The discovery and evaluation of a novel bioactive peptide, QUB-3112, from the defensive skin secretion of Hylarana guentheri

Frog skin secretions play a significant role in defence against pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, enveloped viruses and so on. They are a rich source of bioactive compounds, including bufogenins, steroids, peptides, etc. To date, many peptides with various bioactivities have been found in frog skin secretions. Among these, the majority are antimicrobial peptides and a novel one of these was studied in this thesis in order to contribute to the study of biologically active peptides.<br/>In this study, the precursor-encoding cDNA sequence of a novel bioactive peptide QUB-3112 was identified in the defensive skin secretion of Hylarana guentheri by using a ‘shotgun’ cloning method. To research the biological functions of QUB-3112, it was synthesised by using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) according to the translated putative mature peptide sequence. The synthetic replicate was used to perform some bioactive tests and was found to possess strong antimicrobial activity, slight anticancer activity and a relatively weak haemolytic activity. <br/>The experiments carried out in this study only involved a narrow and superficial range of bioactivity identifications. To obtain clearer knowledge about this novel bioactive peptide, additional investigations should be warranted. <br/><br/><br/> <br/>

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Master of Philosophy

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Queen's University Belfast

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Lu, Huimin

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Chen, Tianbao
• Wang, Lei
• Zhou, Mei

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/973c1e4b-cc7d-4cb5-8455-25c87aac98cc

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/973c1e4b-cc7d-4cb5-8455-25c87aac98cc