276 results on '"Phyllomedusa"'
Search Results
2. Acute and subacute psychoactive effects of Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Maki Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor): retrospective reports.
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Schmidt, Timo Torsten, Reiche, Simon, Hage, Caroline L. C., Bermpohl, Felix, and Majić, Tomislav
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *PLETHORA (Pathology) , *PSYCHIATRIC drugs , *HALLUCINOGENIC drugs , *HYLIDAE - Abstract
Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) contains a plethora of bioactive peptides and was originally used by indigenous communities from the Amazon basin as medicine for improving hunting capacities. In the last 20 years, Kambô has spread to Western urban healing circles. To date it is still controversial whether the acute effects of Kambô include alterations of consciousness similar to known psychoactive substance like serotonergic psychedelics. Here we retrospectively assessed psychological effects of Kambô in a sample of anonymous users (n = 22, mean age: 39 years, ± 8.5; 45.5% female), administering standardized questionnaires for the assessment of altered states of consciousness (ASC), including the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), the Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) for acute effects and the Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) and a scale assessing connectedness for subacute effects. The intensity of retrospectively reported acute psychological effects remained on a mild to moderate level, with no psychedelic-type distortions of perception or thinking. Conversely, persisting effects were predominantly described as positive and pleasant, revealing high scores on measures of personal and spiritual significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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3. The Amphibian Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2): a 'paleo-protein' with Conserved Function but Unique Folding.
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Sciani, Juliana M., Neves, Adriana, Vassão, Ruth C., Spencer, Patrick, Antoniazzi, Marta M., Jared, Carlos, and Pimenta, Daniel C.
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PROTEIN folding , *DIGLYCERIDES , *OSMOREGULATION , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY , *MOLECULAR models - Abstract
Amphibians are, currently, considered the first vertebrates that had performed the aquatic to terrestrial transition during evolution; therefore, water balance and dehydration control were prerequisites for such environment conquering. Among anurans, Phyllomedusa is a well-studied genus, due to its peptide-rich skin secretion. Here, we have analyzed the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa distincta targeting the proteins present in the skin secretion. The major soluble protein was chromatographically isolated and utilized to immunize rabbits. Through proteomics approaches, we were able to identify such protein as being the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), a crucial enzyme involved in lipid synthesis and in the skin water balance. Immunohistochemistry assays revealed the protein tissular distribution for different animal species, belonging to different branches of the phylogenetic tree. Specifically, there was positivity to the anti-DGAT2 on Amphibians' skin, and no antibody recognition on fish and mammals' skins. The DGAT2 multiple sequence alignment reveals some degree of conservation throughout the genera; however, there is a different cysteine pattern among them. Molecular modeling analyses corroborate that the different cysteine pattern leads to distinct 3D structures, explaining the different antibody recognition. Moreover, the protein phylogenetic analyses place the Xenopus DGAT2 (the available amphibian representative) next to the Coelacanthus enzyme, which have led the authors to term this a 'paleo-protein'. DGAT2 would be, therefore, an ancient protein, crucial to the terrestrial environment conquest, with a unique folding—as indicated by the molecular models and immunohistochemistry analyses—a consequence of the different cysteine pattern but with conserved biological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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4. Release calls of four species of Phyllomedusidae (Amphibia, Anura).
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Mângia, Sarah, Camurugi, Felipe, Pereira, Elvis Almeida, Carvalho, Priscila, Röhr, David Lucas, Folly, Henrique, and Santana, Diego José
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AMPHIBIANS ,FROGS ,PHYLLOMEDUSA ,ANIMAL sounds ,ANIMAL breeding - Abstract
Anurans emit a variety of acoustic signals in different behavioral contexts during the breeding season. The release call is a signal produced by the frog when it is inappropriately clasped by another frog. In the family Phyllomedusidae, this call type is known only for Pithecophus ayeaye. Here we describe the release call of four species: Phyllomedusa bahiana, P. sauvagii, Pithecopus rohdei, and P. nordestinus, based on recordings in the field. The release calls of these four species consist of a multipulsed note. Smaller species of the Pithecopus genus (P. ayeaye, P. rohdei and P. nordestinus), presented shorter release calls (0.022-0.070 s), with higher dominant frequency on average (1508.8-1651.8 Hz), when compared to the bigger Phyllomedusa (P. bahiana and P. sauvagii) (0.062-0.107 s; 798.7-1071.4 Hz). For phyllomedusid species, the release call might indicate a phylogenetic signal, because species of the same genus have similar acoustic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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5. Peptidomic analysis of the host-defense peptides in skin secretions of the Trinidadian leaf frog Phyllomedusa trinitatis (Phyllomedusidae).
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Mechkarska, Milena, Coquet, Laurent, Leprince, Jérôme, Auguste, Renoir J., Jouenne, Thierry, Mangoni, Maria Luisa, and Conlon, J. Michael
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NORADRENALINE ,PHYLLOMEDUSA ,ANTIMICROBIAL preservatives ,ANTIOXIDANT analysis ,PEPTIDES - Abstract
Abstract Peptidomic analysis (reversed-phase HPLC combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation) of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from the Trinidadian leaf frog Phyllomedusa trinitatis Mertens 1926 led to the identification and structural characterization of 26 host-defense peptides. On the basis of amino acid sequence similarity, the peptides may be divided into the followings groups: dermaseptins with the conserved N-terminal region GLWSKIK (6 peptides), dermaseptins with the N-terminal region ALWKXXLK (5 peptides), dermaseptins with the conserved N-terminal region GLFKTLIKGAGKMLGHVAK (4 peptides), C-terminally α-amidated and non-amidated forms of the phylloseptins (9 peptides), phyllocaerulein, a peptide (GLVSGLLNSVTGLLGNLAGGGL) with structural similarity to the plasticins, and a putative antioxidant peptide (LTWKIPTRFCGVT). The primary structures of the peptides support the claim based upon morphological criteria that P. trinitatis and Phyllomedusa tarsius are very closely related phylogenetically but are probably not conspecific. Among the phylloseptins, phylloseptin-1.1TR (FLSLIPKIAGGIASLVKNL.NH 2) displayed the most potent antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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6. Seasonal variation and an “outbreak” of frog predation by tamarins.
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Lüffe, Teresa Magdalena, Tirado Herrera, Emérita R., Nadjafzadeh, Mirjam, Berles, Patricia, Smith, Andrew C., Knogge, Christoph, and Heymann, Eckhard W.
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We report temporal variation and an “outbreak” of frog predation by moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax, in north-eastern Peruvian Amazonia. Frog predation rates were generally very low, but strongly increased in October 2015. Other high rates, identified by outlier analyses, were also observed in September-November of other years. Over all study years, predation rates in this 3-month period were significantly higher than those in the remainder of the year, suggesting a seasonal pattern of frog predation by tamarins. Reduced fruit availability or increased frog abundance or a combination of both may be responsible for both the seasonal pattern and the specific “outbreak” of frog predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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7. Evolution of acoustic signals in Neotropical leaf frogs
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Luiz Pedreira Gonzaga, Sergio Potsch de Carvalho-e-Silva, and Andressa M. Bezerra
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Phyllomedusa ,biology ,Habitat ,Phylogenetic tree ,Evolutionary biology ,Evolutionary divergence ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Dominant frequency ,Body size ,biology.organism_classification ,Clade ,Inverse correlation ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Acoustic signals have been presumed to show high evolutionary divergence levels, with similar constraints and selective pressures often leading to convergence among distant lineages. However, few studies have applied a rigorous phylogenetic approach to investigate historical changes in anuran vocalizations. Here, we investigated which factors may be shaping acoustic signals in Neotropical leaf frogs by testing correlations among acoustic variables, species body size and habitat structure. The study was conducted in a comprehensive sampling, composed by the clade formed by treefrogs of the genera Callimedusa, Phyllomedusa and Pithecopus (Phyllomedusidae). We found a significant inverse correlation between body size and the dominant frequency of calls, but not between body size and call duration. Unexpectedly, no acoustic variable was significantly correlated with habitat type. However, habitat type showed a high phylogenetic signal. We suggest that the influence of different spatial scales should be appropriately addressed in broader tests with anurans and that more studies focusing on the evolution of calls in particular clades should be conducted instead of seeking general rules across clades.
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- 2021
8. Phyllomedusa tarsius
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Schiesari, Luis, Rossa-Feres, Denise De Cerqueira, Menin, Marcelo, and Hödl, Walter
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Amphibia ,Phyllomedusa tarsius ,Phyllomedusidae ,Animalia ,Biodiversity ,Anura ,Phyllomedusa ,Chordata ,Taxonomy - Abstract
Phyllomedusa tarsius External morphology. Description based on three tadpoles at Stages 36 and 39 (LCS 615, 652). Total length 54.7 ± 10.2 mm (N = 3). Body elongate oval in dorsal view and triangular in lateral view (Fig. 70A, B). Snout truncate in dorsal and lateral views. Eyes small, positioned and directed laterally. Nostrils small, oval, laterally positioned near to snout, with opening anterolaterally directed, without a projection on the marginal rim. Oral disc (Fig. 70C) anteroventral; marginal papillae conical, uniseriate, with a dorsal gap. Submarginal papillae present lateroventrally. LTRF 2(2)/3(1); A1 and A2 of the same length; P1 slightly longer than P2; P3 of about one third of the length of P2. Jaw sheaths moderately wide, finely serrated; anterior jaw sheath arch-shaped, posterior jaw sheath V-shaped. Spiracle single, ventrolateral, cylindrical, short and wide, posteriorly directed, with a large opening at the medial third of the body, and with the centripetal wall fused to the body wall and longer than the external wall. Vent tube dextral, fused to the ventral fin, with a dextral opening. Caudal musculature of moderate width; in lateral view gradually tapering to a pointed tip. Dorsal fin shallow throughout its length, highest posteriorly, originating at the tail-body junction; ventral fin of moderate height, convex. Tail tip pointed. Lateral lines visible. Colour. In preservative dorsum light greyish brown; caudal musculature grayish brown; fins translucent. In life body transparent olive or whitish with a silver venter; tail transparent or whitish (Hero 1990) (Fig. 70D). Body silvery, caudal musculature pinkish, ventral fin with a black patch of variable width in the middle third of the tail. Natural history. Eggs are deposited in a gelatinous mass in leaf nests overhanging isolated ponds in terra-firme forest, forest edge and deforested land; upon hatching tadpoles hatch and fall in the water (Neckel-Oliveira 2004; Lima et al. 2012). Mean clutch size is 342 unpigmented eggs (Neckel-Oliveira & Wachlevski 2004) Tadpoles are nektonic and form schools (Duellman 1978). Tail tip is capable of independent movement (Fig. 70D). Tadpoles are found in all months of the year. Eggs are preyed upon by phorid fly larvae, staphylinid beetles and the snake Leptodeira annulata (Martins & Oliveira 1998; Neckel-Oliveira 2004; Neckel-Oliveira & Wachlevski 2004). In experiments tadpoles of P. tarsius were consumed by dragonflies and fish (Hero 1991; Azevedo-Ramos et al. 1992). Comments. These tadpoles were described by Duellman (1978) from Ecuador and illustrated by Hero (1990) from Central Amazonia. They differ from those herein characterized by presenting body ovoid in dorsal view, eyes large, oral disc without lateral emarginations, row of marginal papillae uniseriate laterally and biseriate ventrally, LTRF 2(2)/3 (Duellman 1978); and by presenting LTRF 2(2)/2-3[1], and anterior jaw sheat arch-shaped (Hero 1990)., Published as part of Schiesari, Luis, Rossa-Feres, Denise De Cerqueira, Menin, Marcelo & Hödl, Walter, 2022, Tadpoles of Central Amazonia (Amphibia: Anura), pp. 1-149 in Zootaxa 5223 (1) on pages 105-106, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5223.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7517957, {"references":["Lima, A. P., Magnusson, W. E., Menin, M., Erdtmann, L. K., Rodrigues, D. J., Keller, C. & H ˆ dl, W. (2012) Guia de Sapos da Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Amazonia Central / Guide to the frogs of Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Central Amazonia. 2 nd Edition. Editora INPA, Manaus, 187 pp.","Neckel-Oliveira, S. & Wachlevski, M. (2004) Predation on the arboreal eggs of three Phyllomedusa frog species in Central Amazonia. Journal of Herpetology, 38, 84 - 88. https: // doi. org / 10.1670 / 162 - 03 A","Duellman, W. E. (1978) The biology of an Equatorial herpetofauna of Amazonian Ecuador. Miscellaneous Publications Museum of Natural History University of Kansas, 65, 1 - 352.","Martins, M. & Oliveira, M. E. (1998) Natural history of snakes in forests of the Manaus region, Central Amazonian, Brazil. Herpetological Natural History, 6, 78 - 150.","Hero, J-M. (1991) Predation, palatability and the distribution of tadpoles in the Amazon Rainforest. PhD Thesis, Griffith University, Brisbane, 234 pp.","Azevedo-Ramos, C., Van Sluys, M., Hero, J. - M. & Magnusson, W. E. (1992) Influence of tadpole movement on predation by odonate nayads. Journal of Herpetology, 26, 335 - 338. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 1564891"]}
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- 2022
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9. Phyllomedusa bicolor
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Schiesari, Luis, Rossa-Feres, Denise De Cerqueira, Menin, Marcelo, and Hödl, Walter
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Amphibia ,Phyllomedusidae ,Animalia ,Phyllomedusa bicolor ,Biodiversity ,Anura ,Phyllomedusa ,Chordata ,Taxonomy - Abstract
Phyllomedusa bicolor External morphology. Description based on nine tadpoles at Stages 36 and 37 (CZPB-LA 141/274 and 141/275). Total length 43.7 ± 1.7 mm (N = 9). Body elongate oval in dorsal view and triangular in lateral view (Fig. 69A, B). Snout truncate in dorsal and lateral views. Eyes medium-sized, positioned and directed laterally. Nostrils small, oval, laterally positioned near to snout, with opening anterolaterally directed, without a projection on the marginal rim. Oral disc (Fig. 69C) anteroventral, ventrolaterally emarginate; marginal papillae conical, uniseriate, with a dorsal gap. Submarginal papillae present laterally. LTRF 2(2)/3(1); A1 and A2 of the same length; P2 slightly longer than P1; P3 of about half the length of P2. Anterior jaw sheath moderately wide, posterior jaw sheat narrow, both finely serrated; anterior jaw sheath M-shaped, posterior jaw sheath V-shaped. Spiracle single, ventrolateral, cylindrical, short and wide, posteriorly directed, with a large opening at the medial third of the body, and with the centripetal wall fused to the body wall and longer than the external wall. Vent tube dextral, fused to the ventral fin, with a dextral opening. Caudal musculature of moderate width; in lateral view gradually tapering to a pointed tip. Dorsal fin originating at the tail-body junction, shallow throughout its length, highest posteriorly, with a unique cord (thickening on the edge of the fin); ventral fin high, convex. Tail tip pointed. Colour. In preservative dorsum brownish gray; lateral side of body and belly gray; caudal musculature and the cord pale brown; fins translucent. In life dorsum and anterior part of the body orange; venter silver; caudal musculature with the unique cord pale orange; fins translucent orange; iris silver (Fig. 69D) (Pinto et al. 2013). Variation. LTRF 1(1)/2(1) at Stage 24, 2(2)/3(1) or 2(2)/3(1-2) at Stages 26, 27, 29 and 34 (Pinto et al. 2013). Metamorph. At metamorphosis froglets light grey, nearly white, with orange reflections over dorsum and flanks; sides of limbs and toes orange (Fig. 69E); later, body and limbs green with the presence of sparse white spots with dark outlines on the chest and hind limbs (Pinto et al. 2013). Natural history. Eggs are deposited in a gelatinous mass in leaf nests overhanging isolated or streamside temporary ponds in terra-firme forest and forest edge; upon hatching tadpoles fall in the water (Lima et al. 2012; Pinto et al. 2013). Mean clutch size is 859 unpigmented eggs (Neckel-Oliveira & Wachlevski 2004). Tadpoles are found in all months of the year. Tadpoles are nektonic. Eggs are preyed upon by phorid fly larvae, staphylinid beetles and capuchin monkeys (Neckel-Oliveira 2004; Neckel-Oliveira & Wachlevski 2004). Tadpoles are preyed upon by Pipa arrabali (Buchacher 1993). In experiments tadpoles of P. bicolor were consumed by dragonflies and fish (Hero 1991). The bright orange color is presumably aposematic. Comments. These tadpoles were described by Rada de Martinez (1990) from Venezuela, from Colombia by Lynch & Suárez-Mayorga (2011), and by Hero (1990) and Pinto et al. (2013) from Central Amazonia. Tadpoles from Venezuela differ from those herein characterized by the absence of submarginal papillae (although Fig. 9 clearly shows submarginal papillae laterally on oral disc, as those herein characterized; Rada de Martinez 1990). Tadpoles illustrated by Hero (1990) and by Lynch & Suárez-Mayorga (2011) differ from those herein characterized for lacking a ventrally emarginate oral disc and submarginal papillae, which drove Pinto et al. (2013) to conclude that the tadpole illustrated in Hero (1990) is not P. bicolor. No morphological variation was observed between tadpoles herein characterized and those described by Pinto et al. (2013)., Published as part of Schiesari, Luis, Rossa-Feres, Denise De Cerqueira, Menin, Marcelo & Hödl, Walter, 2022, Tadpoles of Central Amazonia (Amphibia: Anura), pp. 1-149 in Zootaxa 5223 (1) on pages 103-105, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5223.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7517957, {"references":["Pinto, R. C., Py-Daniel, S. S. & Menin, M. (2013) Redescription of the tadpole of Phyllomedusa bicolor (Anura: Hylidae) from Central Amazonia. Journal of Herpetology, 8, 67 - 72. https: // doi. org / 10.2994 / SAJH-D- 13 - 00003.1","Lima, A. P., Magnusson, W. E., Menin, M., Erdtmann, L. K., Rodrigues, D. J., Keller, C. & H ˆ dl, W. (2012) Guia de Sapos da Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Amazonia Central / Guide to the frogs of Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Central Amazonia. 2 nd Edition. Editora INPA, Manaus, 187 pp.","Neckel-Oliveira, S. & Wachlevski, M. (2004) Predation on the arboreal eggs of three Phyllomedusa frog species in Central Amazonia. Journal of Herpetology, 38, 84 - 88. https: // doi. org / 10.1670 / 162 - 03 A","Buchacher, C. O. (1993) Field studies on the small Surinam toad, Pipa arrabali, near Manaus, Brazil. Amphibia-Reptilia, 14, 59 - 69. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 156853893 X 00192","Hero, J-M. (1991) Predation, palatability and the distribution of tadpoles in the Amazon Rainforest. PhD Thesis, Griffith University, Brisbane, 234 pp.","Rada de Martinez, D. (1990) Contribucion al conocimiento de las larvas de anfibios de Venezuela. Memoria de la Sociedad de Ciencias Naturales La Salle, 49, 391 - 403.","Lynch, J. D. & Suarez-Mayorga, A. M. (2011) Clave ilustrada de los renacuajos de las tierras bajas al Oriente de los Andes, con enfasis en Hylidae. Caldasia, 33, 235 - 270."]}
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- 2022
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10. Phyllomedusa burmeisteri
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Manzano, Maria Carolina Rodella, Takeno, Michele Fernandes, and Sawaya, Ricardo J.
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Amphibia ,Phyllomedusidae ,Animalia ,Phyllomedusa burmeisteri ,Biodiversity ,Anura ,Phyllomedusa ,Chordata ,Taxonomy - Abstract
Phyllomedusa burmeisteri (Boulenger) The only member of the family Phyllomedusidae, Phyllomedusa burmeisteri, was recorded only in Itatiaia National Park (PNI). The advertisement call is described based on 30 calls from five males (Table 2; Figure 18; SM I), presenting one note and a pulse-repetition sound (Köhler et al. 2017)., Published as part of Manzano, Maria Carolina Rodella, Takeno, Michele Fernandes & Sawaya, Ricardo J., 2022, Advertisement calls of 18 anuran species in the megadiverse Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil: review and update, pp. 453-472 in Zootaxa 5178 (5) on page 469, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5178.5.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7033920, {"references":["Kohler, J., Jansen, M., Rodriguez, A., Kok, P. J. R., Toledo, L. F., Emmrich, M., Glaw, F., Haddad, C. F. B., Rodel, M. O. & Vences, M. (2017) The use of bioacoustics in anuran taxonomy: theory, terminology, methods and recommendations for best practice. Zootaxa 4251, 001 - 124. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4251.1.1"]}
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- 2022
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11. A previously undescribed hexapeptide His-Arg-Phe-Leu-Arg-His-NH2 from amphibian skin secretion shows CO2 and metal biding affinities.
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Pires, Diego A.T., Arake, Luisa M.R., Silva, Luciano P., Lopez-Castillo, Alejandro, Prates, Maura V., Nascimento, Claudia J., and JrBloch, Carlos
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HEXAPEPTIDES , *CARBON dioxide , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *PEPTIDES , *BINDING sites , *METAL ions - Abstract
A previously undescribed six residues long peptide His-Arg-Phe-Leu-Arg-His was identified and purified from the skin secretion of the amphibian Phyllomedusa centralis. A synthetic analogue carboxyamidated HRFLRH-NH 2 showed structural changes induced by CO 2 and metal ions in aqueous solution when analyzed by NMR. The present work reports NMR structures for the carboxyamidated hexapeptide in the presence CO 2 , Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ , suggesting possible affinity regions on the polypeptide chain for each ligand. The NMR structures were optimized by DFT to identify probable biding sites of these species in the polypeptide structure. To our best knowledge, this is the first time that a putative CO 2 binding site is described on a peptide structure obtained in aqueous conditions, at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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12. The Biological Effects of Kambo: Is There a Relationship Between its Administration and Sudden Death?
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Aquila, Isabella, Gratteri, Santo, Sacco, Matteo A., Fineschi, Vittorio, Magi, Simona, Castaldo, Pasqualina, Viscomi, Graziella, Amoroso, Salvatore, and Ricci, Pietrantonio
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TOXICOLOGY , *LEFT ventricular hypertrophy , *SUDDEN death , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
Abstract: Kambo is a substance obtained from the skin secretions of a frog,
Phyllomedusa bicolor , popular in the Amazon region, which is administered via the transdermal route. We report a case of 42‐year‐old man found dead in his house. Near the corpse, a plastic box labeled as “Kambo sticks ” was found. The man was a chronic consumer of Kambo and no previous pathology or genetic disease emerged in clinical history from the declaration of his general practitioner. Autopsy investigations and toxicological analysis were performed. The histopathological examination showed left ventricular hypertrophy. Toxicological screening was negative for ethanol and other drugs. Phyllocaerulein, phyllokinin, and deltorphin A were isolated from the Kambo sticks but, only deltorphin A was detected in blood sample. We describe the first forensic case of death associated with Kambo administration. We attempt to explain how its use could be related to the cause of sudden death in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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13. A novel peptide Phylloseptin‐PBu from <italic>Phyllomedusa burmeisteri</italic> possesses insulinotropic activity via potassium channel and GLP‐1 receptor signalling.
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Long, Qilin, Wang, Lei, Zhou, Mei, Wu, Yuxin, and Chen, Tianbao
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PHYLLOMEDUSA ,INSULIN therapy ,POTASSIUM channels ,GLUCAGON-like peptide-1 receptor ,CELL communication - Abstract
Abstract: Insulin, as one of the most important hormones regulating energy metabolism, plays an essential role in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis
in vivo . Failure or insufficiency of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta‐cells increases glucose and free fatty acid level in circulation and subsequently contributes to the emergence of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. Therefore, stimulating the insulin release benefits the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity significantly. Frog skin peptides have been extensively studied for their biological functions, among which, Phylloseptin peptides discovered in Phyllomedusinae frogs have been found to exert antimicrobial, antiproliferative and insulinotropic activities, while the mechanism associated with Phylloseptin‐induced insulin secretion remains elusive. In this study, we reported a novel peptide named Phylloseptin‐PBu, isolated and identified fromPhyllomedusa burmeisteri , exhibited dose‐dependent insulinotropic property in rat pancreatic beta BRIN‐BD11 cells without altering cell membrane integrity. Further mechanism investigations revealed that Phylloseptin‐PBu‐induced insulin output is predominantly modulated by KATP ‐[K+ ] channel depolarization triggered extracellular calcium influx and GLP‐1 receptor initiated PKA signalling activation. Overall, our study highlighted that this novel Phylloseptin‐PBu peptide has clear potential to be developed as a potent antidiabetic agent with established function‐traced mechanism and low risk of cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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14. Discovery of Distinctin-Like-Peptide-PH (DLP-PH) From the Skin Secretion of Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, a Prototype of a Novel Family of Antimicrobial Peptide.
- Author
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Wu, Di, Gao, Yitian, Tan, Yining, Liu, Yuzhang, Wang, Lei, Zhou, Mei, Xi, Xinping, Ma, Chengbang, Bininda-Emonds, Olaf R. P., Chen, Tianbao, and Shaw, Chris
- Subjects
PHYLLOMEDUSA ,ANTIMICROBIAL peptides ,ANTINEOPLASTIC agents - Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions are an important treasure house of bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Despite having been the focus of decades of research in this context, investigations of phyllomedusine frogs continue to identify new AMPs from their skin secretions. In this study, the prototype of a novel family of AMP distinctin-like-peptide-PH (DLP-PH) was identified from the skin secretion of the otherwise well-studied Tiger-Legged Tree Frog Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis through cloning of its precursor-encoding cDNA from a skin secretion-derived cDNA library by a 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy. Subsequently, the mature peptide was isolated and characterized using reverse-phase HPLC and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing. DLP-PH adopted an α-helical conformation in membrane mimetic solution and demonstrated unique structural features with two distinct domains that differed markedly in their physiochemical properties. Chemically synthesized replicates of DLP-PH showed antimicrobial activity against planktonic bacterial and yeast cells, but more potent against Escherichia coli at 32µg/mL. However, DLP-PH showed much weaker inhibitory activity against the growth of sessile cells in biofilms. In addition, DLP-PH exhibited anti-proliferative activity against human cancer cell lines, H157, and PC3, but with no major toxicity against normal human cell, HMEC-1. These combined properties make DLP-PH deserving further study as an antimicrobial agent and further investigations of its structure-activity relationship could provide valuable new insights into drug lead candidates for antimicrobial and/or anti-cancer purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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15. Description of the Tadpole of Phyllomedusa azurea from the Brazilian Cerrado, with a Description of the Internal Oral Morphology of Phyllomedusa oreades.
- Author
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SANTOS, DANUSY LOPES, DE MORAIS, ALESSANDRO RIBEIRO, SIGNORELLI, LUCIANA, BASTOS, ROGÉRIO PEREIRA, FEIO, RENATO, and NOMURA, FAUSTO
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TADPOLES , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *AMPHIBIAN morphogenesis , *ANIMAL morphology ,MOUTH anatomy - Abstract
We present a description of the external morphology of Phyllomedusa azurea and describe the internal oral morphology of P. azurea and P. oreades from populations of the Brazilian Cerrado. We also present a comparison with the available descriptions of the external morphology of tadpoles from the P. hypochondrialis group and review the internal oral morphology of the Phyllomedusa genus. The tadpole of P. azurea is characterized by a tooth row formula of 2(2)/3(1), few submarginal papillae, and spiracle positioned ventrally. Phyllomedusa oreades has a diamond-shaped buccal floor, numerous pustulations randomly distributed throughout the buccal floor arena, and a triangular buccal roof. The variation observed in the morphology of P. azurea tadpoles highlights the need to understand how morphological variation affects traits used in species diagnosis and the extent to which this variation could be explained by resource use, geographic variation, and/or ontogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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16. Phyllomedusa ecuatoriana Cannatella (Amphibia: Hylidae): variación, descripción del renacuajo, vocalización y anotaciones sobre la historia natural
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Jorge Brito M., Ana Almendáriz, and Diego Batallas R.
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Cordillera del Cóndor ,Anuros-Ecuador ,Phyllomedusa ,Renacuajos ,Ecología ,Distribución ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Se presenta información sobre la variación morfológica de la rana Phyllomedusa ecuatoriana, con la descripción del renacuajo, vocalizaciones, anotaciones sobre la historia natural y distribución, basada en material recientemente recolectado en la Cordillera del Cóndor, Provincia de Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador. Phyllomedusa ecuatoriana es de tamaño mediano (LRC en machos desde 46.1 hasta 55.4 y en la hembra 72.2 mm). El renacuajo (estadio 26 Gosner) presenta la fórmula dentaria 2 (2)/3(1), la fila de dientes P3 es menor que P1 y P2; los renacuajos se desarrollan en pozas de diferente tamaño, con aguas oscuras similares a un "te" debido a la presencia de taninos. Las vocalizaciones son de frecuencia modulada, con frecuencia dominante promedio de 1.53 kHz; las llamadas se componen de una nota y de 2-3 pulsos. La dieta de las ranas adultas se basa principalmente en arañas (20%) de la familia Argiopidae.
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- 2014
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17. Discovery of Phylloseptins that Defense against Gram-Positive Bacteria and Inhibit the Proliferation of the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line, from the Skin Secretions of Phyllomedusa Frogs.
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Jia Liu, Qing Wu, Lei Li, Xinping Xi, Di Wu, Mei Zhou, Tianbao Chen, Chris Shaw, and Lei Wang
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DRUG resistance in bacteria , *GRAM-positive bacteria , *NON-small-cell lung carcinoma , *CELL lines , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *FROGS - Abstract
The growing occurrence of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has called for the development of new classes of antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad antimicrobial spectrum derived from frog skin secretions have been demonstrated to be promising candidates for new antibiotic development. A proven rich source of these compounds are the skin secretions of the frogs in the Phyllomedusa genus. In this study, two novel phylloseptin peptides--phylloseptin-PTa and phylloseptin-PHa--were isolated from the skin secretions of the South American frogs, Phyllomedusa tarsius (P. tarsius) and Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis (P. hypochondrialis) through parallel transcriptomic and peptidomic studies. Replicates obtained by chemical synthesis were structurally analysed and shown to adopt an α-helix configuration in an amphiphilic environment. Both peptides demonstrated antimicrobial activities against planktonic Gram-positive bacteria strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, biofilms, as well as cytostatic effects on the non-small cell lung cancer cell line, NCI-H157, with relatively low haemolysis on horse erythrocytes and low cytotoxicity on the human microvascular endothelial cell line, HMEC-1. The discovery of phylloseptin peptides may further inspire the development of new types of antibiotics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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18. Breeding biology, territoriality, and reproductive site use by Phyllomedusa iheringii (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) from the South American Pampa in Brazil.
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DIAS, TAILISE MARQUES, DOS SANTOS, TIAGO GOMES, MARAGNO, FRANCIÉLE PEREIRA, OLIVEIRA, VITOR FREITAS, LIMA, CARIN, and CECHIN, SONIA ZANINI
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *ANURA , *ANIMAL breeding , *PONDS , *ANIMAL calls , *REPRODUCTION - Abstract
The breeding behaviour of anurans can be associated with environmental variables, availability of suitable reproductive sites, and the number of individuals in a breeding area. We describe the social and breeding behaviour of Phyllomedusa iheringii, characterize the reproductive period and reproductive sites, and investigate the presence of assortative mating and calling site fidelity in ponds in southern Brazil. The breeding season was found to be prolonged and associated with the warmest months. Mating was not assortative in terms of body size of amplectant pairs. Patrolling behaviour and multiple amplexi were occasionally observed, which appears to be a density-dependent shift related to high male abundance in the choruses. Calling sites were mainly on grasses above the ground, in contrast to the oviposition sites that were mainly shrubs above the water, suggesting a lek mating system. The positions of reproductive sites varied between months, but only locations of calling sites varied between ponds. Male body size correlated significantly with perch height, and males exhibited territorial behaviour despite having low fidelity to calling sites. Males did not defend oviposition sites, dismissing a resource defence mating system, even though they did exhibit aggressive behaviour, meaning that territoriality plays some role in this species' reproductive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
19. Targeted Modification of a Novel Amphibian Antimicrobial Peptide from Phyllomedusa tarsius to Enhance Its Activity against MRSA and Microbial Biofilm.
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Yitian Gao, Di Wu, Lei Wang, Chen Lin, Chengbang Ma, Xinping Xi, Mei Zhou, Duan, Jinao, Bininda-Emonds, Olaf R. P., Tianbao Chen, and Shaw, Chris
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AMPHIBIANS ,ANTI-infective agents ,PHYLLOMEDUSA - Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the skin secretions of amphibians are fundamental components of a unique defense system that has evolved to protect these hosts from microbial invasion. Medusins constitute a recently-discovered AMP family from phyllomedusine leaf frog skin and exhibit highly-conserved structural characteristics. Here, we report a novel medusin, medusin-PT, from the skin secretion of the Tarsier Leaf Frog, Phyllomedusa tarsius. The mature peptide was initially identified from its cloned biosynthetic precursor-encoding cDNA as obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. Reverse-phase HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry confirmed both the presence of medusin-PT in the skin secretion and its primary structure. In a range of bioassays, medusin-PT exhibited antimicrobial activity against only the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus at 64 #956;g/ml. However, after directed changes to enhance the cationicity and amphipathicity of the peptide structure, three analog showedmore potent antimicrobial activity against several additional bacteria including the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA. In addition, these analog exhibited activity against microbial biofilm (minimum biofilm inhibitory and eradication concentrations of 32 µg/ml and over 64 µg/ml, respectively). These data provide evidence that medusins might be promising candidates as novel antibiotic leads and that the targeted modification of a natural AMP can both improve its efficacy so as to provide new insights into antibiotic design and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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20. Mating behaviour, territoriality and natural history notes of Phyllomedusa ayeaye Lutz, 1966 (Hylidae: Phyllomedusinae) in south-eastern Brazil.
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de Oliveira, Francisco Fonseca Ribeiro
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ANIMAL sexual behavior , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *ANURA , *REPRODUCTION , *BEHAVIOR - Abstract
The mating (male courtship, amplexus and oviposition) and male territorial behaviours ofPhyllomedusa ayeayeare described from a high-altitude site in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Information related to male breeding success and territoriality, as well as egg clutch parameters, is provided, together with qualitative information regarding tadpole phenology and juvenile recruitment. In addition, estimations of sexual dimorphism and numbers of marked individuals are available through capture-mark-recapture sampling. Females bred with males within spatially clustered oviposition sites (broadleaf plants). In some cases, the amplectant couple actively searched for the oviposition site. Males defended territories from other males, employing both acoustic and physical interactions. Some males successfully maintained their calling sites over successive nights, and others seemed to switch among nearby sites during successive nights and tried to disrupt ongoing ovipositions. No significant relationship was found between physical attributes (snout vent length or body mass) of males with breeding success. Also, no influence of the number of nights a male was active in chorus and its breeding success was detected. Therefore, it is proposed that the mating system inP. ayeayemay be opportunistic. Additional information related to reproduction (egg clutch parameters and breeding behaviours) is also discussed for other species of thePhyllomedusa hypochondrialisgroup and compared with the results of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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21. Autoecology of Phyllomedusa nordestina (Anura: Hylidae) in areas of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the State of Sergipe, Brazil.
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Santos CALDAS, Francis Luiz, Duarte da SILVA, Bruno, Alves dos SANTOS, Rafael, Brito DE-CARVALHO, Crizanto, Oliveira SANTANA, Daniel, Almeida GOMES, Fabíola Fonseca, and Gomes FARIA, Renato
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PHYLLOMEDUSA ,AMPHIBIAN populations ,ANIMAL ecology - Abstract
Understanding of how environmental dynamics affect the ecological niche of populations is one of the great aims ecological research. Amphibian populations are taking part in a series of complex interactions with the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the use of spatial, temporal and trophic resources, and variations in size, mass, and the reproductive cycles of Phyllomedusa nordestina populations. These were studied from December 2009 to November 2010 in two different biomes, both Conservation Units: the Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA - Caatinga, a tropical semiarid climate); and the Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco (RVSMJ - Atlantic Forest, a tropical humid climate, in Sergipe State, Brazil). Within each area, we found the specimens in lentic environments, with grass and shrub stems as main substrates. Most specimens were calling next to water bodies, generally in open places with predominantly herbaceous vegetation. Among the consumed foods items, spiders were the most important resource in the MNGA, whereas insect larvae where the most important in the RVSMJ. Regarding the reproductive period, Caatinga specimens were present between February and July, whereas in the Atlantic Forest they were observed between January and November. This longer reproductive period may be related to the regular and evenly distributed rainfall characterizing the Atlantic Forest. The specimens in the Atlantic Forest were slightly smaller than were those from Caatinga. The reason of such differences might reside in differences in habitat types, as well as in the longer reproductive period in the Atlantic Forest area, and investments related to reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
22. The Skin Secretion of the Amphibian Phyllomedusa nordestina: A Source of Antimicrobial and Antiprotozoal Peptides
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José Guilherme Alexandre, Maria J. Feio, Selma S. Kuckelhaus, Carlos Henrique N. Costa, Vladimir Costa, Leiz M. C. Veras, Valdelânia G. Silva, Luisa Mayumi Arake, Raimunda C. Santos, Guilherme D. Brand, and José Roberto S. A. Leite
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antimicrobial peptides ,dermaseptins ,phylloseptins ,Phyllomedusa ,Leishmania ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the dermaseptin and phylloseptin families were isolated from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa nordestina, a recently described amphibian species from Northeastern Brazil. One dermaseptin and three phylloseptins were chosen for solid phase peptide synthesis. The antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of the synthetic peptides were determined, as well as their cytotoxicity in mouse peritoneal cells. AMPs are being considered as frameworks for the development of novel drugs inspired by their mechanism of action.
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- 2013
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23. Characterisation of the Novel Mixed Mu-NOP Peptide Ligand Dermorphin-N/OFQ (DeNo).
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Bird, Mark F., Cerlesi, Maria Camilla, Brown, Mark, Malfacini, Davide, Vezzi, Vanessa, Molinari, Paola, Micheli, Laura, Mannelli, Lorenzo Di Cesare, Ghelardini, Carla, Guerrini, Remo, Calò, Girolamo, and Lambert, David G.
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DERMORPHIN , *PEPTIDE drugs , *LIGANDS (Biochemistry) , *TARGETED drug delivery , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *DRUG design - Abstract
Introduction: Opioid receptors are currently classified as Mu (μ), Delta (δ), Kappa (κ) plus the opioid related nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP). Despite compelling evidence for interactions and benefits of targeting more than one receptor type in producing analgesia, clinical ligands are Mu agonists. In this study we have designed a Mu-NOP agonist named DeNo. The Mu agonist component is provided by dermorphin, a peptide isolated from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs and the NOP component by the endogenous agonist N/OFQ. Methods: We have assessed receptor binding profile of DeNo and compared with dermorphin and N/OFQ. In a series of functional screens we have assessed the ability to (i) increase Ca2+ in cells coexpressing recombinant receptors and a the chimeric protein Gαqi5, (ii) stimulate the binding of GTPγ[35S], (iii) inhibit cAMP formation, (iv) activate MAPKinase, (v) stimulate receptor-G protein and arrestin interaction using BRET, (vi) electrically stimulated guinea pig ileum (gpI) assay and (vii) ability to produce analgesia via the intrathecal route in rats. Results: DeNo bound to Mu (pKi; 9.55) and NOP (pKi; 10.22) and with reasonable selectivity. This translated to increased Ca2+ in Gαqi5 expressing cells (pEC50 Mu 7.17; NOP 9.69), increased binding of GTPγ[35S] (pEC50 Mu 7.70; NOP 9.50) and receptor-G protein interaction in BRET (pEC50 Mu 8.01; NOP 9.02). cAMP formation was inhibited and arrestin was activated (pEC50 Mu 6.36; NOP 8.19). For MAPK DeNo activated p38 and ERK1/2 at Mu but only ERK1/2 at NOP. In the gpI DeNO inhibited electrically-evoked contractions (pEC50 8.63) that was sensitive to both Mu and NOP antagonists. DeNo was antinociceptive in rats. Conclusion: Collectively these data validate the strategy used to create a novel bivalent Mu-NOP peptide agonist by combining dermorphin (Mu) and N/OFQ (NOP). This molecule behaves essentially as the parent compounds in vitro. In the antonocicoeptive assays employed in this study DeNo displays only weak antinociceptive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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24. Assessing Antibacterial Potential of Components of Phyllomedusa distincta Skin and its Associated Dermal Microbiota.
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Brito de Assis, Ananda, Santos, Cristiane, Dutra, Flávia, Oliveira Motta, Ailla, Costa, Flávio, Navas, Carlos, Magalhães, Beatriz, and Barreto, Cristine
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ANTIBACTERIAL agents , *ANTI-infective agents , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *BIOACTIVE compounds , *IMMUNE response , *PATHOGENIC microorganisms - Abstract
The granular glands of anuran skin secrete an array of bioactive molecules that protect a frog against pathogens and predators. The skin also harbors a microbial community. Although there is evidence to suggest that the microbiota complement the innate immune defense systems against pathogen infection, the effect of the frog bioactive molecules on its resident microbiota has not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, the skin microbiota of Phyllomedusa distincta obtained from two different geographical areas was evaluated with molecular and culture-based approaches. The antagonistic effects exhibited by the host's microbiota and by a novel dermaseptin peptide isolated from P. distincta skin were investigated. Four isolated bacterial colonies displayed antimicrobial activity against known frog pathogens. Our results were consistent with the hypothesis that microbiota from P. distincta may interact with pathogenic microorganisms to protect a frog's health. On the other hand, the novel dermaseptin peptide exhibited an antimicrobial effect on pathogens as well as on some of the bacteria obtained from the skin microbiota. The richness of bacteria on P. distincta skin was further investigated by 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, which revealed that the family Enterobacteriaceae was prevalent, but a high variability at the species level was observed among individual frogs. Differences observed on the microbiota of frogs from contrasting habitats indicated an influence of the environment on the structure of the skin microbiota of P. distincta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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25. Relações inter- e intraespecíficas no grupo de Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis (Anura, Hylidae)
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Bruschi, Daniel Pacheco, 1987, Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei Maria, 1954, Busin, Carmen Silvia, Foresti, Fábio Porto, Garcia, Paulo Christiano de Anchieta, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Estrutural, and UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE CAMPINAS
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Região organizadora do nucléolo ,Animal cytogenetics ,DNA mitocondrial ,Anuro ,Citogenética animal ,Phyllomedusa ,Anura ,Nucleolus organizer region ,Mitochondrial DNA - Abstract
Orientadores: Shirlei Maria Recco-Pimentel, Carmen Sílvia Busin Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: A taxonomia e as relações de parentesco em Phyllomedusa são temas de constantes discussões. Hipóteses sobre os relacionamentos intra- e interespecíficos desse gênero decorrem basicamente de análises morfológicas e comportamentais, o que não têm sido suficiente para responder alguns dos questionamentos. O grupo de P. hypochondrialis, o maior dentro do gênero, apresenta dificuldades na sua delimitação e, até o momento, não foi observada nenhuma sinapomorfia que possa reunir as espécies atualmente alocadas no grupo, de maneira que outras ferramentas podem ser elucidativas para resolução dessa problemática. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo utilizar dados citogenéticos e de sequências de DNA mitocondrial para o estudo de algumas das espécies do grupo de P. hypochondrialis. Todos os espécimes apresentaram o número diplóide 2n=26 e morfologia dos cromossomos bastante conservada, o que permitiu a inferência de homeologias cromossômicas. Exceto nas populações de Phyllomedusa sp. (aff. azurea) que apresentam o par 7 submetacêntrico, os cariótipos das demais populações analisadas foram constituídos por seis pares metacêntricos (1, 4, 8, 11-13), seis submetacêntricos (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10) e um subtelocêntrico (par 7). A diferença detectada no par 7 pode ser atribuída à presença de uma NOR nos braços curtos dos cromossomos 7 submetacêntricos. Pequenas variações na morfologia de alguns pares cromossômicos, incluindo a localização da NOR, foram observadas em P. rohdei de Ilhéus/BA em relação à descrita por outros autores, corroborando a hipótese da provável existência de espécies crípticas sob esse nome. O cariótipo de P. nordestina se diferenciou dos demais principalmente pela grande quantidade de heterocromatina e pela posição da NOR em 9p. A análise de morfologia externa relativa aos dois caracteres indicados para diagnose e separação de P. hypochondrialis e P. azurea, aplicados a todos os espécimes de diferentes localidades brasileiras, mostrou variações intrapopulacionais não acompanhadas de variações citogenéticas e moleculares. Esses dados apontam a necessidade de uma re-avaliação desses caracteres de diagnose e separação para essas espécies. A análise conjunta de dados citogenéticos e moleculares das populações permitiu identificar a população de Belterra/PA como P. hypochondrialis, portadora de NOR intersticial em 8p. Dados moleculares sugerem que as populações de Uberlândia (Minas Gerais), de São Luís, Bacabeira e Urbano Santos (Maranhão) e de Porto Nacional (Tocantins) possivelmente correspondam a um mesmo táxon, P. azurea. Nesse caso, a NOR em 7p nas populações ao Norte (Maranhão e Tocantins) e em 4p ao sudeste (Minas Gerais) corresponderia a variação interpopulacional. Na análise filogenética molecular, os haplótipos de Chapada dos Guimarães + Santa Terezinha (Mato Grosso) formaram um clado e as populações de Laranjal do Jari (Amapá) e de Prainha (Pará) formaram cada uma um ramo independente. Os dados dessas quatro populações (portadoras de NOR pericentromérica em 8q) sugerem que uma revisão minuciosa deva ser realizada para auxiliar no esclarecimento de seus status taxonômicos. Abstract: Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of Phyllomedusa have been subject of continuous discussions. Hypotheses about the intra- and interspecific relationships within this genus have basically arised from morphological and behavioral characteristics, which have not been enough to elucidate the problems as the assigning of species to the P. hypochondrialis group. So, other tools may help to solve this problem. This work aimed to contribute with cytogenetic analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing data to the understanding of intra- and interspecific relationships involving the species P. rohdei, P. nordestina, P. hypochondrialis and P. azurea of the P. hypochondrialis group. These species showed the same chromosome number, 2n=26, with a very similar morphology. All populations had karyotypes with six metacentric (1, 4, 8, 11-13), six submetacentric (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10) pairs and one subtelocentric pair (7). The populations of Phyllomedusa sp. (aff. azurea) from São Luis, Bacabeira, Urbano Santos (Maranhão state) and Porto Nacional (Tocantins state) had the pair 7 submetacentric. This morphological difference in pair 7 can be attributed to the Nucleolus Organizer Region (NOR) that is located only in the submetacentric pair 7. The karyotype of P. nordestina was distinguished from P. rohdei by the large amount of heterochromatin and by the position of the NOR in chromosome 9p, whereas in P. rohdei it is located in 9q. The karyotype of P. rohdei also differed from that described by other author, suggesting the existence of cryptic species. Brazilian populations of P. azurea, P. hypochondrialis and other populations related to those species were analyzed. Intrapopulational variations in characters of external morphology were not associated with cytogenetic and molecular variations, showing that it is necessary a reevaluation of the diagnosis and separation characters for those species. The combined analysis of molecular and cytogenetic data allowed classifying the population of Belterra/PA as P. hypochondrialis, with NOR in pair 8p. Molecular data suggested that populations from Uberlândia (Minas Gerais), São Luiz, Bacabeira e Urbano Santos (Maranhão) and Porto Nacional (Tocantins) probably correspond to the taxon P. azurea. By comparing the karyotype of specimens from North populations (Maranhão and Tocantins) and from Southeast populations (Minas Gerais) different NOR positions were observed and interpreted as an interpopulational variation. The genetic diversity observed among populations with pericentromeric NOR in 8q (Laranjal do Jari, Prainha and Chapada dos Guimarães + Santa Terezinha; three clades in the molecular phylogenetic analysis) suggests that these populations could be in incipient process of speciation. Mestrado Biologia Celular Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural
- Published
- 2021
26. Identification and characterization of phospholipases A2 from the skin secretion of Pithecopus azureus anuran
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Guilherme D. Brand, Eder Alves Barbosa, Maura V. Prates, José L. Cardozo Fh, Beatriz Blenda Pinheiro de Souza, Carlos Bloch, André M. Murad, and Marcelo de Melo Andrade Coura
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0106 biological sciences ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Phyllomedusa ,0303 health sciences ,Glycan ,biology ,Chemistry ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,030302 biochemistry & molecular biology ,Active site ,Phospholipase ,Toxicology ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,Complete sequence ,Phospholipase A2 ,Enzyme ,N-linked glycosylation ,Biochemistry ,biology.protein ,lipids (amino acids, peptides, and proteins) - Abstract
The present work reports the isolation, characterization and the complete sequence of a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) present in the skin secretion of Pithecopus azureus. Among several peptides and small proteins previously described by our group from some species belonging to this amphibian genus (formerly named Phyllomedusa), a 15 kDa N-glycosylated protein showing PLA2 activity was purified, assayed, sequenced and named Pa-PLA2. The Pithecopus azureus skin phospholipase A2 polypeptide chain is composed by 125 amino acid residues linked by seven disulfide bonds and two N-glycosylated sites (N67 and N108). The Pa-PLA2 enzymatic activity was qualitatively evaluated and compared to classical viperid PLA2 showing that both, native and deglycosylated Pa-PLA2 forms, are catalytically functional. The tridimensional molecular model of Pa-PLA2 indicates that the observed glycan moieties are suggestively placed far from the active site of that enzyme and therefore having little or no significant role on the direct interaction of the Pa-PLA2 catalytic pocket and its substrates.
- Published
- 2019
27. Stable individual variation in ventral spotting patterns in Phyllomedusa trinitatis (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) and other Phyllomedusa species: a minimally invasive method for recognizing individuals
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Eleanor H. Z. Gourevitch, Adam Bland, Joanna Smith, J. Roger Downie, and Paul A. Hoskisson
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0106 biological sciences ,Phyllomedusa ,RM ,ventral patterns ,010607 zoology ,Phyllomedusa trinitatis ,Zoology ,individual recognition ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Trinidad Leaf Frogs ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Variacao individual estavel no padrao de manchas ventrais em Phyllomedusa trinitatis (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) e em outras especies de Phyllomedusa: um metodo minimamente invasivo para o reconhecimento de individuos. Descrevemos aqui um padrao distintivo de “ilhas” e pontos brancos individualmente variaveis nas superficies ventrais das regioes da garganta e do antebraco de machos e femeas de Phyllomedusa trinitatis. Crucialmente, a partir de individuos criados em cativeiro relatamos que esses padroes sao ontogeneticamente estaveis. Usamos esses padroes para reconhecer pererecas individuais em populacoes de 60 ou mais individuos. O exame das superficies ventrais de outras especies de Phyllomedusa em especimes de museus e de relatos publicados sugere que o uso desses padroes fornece um metodo de reconhecimento minimamente invasivo e geralmente util nesse genero. Descobrimos que especies anteriormente classifcadas como Phyllomedusa, mas agora consideradas pertencentes a diferentes generos, nao possuem esses padroes.
- Published
- 2019
28. The Amphibian Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2): a ‘paleo-protein’ with Conserved Function but Unique Folding
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Ruth Camargo Vassão, Juliana Mozer Sciani, Adriana da Costa Neves, Carlos Jared, Patrick Jack Spencer, Daniel C. Pimenta, and Marta M. Antoniazzi
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Models, Molecular ,Amphibian ,Protein Folding ,Bioengineering ,Biology ,Proteomics ,Biochemistry ,Amphibian Proteins ,Analytical Chemistry ,Evolution, Molecular ,03 medical and health sciences ,Phylogenetics ,biology.animal ,Animals ,Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase ,Phylogeny ,030304 developmental biology ,Diacylglycerol kinase ,Phyllomedusa ,0303 health sciences ,Multiple sequence alignment ,Phylogenetic tree ,030302 biochemistry & molecular biology ,Organic Chemistry ,biology.organism_classification ,Phyllomedusa distincta ,Anura - Abstract
Amphibians are, currently, considered the first vertebrates that had performed the aquatic to terrestrial transition during evolution; therefore, water balance and dehydration control were prerequisites for such environment conquering. Among anurans, Phyllomedusa is a well-studied genus, due to its peptide-rich skin secretion. Here, we have analyzed the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa distincta targeting the proteins present in the skin secretion. The major soluble protein was chromatographically isolated and utilized to immunize rabbits. Through proteomics approaches, we were able to identify such protein as being the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), a crucial enzyme involved in lipid synthesis and in the skin water balance. Immunohistochemistry assays revealed the protein tissular distribution for different animal species, belonging to different branches of the phylogenetic tree. Specifically, there was positivity to the anti-DGAT2 on Amphibians' skin, and no antibody recognition on fish and mammals' skins. The DGAT2 multiple sequence alignment reveals some degree of conservation throughout the genera; however, there is a different cysteine pattern among them. Molecular modeling analyses corroborate that the different cysteine pattern leads to distinct 3D structures, explaining the different antibody recognition. Moreover, the protein phylogenetic analyses place the Xenopus DGAT2 (the available amphibian representative) next to the Coelacanthus enzyme, which have led the authors to term this a 'paleo-protein'. DGAT2 would be, therefore, an ancient protein, crucial to the terrestrial environment conquest, with a unique folding-as indicated by the molecular models and immunohistochemistry analyses-a consequence of the different cysteine pattern but with conserved biological function.
- Published
- 2019
29. Phyllomedusa: Posição taxonômica, hábitos e biologia (Amphibia, anura, hylidae)
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Ulisses Caramaschi
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Amphibia ,Anura ,Hylidae ,Hemiphractinae ,Hylinae ,Pelodryadinae ,Phyllomedusinae ,Agalychnis ,Hylomantis ,Pachymedusa ,Phasmahyla ,Phrynomedusa ,Phyllomedusa ,taxonomy ,biology ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Diagnosis for the Hylidae family of tree-frogs, and diagnosis and included genera for the four subfamilies currently in this family, Hemiphractinae, Hylinae, Pelodryadinae, and Phyllomedusinae, are provided. The genera of the Phyllomedusinae subfamily, Agalychnis, Hylomantis, Pachymedusa, Phasmahyla, Phrynomedusa, and Phyllomedusa are diagnosed and the species included and their geographical distribution are referred. Notes on the habits and biology of members of the genus Phyllomedusa are presented.
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- 2002
30. PH-sauvagine from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis: A novel CRF-like peptide with smooth muscle contraction activity.
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Zhou, Yu, Shaw, Chris, and Chen, Tianbao
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SAUVAGINE , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *CORTICOTROPIN releasing hormone , *SMOOTH muscle contraction , *SKIN physiology , *AMINO acid sequence - Abstract
Amphibian skin, and particularly that of south/Central American phyllomedusine frogs, is supposed to be “a huge factory and store house of a variety of active peptides”. The 40 amino acid amphibian CRF-like peptide, sauvagine, is a prototype member of a unique family of these Phyllomedusa skin peptides. In this study, we describe for the first time the structure of a mature novel peptide from the skin secretion of the South American orange-legged leaf frog, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis , which belongs to the amphibian CRF/sauvagine family. Partial amino acid sequence from the N-terminal was obtained by automated Edman degradation with the following structure: pGlu-GPPISIDLNMELLRNMIEI-. The biosynthetic precursor of this novel sauvagine peptide, consisted of 85 amino acid residues and was deduced from cDNA library constructed from the same skin secretion. Compared with the standard sauvagine from the frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagei , this novel peptide was found to exert similar contraction effects on isolated guinea-pig colon and rat urinary bladder smooth muscle preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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31. Re-description of the external morphology of Phyllomedusa iheringii Boulenger, 1885 larvae (Anura: Hylidae), with comments on the external morphology of tadpoles of the P. burmeisteri group.
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IOP, SAMANTA, MENDES LIPINSKI, VICTOR, MADALOZZO, BRUNO, PEREIRA MARAGNO, FRANCIELE, ZANINI CECHIN, SONIA, and GOMES DOS SANTOS, TIAGO
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TADPOLES , *REPTILE physiology , *ANIMAL morphology , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *PHYSIOLOGY - Abstract
Phyllomedusa iheringii is a leaf frog endemic to the Uruguayan Savanna, which reproduces in water bodies in open areas. Here, based on the lack of some informative characteristics observed on the first description of this species, we re-describe the larval external morphology of P. iheringii from localities in Brazil and Uruguay, and compared them with other species from the P. burmeisteri group. The tadpoles of P. iheringii belong to the suspensionrasper guild. The body length corresponds to approximately one-third of the total length. The body is pyriform in dorsal view and laterally triangular. The snout is rounded in a dorsolateral view. The spiracle is single and almost ventral, not forming a free tube, and sinistral. The opening of vent tube is dextral. The oral disc is anteroventral and anteriorly directed, with single ventral emargination. Marginal papillae uniseriate, interrupted in a wide dorsal gap, and with pointed tips. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1). The third lower row is four times shorter than the others. Furthermore, the tadpoles of P. iheringii showed morphological differences in relation to other species of the P. burmeisteri group, this species seems to be smaller in average and have fewer marginal papillae in the oral discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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32. Reproductive site selection in the leaf-frog Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862 (Anura: Hylidae) in altered areas of the Brazilian Cerrado.
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Dias, Tailise Marques, Maragno, Franciéle Pereira, Prado, Cynthia P.A., and Cechin, Sonia Zanini
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *CERRADOS , *ANURA , *HYLIDAE , *BODY size - Abstract
The selection of reproductive sites by anurans may be associated with each species’ behavioural restrictions, reproductive modes, morphology and physiology. We investigated the use of reproductive sites byPhyllomedusa azureain an area of Cerrado, Central-Western Brazil, which has been modified by agricultural and cattle ranching. Reproductive activity was studied during the peak of the rainy season in two consecutive years. No correlation was found between male body size and position of the calling site, and calling sites did not vary among ponds. Conversely, the height and distance from the water margin where clutches were found varied among ponds.Phyllomedusa azureaused mainlyBrachiariasp. andBrachiaria humidicolagrasses as calling sites and the grassBrachiariasp. and the shrubMelochia villosa(Malvaceae) as oviposition sites. Calling males used the vegetation according to its availability; however, individuals seemed to exhibit significant preferences regarding the type of vegetation used for oviposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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33. Molecular cytogenetics and phylogenetic analysis of Brazilian leaf frog species of the genera Phyllomedusa and Phasmahyla (Hylidae: Phyllomedusinae).
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Barth, Adriane, Vences, Miguel, Solé, Mirco, and Costa, Marco Antonio
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CYTOGENETICS , *MOLECULAR phylogeny , *LEAF frogs , *ANIMAL species , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *KARYOTYPES - Abstract
In this study we describe the karyotypes and molecular phylogenetic relationships of the leaf frogs Phyllomedusa bahiana Lutz, 1925, Phyllomedusa burmeisteri Boulenger, 1882, Phyllomedusa nordestina Caramaschi, 2006, Phyllomedusa rohdei Mertens, 1926, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis (Daudin, 1800), and Phasmahyla spectabilis Cruz, Feio and Nascimento, 2008. We analyzed the karyotypes using C-banding, fluorochrome staining, and fluorescence in situ hybridization of telomeric probe, and inferred phylogeny using nuclear tyrosinase and mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. Heterochromatin distribution in P. nordestina diverged from the other species, and P. bahiana and P. rohdei showed evident interstitial telomere sequences. Molecular analyzes confirmed the current taxonomic classification, grouping mitochondrial DNA sequences of each species, and usually without haplotype sharing in the nuclear gene. We also extended the distribution of P. burmeisteri to northern Bahia state and restricted P. bahiana to southern Bahia state, with a discrete extension of the range of P. bahiana to the north and northeast of Minas Gerais state. The tyrosinase haplotype network showed a haplotype shared between P. bahiana and P. burmeisteri from Porto Seguro, Bahia. Based on this, we suggest a new distribution in the overlapping area between these two species, which according to our data ranges between Porto Seguro and Camacan, in Bahia state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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34. Molecular and Morphological Evidence Reveals a New Species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis Group (Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) from the Atlantic Forest of the Highlands of Southern Brazil.
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Bruschi, Daniel P., Lucas, Elaine M., Garcia, Paulo C. A., and Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei M.
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *UPLANDS , *BIOMES , *PHYLOGENY , *KARYOTYPES - Abstract
The taxonomic status of a disjunctive population of Phyllomedusa from southern Brazil was diagnosed using molecular, chromosomal, and morphological approaches, which resulted in the recognition of a new species of the P. hypochondrialis group. Here, we describe P. rustica sp. n. from the Atlantic Forest biome, found in natural highland grassland formations on a plateau in the south of Brazil. Phylogenetic inferences placed P. rustica sp. n. in a subclade that includes P. rhodei + all the highland species of the clade. Chromosomal morphology is conservative, supporting the inference of homologies among the karyotypes of the species of this genus. Phyllomedusa rustica is apparently restricted to its type-locality, and we discuss the potential impact on the strategies applied to the conservation of the natural grassland formations found within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. We suggest that conservation strategies should be modified to guarantee the preservation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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35. Molecular Cloning of a Novel Tryptophyllin Peptide from the Skin of the Orange-Legged Monkey Frog, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis.
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Wang, Ran, Lin, Yangjun, Chen, Tianbao, zhou, Mei, Wang, Lei, and Shaw, Chris
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MOLECULAR cloning , *LEAF frogs , *PEPTIDES , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *HYLIDAE , *SKIN , *ANTIPROTOZOAL agents , *PROSTATE cancer , *CELL lines - Abstract
Tryptophyllins are a group of small (4-14 amino acids), heterogenous peptides, mostly from the skins of hylid frogs from the genera, Phyllomedusa and Litoria. To date, more than forty TPHs have been discovered in species from these two genera. Here, we describe the identification of a novel tryptophyllin type 3 peptide, PhT-3, from the extracts of skin of the orange-legged monkey frog, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, and molecular cloning of its precursor-encoding cDNA from a cDNA library constructed from the same skin sample. Full primary structural characterization was achieved using a combination of direct Edman degradation, mass spectrometry and deduction from cloned skin-derived cDNA. The open-reading frame of the precursor cDNA was found to consist of 63 amino acid residues. The mature peptide arising from this precursor contains a post-translationally modified N-terminal pyroglutamate ( pGlu) residue, formed from acid-mediated cyclization of an N-terminal Gln (Q) residue, and with the structure: pGlu-Asp-Lys-Pro-Phe-Trp-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Met. Pharmacological assessment of a synthetic replicate of this peptide on phenylephrine preconstricted rat tail artery segments, revealed a reduction in relaxation induced by bradykinin. PhT-3 was also found to mediate antiproliferative effects on human prostate cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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36. Interstitial Telomeric Sequences (ITS) and major rDNA mapping reveal insights into the karyotypical evolution of Neotropical leaf frogs species (Phyllomedusa, Hylidae, Anura).
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Pacheco Bruschi, Daniel, Rivera, Miryan, Pimentel Lima, Albertina, Blasco Zúñiga, Ailín, and Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei Maria
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TELOMERES , *NUCLEOTIDE sequence , *RECOMBINANT DNA , *KARYOTYPES , *LEAF frogs , *CYTOGENETICS , *FLUORESCENCE in situ hybridization - Abstract
Background The combination of classical cytogenetics with molecular techniques represents a powerful approach for the comparative analysis of the genome, providing data for the systematic identification of chromosomal homologies among species and insights into patterns of chromosomal evolution within phylogenetically related groups. Here, we present cytogenetic data on four species of Neotropical treefrogs of the genus Phyllomedusa (P. vaillantii, P. tarsius, P. distincta, and P. bahiana), collected in Brazil and Ecuador, with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the chromosomal diversification of this genus. Results With the exception of P. tarsius, which presented three telocentric pairs, all the species analyzed had conservative karyotypic features. Heterochromatic patterns in the genomes of these species revealed by C-banding and fluorochrome staining indicated the presence of a large number of non-centromeric blocks. Using the Ag-NOR method and FISH with an rDNA 28S probe, we detected NOR in the pericentromeric region of the short arm of pair 7 in P. vaillantii, pair 1 in P. tarsius, chromosomes 1 and 9 in P. distincta, and in chromosome 9 in P. bahiana, in addition to the presence of NOR in one homologue of chromosome pair 10 in some individuals of this species. As expected, the telomeric probe detected the terminal regions of the chromosomes of these four species, although it also detected Interstitial Telomeric Sequences (ITS) in some chromosomes of the P. vaillantii, P. distincta and P. bahiana karyotypes. Conclusion A number of conservative chromosomal structures permitted the recognition of karyotypic homologies. The data indicate that the presence of a NOR-bearing chromosome in pair 9 is the plesiomorphic condition in the P. burmeisteri group. The interspecific and intraspecific variation in the number and location of rDNA sites reflects the rapid rate of evolution of this character in Phyllomedusa. The ITS detected in this study does not appear to be a remnant of structural chromosome rearrangements. Telomeric repeats were frequently found in association with heterochromatin regions, primarily in the centromeres, which suggests that (TTAGGG)n repeats might be an important component of this heterochromatin. We propose that the ITSs originated independently during the chromosomal evolution of these species and may provide important insights into the role of these repeats in vertebrate karyotype diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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37. Balteatide: A Novel Antimicrobial Decapeptide from the Skin Secretion of the Purple-Sided Leaf Frog, Phyllomedusa baltea.
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Lilin Ge, Xiaole Chen, Chengbang Ma, Mei Zhou, Xinping Xi, Lei Wang, Anwei Ding, Jinao Duan, Tianbao Chen, and Shaw, Chris
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SKIN infections ,LEAF frogs ,PEPTIDE antibiotics ,GRAM-negative bacteria ,AMINO acid residues ,PHYLLOMEDUSA - Abstract
The skin secretions of Neotropical phyllomedusine leaf frogs have proven to be a rich source of biologically active peptides, including antimicrobials. The major families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) reported are the dermaseptins and phylloseptins and the minor families are the dermatoxins, phylloxins, plasticins, distinctins, and medusins. Here, we report a novel AMP of 10 amino acid residues (LRPAILVRIKamide), named balteatide, from the skin secretion of wild Peruvian purple-sided leaf frogs, Phyllomedusa baltea. Balteatide was found to exhibit a 90% sequence identity with sauvatide, a potent myotropic peptide from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa sauvagei. However, despite both peptides exhibiting only a single amino acid difference (I/T at position 9), sauvatide is devoid of antimicrobial activity and balteatide is devoid of myotropic activity. Balteatide was found to have differential activity against the Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus; the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli; and the yeast, Candida albicans, and unusual for phyllomedusine frog skin AMPs, was most potent (MIC 32 mg/L) against the yeast. Balteatide was also devoid of haemolytic activity up to concentrations of 512 mg/L. Phyllomedusine frog skin secretions thus continue to provide novel AMPs, some of which may provide templates for the rational design of new classes of anti-infective therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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38. Antinociceptive Activity of the Skin Secretion of Phyllomedusa rohdei (Amphibia, Anura)
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Eduardo A.V. Marinho, Laís F. Berro, R. Wuo-Silva, Graziella Rigueira Molska, Cristiane I. Zanoni, Elena L. A. Malpezzi-Marinho, Eduardo Koji Tamura, Camila Paraventi, and Carlos Amílcar Parada
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Male ,Pain Threshold ,medicine.drug_class ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Analgesic ,Receptors, Opioid, mu ,lcsh:Medicine ,Pharmacology ,Toxicology ,skin secretion ,Nociceptive Pain ,03 medical and health sciences ,Mice ,0302 clinical medicine ,Phyllomedusa rohdei ,Opioid receptor ,Receptors, Opioid, delta ,medicine ,Animals ,pain ,Hot plate test ,Rats, Wistar ,030304 developmental biology ,Skin ,Phyllomedusa ,0303 health sciences ,Analgesics ,Secretory Pathway ,amphibians ,biology ,Behavior, Animal ,Chemistry ,Communication ,lcsh:R ,biology.organism_classification ,frog ,Disease Models, Animal ,Nociception ,Mechanism of action ,Opioid ,antinociceptive activity ,medicine.symptom ,Anura ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Pain is a distressful experience that can have a major impact on an individual’s quality of life. The need for new and better analgesics has been further intensified in light of the current opioid epidemic. Substances obtained from amphibians have been shown to contain bioactive peptides that exert analgesic effects. The genus Phyllomedusa represents an important source of peptides and bioactive components. The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive effects of the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa rohdei in rodent models of pain. The crude skin extract of P. rohdei was tested in different pain models: acetic acid-induced writhing test (mice), formalin test (rats), Von Frey electronic test for hypernociception induced by PGE2 (rats), and hot plate test (mice). Motor-impairing effects were tested using the rota-rod test. The results showed that the skin extract of P. rohdei exerted antinociceptive effects in all pain models tested. Particularly, the highest dose tested of the skin extract decreased acetic acid-induced writhing by 93%, completely blocked formalin-induced nociception both during the acute and inflammatory phases of the test, PGE2-induced hypernociception by 73% and increased latency to paw withdrawal in the hot plate test by 300%. The effects observed in the hot plate test were reversed by pretreatment with selective µ and κ, but not δ, opioid receptor antagonists, indicating a mechanism of action dependent on µ and κ opioid receptors. The results were not influenced by sedative effects. Further studies remain necessary to reveal the specific compounds involved in the antinociceptive effects of P. rohdei skin extract as a new therapeutic tool in pain management.
- Published
- 2020
39. Antimicrobial peptides isolated from Phyllomedusa nordestina (Amphibia) alter the permeability of plasma membrane of Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi.
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Pinto, Erika Gracielle, Pimenta, Daniel C., Antoniazzi, Marta Maria, Jared, Carlos, and Tempone, Andre Gustavo
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ANTIMICROBIAL peptides , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *MEMBRANE permeability (Biology) , *LEISHMANIA , *TRYPANOSOMA cruzi , *MITOCHONDRIAL physiology , *PHYSIOLOGICAL oxidation - Abstract
Highlights: [•] Phylloseptin 7 caused plasma membrane permeabilization of Leishmania. [•] Phylloseptins 7 and 8 and dermaseptins 1 and 4 were effective against T. cruzi. [•] AMPs permeabilized the plasma membrane of T. cruzi, leading to death. [•] Lack of mitochondrial oxidation suggested the peptides as parasiticidal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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40. Description of the Tadpole of Phyllomedusa azurea from the Brazilian Cerrado, with a Description of the Internal Oral Morphology of Phyllomedusa oreades
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Renato Neves Feio, Danusy Lopes Santos, Fausto Nomura, Luciana Signorelli, Rogério Pereira Bastos, and Alessandro Ribeiro de Morais
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0106 biological sciences ,Phyllomedusa ,biology ,Ontogeny ,010607 zoology ,Zoology ,Morphology (biology) ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Tadpole ,Hylidae ,stomatognathic diseases ,Spiracle ,stomatognathic system ,Genus ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Phyllomedusa oreades - Abstract
We present a description of the external morphology of Phyllomedusa azurea and describe the internal oral morphology of P. azurea and P. oreades from populations of the Brazilian Cerrado. We also present a comparison with the available descriptions of the external morphology of tadpoles from the P. hypochondrialis group and review the internal oral morphology of the Phyllomedusa genus. The tadpole of P. azurea is characterized by a tooth row formula of 2(2)/3(1), few submarginal papillae, and spiracle positioned ventrally. Phyllomedusa oreades has a diamond-shaped buccal floor, numerous pustulations randomly distributed throughout the buccal floor arena, and a triangular buccal roof. The variation observed in the morphology of P. azurea tadpoles highlights the need to understand how morphological variation affects traits used in species diagnosis and the extent to which this variation could be explained by resource use, geographic variation, and/or ontogeny.
- Published
- 2018
41. Evaluation of the taxonomic status of populations assigned to Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis (Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) based on molecular, chromosomal, and morphological approach.
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Pacheco Bruschi, Daniel, Sílvia Busin, Carmen, Toledo, Luís Felipe, Andrade Vasconcellos, Gilda, Strussmann, Christine, Weber, Luiz Norberto, Pimentel Lima, Albertina, Dias Lima, Jucivaldo, and Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei Maria
- Subjects
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CLADISTIC analysis , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *RECOMBINANT DNA , *CHROMOSOME abnormalities , *GENETIC polymorphisms , *LEAF frogs - Abstract
Background: The taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Phyllomedusa have been amply discussed. The marked morphological similarities among some species hamper the reliable identification of specimens and may often lead to their incorrect taxonomic classification on the sole basis of morphological traits. Phenotypic variation was observed among populations assigned to either P. azurea or P. hypochondrialis. In order to evaluate whether the variation observed in populations assigned to P. hypochondrialis is related to that in genotypes, a cytogenetic analysis was combined with phylogenetic inferences based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequences. Results: The inter- and intra-population variation in the external morphology observed among the specimens analyzed in the present study do not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among populations. A monophyletic clade was recovered, grouping all the specimens identified as P. hypochondrialis and specimens assigned P. azurea from Minas Gerais state. This clade is characterized by conserved chromosomal morphology and a common C-banding pattern. Extensive variation in the nucleolar organizing region (NOR) was observed among populations, with four distinct NOR positions being recognized in the karyotypes. Intra-population polymorphism of the additional rDNA clusters observed in specimens from Barreiras, Bahia state, also highlights the marked genomic instability of the rDNA in the genome of this group. Based on the topology obtained in the phylogenetic analyses, the re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of the specimens from the southernmost population known in Brazil is recommended. Conclusions: The results of this study support the need for a thorough revision of the phenotypic features used to discriminate P. azurea and P. hypochondrialis. The phylogenetic data presented here also contribute to an extension of the geographic range of P. hypochondrialis, which is known to occur in the Amazon basin and neighboring areas of the Cerrado savanna, where it may be sympatric with P. azurea, within contact zones. The misidentification of specimens may have led to inconsistencies in the original definition of the geographic range of P. azurea. The variability observed in the NOR of P. hypochondrialis reinforces the conclusion that these sites represent hotspots of rearrangement. Intraspecific variation in the location of these sites is the result of constant rearrangements that are not detected by classical cytogenetic methods or are traits of an ancestral, polymorphic karyotype, which would not be phylogenetically informative for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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42. Cytogenetic analysis of Phyllomedusa distincta Lutz, 1950 (2n = 2x = 26), P. tetraploidea Pombal and Haddad, 1992 (2n = 4x = 52), and their natural triploid hybrids (2n = 3x = 39) (Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae).
- Author
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Gruber, Simone Lilian, Zampieri Silva, Ana Paula, Baptista Haddad, Célio Fernando, and Kasahara, Sanae
- Subjects
- *
CYTOGENETICS , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *LEAF frogs , *POLYPLOIDY , *CHROMOSOME abnormalities , *RECOMBINANT DNA - Abstract
Background: Natural polyploidy has played an important role during the speciation and evolution of vertebrates, including anurans, with more than 55 described cases. The species of the Phyllomedusa burmeisteri group are mostly characterized by having 26 chromosomes, but a karyotype with 52 chromosomes was described in P. tetraploidea. This species was found in sintopy with P. distincta in two localities of São Paulo State (Brazil), where triploid animals also occur, as consequence of natural hybridisation. We analyse the chromosomes of P. distincta, P. tetraploidea, and their triploid hybrids, to enlighten the origin of polyploidy and to obtain some evidence on diploidisation of tetraploid karyotype. Results: Phyllomedusa distincta was 2n = 2x = 26, whereas P. tetraploidea was 2n = 4x = 52, and the hybrid individuals was 2n = 3x = 39. In meiotic phases, bivalents were observed in the diploid males, whereas both bivalents and tetravalents were observed in the tetraploid males. Univalents, bivalents or trivalents; metaphase II cells carrying variable number of chromosomes; and spermatids were detected in the testis preparations of the triploid males, indicating that the triploids were not completely sterile. In natural and experimental conditions, the triploids cross with the parental species, producing abnormal egg clutches and tadpoles with malformations. The embryos and tadpoles exhibited intraindividual karyotype variability and all of the metaphases contained abnormal constitutions. Multiple NORs, detected by Ag-impregnation and FISH with an rDNA probe, were observed on chromosome 1 in the three karyotypic forms; and, additionally, on chromosome 9 in the diploids, mostly on chromosome 8 in the tetraploids, and on both chromosome 8 and 9 in the triploids. Nevertheless, NOR-bearing chromosome 9 was detected in the tetraploids, and chromosome 9 carried active or inactive NORs in the triploids. C-banding, base-specific fluorochrome stainings with CMA3 and DAPI, FISH with a telomeric probe, and BrdU incorporation in DNA showed nearly equivalent patterns in the karyotypes of P. distincta, P. tetraploidea, and the triploid hybrids. Conclusions: All the used cytogenetic techniques have provided strong evidence that the process of diploidisation, an essential step for stabilising the selective advantages produced by polyploidisation, is under way in distinct quartets of the tetraploid karyotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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43. Morphology of the parotoid macroglands in Phyllomedusa leaf frogs.
- Author
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Antoniazzi, M. M., Neves, P. R., Mailho‐Fontana, P. L., Rodrigues, M. T., and Jared, C.
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *LEAF frogs , *PREDATION , *ANIMAL defenses , *POPULATION biology , *COMPARATIVE studies - Abstract
The parotoid macroglands of toads (bufonids) and leaf frogs (hylids) are used in passive defence against predators. The parotoids release poison when the amphibian is bitten by a predator. Despite the apparent similarity, the anatomical and histological structure of these macroglands in hylids is poorly studied when compared with those of bufonids. In this paper, we focused on the morphology of the macroglands of P. distincta, a leaf frog endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, comparing their structure with those of bufonids. In addition, we compared the macrogland morphology of P. distincta with those from major clades of Phyllomedusa. All results revealed a macrogland morphology in leaf frogs distinct from that of toads, suggesting that the term parotoid should be used only for those of bufonids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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44. Oviposition-site selection by Phyllomedusa sauvagii (Anura: Hylidae): An arboreal nester inhabiting arid environments.
- Author
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García, Cecilia G., Lescano, Julián N., and Leynaud, Gerardo C.
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ARBOREAL animals , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *OVIPARITY , *HYLIDAE , *BREEDING , *VEGETATION & climate , *AMPHIBIAN reproduction , *TADPOLES - Abstract
Abstract: Breeding biology in Phyllomedusa sauvagii is related to vegetation since the species encloses its eggs in leaves above water. Considering that arid environments may represent high risks of death by desiccation for amphibians with this reproductive mode, we evaluated plant characteristics associated with sites used for oviposition in semi-permanent ponds in the Arid Chaco region of Argentina. Plant characteristics were used to fit a statistical habitat selection model that allows the prediction of nest presence. Our results show that P. sauvagii needs substrate with specific features for oviposition that would help to reduce the probability of eggs and tadpoles desiccation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2013
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45. The Skin Secretion of the Amphibian Phyllomedusa nordestina: A Source of Antimicrobial and Antiprotozoal Peptides.
- Author
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Brand, Guilherme D., Santos, Raimunda C., Arake, Luisa Mayumi, Silva, Valdelânia G., Veras, Leiz M. C., Costa, Vladimir, Costa, Carlos Henrique N., Kuckelhaus, Selma S., Alexandre, José Guilherme, Feio, Maria J., and Leite, José Roberto S. A.
- Subjects
- *
PEPTIDE antibiotics , *LEAF frogs , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *LEISHMANIA , *PEPTIDE synthesis - Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the dermaseptin and phylloseptin families were isolated from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa nordestina, a recently described amphibian species from Northeastern Brazil. One dermaseptin and three phylloseptins were chosen for solid phase peptide synthesis. The antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of the synthetic peptides were determined, as well as their cytotoxicity in mouse peritoneal cells. AMPs are being considered as frameworks for the development of novel drugs inspired by their mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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46. The chains of the heterodimeric amphibian skin antimicrobial peptide, distinctin, are encoded by separate messenger RNAs
- Author
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Evaristo, Geisa, Pinkse, Martijn, Wang, Lei, Zhou, Mei, Wu, Youjia, Wang, Hui, Chen, Tianbao, Shaw, Chris, and Verhaert, Peter
- Subjects
- *
ANTIMICROBIAL peptides , *AMPHIBIAN anatomy , *MESSENGER RNA , *NUCLEOTIDE sequence , *CONSERVED sequences (Genetics) , *SKIN proteins , *ANTISENSE DNA , *PHYLLOMEDUSA - Abstract
Abstract: Using a primer to a conserved nucleotide sequence of previously cloned skin peptides of Phyllomedusa species, two distinct cDNAs were “shotgun” cloned from a skin secretion-derived cDNA library of the frog, Phyllomedusa burmeisteri. The two ORFs separately encode chains A and B of an analog of the previously reported heterodimeric peptide, distinctin. LC-MS/MS analysis of native versus dithiotreitol reduced crude venom, confirmed the predicted primary sequences as well as the cystine link between the two monomers. Distinctin predominantly exists in the venom as a heterodimer (A–B), neither of the constituent peptides were detected as monomer, whereas of the two possible homodimers (A–A or B–B), only B–B was detected in comparatively low quantity. In vitro dimerization of synthetic replicates of the monomers demonstrated that besides heterodimer, both homodimers are also formed in considerable amounts. Distinctin is the first example of an amphibian skin dimeric peptide that is formed by covalent linkage of two chains that are the products of different mRNAs. How this phenomenon occurs in vivo, to exclude significant homodimer formation, is unclear at present but a “favored steric state” type of interaction between chains is most likely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2013
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47. Gene expression analysis by ESTs sequencing of the Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa nordestina skin glands
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Neiva, M., Vargas, D.C., Conceição, K., Rádis-Baptista, G., Assakura, M.T., Jared, C., and Hayashi, M.A.F.
- Subjects
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GENE expression profiling , *EXPRESSED sequence tag (Genetics) , *NUCLEOTIDE sequence , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *CUTANEOUS glands , *PHARMACOLOGY , *PEPTIDE antibiotics , *BRAZILIANS - Abstract
Abstract: The subfamily Phyllomedusinae has attracted a great interest of many researchers mainly due to the high diversity of these frog species and plethora of pharmacological activities frequently observed for their skin secretions. Despite of this fact, mainly for new species, limited information is available regarding the molecular composition of these skin secretions and the cellular components involved in their production. Phyllomedusa nordestina is a recently described Brazilian frog species also popularly known as ‘tree-frogs’. Aiming at contributing to the biological knowledge of this species, we show here the gene expression profile of this frog skin secretion using a global ESTs analysis of a cDNA library. The marked aspect of this analysis revealed a significant higher transcriptional level of the opioid peptide dermorphins in P. nordestina skin secretion than in Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, which is its closest related species, belonging both to the same phylogenetic group. Precursors of bioactive peptides as dermaseptins, phylloseptins, tryptophyllins, and bradykinin-like peptideswere also found in this library. Transcripts encoding proteins related to ordinary cellular functions and pathways were also described. Some of them are chiefly involved in the production of the skin secretion. Taken together, the data reported here constitute a contribution to the characterization of the molecular diversity of gene-encoded polypeptides with potential possibility of pharmacological exploitation. The transcriptional composition of the skin secretion may also help to give the necessary support for the definition of P. nordestina as a new species, which actually relies basically on frog morphological characteristics and geographical distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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48. Antitumor and Angiostatic Activities of the Antimicrobial Peptide Dermaseptin B2.
- Author
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van Zoggel, Hanneke, Carpentier, Gilles, Santos, Célia Dos, Hamma-Kourbali, Yamina, Courty, José, Amiche, Mohamed, Delbé, Jean, and Khachigian, Levon M.
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HYLIDAE , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *ANTINEOPLASTIC agents , *BIOCHEMICAL mechanism of action , *CASPASES , *MITOCHONDRIAL membranes - Abstract
Recently, we have found that the skin secretions of the Amazonian tree frog Phyllomedusa bicolor contains molecules with antitumor and angiostatic activities and identified one of them as the antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin (Drs) B2. In the present study we further explored the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of this molecule and investigated its mechanism of action. We showed that Drs B2 inhibits the proliferation and colony formation of various human tumor cell types, and the proliferation and capillary formation of endothelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, Drs B2 inhibited tumor growth of the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC3 in a xenograft model in vivo. Research on the mechanism of action of Drs B2 on tumor PC3 cells demonstrated a rapid increasing amount of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase, no activation of caspase-3, and no changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Drs B2 can interact with the tumor cell surface, aggregate and penetrate the cells. These data together indicate that Drs B2 does not act by apoptosis but possibly by necrosis. In conclusion, Drs B2 could be considered as an interesting and promising pharmacological and therapeutic leader molecule for the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Cytogenetic analysis of two species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis group (Anura, Hylidae).
- Author
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Bruschi, Daniel Pacheco, Busin, Carmen Sílvia, Siqueira, Sérgio, and Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei Maria
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PHYLLOMEDUSA , *ANIMAL species , *CYTOGENETICS , *ANIMAL morphology , *CHROMOSOMES , *HETEROCHROMATIN , *ANALYSIS of variance - Abstract
The genus Phyllomedusa has been the target of regular taxonomic investigations. The species Phyllomedusa nordestina was recently separated from P. hypochondrialis. Morphological variations in the P. rohdei interpopulation have already been reported, suggesting the existence of more than one taxon under that name. In the present study, we have cytogenetically characterized two populations of P. nordestina and one of P. rohdei. Both species displayed 2n = 26 chromosomes with 12 metacentric, 12 submetacentric and 2 subtelocentric chromosomes. The C-banding analyses revealed discrete differences in the quantity of centromeric heterochromatin between the two species. The nucleolus organizer region (NOR) was detected in pair 9 of both species, but is located in the pericentromeric region of the short arm in P. nordestina and in the long arm subtelomeric region of P. rohdei. Chromosomal data from this study indicate karyotypic homeology between the two groups of P. hypochondrialis species and suggest the existence of more than one taxon under the P. rohdei name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Stacking of antimicrobial genes in potato transgenic plants confers increased resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens
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Rivero, Mercedes, Furman, Nicolás, Mencacci, Nicolás, Picca, Pablo, Toum, Laila, Lentz, Ezequiel, Bravo-Almonacid, Fernando, and Mentaberry, Alejandro
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ANTI-infective agents , *GENES , *TRANSGENIC plants , *FUNGI , *PHYLLOMEDUSA , *CHICKENS , *LYSOZYMES , *STREPTOMYCES scabies , *BACTERIAL diseases - Abstract
Abstract: Solanum tuberosum plants were transformed with three genetic constructions expressing the Nicotiana tabacum AP24 osmotine, Phyllomedusa sauvagii dermaseptin and Gallus gallus lysozyme, and with a double-transgene construction expressing the AP24 and lysozyme sequences. Re-transformation of dermaseptin-transformed plants with the AP24/lysozyme construction allowed selection of plants simultaneously expressing the three transgenes. Potato lines expressing individual transgenes or double- and triple-transgene combinations were assayed for resistance to Erwinia carotovora using whole-plant and tuber infection assays. Resistance levels for both infection tests compared consistently for most potato lines and allowed selection of highly resistant phenotypes. Higher resistance levels were found in lines carrying the dermaseptin and lysozyme sequences, indicating that theses proteins are the major contributors to antibacterial activity. Similar results were obtained in tuber infection tests conducted with Streptomyces scabies. Plant lines showing the higher resistance to bacterial infections were challenged with Phytophthora infestans, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani. Considerable levels of resistance to each of these pathogens were evidenced employing semi-quantitative tests based in detached-leaf inoculation, fungal growth inhibition and in vitro plant inoculation. On the basis of these results, we propose that stacking of these transgenes is a promising approach to achieve resistance to both bacterial and fungal pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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