Molecular cloning of a bombinin gene from Bombina orientalis:: detection of NF-κB and NF-IL6 binding sites in its promoter

The sequence of a gene from Bombina orientalis was determined which codes for antibacterial peptides. The gene comprises two exons separated by a large int on, Exon 1 codes for the signal peptide, while exon 2 contains the genetic information for two identical bombinins and one bombinin H. The promoter region of the bombinin gene contains putative recognition sites for nuclear factors, such as NF kappa B and NF-IL6. In vivo experiments on B. orientalis have shown that a short contact with bacteria is sufficient to induce a marked increase in the amount of antibacterial peptides in the skin secretion of frogs. This increase was suppressed by pretreatment with glucocorticoids, In the latter case, a significant increase of I kappa B alpha in the secretion is also detectable. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.