Purification and cDNA cloning of Luxuriosin, a novel antibacterial peptide with Kunitz domain from the Longicorn Beetle, Acalolepta luxuriosa

We have purified a novel antibacterial peptide from the hemolymph of the coleopteran insect Acalolepta luxuriosa, of the family Cerambyocidae, and named it luxuriosin. This peptide showed growth-inhibitory activity against Micrococcus luteus and germination- and/or growth-inhibitory activity against the conidia from rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. The amino acid sequence determined by cDNA cloning identified luxuriosin as a peptide of 88 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 10,368.34, containing a Kunitz domain.