Molecular analysis of the sheep cathelin family reveals a novel antimicrobial peptide

Abstract
Cathelin‐related genes are characterized by the presence of a prepro sequence which is highly conserved both within and between species. 3′ RACE analysis on sheep bone marrow RNA, using a primer based on a conserved cathelin family coding region, demonstrated the presence of at least three ovine cathelin‐related cDNAs. One of these encodes a novel prepropeptide with a predicted C‐terminal cleavage product RGLRRLGRKIAHGVKKYGPTVLRIIRIAG. The chemically synthesized form of this 29 amino acid peptide is shown to be a thermostable, broad spectrum, bactericidal agent.