The discovery, identification, and bioactivity screening of peptide, QUB-2335, from skin secretion of the frog, Amolops hainanensisQUB-2335, from skin secretion of the frog, Amolops hainanensis

Abstract

Due to the resistance of antibiotics, the research of antimicrobial peptides has become a hot topic. In this study, a novel peptide named, QUB-2335, was identified and characterised from the skin secretion of the frog (Amolops hainanensis) by the strategy of ‘shotgun’ cloning. The deduced mature peptide sequence was confirmed as: FALGAVTKRLPSLFCLITRKC. QUB-2335 showed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. The result of QUB-2335 towards E. coli and S. aureus in MIC assays, were 4 μM and 4 μM, and in MBC assays, were 16 μM and 8 μM. Also, the MIC/MBC values of QUB-2335 against C. albicans, were is 64 μM and 128 μM. The haemolysis assay results showed that the QUB-2335 had only 27.1% haemolysis at the concentration of 256μM. The anticancer cell assay revealed a potent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. At a concentration of 10-4 M, a significant impact of QUB-2335 was observed. These experiments on QUB-2335 revealed antibacterial and anticancer cell activities with potential of low side effects. Thus, this peptide has some value and potential to become a clinical drug after further research and modification.

Thesis embargoed until 31st December 2027

Date of Award	Dec 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Mei Zhou (Supervisor), Tianbao Chen (Supervisor) & Yangyang Jiang (Supervisor)