Isolation and primary structure determination of amphibian skin tryptophyllins

A large new set of peptides has been isolated from the skin of Phyllomedusa rohdei, a South American frog. All these peptides contain a tryptophyl residue, which justified the suggested denomination of tryptophyllins (TPHs). On the basis of their amino acid chain length, they have been classified as TPH-4, TPH-5, TPH-7 and TPH-13. With the exception of TPH-13 these peptides seem to possess an action on liver protein synthesis and body weight; in addition TPH-7 and TPH-13 show endocrine and behavioural effects. The methodologies employed in purification and structure determination of TPHs will be illustrated.