Amino acid composition and sequence of kassinin, a tachykinin dodecapeptide from the skin of the African frog Kassina senegalensis

Abstract

Methanol extracts of the skin of the African amphibian Kassina senegalensis contain a dodecapeptide, kassinin, belonging to the family of tachykinins or physalaemin-like peptides. Kassinin, like all other natural tachykinins, possesses the characteristic C-terminal tripeptide Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 and a phenylalanine residue in position 5 from the C-terminus. However, the amino acid sequence in the N-moiety of the molecule differs sharply from that of the other tachykinins.