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Chérasse S, Dacquin P, Aron S. Mating triggers an up-regulation of vitellogenin and defensin in ant queens. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 205:745-53. [PMID: 31414174 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Mating induces a range of physiological changes in female insects. In species that mate during several reproductive bouts throughout their life, mating causes an increase in oviposition, affects immune function, and decreases female lifespan and receptivity to further mating. Social Hymenoptera (ants, social bees, and wasps) are unique, since queens mate during a single reproductive effort at the beginning of their life. Their reproductive strategy is thus fundamentally different from that of other insects and one might expect the effects of mating on social Hymenoptera queens to be altered. We tested the effect of mating and multiple mating on the expression of six genes likely to be involved in post-mating changes, in queens of the ant Lasius niger L. We show that mating induces oviposition, and is followed by an up-regulation of vitellogenin and defensin expression. The expression of juvenile hormone esterase, insulin receptor 2, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase 1, and prophenoloxidase is not significantly affected by mating. Queen-mating frequency did not affect the expression of the tested genes. Altogether, our results indicate that certain effects of mating on female insect physiology are generalized across species independent of their mating strategies, while others seem species specific.
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52
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Ramirez JL, Muturi EJ, Barletta ABF, Rooney AP. The Aedes aegypti IMD pathway is a critical component of the mosquito antifungal immune response. Dev Comp Immunol 2019; 95:1-9. [PMID: 30582948 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Successful infection of the insect body by entomopathogenic fungi is the result of complex molecular interactions between the host and the invading pathogenic fungi. The mosquito antifungal response is multifaceted and is regulated in part by the Toll and Jak-STAT pathways. Here, we assessed the role of the IMD pathway in the mosquito Ae. aegypti antifungal immune response when challenged with one of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Isaria javanica. IMD pathway components of the mosquito immune system were elicited in response to infection with both entomopathogenic fungi, primarily in the fat body of mosquitoes. Furthermore, we observed induction of antimicrobial peptides that in turn appear to be tissue and fungal strain-specific. IMD pathway impairment by RNAi gene silencing resulted in higher fungal proliferation and reduction in survival of fungi-infected mosquitoes. Collectively, these data indicates that the IMD pathway plays a more significant role in the antifungal immune response than previously recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Ramirez
- Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL, USA.
| | - Ephantus J Muturi
- Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL, USA
| | - Ana B F Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alejandro P Rooney
- Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL, USA
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Kim J, Yang YL, Jang YS. Human β- defensin 2 is involved in CCR2-mediated Nod2 signal transduction, leading to activation of the innate immune response in macrophages. Immunobiology 2019; 224:502-510. [PMID: 31126693 PMCID: PMC7114636 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Beta-defensins contribute to host innate defense against various pathogens, including viruses, although the details of their roles in innate immune cells are unclear. We previously reported that human β-defensin 2 (HBD 2) activates primary innate immunity against viral infection and suggested that it plays a role in the induction of the adaptive immune response. We analyzed the mechanisms by which HBD 2 primes innate antiviral immunity and polarized activation of macrophage-like THP-1 cells using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) spike protein (S RBD) as a model antigen. The expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (Nod2), type I interferons, (IFNs), and proinflammatory mediators was enhanced in S RBD-HBD 2-treated THP-1 cells. S RBD-HBD 2 treatment also enhanced phosphorylation and activation of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 and IFN regulatory factor 3 compared to S RBD alone. Finally, HBD 2-conjugated S RBD interacted with C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), and Nod2 was involved in HBD 2-mediated CCR2 signaling, which was associated with the activation and M1 polarization of THP-1 cells. Therefore, HBD 2 promotes CCR2-mediated Nod2 signaling, which induces production of type I IFNs and an inflammatory response, and enhances primary innate immunity leading to an effective adaptive immune response to HBD 2-conjugated antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, 54896, South Korea
| | - Ye Lin Yang
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Institute of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54856, South Korea
| | - Yong-Suk Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, 54896, South Korea; Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Institute of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54856, South Korea.
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Chen Y, Gong Q, Song M, Lai J, Sun J, Liu Y. Identification and characterization of three novel antimicrobial peptides from Acipenser dabryanus. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2019; 88:207-216. [PMID: 30807859 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play essential roles in the innate immune system to protect against a wide variety of pathogens in aquatic environments. In this study, three very important AMPs, cathelicidin, hepcidin and defensin, were identified in the critically endangered Acipenser dabryanus. The full-length cDNA sequences of these three AMPs were identified from transcriptome sequencing and the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. Phylogenetic analysis showed that cathelicidin formed a clade with the other members of the cathelicidin family, and similar results were obtained for hepcidin. The A. dabryanus β-defensin belonged to the fish class 2 β-defensins. A tissue distribution study showed that the three AMP transcripts could be detected constitutively in various tissues. The highest expression levels of cathelicidin and hepcidin were found in the liver, while defensin was primarily expressed in the skin. Bacterial challenge in vivo revealed significant changes in the gene expression of the three AMPs at both mucosal sites and systemic sites. Striking upregulation of cathelicidin and hepcidin was observed in the skin at 12 h post-challenge, with increases of more than 7000-fold and 1000-fold, respectively, compared to the control, and the expression of defensin mRNA was remarkably elevated in the hindgut (by 230-fold at 6 h post-challenge). Moreover, according to the expression profiles of the AMPs post-challenge, we found that the mucosal immune response occurred earlier than the systemic immune response following bacterial infection. Our results suggest that these three novel AMPs may play important roles in the innate immune system of A. dabryanus to protect against invading pathogens, especially during the mucosal immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeyu Chen
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China
| | - Quan Gong
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China
| | - Mingjiang Song
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China
| | - Jiansheng Lai
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China
| | - Jiahua Sun
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China
| | - Ya Liu
- The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China.
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Maracahipes ÁC, Taveira GB, Mello EO, Carvalho AO, Rodrigues R, Perales J, Teixeira-Ferreira A, Silva MS, Rocha GL, Fernandes KVS, Gomes VM. Biochemical analysis of antimicrobial peptides in two different Capsicum genotypes after fruit infection by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181889. [PMID: 30902879 DOI: 10.1042/BSR20181889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There are several phytosanitary problems that have been causing serious damage to the Capsicum crops, including anthracnose. Upon attack by certain pathogens, various protein molecules are produced, which are known as proteins related to pathogenesis (PR proteins), including antimicrobial peptides such as protease inhibitors, defensins and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). The objective of this work is to identify antimicrobial proteins and/or peptides of two genotypes from Capsicum annuum fruits infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The fungus was inoculated into Capsicum fruits by the deposition of a spore suspension (106 conidia ml−1), and after 24 and 48 h intervals, the fruits were removed from the humid chamber and subjected to a protein extraction process. Protein analysis of the extracts was performed by tricine gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. The distinctive bands between genotypes in the electrophoresis profiles were subjected to mass spectrometry sequencing. Trypsin inhibition assays, reverse zymographic detection of protease inhibition and β-1,3-glucanase activity assays were also performed and extracts were also tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of C. gloeosporioides fungi ‘in vitro’. There were several low molecular weight proteins in all treated samples, and some treatments in which antimicrobial peptides such as defensin, lipid transfer protein (LTP) and protease inhibitor have been identified. It was shown that the green fruits are more responsive to infection, showing the production of antimicrobial peptides in response to injury and inoculation of the fungus, what did not occur in ripe fruits under any treatment.
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Georgieva V, Kamolvit W, Herthelius M, Lüthje P, Brauner A, Chromek M. Association between vitamin D, antimicrobial peptides and urinary tract infection in infants and young children. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:551-556. [PMID: 30003595 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AIM Vitamin D stimulates production of the endogenous antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and β-defensin-2, which are expressed in the urinary tract. We investigated vitamin D status and levels of cathelicidin and β-defensin-2 and their association with urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS The study included 120 children under three years of age: 76 children with UTIs and 44 otherwise healthy children with congenital hydronephrosis. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured by direct competitive electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay, and plasma cathelicidin and β-defensin-2 concentrations were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS We found that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are prevalent in young children (21%). Serum vitamin D levels negatively correlated with age and were significantly lower in girls. Levels of vitamin D positively correlated with levels of cathelicidin but not with β-defensin-2. Low concentrations of vitamin D were associated with UTIs in girls, but we did not see any correlation with the recurrence of infection at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is common and may prove to be a risk factor for UTIs especially in girls. We hypothesise that adequate supplementation with vitamin D may become a way to prevent first-time UTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Georgieva
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology Division of Paediatrics Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - W Kamolvit
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology Division of Clinical Microbiology Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - M Herthelius
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology Division of Paediatrics Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - P Lüthje
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology Division of Clinical Microbiology Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - A Brauner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology Division of Clinical Microbiology Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - M Chromek
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology Division of Paediatrics Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund Division of Paediatrics Lund University Lund Sweden
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Vi TXT, Nguyen TNL, Pham TTN, Nguyen HQ, Nguyen THY, Tu QT, Le VS, Chu HM. Overexpression of the ZmDEF1 gene increases the resistance to weevil larvae in transgenic maize seeds. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:2177-2185. [PMID: 30798487 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04670-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are divided into 18 groups and are multifunctional proteins. The Zea mays defensin 1 (ZmDEF1) gene encodes the defensin 1 protein, which can inhibit alpha-amylase in the insect gut. In this study, the ZmDEF1 gene was transferred into two maize cultivars, LC1 and LVN99, to improve weevil resistance in maize. The recombinant ZmDEF1 protein was assessed for its ability to inhibit alpha-amylase in the gut of the larvae of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.). ZmDEF1 was cloned into a pBetaPhaso-dest vector, which harbours phaseolin, a seed-specific promoter, and the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58 harbouring the pBetaPhaso-ZmDEF1 vector was used to transfer the ZmDEF1 gene into two maize cultivars using immature embryos. Transformed calluses were selected on selection media containing kanamycin. The stable integration of the ZmDEF1 transgene into the transgenic maize plant genome was confirmed using Southern blotting. The recombinant ZmDEF1 protein of approximately 10 kDa was expressed in three transgenic maize lines from the LC1 cultivar (C1, C3, and C5) and two transgenic maize lines from the LVN99 cultivar (L1 and L3). The ZmDEF1 transgenic efficiency based on the results of PCR, as well as Southern and Western blotting, was 1.32% and 0.82%, respectively, which depends on the genotypes of LC1 and LVN99. The recombinant ZmDEF1 protein inhibited the alpha-amylase activity of the maize weevil larvae, and its ability to inhibit alpha-amylase is 54.52-63.09% greater than the ZmDEF1 protein extracted from non-transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Xuan Thuy Vi
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
- Department of Bology, Tay Bac University, Son La, Vietnam
| | - Thi Ngoc Lan Nguyen
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.
| | - Thi Thanh Nhan Pham
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Huu Quan Nguyen
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Thi Hai Yen Nguyen
- Department of Genetics, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Quang Tan Tu
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Van Son Le
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Mau Chu
- Department of Genetics & Modern Biology, School of Biology, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 20-Luong Ngoc Quyen, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.
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Hu H, Di B, Tolbert WD, Gohain N, Yuan W, Gao P, Ma B, He Q, Pazgier M, Zhao L, Lu W. Systematic mutational analysis of human neutrophil α- defensin HNP4. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 2019; 1861:835-844. [PMID: 30658057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides of innate immunity with immunomodulatory properties. The prototypic human α-defensins, also known as human neutrophil peptides 1-3 or HNP1-3, are extensively studied for their structure, function and mechanisms of action, yet little is known about HNP4 - the much less abundant "distant cousin" of HNP1-3. Here we report a systematic mutational analysis of HNP4 with respect to its antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, inhibitory activity against anthrax lethal factor (LF), and binding activity for LF and HIV-1 gp120. Except for nine conserved and structurally important residues (6xCys, 1xArg, 1xGlu and 1xGly), the remaining 24 residues of HNP4 were each individually mutated to Ala. The crystal structures of G23A-HNP4 and T27A-HNP4 were determined, both exhibiting a disulfide-stabilized canonical α-defensin dimer identical to wild-type HNP4. Unlike HNP1-3, HNP4 preferentially killed the Gram-negative bacterium, a property largely attributable to three clustered cationic residues Arg10, Arg11 and Arg15. The cationic cluster was also important for HNP4 killing of S. aureus, inhibition of LF and binding to LF and gp120. However, F26A, while functionally inconsequential for E. coli killing, was far more deleterious than any other mutations. Similarly, N-methylation of Leu20 to destabilize the HNP4 dimer had little effect on E. coli killing, but significantly reduced the ability of HNP4 to kill S. aureus, inhibit LF, and bind to LF and gp120. Our findings unveil the molecular determinants of HNP4 function, completing the atlas of structure and function relationships for all human neutrophil α-defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Hu
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China; Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bin Di
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - William D Tolbert
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Neelakshi Gohain
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Weirong Yuan
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Pan Gao
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bohan Ma
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Qigai He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Le Zhao
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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Ishida A, Wada T, Ogami K, Ueda T, Sakurai K. Influence of chewing on expression level of human beta- defensin 2 and secretory immunoglobulin A in the epithelium. J Prosthodont Res 2019; 63:162-6. [PMID: 30529003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpor.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to clarify the influence of chewing on human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) expression levels. METHODS We included 15 healthy males with no missing teeth (mean age, 25.5±2.5years). Subjects were instructed to chew a piece of gum for 30min. Saliva and skin-extraction samples were collected before and after chewing for 15 and 30min. hBD-2 and SIgA concentrations in the samples were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). hBD-2 and SIgA expression levels before and after chewing were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, following the Friedman test. The significance level was 0.05. RESULTS The hBD-2 level in skin-extraction samples was significantly different before (99.4±17.3pg/mL) and after chewing for 30min (142±23.0pg/mL). The SIgA level in skin-extraction samples was also significantly different before (2.39±0.25μg/mL) and after chewing for 30min (3.61±0.33μg/mL). No significant difference was noted in either hBD-2 or SIgA secretion rate in saliva between before and after chewing. CONCLUSIONS Chewing gum for 30min increased hBD-2 and SIgA expression levels in skin. Moreover, chewing gum could influence the secretion pattern of these two biomolecules on skin, but not in saliva.
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Jones JC, Brindley CD, Elder NH, Myers MG, Rajala MW, Dekaney CM, McNamee EN, Frey MR, Shroyer NF, Dempsey PJ. Cellular Plasticity of Defa4 Cre-Expressing Paneth Cells in Response to Notch Activation and Intestinal Injury. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 7:533-554. [PMID: 30827941 PMCID: PMC6402430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Loss of leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5-positive crypt base columnar cells provides permissive conditions for different facultative stem cell populations to dedifferentiate and repopulate the stem cell compartment. In this study, we used a defensin α4-Cre recombinase (Defa4Cre) line to define the potential of Paneth cells to dedifferentiate and contribute to intestinal stem cell (ISC) maintenance during normal homeostasis and after intestinal injury. METHODS Small intestine and enteroids from Defa4Cre;Rosa26 tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato), a red fluoresent protein, (or Rosa26 Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein (EYFP)) reporter, Notch gain-of-function (Defa4Cre;Rosa26 Notch Intracellular Domain (NICD)-ires-nuclear Green Fluorescent Protein (nGFP) and Defa4Cre;Rosa26reverse tetracycline transactivator-ires Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP);TetONICD), A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10 (ADAM10) loss-of-function (Defa4Cre;ADAM10flox/flox), and Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) inactivation (Defa4Cre;APCflox/flox) mice were analyzed. Doxorubicin treatment was used as an acute intestinal injury model. Lineage tracing, proliferation, and differentiation were assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Defa4Cre-expressing cells are fated to become mature Paneth cells and do not contribute to ISC maintenance during normal homeostasis in vivo. However, spontaneous lineage tracing was observed in enteroids, and fluorescent-activated cell sorter-sorted Defa4Cre-marked cells showed clonogenic enteroid growth. Notch activation in Defa4Cre-expressing cells caused dedifferentiation to multipotent ISCs in vivo and was required for adenoma formation. ADAM10 deletion had no significant effect on crypt homeostasis. However, after acute doxorubicin-induced injury, Defa4Cre-expressing cells contributed to regeneration in an ADAM10-Notch-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our studies have shown that Defa4Cre-expressing Paneth cells possess cellular plasticity, can dedifferentiate into multipotent stem cells upon Notch activation, and can contribute to intestinal regeneration in an acute injury model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C. Jones
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Constance D. Brindley
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nicholas H. Elder
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Martin G. Myers
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael W. Rajala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Digestive Disease and Transplantation, Einstein Health Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher M. Dekaney
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Eoin N. McNamee
- Mucosal Immunology Program, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mark R. Frey
- Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Noah F. Shroyer
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter J. Dempsey
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado,Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Peter J. Dempsey, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Building RC2 Room 6113, Aurora, Colorado 80045. fax: (303) 724-6538.
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Zhao Y, Chen Z, Cao Z, Li W, Wu Y. Defensins, a novel type of animal toxin-like potassium channel inhibitor. Toxicon 2018; 157:101-105. [PMID: 30472109 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The classical potassium channel inhibitors are toxin peptides from venomous animals, and whether there are peptide inhibitors from other species is an open question. Due to both the independent and interdependent relationships between the spear (peptide inhibitors) and the shield (potassium channels), human defensins were first identified by our group as endogenous potassium channel inhibitors. Encouraged by the discovery of human defensins as potassium channel inhibitors, defensins from invertebrates and fungi were successively found by our group to be potassium channel inhibitors. In addition, a plant defensin was reported to be a potassium channel inhibitor. Since defensins are widely produced by vertebrate, invertebrate, plant and fungi species, the recent work established a new research field on defensin-potassium channel interactions. Here, we review the current work on defensins from vertebrate, invertebrate, plant and fungi species as inhibitors of potassium channels and discuss future work in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Biodrug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Biodrug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Biodrug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Yang D, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Chen L, Liu Y, Cong M, Wu H, Li F, Ji C, Zhao J. A defensin-like antimicrobial peptide from the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum: Investigation of the antibacterial activities and mode of action. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2018; 80:274-280. [PMID: 29902560 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are small cysteine-rich cationic proteins that are ubiquitously present in both vertebrates and invertebrates and constitute the front line of host innate immunity. In the present study, a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide (designed as RpdefB) was identified and characterized from the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. The open reading frame of RpdefB encoded a 70-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 7.5 kDa and isoelectric point of 8.16. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analysis strongly suggested that RpdefB was a new member of the defensin family. In non-stimulated clams, RpdefB transcripts were constitutively expressed in all five tested tissues, especially in the hepatopancreas. After Vibrio anguillarum challenge, expression of RpdefB mRNA in hemocytes was significantly up-regulated at 6 h, 12 h and 72 h. The synthetic peptide RpdefB showed high antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio splendidus. Moreover, membrane integrity analysis revealed that RpdefB increased the membrane permeability of Escherichia coli and then resulted in cell death. Overall, our results suggested that RpdefB played an important role in the elimination of invading bacterium, perhaps through membrane-disruptive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinglong Yang
- Muping Coastal Environmental Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, PR China; Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Muping Coastal Environmental Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, PR China; Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China
| | - Qing Wang
- Muping Coastal Environmental Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, PR China; Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China
| | - Lizhu Chen
- Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai, 264006, PR China
| | - Yongliang Liu
- Muping Coastal Environmental Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, PR China
| | - Ming Cong
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China.
| | - Huifeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Fei Li
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Chenglong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Jianmin Zhao
- Muping Coastal Environmental Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, PR China; Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China.
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Shen B, Song J, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Liu G, Li X, Guo X, Li W, Cao Z, Wu Y. Triintsin, a human pathogenic fungus-derived defensin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Peptides 2018; 107:61-67. [PMID: 30102941 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Since there is a symbiotic and competitive relationship between microorganisms in the same ecological niche, fungal defensins have been found to be important resources for antimicrobial peptides. Here, a fungal defensin, triintsin, was characterized in a clinical isolate of Trichophyton interdigitale from a patient with onychomycosis. The comparison of its genomic and mRNA sequences showed the gene organization and structure of three coding exons separated by two introns. The precursor peptide of triintsin contained 85 amino acid residues, which were composed of three parts including an N-terminal signal domain of 21 residues, a pro-peptide of 47 residues that ended at lysine-arginine and a mature peptide of 38 residues at the C-terminus. The 3D-structure established by homology modeling revealed that triintsin presented a representative typical cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet fold. The reductive linear peptide of triintsin was obtained by chemical synthesis. After cyclization to form three pairs of disulfide bonds, the oxidative-type peptide displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also showed anti-fungal activity. Moreover, triintsin can effectively inhibit the growth of clinical strains. Altogether, the peptide is a human pathogenic fungus-derived defensin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingzheng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of pharmacy, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Jinchun Song
- Department of pharmacy, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yonghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yaoyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Gaomin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xueke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xingchen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research, Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Yada Y, Talactac MR, Kusakisako K, Hernandez EP, Galay RL, Andoh M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Hemolymph defensin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis attacks Gram-positive bacteria. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 156:14-18. [PMID: 30003919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are key vectors of some important diseases of humans and animals. Although they are carriers of disease agents, the viability and development of ticks are not harmed by the infectious agents due to their innate immunity. Antimicrobial peptides directly protect hosts against pathogenic agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Among the identified and characterized antimicrobial peptides, defensins have been considerably well studied. Defensins are commonly found among fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The sequence of the tick hemolymph defensin (HEdefensin) gene from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis was analyzed after identification and cloning from a cDNA library. HEdefensin has a predicted molecular mass of 8.15 kDa including signal peptides and a theoretical isoelectric point of 9.48. Six cysteine residues were also identified in the amino acids. The synthetic HEdefensin peptide only showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Micrococcus luteus. A fluorescence propidium iodide exclusion assay also showed that HEdefensin increased the membrane permeability of M. luteus. Additionally, an indirect fluorescent antibody test showed that HEdefensin binds to M. luteus. These results suggested that HEdefensin strongly affects the innate immunity of ticks against Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurika Yada
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Melbourne Rio Talactac
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Cavite 4122, Philippines
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Pacia Hernandez
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Masako Andoh
- Laboratory of Public Health, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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Sun X, Xiu F, Pan B, Li Y, Haskins JT, Shen W, Li J. Antimicrobial peptide expression in swine granulosa cells in response to lipopolysaccharide. Theriogenology 2018; 119:80-90. [PMID: 29982140 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are host defense peptides present in all species examined. The objective of the current study was to characterize the expression of a group of antimicrobial peptides in ovarian cells, and to investigate their expression response to pathogen ligands. It was found that while PG1 transcript was not detected in the ovary, the expression of BD2 is the highest in small follicle derived granulosa cells (SGC), and its expression decreases during follicular development to large follicle stage (LGC; p < 0.05). The expression of BD2 in cumulus cells also decreased from GV to MII stage of oocyte maturation. ANG4 expression increased in granulosa cells during follicular development from SGC to LGC stage (p < 0.05), although no significant difference was observed in cumulus cells from different stages of oocyte maturation. We further examined AMP expression in follicle cells treated with different toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands which mimic pathogen exposure in the ovary. Of the four TLR ligands examined, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure resulted in a 11.5 fold increase of BD2 expression, and a significant decrease of LYZ in LGC. A similar response pattern in BD2 and LYZ expression was also observed in SGC. These responses of AMP expression to LPS are associated with increased TLR4 signaling pathway component in mRNA and protein level, such as MyD88 and NFkB, and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, such as IL-6, TNFα and IL-8 (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that AMPs may play a role in innate defense as well as other physiological functions during ovarian follicular development and oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China; Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fangming Xiu
- Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Translational Medicine, The SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bo Pan
- Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yapeng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - James T Haskins
- Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Julang Li
- Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Park MS, Kim JI, Lee I, Park S, Bae JY, Park MS. Towards the Application of Human Defensins as Antivirals. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2018; 26:242-254. [PMID: 29310427 PMCID: PMC5933891 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2017.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that participate in the innate immunity of hosts. Humans constitutively and/or inducibly express α- and β-defensins, which are known for their antiviral and antibacterial activities. This review describes the application of human defensins. We discuss the extant experimental results, limited though they are, to consider the potential applicability of human defensins as antiviral agents. Given their antiviral effects, we propose that basic research be conducted on human defensins that focuses on RNA viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and dengue virus (DENV), which are considered serious human pathogens but have posed huge challenges for vaccine development for different reasons. Concerning the prophylactic and therapeutic applications of defensins, we then discuss the applicability of human defensins as antivirals that has been demonstrated in reports using animal models. Finally, we discuss the potential adjuvant-like activity of human defensins and propose an exploration of the ‘defensin vaccine’ concept to prime the body with a controlled supply of human defensins. In sum, we suggest a conceptual framework to achieve the practical application of human defensins to combat viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee Sook Park
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Il Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilseob Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehee Park
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Yong Bae
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Seong Park
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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Neelabh, Singh K, Rani J. Sequential and Structural Aspects of Antifungal Peptides from Animals, Bacteria and Fungi Based on Bioinformatics Tools. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2018; 8:85-101. [PMID: 27060002 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-016-9212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Emerging drug resistance varieties and hyper-virulent strains of microorganisms have compelled the scientific fraternity to develop more potent and less harmful therapeutics. Antimicrobial peptides could be one of such therapeutics. This review is an attempt to explore antifungal peptides naturally produced by prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes. They are components of innate immune system providing first line of defence against microbial attacks, especially in eukaryotes. The present article concentrates on types, structures, sources and mode of action of gene-encoded antifungal peptides such as mammalian defensins, protegrins, tritrpticins, histatins, lactoferricins, antifungal peptides derived from birds, amphibians, insects, fungi, bacteria and their synthetic analogues such as pexiganan, omiganan, echinocandins and Novexatin. In silico drug designing, a major revolution in the area of therapeutics, facilitates drug development by exploiting different bioinformatics tools. With this view, bioinformatics tools were used to visualize the structural details of antifungal peptides and to predict their level of similarity. Current practices and recent developments in this area have also been discussed briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelabh
- Department of Zoology (MMV), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Karuna Singh
- Department of Zoology (MMV), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
| | - Jyoti Rani
- Department of Zoology (MMV), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
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Chérasse S, Baer B, Schiøtt M, Boomsma JJ. Differential immune gene expression in sperm storage organs of leaf-cutting ants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.173435. [PMID: 29444846 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.173435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Leaf-cutting ant queens mate with multiple males during a single nuptial flight and store sperm for up to two decades. During mating, males transfer sperm from their accessory testes to the queen bursa copulatrix from where it enters the spermatheca, an insect sperm storage organ that has become highly specialized in long-lived ant queens who never re-mate later in life. Long-term storage without the possibility to obtain new sperm creates an immune defence dilemma, because recognition of non-self cells eliminates infections but may also target irreplaceable sperm and reduce lifetime reproductive success. We therefore hypothesized that non-specific immune responses, like pathogen melanization, should be silenced in the spermatheca, because they rely on general non-self recognition, and that specific responses such as antimicrobial peptides are activated instead as they specifically target pathogenic bacteria and/or fungi. The maintenance of uninfected sperm cells by males before mating is not constrained by non-self recognition, meaning immune regulation might be more liberal in male reproductive organs. To test this hypothesis, we measured gene expression of two antimicrobial peptides, abaecin and defensin, and prophenoloxidase, an important enzyme of the melanization pathway, in male accessory glands and testes and in queen bursae copulatrix and spermathecae of Acromyrmex echinatior and Atta colombica leaf-cutting ants. As expected, prophenoloxidase expression was low in reproductive organs that sustain prolonged contact with sperm, whereas antimicrobial peptides showed average to high expression, indicating that leaf-cutting ants invest in specific rather than generalist immune defences for pathogen protection in organs that store sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Chérasse
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark .,Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Organism Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP 160/12, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Boris Baer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER), Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Morten Schiøtt
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacobus J Boomsma
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Couto J, Tonk M, Ferrolho J, Antunes S, Vilcinskas A, de la Fuente J, Domingos A, Cabezas-Cruz A. Antiplasmodial activity of tick defensins in a mouse model of malaria. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:844-849. [PMID: 29567145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease affecting millions of people mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and some South American countries. Drug resistance to first-line antimalarial drugs (e.g. chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemisinin) is a major constrain in malaria control. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown promising results in controlling Plasmodium spp. parasitemia in in vitro and in vivo models of infection. Defensins are AMPs that act primarily by disrupting the integrity of cell membranes of invasive microbes. We previously showed that defensins from the tick Ixodes ricinus inhibited significantly the growth of P. falciparum in vitro, a property that was conserved during evolution. Here, we tested the activity of three I. ricinus defensins against P. chabaudi in mice. A single dose of defensin (120 μl of 1 mg/ml solution) was administered intravenously to P. chabaudi-infected mice, and the parasitemia was followed for 24 h post-treatment. Defensin treatment inhibited significantly the replication (measured as increases in parasitemia) of P. chabaudi after 1 h and 12 h of treatment. Furthermore, defensin injection was not associated with toxicity. These results agreed with the previous report of antiplasmodial activity of tick defensins against P. falciparum in vitro and justify further studies for the use of tick defensins to control malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Couto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine - Instituto de Higiene e Medicina, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHMT-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miray Tonk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, D-35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Joana Ferrolho
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine - Instituto de Higiene e Medicina, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHMT-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine - Instituto de Higiene e Medicina, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHMT-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, D-35394 Giessen, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
| | - Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine - Instituto de Higiene e Medicina, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHMT-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Meng DM, Lv YJ, Zhao JF, Liu QY, Shi LY, Wang JP, Yang YH, Fan ZC. Efficient production of a recombinant Venerupis philippinarum defensin (VpDef) in Pichia pastoris and characterization of its antibacterial activity and stability. Protein Expr Purif 2018. [PMID: 29524591 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
VpDef is a novel defensin isolated from the clam Venerupis philippinarum. Previously it was expressed in Escherichia coli; however, the E. coli-derived recombinant VpDef did not show effective antimicrobial activity against Staphyloccocus aureus or the Gram-negative bacteria tested. As such, the goal of this study was to design, express, and purify a recombinant VpDef (rVpDef) in Pichia pastoris and to determine its antibacterial potency and stability. A 6.9 KDa rVpDef was successfully expressed as a secreted peptide in P. pastoris, and the amount of rVpDef accumulation was shown to reach as high as approximate 60 μg per 1 ml of culture medium only after an initial optimization was performed. The purified rVpDef demonstrated a broad antibacterial spectrum and was active against six typical common bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. A minimal inhibition concentration of as low as 50 μg/ml was observed for rVpDef against the growth of E. coli O157 (ATCC 35150). Moreover, rVpDef was tolerant to temperature shock and proteinase digestion and maintained a high stability over a relatively broad pH range. In addition, rVpDef had a low hemolytic activity against rabbit erythrocytes. Taken together, this study demonstrated that rVpDef could be produced in a large-scale manner in P. pastoris and has a good antibacterial activity and suitable stability. This is the first report on heterologous expression of a biologically active VpDef in P. pastoris, supporting its use for both research and application purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Mei Meng
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Lab of Industrial Microbiology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Jie Lv
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Fang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Yue Shi
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Hai Yang
- Tianjin Haifa Sea Food Industrial Development Co., LTD, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Chuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Health Biotechnology, International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China; Obesita & Algaegen LLC, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
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71
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Gankovskaya LV, Bykova VP, Namasova-Baranova LS, Karaulov AV, Rahmanova IV, Gankovskii VA, Merkushova CD, Svitich OA. Innate immunity gene expression by epithelial cells of upper respiratory tract in children with adenoid hypertrophy. Auris Nasus Larynx 2018; 45:753-759. [PMID: 29500040 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major role of the innate immunity in the defence of mucosal tissue is well established. However, a balance between the main components of the immunity such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and defensins in the pathology of upper respiratory tract in children has not been addressed yet. Our aim was to investigate the gene expression of some TLRs as well as alpha and beta-defensins in children suffered from adenoid hyperthrophy in comparison with healthy children. METHODS Samples (nasal epithelium and adenoids) from patients with hypertrophic adenoids (n = 77) and control group (n = 33) were investigated. Quantification of HBD-1 and 2 mRNA, alpha-defensin-HNP1 and toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, 4 and 9 mRNA expression was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The detection of TLR4 and TLR9 was performed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The main finding of the study is a dramatic up-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 expression (but down-regulation of TLR9) along with a significant reduction in the expression of the defensins in children with adenoid hyperthrophy. CONCLUSION The data suggest that one of the mechanisms of mucosal involvement in the pathogenesis of upper respiratory tract infection might by a disbalance between TLRs and defensins revealed in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leila Seimurovna Namasova-Baranova
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Federal State Budget Institution "Scientific Centre of Children Health", Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Viktorovich Karaulov
- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | | | | | - Oksana Anatolievna Svitich
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation; I.Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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72
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Wang Y, Zeng Z, Zhang X, Shi Q, Wang C, Hu Z, Li H. Identification and characterization of a novel defensin from Asian green mussel Perna viridis. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2018; 74:242-249. [PMID: 29278736 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Defensin is one of the most diversified groups of antimicrobial peptides in invertebrate. In the present study, a novel defensin member referred as Pv-Def was identified and characterized from Asian green mussel Perna viridis. Using in silico survey of several EST databases released from diverse tissues of P. viridis, a single peptide referred as Pv-Def was predicted as defensin homologue with Mytilus counterparts. Further analysis on gene structure revealed that Pv-Def was 1001 nt in length and consisted of 3 exons and 2 introns. The precursor of Pv-Def was composed of a signal peptide of 19 amino acids and a mature peptide of 45 amino acids. The mature Pv-Def peptide contains 6 cysteines which formed 3 disulfide bonds at 27C1- 54C4, 40C2- 60C5 and 44C3- 62C6. Like most of the defensin family members, mature Pv-Def peptide included an alpha helix and 2 beta strands. Pv-Def showed significantly tissue-specific expression pattern, while highest transcription level was observed in hepatopancreas, which was about 900 folds to that in hemocytes. Moreover, the expression of Pv-Def mRNA in hemocytes was significantly and accurately up-regulated at different time intervals by Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Pv-Def possesses closest relationships with arthropods counterparts rather than other mollusk defensins. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a defensin member was reported in Asian green mussel P. viridis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-environmental Science, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Zeng
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Fisheries, BGI, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Qiong Shi
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Fisheries, BGI, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Chaogang Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-environmental Science, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Zhangli Hu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-environmental Science, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Hui Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-environmental Science, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
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73
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Weerawanich K, Webster G, Ma JKC, Phoolcharoen W, Sirikantaramas S. Gene expression analysis, subcellular localization, and in planta antimicrobial activity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) defensin 7 and 8. Plant Physiol Biochem 2018; 124:160-166. [PMID: 29414311 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a group of plant antimicrobial peptides. In a previous study, it was reported that two recombinant rice (Oryza sativa L.) defensin (OsDEF) genes (OsDEF7 and OsDEF8) produced heterologously by bacteria inhibited the growth of several phytopathogen. Here, we analyzed gene expression patterns in Thai jasmine rice (O. sativa L. ssp. indica 'KDML 105') using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and compared them with those in Japanese rice (O. sativa L. ssp. japonica 'Nipponbare'). Although the cultivars exhibited similar gene expression patterns at the developmental stages examined, the expression levels differed between organs. Upon Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae infection in the leaves, both OsDEFs were highly upregulated at 8 days post-infection, suggesting that they play a role in pathogen defense. Moreover, in silico analyses revealed that OsDEF expression levels were affected by drought, cold, imbibition, anoxia, and dehydration stress. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions, we found that both OsDEFs were in the extracellular compartment, confirming their functions against pathogen infection. However, when recombinant OsDEFs (without GFP) were produced in tobacco BY-2 cells or Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, they could not be detected in either the culture medium or the cells. Yet, N. benthamiana leaves infiltrated with OsDEF7 or OsDEF8 constructs exhibited in planta inhibitory activity against the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines, suggesting that recombinant OsDEFs were present. Additionally, when targeting them to the ER compartment, recombinant OsDEFs could be detected. Lower inhibitory activity was observed when recombinant OsDEFs were targeted to the ER. These results suggest that OsDEFs play a role in controlling plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamonwan Weerawanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gina Webster
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Julian K-C Ma
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supaart Sirikantaramas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Natural Product Biotechnology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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74
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Parisi K, Shafee TMA, Quimbar P, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The evolution, function and mechanisms of action for plant defensins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 88:107-118. [PMID: 29432955 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are an extensive family of small cysteine rich proteins characterised by a conserved cysteine stabilised alpha beta protein fold which resembles the structure of insect and vertebrate defensins. However, secondary structure and disulphide topology indicates two independent superfamilies of defensins with similar structures that have arisen via an extreme case of convergent evolution. Defensins from plants and insects belong to the cis-defensin superfamily whereas mammalian defensins belong to the trans-defensin superfamily. Plant defensins are produced by all species of plants and although the structure is highly conserved, the amino acid sequences are highly variable with the exception of the cysteine residues that form the stabilising disulphide bonds and a few other conserved residues. The majority of plant defensins are components of the plant innate immune system but others have evolved additional functions ranging from roles in sexual reproduction and development to metal tolerance. This review focuses on the antifungal mechanisms of plant defensins. The activity of plant defensins is not limited to plant pathogens and many of the described mechanisms have been elucidated using yeast models. These mechanisms are more complex than simple membrane permeabilisation induced by many small antimicrobial peptides. Common themes that run through the characterised mechanisms are interactions with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species and induction of cell wall stress. Links between sequence motifs and functions are highlighted where appropriate. The complexity of the interactions between plant defensins and fungi helps explain why this protein superfamily is ubiquitous in plant innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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75
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Kalenik BM, Góra-Sochacka A, Sirko A. Β- defensins - Underestimated peptides in influenza combat. Virus Res 2018; 247:10-14. [PMID: 29421304 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a family of host defense peptides present in vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. They display broad antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory functions. Herein, the natural anti-influenzal role of β-defensins, as well as their potential usage as anti-influenza vaccine adjuvants and therapeutic agents, is reviewed. This article summarizes previously published information on β-defensin modes of action, expression changes after influenza infection and vaccination, biotechnological usage and possible boosting of their production by dietary supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Małgorzata Kalenik
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Góra-Sochacka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sirko
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
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76
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Elhamouly M, Terada T, Nii T, Isobe N, Yoshimura Y. Innate antiviral immune response against infectious bronchitis virus and involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the uterine mucosa of laying hens. Theriogenology 2018; 110:122-9. [PMID: 29407895 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an enveloped RNA virus that causes deformities in eggshells. The aim of this study was to investigate the innate immune response to IBV, and to determine whether prostaglandin (PG) E2, which is synthesized during inflammation, is involved in the innate immune response in the uterine mucosa. The effects of intra-oviductal inoculation with attenuated IBV (aIBV) on the expression of viral RNA recognition receptors and innate antiviral factors were examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, and on PGE2 levels by ELISA. Then, the effects of PGE2 on the expression of innate antiviral factors in cultured uterine mucosal cells were examined. The results showed that the expression of RNA virus pattern recognition receptors (TLR3, 7, and MDA5), antimicrobial peptides (avian β-defensins, including AvBD1, 2, 4-6 and cathelicidins, including CATH1 and 3), and interferons (IFNα, β, γ, λ) were upregulated, and the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (PG synthase) and the level of PGE2 were increased in the uterine mucosa following aIBV inoculation. The number of AvBD2-positive cells in the mucosa also increased in response to aIBV. In cultured mucosal cells (mainly epithelial), the expression of AvBD4, 10-13 and IFNα, β, and λ was upregulated following incubation with 500 nM PGE2. These results suggest that the expression of viral RNA-recognition receptors, AvBDs, CATHs, and IFNs and PGE2 are induced by the IBV antigen, and that the expression of a different set of AvBDs is also induced by PGE2 in the cultured uterine mucosal cells. These antiviral factors may play a role in the protection of the uterine mucosa from IBV infection.
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DANESHVAR H, TAVAKOLI KARESHK A, SHARIFI I, KEYHANI A, TAVAKOLI OLIAEE R, ASADI A. Host-parasite Responses Outcome Regulate the Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide Genes in the Skin of BALB/c and C57BL/6 Murine Strains Following Leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER Infection. Iran J Parasitol 2018; 13:515-523. [PMID: 30697304 PMCID: PMC6348226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different background of immunity responses determine resistance or susceptibility of certain mouse strains to Leishmania major infection. Some have been well known previously. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as cathelicidins and defensins are unique fragments of innate immunity system with well-known effects against the invasion pathogens. Despite their outstanding roles and being of extensive cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. major, they have been less studied in Leishmania fields. The aim of present study was to determine whether these components play a role in the protection of skin against Leishmania infections. METHODS The animal model of Leishmania infection was established by the subcutaneous inoculation of 5×106(parasites/ml) from the stationary phase of L. major promastigotes to BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice from January 2016 to August 2016 in Kerman Province, southeast of Iran. After 1, 3 and 7 d of post-infection (PI), the samples needed for detecting of the mRNA levels of mouse beta-defensin (mBD)-1, mBD2, mBD3, mBD4, mBD6, cathlin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and parasite load were taken under standard methods. RESULTS The findings related to cytokines profiles in BALB/c (↑IL-10, ↓IL-12) and C57BL/6 mouse strains (↓IL-10, ↑IL-12) demonstrated that immunity system has been accurately activated during CL caused by L. Major parasites. We also observed a significant up-regulation of all aforementioned AMPs genes in BALB/c mice at selected times compared to another strain. CONCLUSION CL occurred in BALB/c mice in spite of the fact that the expression of AMPs was higher than the other strain. AMPs genes are well expressed to provide defense against the parasites that have increased and escaped from immunity system but cannot create an absolute protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid DANESHVAR
- Dept. of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir TAVAKOLI KARESHK
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Iraj SHARIFI
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza KEYHANI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Razieh TAVAKOLI OLIAEE
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Arash ASADI
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,Correspondence
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Mondragón-Palomino M, Stam R, John-Arputharaj A, Dresselhaus T. Diversification of defensins and NLRs in Arabidopsis species by different evolutionary mechanisms. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:255. [PMID: 29246101 PMCID: PMC5731061 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genes encoding proteins underlying host-pathogen co-evolution and which are selected for new resistance specificities frequently are under positive selection, a process that maintains diversity. Here, we tested the contribution of natural selection, recombination and transcriptional divergence to the evolutionary diversification of the plant defensins superfamily in three Arabidopsis species. The intracellular NOD-like receptor (NLR) family was used for comparison because positive selection has been well documented in its members. Similar to defensins, NLRs are encoded by a large and polymorphic gene family and many of their members are involved in the immune response. RESULTS Gene trees of Arabidopsis defensins (DEFLs) show a high prevalence of clades containing orthologs. This indicates that their diversity dates back to a common ancestor and species-specific duplications did not significantly contribute to gene family expansion. DEFLs are characterized by a pervasive pattern of neutral evolution with infrequent positive and negative selection as well as recombination. In comparison, most NLR alignment groups are characterized by frequent occurrence of positive selection and recombination in their leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain as well negative selection in their nucleotide-binding (NB-ARC) domain. While major NLR subgroups are expressed in pistils and leaves both in presence or absence of pathogen infection, the members of DEFL alignment groups are predominantly transcribed in pistils. Furthermore, conserved groups of NLRs and DEFLs are differentially expressed in response to Fusarium graminearum regardless of whether these genes are under positive selection or not. CONCLUSIONS The present analyses of NLRs expands previous studies in Arabidopsis thaliana and highlights contrasting patterns of purifying and diversifying selection affecting different gene regions. DEFL genes show a different evolutionary trend, with fewer recombination events and significantly fewer instances of natural selection. Their heterogeneous expression pattern suggests that transcriptional divergence probably made the major contribution to functional diversification. In comparison to smaller families encoding pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins under positive selection, DEFLs are involved in a wide variety of processes that altogether might pose structural and functional trade-offs to their family-wide pattern of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mondragón-Palomino
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Universitätstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Remco Stam
- Chair of Phytopathology, Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Emil-Ramann-Str. 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Ajay John-Arputharaj
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Universitätstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dresselhaus
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Universitätstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
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Sun T, Pan W, Song Y, Zhang J, Wang J, Dai J. Functional characterization of two defensins, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2, from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:455. [PMID: 28969703 PMCID: PMC5625651 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2397-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are second to mosquitoes as vectors of human arthropod-borne diseases. Ticks rely heavily on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to defend against microbes and defensins are major components of innate immunity in ticks. Results Two novel defensin genes, named HlDFS1 and HlDFS2, were identified from a cDNA library of the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis collected in southeast China. The peptides encoded by both genes shares typical features of type-2 arthropod defensin superfamily. The expressions of both genes increased in ticks during blood-feeding. The synthetic minimum functional peptides HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 exhibit bactericidal activity to some drug resistant bacteria. HlDFS1, but not HlDFS2, showed inhibitory activity against fungus Candida albicans. HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 had no significant hemolysis effect on human erythrocytes at low concentrations and did not impair mammalian cell survival. Finally, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 significantly protected mice against lethal infection by Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. Conclusions HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 are two novel functional defensins from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. They showed bactericidal activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and significantly protect mice against lethal bacterial infection. Thus, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 can be introduced to the medical field as new drug candidates with antibacterial activity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2397-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta Sun
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Pan
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhui Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingpin Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianfeng Dai
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Guillén-Chable F, Arenas-Sosa I, Islas-Flores I, Corzo G, Martinez-Liu C, Estrada G. Antibacterial activity and phospholipid recognition of the recombinant defensin J1-1 from Capsicum genus. Protein Expr Purif 2017. [PMID: 28624494 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The gene of the four disulfide-bridged defensin J1-1 from Capsicum was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag as fusion protein. This construct was transfected into Origami strain of Escherichia coli and expressed after induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The level of expression was 4 mg/L of culture medium, and the His-tagged recombinant defensin (HisXarJ1-1) was expressed exclusively into inclusion bodies. After solubilization, HisXarJ1-1 was purified by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reverse-phase HPLC profile of the HisXarJ1-1 product obtained from the affinity chromatography step showed single main peptide fraction of molecular masses of 7050.6 Da and after treatment with DTT a single fraction of 7, 042.6 Da corresponding to the reduced peptide was observed. An in vitro folding step of the HisXarJ1-1 generated a distinct profile of oxidized forms of the peptide this oxidized peptide was capable of binding phosphatidic acid in vitro. Possible dimer and oligomer of HisXarJ1-1 were visible in gel electrophoresis and immunodetected with anti-His antibodies. Pure recombinant defensin HisXarJ1-1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guillén-Chable
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Iván Arenas-Sosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Ignacio Islas-Flores
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Cynthia Martinez-Liu
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Georgina Estrada
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México.
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81
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Kawada-Matsuo M, Komatsuzawa H. Role of Streptococcus mutans two-component systems in antimicrobial peptide resistance in the oral cavity. Jpn Dent Sci Rev 2017; 53:86-94. [PMID: 28725299 PMCID: PMC5501732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdsr.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 100 trillion microorganisms exist in the oral cavity. For the commensal bacteria of the oral cavity, it is important to adapt to environmental stimuli, including human- or bacteria-derived antimicrobial agents. Recently, bacterial-specific signal transduction regulatory systems, called two-component systems (TCSs), which appear to be focused on sensing and adapting to the environment, were discovered. Streptococcus mutans is an oral commensal bacteria and is also known as a cariogenic bacteria. Although the virulence factors of S. mutans have been well demonstrated, the mechanism underlying the adaptation of the species to the oral cavity is poorly understood. S. mutans UA159 has 15 sets of TCSs. Among them, several have been demonstrated to be involved in acid tolerance, competence and biofilm formation. Recently, together with our findings, it was demonstrated that 5 TCSs were involved in resistance to antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, another TCS was associated with the production of bacteriocin. Six of 15 TCSs are associated with antimicrobial agents, implying that S. mutans can survive in the oral cavity by resisting various antimicrobial peptides. In this review, we highlight the role of antimicrobial peptides in the oral cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miki Kawada-Matsuo
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Komatsuzawa
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
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82
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Kaur J, Shah D, Fellers J. Phenotypic Characterization of Transgenic Wheat Lines Against Fungal Pathogens Puccinia triticina and Fusarium graminearum. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1679:269-276. [PMID: 28913807 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7337-8_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Leaf rust (LR) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Puccinia triticina and Fusarium graminearum, respectively, are among the most damaging fungal diseases challenging wheat production worldwide. Genetic resistance in combination with fungicide application has been the most widely employed approach to combat these fungal pathogens. Alternative approaches that could augment current practices are needed for the control of these devastating pathogens. To that end, we have recently shown that the extracellular expression of antifungal defensin MtDEF4.2 from Medicago truncatula confers resistance to LR. Additionally, we show that expression of this defensin also provides Type II resistance to FHB under controlled growth chamber conditions. These findings have practical applications for control of these important fungal diseases in wheat. Here, we provide details on conducting LR and FHB bioassays of transgenic wheat lines in the growth chamber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdeep Kaur
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 North Warson Road, Saint Louis, MO, 63132, USA.
| | - Dilip Shah
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 North Warson Road, Saint Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - John Fellers
- Department of Plant Pathology, USDA-ARS-HWWGRU, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
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83
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Jones EA, Cheng Y, O'Meally D, Belov K. Characterization of the antimicrobial peptide family defensins in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Immunogenetics 2017; 69:133-43. [PMID: 27838759 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-016-0959-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defensins comprise a family of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides with important roles in innate and adaptive immune defense in vertebrates. We characterized alpha and beta defensin genes in three Australian marsupials: the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and identified 48, 34, and 39 defensins, respectively. One hundred and twelve have the classical antimicrobial peptides characteristics required for pathogen membrane targeting, including cationic charge (between 1+ and 15+) and a high proportion of hydrophobic residues (>30%). Phylogenetic analysis shows that gene duplication has driven unique and species-specific expansions of devil, koala, and tammar wallaby beta defensins and devil alpha defensins. Defensin genes are arranged in three genomic clusters in marsupials, whereas further duplications and translocations have occurred in eutherians resulting in four and five gene clusters in mice and humans, respectively. Marsupial defensins are generally under purifying selection, particularly residues essential for defensin structural stability. Certain hydrophobic or positively charged sites, predominantly found in the defensin loop, are positively selected, which may have functional significance in defensin-target interaction and membrane insertion.
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84
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Tantong S, Pringsulaka O, Weerawanich K, Meeprasert A, Rungrotmongkol T, Sarnthima R, Roytrakul S, Sirikantaramas S. Two novel antimicrobial defensins from rice identified by gene coexpression network analyses. Peptides 2016; 84:7-16. [PMID: 27527801 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Defensins form an antimicrobial peptides (AMP) family, and have been widely studied in various plants because of their considerable inhibitory functions. However, their roles in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have not been characterized, even though rice is one of the most important staple crops that is susceptible to damaging infections. Additionally, a previous study identified 598 rice genes encoding cysteine-rich peptides, suggesting there are several uncharacterized AMPs in rice. We performed in silico gene expression and coexpression network analyses of all genes encoding defensin and defensin-like peptides, and determined that OsDEF7 and OsDEF8 are coexpressed with pathogen-responsive genes. Recombinant OsDEF7 and OsDEF8 could form homodimers. They inhibited the growth of the bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, X. oryzae pv. oryzicola, and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.6 to 63μg/mL. However, these OsDEFs are weakly active against the phytopathogenic fungi Helminthosporium oryzae and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. This study describes a useful method for identifying potential plant AMPs with biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supaluk Tantong
- Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Onanong Pringsulaka
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
| | - Kamonwan Weerawanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Arthitaya Meeprasert
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Rakrudee Sarnthima
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44150, Thailand.
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Supaart Sirikantaramas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Omics Sciences and Bioinformatics Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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85
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Cuperus T, van Dijk A, Dwars RM, Haagsman HP. Localization and developmental expression of two chicken host defense peptides: cathelicidin-2 and avian β- defensin 9. Dev Comp Immunol 2016; 61:48-59. [PMID: 26972737 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the first weeks of life young chickens are highly susceptible to infectious diseases due to immaturity of the immune system. Little is known about the expression of host defense peptides (HDPs) during this period. In this study we examined the expression pattern of two chicken HDPs, the cathelicidin CATH-2 and the β-defensin AvBD9 by immunohistochemistry in a set of organs from embryonic day 12 until four weeks posthatch. AvBD9 was predominantly found in enteroendocrine cells throughout the intestine, the first report of in vivo HDP expression in this cell type, and showed stable expression levels during development. CATH-2 was exclusively found in heterophils which decreased after hatch in most of the examined organs including spleen, bursa and small intestine. In the lung CATH-2 expression was biphasic and peaked at the first day posthatch. In short, CATH-2 and AvBD9 appear to be expressed in cell types strategically located to respond to infectious stimuli, suggesting these peptides play a role in embryonic and early posthatch defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tryntsje Cuperus
- Division of Molecular Host Defence, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert van Dijk
- Division of Molecular Host Defence, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - R Marius Dwars
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Henk P Haagsman
- Division of Molecular Host Defence, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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86
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Chawla LS, Toma I, Davison D, Vaziri K, Lee J, Lucas R, Seneff MG, Nyhan A, McCaffrey TA. Acute appendicitis: transcript profiling of blood identifies promising biomarkers and potential underlying processes. BMC Med Genomics 2016; 9:40. [PMID: 27417541 PMCID: PMC4946184 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-016-0200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diagnosis of acute appendicitis can be surprisingly difficult without computed tomography, which carries significant radiation exposure. Circulating blood cells may carry informative changes in their RNA expression profile that would signal internal infection or inflammation of the appendix. Methods Genome-wide expression profiling was applied to whole blood RNA of acute appendicitis patients versus patients with other abdominal disorders, in order to identify biomarkers of appendicitis. From a large cohort of emergency patients, a discovery set of patients with surgically confirmed appendicitis, or abdominal pain from other causes, was identified. RNA from whole blood was profiled by microarrays, and RNA levels were filtered by a combined fold-change (>2) and p value (<0.05). A separate set of patients, including patients with respiratory infections, was used to validate a partial least squares discriminant (PLSD) prediction model. Results Transcript profiling identified 37 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in appendicitis versus abdominal pain patients. The DEG list contained 3 major ontologies: infection-related, inflammation-related, and ribosomal processing. Appendicitis patients had lower level of neutrophil defensin mRNA (DEFA1,3), but higher levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) and interleukin-8 receptor-ß (CXCR2/IL8RB), which was confirmed in a larger cohort of 60 patients using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Conclusions Patients with acute appendicitis have detectable changes in the mRNA expression levels of factors related to neutrophil innate defense systems. The low defensin mRNA levels suggest that appendicitis patient’s immune cells are not directly activated by pathogens, but are primed by diffusible factors in the microenvironment of the infection. The detected biomarkers are consistent with prior evidence that biofilm-forming bacteria in the appendix may be an important factor in appendicitis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-016-0200-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakhmir S Chawla
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.,The Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Ian Toma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genomic Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Danielle Davison
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Khashayar Vaziri
- Department of Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Juliet Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.,Department of Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Raymond Lucas
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University Medical School and GW Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael G Seneff
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University Medical School and GW Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aoibhinn Nyhan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genomic Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Timothy A McCaffrey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genomic Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 I Street, NW Ross 443, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
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87
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Coyle C, Wheelhouse N, Jacques M, Longbottom D, Svoboda P, Pohl J, Duncan WC, Rae MT, Barlow PG. Ovine trophoblasts express cathelicidin host defence peptide in response to infection. J Reprod Immunol 2016; 117:10-6. [PMID: 27348190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cationic host defence peptides (CHDP; also known as antimicrobial peptides) are key components of the immune response in the female reproductive tract. The role of the placental trophoblast in ovine host defence remains poorly understood. This study characterises expression of genes for cathelicidin and defensin peptides in primary ovine placental tissues, the ovine trophoblast cell line (AH-1) and in response to the TLR-4 ligand LPS, the abortifacient organism Waddlia chondrophila and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Using RT-PCR, expression of the CHDP SMAP-29, sBD-1 and sBD-2 was assessed in the AH-1 cell line in response to LPS, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 exposure (a known stimulator of cathelicidin gene expression), or W. chondrophila infection. Expression of cathelicidin in the trophoblast compartment of the ovine placenta and in the ovine trophoblast cell line (AH-1) was also established. AH-1 cells did not upregulate expression of CHDP in response to LPS, but sBD-1 and sBD-2 expression was significantly increased in response to W. chondrophila infection. SMAP-29 expression was not altered by in vitro exposure to 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. This study demonstrates that the ovine trophoblast expresses cathelicidins, but does not upregulate expression of CHDP in response to LPS. Ovine trophoblasts are shown to differentially regulate expression of CHDP and lack a demonstrable vitamin D-mediated cathelicidin response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Coyle
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Wheelhouse
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Maxime Jacques
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, United Kingdom
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Pavel Svoboda
- Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA 30333, United States
| | - Jan Pohl
- Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA 30333, United States
| | - W Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queens Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael T Rae
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, United Kingdom
| | - Peter G Barlow
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, United Kingdom.
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88
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Findlay F, Proudfoot L, Stevens C, Barlow PG. Cationic host defense peptides; novel antimicrobial therapeutics against Category A pathogens and emerging infections. Pathog Glob Health 2016; 110:137-47. [PMID: 27315342 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2016.1195036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic Host Defense Peptides (HDP, also known as antimicrobial peptides) are crucial components of the innate immune system and possess broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activities. They can contribute to the rapid clearance of biological agents through direct killing of the organisms, inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators such as lipopolysaccharide, and by modulating the inflammatory response to infection. Category A biological agents and materials, as classified by the United States National Institutes for Health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Department of Homeland Security, carry the most severe threat in terms of human health, transmissibility, and preparedness. As such, there is a pressing need for novel frontline approaches for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by these organisms, and exploiting the broad antimicrobial activity exhibited by cationic host defense peptides represents an exciting priority area for clinical research. This review will summarize what is known about the antimicrobial and antiviral effects of the two main families of cationic host defense peptides, cathelicidins, and defensins in the context of Category A biological agents which include, but are not limited to; anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), plague (Yersinia pestis), smallpox (Variola major), tularemia (Francisella tularensis). In addition, we highlight priority areas, particularly emerging viral infections, where more extensive research is urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fern Findlay
- a School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences , Edinburgh Napier University , Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN , UK
| | - Lorna Proudfoot
- a School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences , Edinburgh Napier University , Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN , UK
| | - Craig Stevens
- a School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences , Edinburgh Napier University , Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN , UK
| | - Peter G Barlow
- a School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences , Edinburgh Napier University , Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN , UK
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89
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Lacerda AF, Del Sarto RP, Silva MS, de Vasconcelos EAR, Coelho RR, dos Santos VO, Godoy CV, Seixas CDS, da Silva MCM, Grossi-de-Sa MF. The recombinant pea defensin Drr230a is active against impacting soybean and cotton pathogenic fungi from the genera Fusarium, Colletotrichum and Phakopsora. 3 Biotech 2016; 6:59. [PMID: 28330129 PMCID: PMC4752952 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-015-0320-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are antifungal peptides produced by the innate immune system plants developed to circumvent fungal infection. The defensin Drr230a, originally isolated from pea, has been previously shown to be active against various entomopathogenic and phytopathogenic fungi. In the present study, the activity of a yeast-expressed recombinant Drr230a protein (rDrr230a) was tested against impacting soybean and cotton fungi. First, the gene was subcloned into the yeast expression vector pPICZαA and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Resulting rDrr230a exhibited in vitro activity against fungal growth and spore germination of Fusarium tucumaniae, which causes soybean sudden death syndrome, and against Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides, which causes cotton ramulosis. The rDrr230a IC50 corresponding to inhibition of fungal growth of F. tucumaniae and C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides was 7.67 and 0.84 µM, respectively, demonstrating moderate activity against F. tucumaniae and high potency against C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides. Additionally, rDrr230a at 25 ng/µl (3.83 µM) resulted in 100 % inhibition of spore germination of both fungi, demonstrating that rDrr230a affects fungal development since spore germination. Moreover, rDrr230a at 3 µg/µl (460.12 µM) inhibited 100 % of in vitro spore germination of the obligatory biotrophic fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, which causes Asian soybean rust. Interestingly, rDrr230a substantially decreased the severity of Asian rust, as demonstrated by in planta assay. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a plant defensin active against an obligatory biotrophic phytopathogenic fungus. Results revealed the potential of rDrr230a as a candidate to be used in plant genetic engineering to control relevant cotton and soybean fungal diseases.
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90
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Rodríguez-García MJ, García-Reina A, Machado V, Galián J. Identification, structural characterisation and expression analysis of a defensin gene from the tiger beetle Calomera littoralis (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Gene 2016; 589:56-62. [PMID: 27210512 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a defensin gene (Clit-Def) has been characterised in the tiger beetle Calomera littoralis for the first time. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the gene has an open reading frame of 246bp that contains a 46 amino acid mature peptide. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high variability in the coleopteran defensins analysed. The Clit-Def mature peptide has the features to be involved in the antimicrobial function: a predicted cationic isoelectric point of 8.94, six cysteine residues that form three disulfide bonds, and the typical cysteine-stabilized α-helix β-sheet (CSαβ) structural fold. Real time quantitative PCR analysis showed that Clit-Def was upregulated in the different body parts analysed after infection with lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli, and also indicated that has an expression peak at 12h post infection. The expression patterns of Clit-Def suggest that this gene plays important roles in the humoral system in the adephagan beetle Calomera littoralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Juliana Rodríguez-García
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Andrés García-Reina
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Vilmar Machado
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Galián
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
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91
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Sasaki K, Kuwabara C, Umeki N, Fujioka M, Saburi W, Matsui H, Abe F, Imai R. The cold-induced defensin TAD1 confers resistance against snow mold and Fusarium head blight in transgenic wheat. J Biotechnol 2016; 228:3-7. [PMID: 27080445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
TAD1 (Triticum aestivum defensin 1) is induced during cold acclimation in winter wheat and encodes a plant defensin with antimicrobial activity. In this study, we demonstrated that recombinant TAD1 protein inhibits hyphal growth of the snow mold fungus, Typhula ishikariensis in vitro. Transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TAD1 were created and tested for resistance against T. ishikariensis. Leaf inoculation assays revealed that overexpression of TAD1 confers resistance against the snow mold. In addition, the TAD1-overexpressors showed resistance against Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease in wheat and barley. These results indicate that TAD1 is a candidate gene to improve resistance against multiple fungal diseases in cereal crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Sasaki
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan
| | - Chikako Kuwabara
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan
| | - Natsuki Umeki
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan; Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Mari Fujioka
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan
| | - Wataru Saburi
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Matsui
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Abe
- Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8518, Japan
| | - Ryozo Imai
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan; Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan.
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92
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Miles DRB, Shen J, Chuang AY, Dong F, Wu F, Kwon J. Alpha- Defensin 5 Expression is Regulated by microRNAs in the Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cell Line. J Inflamm Bowel Dis Disord 2016; 1:105. [PMID: 27525335 PMCID: PMC4979555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an inappropriate immune response leads to chronic mucosal inflammation. This response may be partly due to dysregulation of defensins, which are endogenously produced antimicrobial peptides. This study determined whether microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate α-defensin 5 (DEFA5), which could further implicate both in IBD pathogenesis. METHODS Induction of DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was determined in Caco-2 cells. An in silico analysis identified putative miRNA binding sites of DEFA5. Expression of these miRNAs was assessed in Caco-2 cells. Regulation of DEFA5 expression by these miRNAs was measured by luciferase assays. Caco-2 cells were transfected with miR-124 and miR-924 mimics, and DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was measured. RESULTS DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was inducible in Caco-2 cells. Fifteen putative miRNA binding sites were found in DEFA5. The expression of miR-124 and miR-924 decreased following induction. Transfection of a luciferase construct containing the DEFA5 miRNA binding sites resulted in a decrease in luciferase activity compared to transfection of the empty vector. Transfection of a reporter construct containing mismatched miRNA binding sites resulted in restoration of luciferase activities. Transfection of miRNA mimics decreased DEFA5 mRNA expression and protein expression. CONCLUSIONS miR-124 and miR-924 negatively regulate DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression. These data implicate miRNAs in intestinal innate immune regulation and IBD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Feng Wu
- University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - John Kwon
- University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, USA,Corresponding author: John Kwon, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, USA, Tel: 1-214-648-7854;
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93
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Wang F, Qiao L, Lv X, Trivett A, Yang R, Oppenheim JJ, Yang, Zhang N. Alarmin human α defensin HNP1 activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells by triggering NF-κB and IRF1 signaling pathways. Cytokine 2016; 83:53-60. [PMID: 27031443 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP1), a predominant α defensin in the azurophilic granules of human neutrophils, is an alarmin capable of inducing the migration and maturation of human myeloid/conventional dendritic cells. However, it is not determined whether it can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Herein, we found that both human pDCs and CAL-1 cells, a pDC-like cell line, produced IFNα upon treatment with HNP1. Additionally, HNP1 could promote CpG ODN-induced pDC production of proinflammatory cytokines including IFNα. HNP1 triggered activation of NF-κB and nuclear translocation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) in CAL-1 cells. HNP1 upregulation of cytokine expression in pDCs was inhibited by blockade of NF-κB activation or knockdown of IRF1, demonstrating the importance of these two signaling events in HNP1-induced pDC activation. Using a human pDC-nude mouse model, HNP1 was shown to induce IFNα production by human pDCs in vivo. Thus, HNP1 can activate human pDCs using NF-κB and IRF signaling pathways, and HNP-induced IFN production may participate in the inflammatory pathogenesis in certain authoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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94
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Lee J, Bang K, Hwang S, Cho S. cDNA cloning and molecular characterization of a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide from larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe). Mol Biol Rep 2016; 43:371-9. [PMID: 26970764 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-016-3967-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We identified new defensin-like cDNA (called Psdefensin) by searching data set of high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) expression profiling of immunized larva of white-spotted flower chafers, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis. The length of the analyzed new defensin-like sequences were 240 base pair (bp) and encoded the deduced polypeptide of 79 amino acid residues with signal peptides (amino acids 1-20), pro-peptide region (amino acids 21-36), and mature peptide region (amino acids 37-79). The Psdefensin transcript levels were slightly up-regulated at 4 h post-infection and were highly expressed at 8 h post-infection compared to control larvae injected with sterile water. In addition, the Psdefensin did have antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli and Gram-positive bacteria, B. subtilis suggesting potentially pharmacologic agent.
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95
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Zarinpanjeh N, Motallebi M, Zamani MR, Ziaei M. Enhanced resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica napus by co-expression of defensin and chimeric chitinase genes. J Appl Genet 2016; 57:417-25. [PMID: 26862081 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-016-0340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the major fungal diseases of Brassica napus L. To develop resistance against this fungal disease, the defensin gene from Raphanus sativus and chimeric chit42 from Trichoderma atroviride with a C-terminal fused chitin-binding domain from Serratia marcescens were co-expressed in canola via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Twenty transformants were confirmed to carry the two transgenes as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with 4.8 % transformation efficiency. The chitinase activity of PCR-positive transgenic plants were measured in the presence of colloidal chitin, and five transgenic lines showing the highest chitinase activity were selected for checking the copy number of the transgenes through Southern blot hybridisation. Two plants carried a single copy of the transgenes, while the remainder carried either two or three copies of the transgenes. The antifungal activity of two transgenic lines that carried a single copy of the transgenes (T4 and T10) was studied by a radial diffusion assay. It was observed that the constitutive expression of these transgenes in the T4 and T10 transgenic lines suppressed the growth of S. sclerotiorum by 49 % and 47 %, respectively. The two transgenic lines were then let to self-pollinate to produce the T2 generation. Greenhouse bioassays were performed on the transgenic T2 young leaves by challenging with S. sclerotiorum and the results revealed that the expression of defensin and chimeric chitinase from a heterologous source in canola demonstrated enhanced resistance against sclerotinia stem rot disease.
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96
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Shafee TMA, Robinson AJ, van der Weerden N, Anderson MA. Structural homology guided alignment of cysteine rich proteins. Springerplus 2016; 5:27. [PMID: 26788439 PMCID: PMC4709342 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Cysteine rich protein families are notoriously difficult to align due to low sequence identity and frequent insertions and deletions. Results Here we present an alignment method that ensures homologous cysteines align by assigning a unique 10 amino acid barcode to those identified as structurally homologous by the DALI webserver. The free inter-cysteine regions of the barcoded sequences can then be aligned using any standard algorithm. Finally the barcodes are replaced with the original columns to yield an alignment which requires the minimum of manual refinement. Conclusions Using structural homology information to constrain sequence alignments allows the alignment of highly divergent, repetitive sequences that are poorly dealt with by existing algorithms. Tools are provided to perform this method online using the CysBar web-tool (http://CysBar.science.latrobe.edu.au) and offline (python script available from http://github.com/ts404/CysBar). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1609-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086 Australia
| | - Andrew J Robinson
- College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086 Australia ; Life Sciences Computation Centre, Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative, Melbourne, 3053 Australia
| | - Nicole van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086 Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086 Australia
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97
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Amado Diago CA, García-Unzueta MT, Fariñas MDC, Amado JA. Calcitriol-modulated human antibiotics: New pathophysiological aspects of vitamin D. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 63:87-94. [PMID: 26654424 DOI: 10.1016/j.endonu.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, calcitriol has been considered a calcium and phosphate regulating hormone, but has recently been shown to play a pivotal role in innate immunity. Many barrier and immune cells have membrane and intracellular receptors that recognize different microbial antigens. Activation of these receptors induces synthesis of 1α-hydroxylase, which acts on 25 hydroxyvitamin D to generate intracellular calcitriol. Calcitriol activates its receptor and enhances the synthesis of important human antibiotics like cathelicidin and β2-defensin while inhibiting hepcidin. These pluripotent peptides have an important role in innate immunity, and their regulation is abnormal in hypovitaminosis D. The literature on their secretion mechanisms, levels in different organic fluids, mechanism of action, and relationship with vitamin D is reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Antonio Amado Diago
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España.
| | - María Teresa García-Unzueta
- Servicio de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
| | - María del Carmen Fariñas
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
| | - Jose Antonio Amado
- Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
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98
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Tonk M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Valdés JJ, Rego ROM, Grubhoffer L, Estrada-Peña A, Vilcinskas A, Kotsyfakis M, Rahnamaeian M. Ixodes ricinus defensins attack distantly-related pathogens. Dev Comp Immunol 2015; 53:358-365. [PMID: 26255244 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are ubiquitous components of eukaryotic innate immunity. Defensins are a well-known family of antimicrobial peptides, widely distributed in ticks, insects, plants and mammals, showing activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast and protozoan parasites. Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick species in Europe and is a vector of pathogens affecting human and animal health. Recently, six defensins (including two isoforms) were identified in I. ricinus. We investigated the evolution of the antimicrobial activity of I. ricinus defensins. Among the five unique defensins, only DefMT3, DefMT5 and DefMT6 showed in vitro antimicrobial activity. Each defensin was active against rather distantly-related bacteria (P < 0.05), significantly among Gram-negative species (P < 0.0001). These three defensins represent different clades within the family of tick defensins, suggesting that the last common ancestor of tick defensins may have had comparable antimicrobial activity. Differences in electrostatic potential, and amino acid substitutions in the β-hairpin and the loop bridging the α-helix and β-sheet may affect the antimicrobial activity in DefMT2 and DefMT7, which needs to be addressed. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the γ-core motif of selected defensins (DefMT3, DefMT6, and DefMT7) was also tested. Interestingly, compared to full length peptides, the γ-core motifs of these defensins were effective against less species of bacteria. However, the antifungal activity of the γ-core was higher than full peptides. Our results broaden the scope of research in the field of antimicrobial peptides highlighting the overlooked ability of arthropod defensins to act against distantly-related microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019 - CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.
| | - James J Valdés
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Ryan O M Rego
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany; Institute for Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Michalis Kotsyfakis
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Mohammad Rahnamaeian
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
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99
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Ma D, Yang F, Fang J, Wang SL, Li ZS, Bai Y. Role of intestinal flora and defensins in colorectal carcinogenesis. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2015; 23:5275-5281. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v23.i33.5275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer in China have been rising continuously, causing heavy medical burden; however, the exact etiology is still unknown. Therefore, there is an urgent need to elucidate the etiology and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer to promote early prevention, effective screening and targeted therapy. At present, the research on the correlation between intestinal flora and colorectal cancer is being deepened constantly. Defensins, mediating interaction between intestinal flora and the intestinal mucosa, have attracted more and more attention because of their potential role in the development of colorectal cancer. Here we briefly introduce human intestinal flora and defensins, review new advances in our understanding of their role in colorectal carcinogenesis and the possible mechanism, and preliminarily explore their mutual interaction.
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100
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Tonk M, Knorr E, Cabezas-Cruz A, Valdés JJ, Kollewe C, Vilcinskas A. Tribolium castaneum defensins are primarily active against Gram-positive bacteria. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 132:208-215. [PMID: 26522790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum is a destructive insect pest of stored food and feed products, and a model organism for development, evolutionary biology and immunity. The insect innate immune system includes antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with a wide spectrum of targets including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Defensins are an evolutionarily-conserved class of AMPs and a potential new source of antimicrobial agents. In this context, we report the antimicrobial activity, phylogenetic and structural properties of three T. castaneum defensins (Def1, Def2 and Def3) and their relevance in the immunity of T. castaneum against bacterial pathogens. All three recombinant defensins showed bactericidal activity against Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus thuringiensis serovar tolworthi, but only Def1 and Def2 showed a bacteriostatic effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis. None of the defensins showed activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas entomophila or against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. All three defensins were transcriptionally upregulated following a bacterial challenge, suggesting a key role in the immunity of T. castaneum against bacterial pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that defensins from T. castaneum, mealworms, Udo longhorn beetle and houseflies cluster within a well-defined clade of insect defensins. We conclude that T. castaneum defensins are primarily active against Gram-positive bacteria and that other AMPs may play a more prominent role against Gram-negative species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Eileen Knorr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019 - CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.
| | - James J Valdés
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Christian Kollewe
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse, D-35394 Giessen, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
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