Novel antimicrobial peptides and peptide-microbiome crosstalk in Appalachian salamander skin

Carly Muletz-Wolz; Julian  Urrutia-Carter; Owen Osborne; Steve Kutos; Jose Meneses Montano; Joseph Madison; Brian Gratwicke; Ratanachat Racharaks; Norma Roncal; Randall Jiménez; Amy Ellison; Timothy Cleland

doi:10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0

Novel antimicrobial peptides and peptide-microbiome crosstalk in Appalachian salamander skin

Carly Muletz-Wolz
, Julian Urrutia-Carter
, Owen Osborne
, Steve Kutos
, Jose Meneses Montano
, Joseph Madison
, Brian Gratwicke
, Ratanachat Racharaks
, Norma Roncal
, Randall Jiménez
, Amy Ellison
, Timothy Cleland

Ysgol Gwyddorau Amgylcheddol a Naturiol

Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, Smithsonian Institution
Department of Biology. University of Maryland
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, MD

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2 Wedi eu Llwytho i Lawr (Pure)

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Using multi-omics tools, we discovered new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and examined AMP-microbial interactions in three Appalachian salamander species (Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata and Notophthalmus viridescens). We conducted skin transcriptomics (n = 13) and proteomics (n = 91) to identify 200+ candidate AMPs. With candidate AMPs, we identified correlations with skin microbiomes and synthesized 20 peptides to challenge against pathogens of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: Bd) and humans (ESKAPEE). Using transcriptomics, candidate AMPs were detected in all individuals with Cathelidicins being most common. Using proteomics, AMPs were found in 34% of individuals (31/91)—predominately E. bislineata—with Kinin-like peptides being most common. Candidate AMP composition generally predicted skin bacterial composition, suggesting that AMPs influence host-microbial symbioses. Crude and synthesized peptides showed limited activity against Bd. Two synthesized Cathelicidins (Pcin-CATH3 and Pcin-CATH5) inhibited human pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Our findings inform the potential usage of AMPs in conservation and translational applications.

Iaith wreiddiol	Saesneg
Rhif yr erthygl	213
Cyfnodolyn	NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes
Cyfrol	11
Dyddiad ar-lein cynnar	20 Tach 2025
Dynodwyr Gwrthrych Digidol (DOIs)	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0
Statws	Cyhoeddwyd - 20 Tach 2025

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10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0

s41522-025-00837-0 (1)Fersiwn derfynol wedi’i chyhoeddi, 1.16 MBTrwydded: CC BY

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@article{eda61cd3507b4f07806a293abf22dbaf,

title = "Novel antimicrobial peptides and peptide-microbiome crosstalk in Appalachian salamander skin",

abstract = "Using multi-omics tools, we discovered new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and examined AMP-microbial interactions in three Appalachian salamander species (Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata and Notophthalmus viridescens). We conducted skin transcriptomics (n = 13) and proteomics (n = 91) to identify 200+ candidate AMPs. With candidate AMPs, we identified correlations with skin microbiomes and synthesized 20 peptides to challenge against pathogens of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: Bd) and humans (ESKAPEE). Using transcriptomics, candidate AMPs were detected in all individuals with Cathelidicins being most common. Using proteomics, AMPs were found in 34\% of individuals (31/91){\textemdash}predominately E. bislineata{\textemdash}with Kinin-like peptides being most common. Candidate AMP composition generally predicted skin bacterial composition, suggesting that AMPs influence host-microbial symbioses. Crude and synthesized peptides showed limited activity against Bd. Two synthesized Cathelicidins (Pcin-CATH3 and Pcin-CATH5) inhibited human pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Our findings inform the potential usage of AMPs in conservation and translational applications.",

keywords = "Animals, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology, Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology, Bacteria/drug effects, Batrachochytrium/drug effects, Caudata/microbiology, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Microbiota, Proteomics, Skin/microbiology, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Caudata, Bacteria, Skin, Batrachochytrium, Antimicrobial Peptides",

author = "Carly Muletz-Wolz and Julian Urrutia-Carter and Owen Osborne and Steve Kutos and \{Meneses Montano\}, Jose and Joseph Madison and Brian Gratwicke and Ratanachat Racharaks and Norma Roncal and Randall Jim{\'e}nez and Amy Ellison and Timothy Cleland",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2025. The Author(s).",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

day = "20",

doi = "10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0",

language = "English",

volume = "11",

journal = "NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes",

issn = "2055-5008",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Novel antimicrobial peptides and peptide-microbiome crosstalk in Appalachian salamander skin

AU - Muletz-Wolz, Carly

AU - Urrutia-Carter, Julian

AU - Osborne, Owen

AU - Kutos, Steve

AU - Meneses Montano, Jose

AU - Madison, Joseph

AU - Gratwicke, Brian

AU - Racharaks, Ratanachat

AU - Roncal, Norma

AU - Jiménez, Randall

AU - Ellison, Amy

AU - Cleland, Timothy

PY - 2025/11/20

Y1 - 2025/11/20

N2 - Using multi-omics tools, we discovered new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and examined AMP-microbial interactions in three Appalachian salamander species (Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata and Notophthalmus viridescens). We conducted skin transcriptomics (n = 13) and proteomics (n = 91) to identify 200+ candidate AMPs. With candidate AMPs, we identified correlations with skin microbiomes and synthesized 20 peptides to challenge against pathogens of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: Bd) and humans (ESKAPEE). Using transcriptomics, candidate AMPs were detected in all individuals with Cathelidicins being most common. Using proteomics, AMPs were found in 34% of individuals (31/91)—predominately E. bislineata—with Kinin-like peptides being most common. Candidate AMP composition generally predicted skin bacterial composition, suggesting that AMPs influence host-microbial symbioses. Crude and synthesized peptides showed limited activity against Bd. Two synthesized Cathelicidins (Pcin-CATH3 and Pcin-CATH5) inhibited human pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Our findings inform the potential usage of AMPs in conservation and translational applications.

AB - Using multi-omics tools, we discovered new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and examined AMP-microbial interactions in three Appalachian salamander species (Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata and Notophthalmus viridescens). We conducted skin transcriptomics (n = 13) and proteomics (n = 91) to identify 200+ candidate AMPs. With candidate AMPs, we identified correlations with skin microbiomes and synthesized 20 peptides to challenge against pathogens of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: Bd) and humans (ESKAPEE). Using transcriptomics, candidate AMPs were detected in all individuals with Cathelidicins being most common. Using proteomics, AMPs were found in 34% of individuals (31/91)—predominately E. bislineata—with Kinin-like peptides being most common. Candidate AMP composition generally predicted skin bacterial composition, suggesting that AMPs influence host-microbial symbioses. Crude and synthesized peptides showed limited activity against Bd. Two synthesized Cathelicidins (Pcin-CATH3 and Pcin-CATH5) inhibited human pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Our findings inform the potential usage of AMPs in conservation and translational applications.

KW - Animals

KW - Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology

KW - Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology

KW - Bacteria/drug effects

KW - Batrachochytrium/drug effects

KW - Caudata/microbiology

KW - Gene Expression Profiling

KW - Humans

KW - Microbiota

KW - Proteomics

KW - Skin/microbiology

KW - Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides

KW - Caudata

KW - Bacteria

KW - Skin

KW - Batrachochytrium

KW - Antimicrobial Peptides

U2 - 10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0

DO - 10.1038/s41522-025-00837-0

M3 - Article

C2 - 41266339

SN - 2055-5008

VL - 11

JO - NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes

JF - NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes

M1 - 213

ER -

Novel antimicrobial peptides and peptide-microbiome crosstalk in Appalachian salamander skin

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