Amphibian skin is a multi-functional organ which has adapted to function as a barrier against hostile environmental pathogens and to protect against predatory attack. Highly specialised dermal glands release a complex cocktail of bioactive compounds onto the skin; this mixture contains biogenic amines, proteins, alkaloids and a plethora of bioactive peptides. A vast array of peptides have been identified from over 500 species of amphibians to date which have been found to exert, a range of biological effects. Families of peptides derived from amphibian skin secretions which have been studied in particular detail include the bombesins and related peptides, the bradykinins and related peptides, the skin opiates and those with antimicrobial activities. This thesis presents a study of the biological activities of a novel hybrid pentapeptide derived from amphibian skin secretions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:676522 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Houston, Rebecca |
| Publisher | Queen's University Belfast |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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