The cDNA sequence coding for prepro-PGS (prepro-magainins) and aspects of the processing of this prepro-polypeptide |
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Authors: | A S Terry L Poulter D H Williams J C Nutkins M G Giovannini C H Moore B W Gibson |
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Institution: | University Chemical Laboratories, Cambridge, United Kingdom. |
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Abstract: | Amphibian skin is well known as a source of peptides homologous to bioactive peptides found in mammalian gut and brain. A systematic investigation of the skin secretions from Xenopus laevis revealed several peptides not derivable from known precursors. The sequence elucidation, utilizing fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry, of two peptides, PGS and PGS Gly-10;Lys-22, is reported. These have been independently characterized and named magainins and found to have antimicrobial activity. A mixed sequence oligonucleotide probe complementary to the mRNA sequence coding for PGS was synthesized and used to screen a Xenopus skin cDNA library. A full length cDNA species encoding prepro-PGS was isolated and characterized, and its sequence is reported. The deduced precursor sequence was found to contain one copy of PGS Gly-10;Lys-22 and five copies of PGS. The proteolytic processing of this prepro-polypeptide is discussed. |
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