Biological activities of skin secretions of the salamander Tylototriton verrucosus

J Nat Toxins. 2002 Aug;11(3):245-50.

Abstract

Water-soluble skin secretions of salamander Tylototriton verrucosus, first described by Anderson in 1871, were studied for their biological and enzymatic activities. They were found to be toxic to mice with an intraperitoneal LD50 of 11.5 mg/kg. Using Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, it was proven that the toxic components of the secretions are proteins with molecular weights ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Da. The secretions of T. verrucosus display a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities and also contain both proteolytic activity and trypsin inhibitory activity. In contrast, neither hemolytic nor hemorrhagic activities were found. The secretions were determined to have phospholipase A2 activity; however, no acetylcholine esterase activity was detectable under the assay conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caudata*
  • Female
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phospholipases A / pharmacology
  • Phospholipases A2
  • Skin / chemistry*
  • Skin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phospholipases A
  • Phospholipases A2