Identification and evaluation of a bioactive peptide QUB-2560 from the skin secretion of Odorrana andersonii

Abstract

Polypeptides in amphibian skin secretions have various bioactive functions, especially the positively-charged, alpha-helical and amphipathic polypeptides. Given the widespread and prolonged use of conventional antibiotics globally, antibiotic resistance has inevitably become a pressing concern. As a result, the exploration of alternative solutions like antimicrobial peptides (AMP) has gained significant attention. Some amphibian skin secretes peptides with various biological activities. My research aims to contribute to this critical area of study.

In particular, some positively charged, α-helical and amphiphilic peptides are more likely to have good antibacterial activity. In the present study, an antimicrobial peptide, named QUB-2560, was isolated from the skin secretions of Odorrana andersonii and was found to exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In addition, QUB-2560 inhibited a human lung cancer cell line (H838). Also, QUB-2560 showed tolerable haemolytic activity with the HC50 of 287.7 μM. In summary, QUB-2560 has great potential to be used in future clinical.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2028.

Date of Award	Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Mei Zhou (Supervisor), Tianbao Chen (Supervisor) & Chengbang Ma (Supervisor)