Beta-defensin genes of the Colubridae snakes Phalotris mertensi, Thamnodynastes hypoconia, and T. strigatus. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Oliveira, Yago Santana; Corrêa, Poliana G.; Oguiura, Nancy
• Is Part Of: Toxicon. Volume 146(2018)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Antimicrobial peptides -- Colubrid snakes -- β -defensin genes; Toxins -- Periodicals; Venom -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.02.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-0101

Abstract

Abstract: β-Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides showing little sequence similarity but highly conserved tertiary structure stabilized by a six-cysteines-motif. Using a PCR approach, we described β-defensin sequences with two exons in three species of Colubridae snakes with high sequence similarity between them. The deduced amino acid sequence presented the characteristics of β-defensin family. The phylogenetic analysis using β-defensin coding sequences of different snakes grouped them in two main branches: genes organized in three or two exons. Highlights: β-defensin genes of Colubridae snakes have two exons. The evolution of β-defensin genes happened differently in the snake groups. A phylogenetic tree of snake β-defensins reflects the gene structure.