1. CMAP27, a novel chicken cathelicidin-like antimicrobial protein
- Author
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van Dijk, Albert, Veldhuizen, Edwin J.A., van Asten, Alphons J.A.M., and Haagsman, Henk P.
- Subjects
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DNA polymerases , *POLYMERASE chain reaction , *NATURAL immunity , *PEPTIDES - Abstract
Abstract: Cathelicidins, antimicrobial peptides with broad spectrum activity, have been almost exclusively found in mammals. Here, we report the cloning of a novel avian cathelicidin, chicken myeloid antimicrobial peptide 27 (CMAP27) from chicken bone marrow cells. A combined expressed sequence tag (EST) and genomic based search revealed a cathelicidin-like gene located at the terminus of chromosome 2. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 5′RACE techniques resulted in a 154 amino acid prepropeptide, homologous to chicken cathelicidin 1 (51%) and most similar to α-helical myeloid antibacterial peptides (MAPs; 29–33%). A putative elastase cleavage site (LVQRG↓RF) suggests the production of a 27 amino acid antimicrobial peptide, predicted to adopt an α-helical configuration followed by a hydrophobic tail. Comparative analyses between antimicrobial peptide domains showed marked similarity between CMAP27 and MAP members of the bovidae family, but not with the α-helical chicken cathelicidin 1. Strongest expression of CMAP27 mRNA was found in myeloid/lymphoid tissues, testis and uropygial gland. In accordance with the phylogenetic tree analysis, these findings support the theory of a common ancestral cathelicidin gene and suggest an important role for cathelicidins in chicken innate host defense. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2005
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