A Search for Antimicrobial Peptides in the Skin Mucosa of the Hardhead Catfish, Arius felis

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Walstrom, Katherine

Keywords

Catfish, Mucus, Antimicrobial Peptide

Area of Concentration

Chemistry

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine whether antimicrobial peptides exist in the skin mucus of wounded Hardhead Catfish, Arius felis. In order to gain sufficient background, the teleost immune system was studied with a focus on the antimicrobial peptides of innate immunity. First, a study of the humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity was undertaken. This knowledge was then developed into a broader picture of the immune system with a study of the lymphoid tissues of the teleost system. This review supported the hypothesis that antimicrobial peptides might be present in the skin mucus of wounded Arius felis and also gave the background used to develop the methods used in this experiment. Both an unwounded and a wounded mucus sample were collected from each of the five experimental subjects used and assayed for antimicrobial activity. The levels of bacterial growth suppression induced by each type of sample were compared against each other and a control of phosphate buffered saline. The results showed no visible antimicrobial activity, but this was only a preliminary study and it is still too early to tell whether antimicrobial peptides exist in the Hardhead Catfish.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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