Identification, isolation and bioactivity assessment of a novel peptide from the skin secretion of the Tiger-striped Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa tomopterna)

Nearly forty years later, antimicrobial peptides from frogs were discovered, after which, frogs and their skin secretions were treated as a great source of peptides with bioactive functions. Results from decades of research have shown that many peptides have been found with pharmacological functions such as antimicrobial activity and anticancer activity, which have great potential uses in clinical applications against the resistance generated to conventional antibiotics. <br><br>In this thesis, a peptide named QUB-2982 with antimicrobial and anticancer activities was identified first by ‘shotgun’ cloning of the lyophilized frog skin secretion of Phyllomedusa tomopterna.

After this, a crude peptide was synthesised and purified. The purified peptide was used in a series of bioactivity tests. QUB-2982 displayed antimicrobial activities towards E. coli, S.aureus, and C.albicans.