A Transcriptomic Analysis Of Antimicrobial Peptides From Skin Of Chinese Anurans Living In Different Habitat

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the most amphibian defense peptide arsenal. A significant amountof antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cDNA precursors has been identified from amphibian skin. But to compound the confusion, anurans from same geographical regions and habitat that are nominally assigned to the different species group may produce an appreciably different array of peptides in their skin.In this study, performed transcriptome (RNA-sequencing) and comparison analysis from three anurans family in order to understand molecular basis of amphibian host defenses behavior and evolution in their habitat preferences. Functionally focus in the transcripts genes by identification and characterization of cDNA precursors of AMPs genes. Blasted the assemble transcripts against the known AMPs from Database of Anuran Defense Peptides (DADP). In the transcriptome we found 233 transcripts genesexpressed AMPs from these three families. At last,111 transcript genes were confirmed according to the AMPs family known in Blast identity cutoff of 60%. Comparative study revealed several interesting feature that the Ranidae family only represent two species in this study Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Odorrana margaretae living in semi aquatic habitat have expressed 48 genes encoded AMPs. Following by, The Rhacophoridae family (arboreal Habitat) presented by Polypedates megacephalus, Rhacophorus dennysi and Rhacophorus Omeimontis show low expressed antimicrobial level in comparison of Ranidae family with 43 transcript genes expressed and finally Megophryidae family (terrestrial Habitat) presented by Vibrissaphora boringuiiand Megaphrys sangzhiensis, shows least level of the expression of antimicrobial encoding gene defense against microorganisms with 20 transcript genes expressed AMPs. Until now people still have a little knowledge on the evolution pattern of Megophryidae and Rhacophoridae family antimicrobial gene. Which play an important role in survival and made it possible for them to exploit a variety of Habitat and ecological condition.