Antimicrobial peptides in frog poisons constitute a molecular toxin delivery system against predators

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01710-1
• Publication Date: 2017-11-08T16:27:47Z
• Authors: Constantijn Raaym...; Elin Verbrugghe; Sophie Hernot; Tom Hellebuyck; Cecilia Betti; Cindy Peleman; Myriam Claeys; Wim Bert; Vicky Caveliers; Steven Ballet; An Martel; Frank Pasmans; Kim Roelants
• Keywords: Science; Skin Absorption; AMPHIBIAN SKIN; BOMBESIN; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; Anti-Infective Agents; XENOPUS-LAEVIS; Animals; Humans; Skin; Toxins, Biological; 0303 health sciences; ANALOGS; Q; CHOLECYSTOKININ; Biology and Life Sciences; EVOLUTION; 3. Good health; GASTRIN-RELEASING PEPTIDE; Predatory Behavior; ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY; BLOOD PRESSURE; Anura; Caco-2 Cells; Peptides; AFRICAN CLAWED FROG

Animals using toxic peptides and proteins for predation or defense typically depend on specialized morphological structures, like fangs, spines, a stinger, effective intoxication. Here we show that amphibian poisons instead incorporate their own molecular system toxin delivery to attacking predators. Skin-secreted peptides, generally considered part of the immune system, permeabilize oral epithelial tissue enable fast access cosecreted toxins predator's bloodstream organs. This absorption-enhancing exists in at least three distantly related frog lineages is likely be widespread adaptation, determining outcome predator-prey encounters hundreds species.