Molecular Characterization of Ancient Prosaposin-like Proteins from the Protist <i>Dictyostelium discoideum</i>.

ABSTRACT: To combat the permanent exposure to potential pathogens every organism relies on an immune system. Important factors in innate immunity are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are structurally highly diverse. Some AMPs are known to belong to the saposin-like proteins (SAPLIPs), a group of polypeptides with a broad functional spectrum. The model organism Dictyostelium discoideum possesses a remarkably large arsenal of potential SAPLIPs, which are termed amoebapore-like peptides (Apls), but the knowledge about these proteins is very limited. Here, we report about the biochemical characterization of AplE1, AplE2, AplK1, and AplK2, which are derived from the two precursor proteins AplE and AplK, thereby resembling prosaposins of vertebrates. We produced these Apls as recombinant polypept

SUBMITTER: Ortjohann M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11542183 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature