Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Amphibian Defense Against Trematode Infection

Calhoun, Dana M.; Woodhams, Douglas C.; Howard, Cierra; LaFonte, Bryan E.; Gregory, Jacklyn R.; Johnson, Pieter T. J.

doi:10.1007/s10393-016-1102-3

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…In experimental exposure trials, LaFonte and Johnson () found that larvae of Hyla versicolor , H. cinerea and H. gratiosa cleared infections within 72 hr, which is 10× faster than in 11 other species of frogs, toads and salamanders (Johnson & Hartson, ; Johnson et al., ). Although the mechanism underlying this resistance is unknown, it was not driven by differences in host antimicrobial peptides (Calhoun et al., ), and immune suppression (via corticosterone) caused only minor increases in infection (LaFonte & Johnson, ). An important priority will thus involve identifying the mechanistic pathways through which these and other skin secretions—including TTX—affect parasite infection success and persistence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of poisons and parasites—the defensive role of tetrodotoxin against infections in newts

Johnson

Calhoun

Stokes

et al. 2018

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Classical research on animal toxicity has focused on the role of toxins in protection against predators, but recent studies suggest these same compounds can offer a powerful defense against parasites and infectious diseases. Newts in the genus Taricha are brightly coloured and contain the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX), which is hypothesized to have evolved as a defense against vertebrate predators such as garter snakes. However, newt populations often vary dramatically in toxicity, which is only partially explained by predation pressure. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between TTX concentration and infection by parasites. By systematically assessing micro- and macroparasite infections among 345 adult newts (sympatric populations of Taricha granulosa and T. torosa), we detected 18 unique taxa of helminths, fungi, viruses and protozoans. For both newt species, per-host concentrations of TTX, which varied from undetectable to >60 μg/cm skin, negatively predicted overall parasite richness as well as the likelihood of infection by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and ranavirus. No such effect was found on infection load among infected hosts. Despite commonly occurring at the same wetlands, T. torosa supported higher parasite richness and average infection load than T. granulosa. Host body size and sex (females > males) tended to positively predict infection levels in both species. For hosts in which we quantified leucocyte profiles, total white blood cell count correlated positively with both parasite richness and total infection load. By coupling data on host toxicity and infection by a broad range of micro- and macroparasites, these results suggest that-alongside its effects on predators-tetrodotoxin may help protect newts against parasitic infections, highlighting the importance of integrative research on animal chemistry, immunological defenses and natural enemy ecology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of poisons and parasites—the defensive role of tetrodotoxin against infections in newts

Johnson

Calhoun

Stokes

et al. 2018

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…Antimicrobial peptides from poisonous animals are described for a number of scorpion peptides, as well as peptides from snakes, frogs, bees ( Apis sp. ), etc., as part of their host defense system [37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46]. For scorpions in particular, it has been proposed that the presence of antibacterial peptides protects the venom gland from pathogenic infections or potentiates toxin action [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Conopeptides of Largely Unexplored Indo Pacific Conus sp.

et al. 2016

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Cone snails are predatory creatures using venom as a weapon for prey capture and defense. Since this venom is neurotoxic, the venom gland is considered as an enormous collection of pharmacologically interesting compounds having a broad spectrum of targets. As such, cone snail peptides represent an interesting treasure for drug development. Here, we report five novel peptides isolated from the venom of Conus longurionis, Conus asiaticus and Conus australis. Lo6/7a and Lo6/7b were retrieved from C. longurionis and have a cysteine framework VI/VII. Lo6/7b has an exceptional amino acid sequence because no similar conopeptide has been described to date (similarity percentage <50%). A third peptide, Asi3a from C. asiaticus, has a typical framework III Cys arrangement, classifying the peptide in the M-superfamily. Asi14a, another peptide of C. asiaticus, belongs to framework XIV peptides and has a unique amino acid sequence. Finally, AusB is a novel conopeptide from C. australis. The peptide has only one disulfide bond, but is structurally very different as compared to other disulfide-poor peptides. The peptides were screened on nAChRs, NaV and KV channels depending on their cysteine framework and proposed classification. No targets could be attributed to the peptides, pointing to novel functionalities. Moreover, in the quest of identifying novel pharmacological targets, the peptides were tested for antagonistic activity against a broad panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as two yeast strains.

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“…The AMPs are substances evolutionarily ancient found in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. These substances differ in molecular size, spectrum of action; they are considered the major components of the innate immune system and work in defense against infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] . Furthermore, recent studies indicate that the AMP may exercise activities such as immunological modulators [34,35] in the treatment of cancer [36] , in the recovery of skin lesions and as an alternative in the treatment of biofilms formed by pathogenic microorganisms [37] .…”

Section: General Characteristics Of the Ampsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides: a Systematic Review

Machado¹,

Gelinski²,

Baratto³

et al. 2019

ijps

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Machado et al.: Review of Antimicrobial Peptides Resistance to antibiotics has being considered one of the greatest public health problems worldwide. The objective of this systematic review was to compile important bibliographical references that support the studies related to the biotechnological potential of antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides are considered the major components of the innate immune system and work in defence against infections caused by different microorganisms. Many researchers argue that the studies associated with the discoveries of antimicrobial peptides that are more effective in the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms be also directed to the substances produced by insects. The major aspects associated to the technological potential of antimicrobial peptides are, general characteristics, classification, mode of action and prospects for applying, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry. It can be concluded that research for new substances with action against pathogenic microorganisms aim mainly to seek alternatives to the use of antibiotics. In addition, anticancer peptides are small cationic molecules with promising pharmacological use. However, the products for application in the protection of food, treatment of skin infections and its use in the cosmetics industry are those with the greatest potential.

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Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Amphibian Defense Against Trematode Infection

Cited by 19 publications

References 50 publications

Of poisons and parasites—the defensive role of tetrodotoxin against infections in newts

Of poisons and parasites—the defensive role of tetrodotoxin against infections in newts

Novel Conopeptides of Largely Unexplored Indo Pacific Conus sp.

Technological Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides: a Systematic Review

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