Antimicrobial peptides in frog poisons constitute a molecular toxin delivery system against predators.
Constantijn Raaymakers, Elin Verbrugghe, Sophie Hernot, Tom Hellebuyck, Cecilia Betti, Cindy Peleman, Myriam Claeys, Wim Bert, Vicky Caveliers, Steven Ballet, An Martel, Frank Pasmans, Kim Roelants
Elin Verbrugghe: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Sophie Hernot: Department of Nuclear Medicine, UZ Brussel and In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Jette, Belgium.
Tom Hellebuyck: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Cecilia Betti: Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Elsene, Belgium.
Cindy Peleman: Department of Nuclear Medicine, UZ Brussel and In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Jette, Belgium.
Myriam Claeys: Department of Biology, Nematology Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Wim Bert: Department of Biology, Nematology Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Vicky Caveliers: Department of Nuclear Medicine, UZ Brussel and In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Jette, Belgium.
Steven Ballet: Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Elsene, Belgium.
An Martel: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. ORCID
Frank Pasmans: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Animals using toxic peptides and proteins for predation or defense typically depend on specialized morphological structures, like fangs, spines, or a stinger, for effective intoxication. Here we show that amphibian poisons instead incorporate their own molecular system for toxin delivery to attacking predators. Skin-secreted peptides, generally considered part of the amphibian immune system, permeabilize oral epithelial tissue and enable fast access of cosecreted toxins to the predator's bloodstream and organs. This absorption-enhancing system exists in at least three distantly related frog lineages and is likely to be a widespread adaptation, determining the outcome of predator-prey encounters in hundreds of species.
