Electronic Journal of Biology

Identification and Sequencing of a cDNA Clone Encoding Cathelicidin-like Antimicrobial Peptide from Chicken Heart Tissues

In the present scenario the antimicrobial peptides of animal sources are being considered as suitable alternatives to the classical antibiotics for preventing pathogenic microorganisms without allowing them to develop resistance. Cathelicidins are one of the major classes of antimicrobial peptides widely distributed in mammalian neutrophils and epithelial cells. They kill wide-range of bacteria (both gram positive and gram negative), viruses, fungi and protozoa. In the present work, a 215 bp cDNA transcript was identified from the heart tissues of white leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus) by reverse transcription. It was amplified by RT-PCR and partially sequenced to obtain a 175 bp sequence. The sequence homology study revealed that this gene encodes a cathelicidin-like pepttide. The deduced peptide was found to be 5.5 kDa in molecular weight with 59 amino acids in length. It showed sequence similarities with cathelicidin family proteins of mammals and birds and also phylogenetically resembled with human cathelicidin-like peptide. Thus, this study will provide an insight of using this antimicrobial peptide to treat infectious diseases of human beings.

Author(s): Sundaramoorthy M,Saravanan T.S, Shivashanmugam P, Chellapandi P

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