red light induces dichromatic skin pigmentation in turbot juveniles, with some individuals displaying black coloration and others displaying lighter skin. The upregulated gene expressions related to melanin synthesis and the involvement of the nervous system in spectral environment-driven color regulation are both crucial factors.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2024)
