Encrypted antimicrobial peptides from proteins present in the plasma of the millipede Rhinocricus sp.

Autor(es)

Segura-Ramirez, Paula J. ^{[1, 2]} ; de Godoy, Pedro Machado ; Avino, Ivan N. ^[3] ; Silva Junior, Pedro I. ^{[1, 2]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Butantan Inst IBu, Ctr Toxins Immune Response & Cell Signaling CeTIC, Lab Appl Toxinol LAT, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] USP IBu IPT, Postgrad Program Interunits Biotechnol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Butantan Inst IBu, Ctr Toxins Immune Response & Cell Signaling CeTIC, Special Lab Cell Cycle LECC, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS; v. 242, JUN 30 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Millipedes are among the most diverse and abundant arthropods in terrestrial environments. However, little is known about their innate immune response against invading pathogenic microorganisms, which is very intriguing considering that the evolutionary success of millipedes is largely due to this complex and primitive defense system, since it allowed them to colonize a wide variety of microhabitats characterized by their high microbial proliferation. Accordingly, the aim of the present work was to determine the presence of antimicrobial peptides in the hemolymph of the millipede Rhinocricus sp. In total, four native peptides with potent antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms, lack of cytotoxicity against Vero cells and lack of hemolytic effects against human erythrocytes were isolated and named RP40-16, RP40-19, RP40-20/1 and RP40-20/2. The analysis with bioinformatics tools suggested that these peptides may be encrypted in large proteins present in the plasma: Hemocyanin and thioester-containing protein. Considering these results, it can be said that millipede hemolymph represents a promising source of molecules with potential for the development of nonconventional antibiotics. Therefore, in order to have a clearer notion of the biotechnological potential and the role of these peptides in the innate immune response of Rhinocricus sp., future studies should focus on elucidating their mechanisms of action, as well as additional biological properties (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/07467-1 - CeTICS - Centro de Toxinas, Imuno-Resposta e Sinalização Celular
• Beneficiário: Hugo Aguirre Armelin
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs