Identification and functional evaluation of a bioactive peptide QUB-2669 from the skin secretion of the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeiana

Amphibian skin, secreting many bioactive peptides, is a rich source of novel antimicrobial peptides. In this thesis, QUB-2669, derived from the skin secretion of the American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeiana, was identified as a member of the ranatuerin-1 family.

During the process of peptide synthesis, the methionine residue, containing a sulphur, was accidentally oxidised, therefore, another peptide named MetO-QUB-2669 was obtained. QUB-2669 presented moderate antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 32 μM) and Candida albicans (MIC was 64 μM), but was not sensitive against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (MIC was 128 μM).