Skin Amphibians peptides: more than short proteins.

In Amphibians, the skin does not play the physiological role of mere integument, but it has a plethora of functions related to respiration, osmoregulation and thermoregulation, thus allowing individuals to survive and thrive in the terrestrial environment. For this purpose, Amphibians have developed some defence strategies that include the production and secretion of mucus with protective activities for skin, often accompanied by behavioural strategies. Amphibians’ skin secretions contain several molecules, including peptides able to exert beneficial effects since they are involved in the defence against environmental and pathogenic insults. The study of amphibian peptides can contribute to the understanding of why some species resist to various environmental insults and can also help to limit the decline of Amphibians by developing appropriate strategies particularly against diseases such as viral and fungal infections