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Yoon KA, Lee DE, Lee SH, Kim JH. Exploring the potential role of defensins in differential vector competence of body and head lice for Bartonella quintana. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:183. [PMID: 37280715 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05802-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The body and head lice of humans are conspecific, but only the body louse functions as a vector to transmit bacterial pathogens such as Bartonella quintana. Both louse subspecies have only two antimicrobial peptides, defensin 1 and defensin 2. Consequently, any differences in the molecular and functional properties of these two louse subspecies may be responsible for the differential vector competence between them. METHODS To elucidate the molecular basis of vector competence, we compared differences in the structural properties and transcription factor/microRNA binding sites of the two defensins in body and head lice. Antimicrobial activity spectra were also investigated using recombinant louse defensins expressed via baculovirus. RESULTS The full-length amino acid sequences of defensin 1 were identical in both subspecies, whereas the two amino acid residues in defensin 2 were different between the two subspecies. Recombinant louse defensins showed antimicrobial activities only against the representative Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus but not against either Gram-negative Escherichia coli or the yeast Candida albicans. However, they did show considerable activity against B. quintana, with body louse defensin 2 being significantly less potent than head louse defensin 2. Regulatory sequence analysis revealed that the gene units of both defensin 1 and defensin 2 in body lice possess decreased numbers of transcription factor-binding sites but increased numbers of microRNA binding sites, suggesting relatively lower transcription activities of body louse defensins. CONCLUSIONS The significantly lower antibacterial activities of defensin 2 along with the reduced probability of defensin expression in body lice likely contribute to the relaxed immune response to B. quintana proliferation and viability, resulting in higher vector competence of body lice compared to head lice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungjae Andrew Yoon
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Eun Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyeock Lee
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyeon Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Wu J, Zhou X, Chen Q, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yang L, Sun Y, Wang G, Dai J, Feng T. Defensins as a promising class of tick antimicrobial peptides: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:71. [PMID: 35725522 PMCID: PMC9208123 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are hematophagous parasites that transmit an extensive range of pathogens to their vertebrate hosts. Ticks can destroy invading microorganisms or alleviate infection via their rudimentary but orchestrated innate immune system. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of tick innate immunity. Among these humoral effector molecules, defensins are well-studied and widely identified in various species of Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). This review was aimed at presenting the characterization of tick defensins from structure-based taxonomic status to antimicrobial function. Main text All published papers written in English from 2001 to May 2022 were searched through PubMed and Web of Science databases with the combination of relevant terms on tick defensins. Reports on identification and characterization of tick defensins were included. Of the 329 entries retrieved, 57 articles were finally eligible for our scoping review. Tick defensins mainly belong to the antibacterial ancient invertebrate-type defensins of the cis-defensins superfamily. They are generally small, cationic, and amphipathic, with six cysteine residues forming three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Tick defensins primarily target membranes of a variety of pathogens, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Since tick defensins have a high degree of variability, we summarize their common biological properties and enumerate representative peptides. Along with the various and potent antimicrobial activities, the role of tick defensins in determining vector competence is discussed. Conclusions Due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, tick defensins are considered novel candidates or targets for controlling infectious diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wu
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Chen
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lele Yang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
| | - Jianfeng Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Tingting Feng
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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3
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The Functions of β-Defensin in Flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus): Antibiosis, Chemotaxis and Modulation of Phagocytosis. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10121247. [PMID: 34943162 PMCID: PMC8698591 DOI: 10.3390/biology10121247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The study identified a new spliced isoform of anionic β-defensin from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus, fBD) and examined its antibiosis, chemotaxis and modulation of phagocytosis. It also analyzed the contributions of fBD to the antimicrobial activity of extracellular traps (ETs). The analyses found that an anionic β-defensin in fish possesses strong bacteriostatic ability in line with that of cationic defensins and also plays an important role in immune response. This study provides new insights into the biological function of anionic defensins, which can serve as one of the important effectors in extracellular traps and contribute to the immune response. Abstract Most defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum killing activity against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. However, it should be recognized that there are some non-cationic β-defensins in organisms, which need to be further studied. In this study, a new spliced isoform of anionic β-defensin from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus, fBD) was identified, and its antibiosis, chemotaxis and modulation of phagocytosis were examined. In addition, the contributions of fBD to the antimicrobial activity of extracellular traps (ETs) were also analyzed. The recombinant fBD (rfBD) could effectively inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, V. alginolyticus, V. anguillarum). An indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that the fBD was co-localized in the extracellular traps released by the leukocytes. When the ETs were blocked with antibodies against rfBD, the proliferation of S. aureus and E. coli incubated with ETs tended to increase compared with that in the control group. In addition, the results obtained by flow cytometry showed that the rfBD could significantly chemoattract leukocytes and increase phagocytic activity in vitro. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the biological function of anionic defensins, which can serve as one of the important effectors in extracellular traps and as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity in teleosts.
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Luo X, Ouyang J, Wang Y, Zhang M, Fu L, Xiao N, Gao L, Zhang P, Zhou J, Wang Y. A novel anionic cathelicidin lacking direct antimicrobial activity but with potent anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities from the salamander Tylototriton kweichowensis. Biochimie 2021; 191:37-50. [PMID: 34438004 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cathelicidin is a family of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) existing in vertebrates, which play multiple functions in host responses against environmental stresses. All cathelicidins identified to date are cationic, no anionic member with net negative charges has been reported. In the present study, a novel anionic cathelicidin (TK-CATH) with a net charge of -3 was identified from the skin of the salamander, T. kweichowensis. Unlike most other cathelicidin members, it didn't exhibit direct antimicrobial activity. However, it demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity. It effectively inhibited the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and protein production in amphibian leukocytes and mouse macrophages by inhibiting the LPS-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Besides, TK-CATH showed potent wound healing activity. It could effectively induce the production of several cytokines, chemokines and growth factors relating to wound healing, promote the motility and proliferation of keratinocytes, and accelerate the skin wound healing in a mouse full-thickness wound model. These results imply that TK-CATH participates in both the inflammatory phase and new tissue formation phase of wound repair process. Meanwhile, TK-CATH exhibited weak but effective free radical scavenging activity and low cytotoxicity. All the results above indicate that TK-CATH is a multifunctional peptide in the skin of the salamander T. kweichowensis. It may play important roles in host immune responses against bacterial infection and skin wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanjin Luo
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianhong Ouyang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Ning Xiao
- Guiyang Nursing Vacational College, Guiyang, 550014, Guizhou, China
| | - Lianghui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215004, China
| | - Jiang Zhou
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China.
| | - Yipeng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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Li F, Gao Z, Wang K, Zhao Y, Wang H, Zhao M, Zhao Y, Bai L, Yu Z, Yang X. A novel defensin-like peptide contributing to antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of the tick Dermacentor silvarum (Acari: Ixodidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:271-283. [PMID: 33452939 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00584-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are the most diverse groups of antimicrobial peptides in invertebrate animals. In ticks, defensins show great potential as targets for tick control, and display future prospect for therapeutic drug development. In the present study, a novel defensin-like gene (Ds-defensin) contributing to the antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of the tick Dermacentor silvarum was characterized. The full-length of the Ds-defensin gene was 382 bp, which displayed tissue-specific expression and was highly abundant in the salivary glands and carcasses of the adults. It encodes a 71-amino acid defensin-like protein, and the protein precursor is characterized by a 22-amino acid signal peptide and a 34-amino acid mature peptide. The peptide displayed potent activity against most of the tested gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, S. carnosus and Nocardia asteroides, and one tested gram-negative bacterium, Psychrobacter faecalis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cell wall and surface of treated bacteria became rough and gradually formed pores after a 30-min exposure to the Ds-defensin peptide. Additionally, the peptide also showed significant antioxidant capacity. The above results implied that the defensin-like peptide may play an important role in tick defense and the interaction with microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjiao Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Zhihua Gao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Kuang Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yinan Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Meichen Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yawen Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Lingqian Bai
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Zhijun Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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Silva FJ, Muñoz-Benavent M, García-Ferris C, Latorre A. Blattella germanica displays a large arsenal of antimicrobial peptide genes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21058. [PMID: 33273496 PMCID: PMC7712779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77982-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Defence systems against microbial pathogens are present in most living beings. The German cockroach Blattella germanica requires these systems to adapt to unhealthy environments with abundance of pathogenic microbes, in addition to potentially control its symbiotic systems. To handle this situation, four antimicrobial gene families (defensins, termicins, drosomycins and attacins) were expanded in its genome. Remarkably, a new gene family (blattellicins) emerged recently after duplication and fast evolution of an attacin gene, which is now encoding larger proteins with the presence of a long stretch of glutamines and glutamic acids. Phylogenetic reconstruction, within Blattellinae, suggests that this duplication took place before the divergence of Blattella and Episymploce genera. The latter harbours a long attacin gene (pre-blattellicin), but the absence of the encoded Glx-region suggests that this element evolved recently in the Blattella lineage. A screening of AMP gene expression in available transcriptomic SR projects of B. germanica showed that, while some AMPs are expressed during almost the whole development, others are restricted to shorter periods. Blattellicins are highly expressed only in adult females. None of the available SR tissue projects could be associated with blattellicins’ expression, suggesting that it takes place in other tissues, maybe the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Silva
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain. .,Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Maria Muñoz-Benavent
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Ferris
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Latorre
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain.,Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research, Valencia, Spain
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Ghidey M, Islam SMA, Pruett G, Kearney CM. Making plants into cost-effective bioreactors for highly active antimicrobial peptides. N Biotechnol 2020; 56:63-70. [PMID: 31812667 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens become an ever-increasing concern, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have grown increasingly attractive as alternatives. Potentially, plants could be used as cost-effective AMP bioreactors; however, reported heterologous AMP expression is much lower in plants than in E. coli expression systems and often results in plant cytotoxicity, even for AMPs fused to carrier proteins. This suggests that there may be a physical characteristic of the previously described heterologous AMPs which impedes efficient expression in plants. Using a meta-analysis of protein databases, this study has determined that native plant AMPs were significantly less cationic than AMPs native to other taxa. To apply this finding to plant expression, the transient expression of 10 different heterologous AMPs, ranging in charge from +7 to -5, was tested in the tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana. Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) was used as the carrier protein for AMP expression. ELP fusion allowed for a simple, cost-effective temperature shift purification. Using this system, all five anionic AMPs expressed well, with two at unusually high levels (375 and 563 μg/gfw). Furthermore, antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis was an order of magnitude greater (average minimum inhibitory concentration MIC of 0.26μM) than that typically seen for AMPs expressed in E. coli systems and was associated with the uncleaved fusion peptide. In summary, this study describes a means of expressing AMP fusions in plants in high yield, purified by a simple temperature-shift protocol, resulting in a fusion peptide with high antimicrobial activity and without the need for a peptide cleavage step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meron Ghidey
- Biomedical Studies Program, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | | | - Grace Pruett
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #7388, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Christopher Michel Kearney
- Biomedical Studies Program, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #7388, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
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Expression and function assessment of two serpin-type serine protease inhibitors from Haemaphysalis doenitzi. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:1-9. [PMID: 32464311 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) in ticks are implicated in the modulation of the vertebrate host response to the tick bite. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that serpins interfere with tick-borne pathogen transmission. However, knowledge on serpins in the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi is lacking. In this study, the expression of two serpin genes, named HDS1 and HDS2, were assessed in H. doenitzi, and their roles in immune regulation were further investigated. The expression of HDS1 and HDS2 showed no tissue specificity, with maximum expression levels detected in the hemolymph and salivary gland, respectively. Among the developmental stages, the highest expression of HDS1 and HDS2 were detected in larvae and adults, respectively. The recombinant protein rHDS1 displayed obvious inhibitory effects on trypsin and thrombin, whereas rHDS2 clearly inhibited thrombin only. In addition, rHDS1 and rHDS2 showed certain inhibitory activities against bacteria and fungi. The female engorgement body weight, female engorgement rate, and egg hatchability were significantly decreased after injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of HDS1 gene, whereas no significant effects were observed concerning the feeding period or attachment rate at 24 h after introduction via rabbit ears. When injected with dsRNA of HDS2 gene, no significant effect was observed on the attachment rate at 24 h after introduction into the rabbit ears, but the engorgement body weight and engorgement rate of female ticks were significantly decreased, and no egg hatchment occurred. The above results contribute to better understanding the function of serpins in the development and innate immunity of H. doenitzi.
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Cunningham M, Laino A, Romero S, Fernando Garcia C. Arachnid Hemocyanins. Subcell Biochem 2020; 94:219-231. [PMID: 32189301 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41769-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hemocyanin (Hc), a copper-containing extracellular multimeric protein, is the major protein component of hemolymph in different arachnid groups. Hc possesses 7 or 8 very well-characterized types of monomers with molecular weights ranging from 70 to 85 kDa, organized in hexamers or multiple of hexamers. The present chapter compiles the existing data with relation to the function of this protein in the arachnids. Hc has as main function the reversible transport of O2, but it shows many secondary though not less important functions. With reference to this, it has been described that Hc can transport hydrophobic molecules (lipid-derived hormones and lipids) to the different organs, having a key role in the lipid transport system. In arachnids, like in other arthropods and invertebrates, Hc has phenoloxidase function which is related to different metabolic processes such as melanin formation and defense against pathogens. In addition, Hc has additional defensive functions since it can serve as precursor for the production of antimicrobial peptides. In short, the evolution of this protein has led to the development of multiple functions essential for organisms possessing this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Cunningham
- INIBIOLP (CONICET-UNLP) - Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNLP, Calles 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Aldana Laino
- INIBIOLP (CONICET-UNLP) - Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNLP, Calles 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Sofia Romero
- INIBIOLP (CONICET-UNLP) - Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNLP, Calles 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - C Fernando Garcia
- INIBIOLP (CONICET-UNLP) - Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNLP, Calles 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
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Sowa-Jasiłek A, Zdybicka-Barabas A, Stączek S, Pawlikowska-Pawlęga B, Grygorczuk-Płaneta K, Skrzypiec K, Gruszecki WI, Mak P, Cytryńska M. Antifungal Activity of Anionic Defense Peptides: Insight into the Action of Galleria mellonella Anionic Peptide 2. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21061912. [PMID: 32168818 PMCID: PMC7139982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anionic antimicrobial peptides constitute an integral component of animal innate immunity, however the mechanisms of their antifungal activity are still poorly understood. The action of a unique Galleria mellonella anionic peptide 2 (AP2) against fungal pathogen Candida albicans was examined using different microscopic techniques and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Although the exposure to AP2 decreased the survival rate of C. albicans cells, the viability of protoplasts was not affected, suggesting an important role of the fungal cell wall in the peptide action. Atomic force microscopy showed that the AP2-treated cells became decorated with numerous small clods and exhibited increased adhesion forces. Intensified lomasome formation, vacuolization, and partial distortion of the cell wall was also observed. FTIR spectroscopy suggested AP2 interactions with the cell surface proteins, leading to destabilization of protein secondary structures. Regardless of the anionic character of the whole AP2 molecule, bioinformatics analyses revealed the presence of amphipathic α-helices with exposed positively charged lysine residues. High content of the α-helical structure was confirmed after deconvolution of the IR absorption spectrum and during circular dichroism measurements. Our results indicated that the antimicrobial properties of G. mellonella AP2 rely on the same general characteristics found in cationic defense peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Sowa-Jasiłek
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.-J.); (A.Z.-B.); (S.S.); (K.G.-P.)
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.-J.); (A.Z.-B.); (S.S.); (K.G.-P.)
| | - Sylwia Stączek
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.-J.); (A.Z.-B.); (S.S.); (K.G.-P.)
| | - Bożena Pawlikowska-Pawlęga
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Grygorczuk-Płaneta
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.-J.); (A.Z.-B.); (S.S.); (K.G.-P.)
| | - Krzysztof Skrzypiec
- Analytical Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, M.C. Skłodowska Square 5, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Wiesław I. Gruszecki
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, M.C. Skłodowska Square 1, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Paweł Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Cytryńska
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 Street, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.-J.); (A.Z.-B.); (S.S.); (K.G.-P.)
- Correspondence:
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Cabezas-Cruz A, Tonk M, Bleackley MR, Valdés JJ, Barrero RA, Hernández-Jarguín A, Moutailler S, Vilcinskas A, Richard-Forget F, Anderson MA, Rodriguez-Valle M. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101269. [PMID: 31445875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick innate immunity involves humoral and cellular responses. Among the humoral effector molecules in ticks are the defensins which are a family of small peptides with a conserved γ-core motif that is crucial for their antimicrobial activity. Defensin families have been identified in several hard and soft tick species. However, little is known about the presence and antimicrobial activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. In this study the I. holocyclus transcriptome was searched for the presence of defensins. Unique and non-redundant defensin sequences were identified and designated as holosins 1 - 5. The antimicrobial activity of holosins 2 and 3 and of the predicted γ-cores of holosins 1-4 (HoloTickCores 1-4), was assessed using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as the fungus Fusarium graminearum and the yeast Candida albicans. All holosins had molecular features that are conserved in other tick defensins. Furthermore holosins 2 and 3 were very active against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria grayi. Holosins 2 and 3 were also active against F. graminearum and C. albicans and 5 μM of peptide abrogate the growth of these microorganisms. The activity of the synthetic γ-cores was lower than that of the mature defensins apart from HoloTickCore 2 which had activity comparable to mature holosin 2 against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. This study reveals the presence of a multigene defensin family in I. holocyclus with wide antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France.
| | - Miray Tonk
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - James J Valdés
- 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; Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roberto A Barrero
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse 2, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Marilyn A Anderson
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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12
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Flores-Ramirez G, Sallay B, Danchenko M, Lakhneko O, Špitalská E, Skultety L. Comparative proteomics of the vector Dermacentor reticulatus revealed differentially regulated proteins associated with pathogen transmission in response to laboratory infection with Rickettsia slovaca. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:318. [PMID: 31234913 PMCID: PMC6591964 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3564-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne rickettsial diseases are caused by pathogens acquired from hard ticks. In particular, Rickettsia slovaca, a zoonotic infectious bacterium causing tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA), is transmitted by the vectors Dermacentor spp. that can be found all over Europe. Although recent studies point out the extreme complexity of bacteria-induced effects in these blood-feeding vectors, the knowledge of individual molecules involved in the preservation and transmission of the pathogen is still limited. System biology tools, including proteomics, may contribute greatly to the understanding of pathogen-tick-host interactions. METHODS Herein, we performed a comparative proteomics study of the tick vector Dermacentor reticulatus that was experimentally infected with the endosymbiotic bacterium R. slovaca. Rickettsia-free ticks, collected in the southern region of Slovakia, were infected with the bacterium by a capillary tube-feeding system, and the dynamics of infection was assessed by quantitative PCR method after 5, 10, 15 and 27 days. RESULTS At the stage of controlled proliferation (at 27 dpi), 33 (from 481 profiled) differentially abundant protein spots were detected on a two-dimensional gel. From the aforementioned protein spots, 21 were successfully identified by tandem mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS Although a few discovered proteins were described as having structural or housekeeping functions, the vast majority of the affected proteins were suggested to be essential for tick attachment and feeding on the host, host immune system evasion and defensive response modulation to ensure successful pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Flores-Ramirez
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Balázs Sallay
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Maksym Danchenko
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Olha Lakhneko
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ludovit Skultety
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. .,Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic.
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13
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Recombinant AfusinC, an anionic fungal CSαβ defensin from Aspergillus fumigatus, exhibits antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205509. [PMID: 30308015 PMCID: PMC6181372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short and generally positively charged peptides found in a wide variety of organisms. CSαβ defensins are a group of AMPs. These defensins are composed of an α-helix and a β-sheet linked by three or four disulphide bridges. In this study, we describe the antimicrobial activity of an anionic CSαβ fungal defensin from Aspergillus fumigatus, AfusinC. AfusinC was recombinantly produced as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The tag was removed by proteolytic cleavage, and AfusinC was purified by size exclusion chromatography. About 0.8 mg of recombinant AfusinC was obtained from 1 L of culture. Recombinant AfusinC was active against mainly gram-positive bacteria including human pathogens and a multiresistant-strain of A. aureus. Additionally, AfusinC showed bactericidal effect against Micrococcus luteus.
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14
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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] [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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15
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Talactac MR, Yada Y, Yoshii K, Hernandez EP, Kusakisako K, Maeda H, Galay RL, Fujisaki K, Mochizuki M, Tanaka T. Characterization and antiviral activity of a newly identified defensin-like peptide, HEdefensin, in the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 68:98-107. [PMID: 27871830 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tick defensins are antimicrobial peptides that play a major role in the innate immunity of ticks by providing a direct antimicrobial defense. In this study, we identified and characterized a defensin-like encoding gene, HEdefensin, from the expressed sequence tags (EST) database of hemolymph from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. Expression of the gene in whole adult ticks and in different organs was upregulated during blood feeding, though not after Langat virus (LGTV) challenge. A synthetic HEdefensin peptide demonstrated significant virucidal activity against LGTV but not against an adenovirus in co-incubation virucidal assays. Moreover, the RNAi-mediated gene silencing of HEdefensin did not significantly affect the virus titer as compared to the control group. The data reported here have established the in vitro virucidal activity of the peptide against LGTV. However, its role in the innate antiviral immunity of H. longicornis remains to be explored, and further studies are needed to fully evaluate the potential biological activities of the peptide against bacteria, fungi or parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Yurika Yada
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yoshii
- Laboratory of Public Health, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, 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
| | - 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
| | - Hiroki Maeda
- 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
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Masami Mochizuki
- 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
| | - 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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16
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Oliva Chávez AS, Shaw DK, Munderloh UG, Pedra JHF. Tick Humoral Responses: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drummer. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:223. [PMID: 28261180 PMCID: PMC5306392 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a variety of human pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease. Multiple pathogens that are transmitted simultaneously, termed “coinfections,” are of increasing importance and can affect disease outcome in a host. Arthropod immunity is central to pathogen acquisition and transmission by the tick. Pattern recognition receptors recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and induce humoral responses through the Toll and Immune Deficiency (IMD) pathways. Comparative analyses between insects and ticks reveal that while the Toll pathway is conserved, the IMD network exhibits a high degree of variability. This indicates that major differences in humoral immunity exist between insects and ticks. While many variables can affect immunity, one of the major forces that shape immune outcomes is the microbiota. In light of this, we discuss how the presence of commensal bacteria, symbionts and/or coinfections can lead to altered immune responses in the tick that impact pathogen persistence and subsequent transmission. By investigating non-insect arthropod immunity, we will not only better comprehend tick biology, but also unravel the intricate effects that pathogen coinfections have on vector competence and tick-borne disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela S Oliva Chávez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Dana K Shaw
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
| | | | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
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17
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Xu XX, Zhang YQ, Freed S, Yu J, Gao YF, Wang S, Ouyang LN, Ju WY, Jin FL. An anionic defensin from Plutella xylostella with potential activity against Bacillus thuringiensis. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2016; 106:790-800. [PMID: 27443911 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485316000596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Insect defensins, are cationic peptides that play an important role in immunity against microbial infection. In the present study, an anionic defensin from Plutella xylostella, (designated as PxDef) was first cloned and characterized. Amino acid sequence analysis showed that the mature peptide owned characteristic six-cysteine motifs with predicted isoelectric point of 5.57, indicating an anionic defensin. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that PxDef was significantly induced in epidermis, fat body, midgut and hemocytes after injection of heat-inactivated Bacillus thuringiensis, while such an induction was delayed by the injection of live B. thuringiensis in the 4th instar larvae of P. xylostella. Knocking down the expression of nuclear transcription factor Dorsal in P. xylostella by RNA interference significantly decreased the mRNA level of PxDef, and increased the sensitivity of P. xylostella larvae to the infection by live B. thuringiensis. The purified recombinant mature peptide (PxDef) showed higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with the minimum inhibition concentrations of 1.6 and 2.6 µM against B. thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report about an anionic PxDef, which may play an important role in the immune system of P. xylostella against B. thuringiensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-X Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - Y-Q Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - S Freed
- Department of Entomology,Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology,Bahauddin Zakariya University,Multan 60800,Pakistan
| | - J Yu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - Y-F Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - S Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - L-N Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - W-Y Ju
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
| | - F-L Jin
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province,College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642,P. R. China
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18
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Ferraresso S, Bonaldo A, Parma L, Buonocore F, Scapigliati G, Gatta PP, Bargelloni L. Ontogenetic onset of immune-relevant genes in the common sole (Solea solea). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 57:278-292. [PMID: 27554393 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Fish are free-living organisms since initial stages of development and are exposed to numerous pathogens before their lymphoid organs have matured and adaptive immunity has developed. Susceptibility to diseases and juvenile mortality represent key critical factors for aquaculture. In this context, the characterization of the appearance kinetics of the immune system key members will be useful in understanding the ability of a particular species in generating immune protection against invading pathogens at different developmental stages. The present study characterized, for the first time, the transcriptional onset of un-explored relevant genes of both innate and adaptive immune system during the Solea solea ontogenesis. Gene expression profiles of immune relevant genes was investigated, by means of DNA microarray, in ten developmental stages, from hatching (1 day post-hatching, dph) to accomplishment of the juvenile form (33 dph). The obtained results revealed that transcripts encoding relevant members of innate immune repertoire, such as lysozyme, AMPs (hepcidin, β-defensin), PPRs and complement components are generally characterized by high expression levels at first stages (i.e. hatch and first feeding) indicating protection from environmental pathogens even at early development. Transcription of adaptive immune genes (i.e. Class I and class II MHC, TCRs) differs from that of the innate immune system. Their onset coincides with metamorphosis and larvae-to-juvenile transition, and likely overlaps with the appearance and maturation of the main lymphoid organs. Finally, data collected suggest that at the end of metamorphosis S. solea cell-mediated immune system hasn't still undergone full maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Ferraresso
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| | - Alessio Bonaldo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy.
| | - Luca Parma
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy.
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, Via San Camillo de Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, Via San Camillo de Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Pier Paolo Gatta
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy.
| | - Luca Bargelloni
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
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19
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Zhang S, Zhu L, Yu J, Xu J, Gao B, Zhou C, Zhu S. Evaluating the potential of a loop-extended scorpion toxin-like peptide as a protein scaffold. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:607-616. [PMID: 27672050 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Revised: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Grafting of exogenous bioactive sites or functional motifs onto structurally stable scaffolds to gain new functions represents an important research direction in protein engineering. Some engineered proteins have been developed into therapeutic drugs. MeuNaTxα-3 (abbreviated as MT-3) is a newly characterized scorpion sodium channel toxin-like peptide isolated from the venom of the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which contains a rigid scaffold highly similar to classical scorpion sodium channel toxins and an extension of eight amino acids in its J-loop region. This extended loop constitutes a flexible region extruded from the scaffold and could be substituted by exogenous functional sequences. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the scaffold potential of MT-3 through grafting two small antimicrobial motifs to replace residues within the loop. Functional assays showed that the two engineered molecules exhibited elevated antimicrobial potency, as compared with the unmodified scaffold, without structural disruption, providing experimental evidence in favor of MT-3 as a promising scaffold in protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangfei Zhang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Limei Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Changlin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
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20
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An Immunosuppressant Peptide from the Hard Tick Amblyomma variegatum. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8050133. [PMID: 27153086 PMCID: PMC4885048 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8050133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are well known for spreading transmitted tick-borne pathogens while being attached to their hosts for almost 1–2 weeks to obtain blood meals. Thus, they must secrete many immunosuppressant factors to combat the hosts’ immune system. In the present work, we investigated an immunosuppressant peptide of the hard tick Amblyomma variegatum. This peptide, named amregulin, is composed of 40 residues with an amino acid sequence of HLHMHGNGATQVFKPRLVLKCPNAAQLIQPGKLQRQLLLQ. A cDNA of the precursor peptide was obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, Bethesda, MD, USA). In rat splenocytes, amregulin exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors in vitro, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). In rat splenocytes, treated with amregulin, compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone, the inhibition of the above inflammatory factors was significant at all tested concentrations (2, 4 and 8 µg/mL). Amregulin shows strong free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities (5, 10 and 20 µg/mL) in vitro. Amregulin also significantly inhibits adjuvant-induced paw inflammation in mouse models in vivo. This peptide may facilitate the ticks’ successful blood feeding and may lead to host immunotolerance of the tick. These findings have important implications for the understanding of tick-host interactions and the co-evolution between ticks and the viruses that they bear.
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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. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 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] [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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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] [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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Wang Q, Zhang L, Yang D, Yu Q, Li F, Cong M, Ji C, Wu H, Zhao J. Molecular diversity and evolution of defensins in the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 47:302-312. [PMID: 26363232 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Four types of defensins were identified in Manila clam and designated as Rpdef1, Rpdef2, Rpdef3 and Rpdef4, which encoded a polypeptide of 49, 46, 45 and 42 amino acids, respectively. Sequence alignments indicated that Rpdef1 shared 46.9% identity with Rpdef2, 40.8% with Rpdef3, and 34.7% with Rpdef4. Analysis of transcript polymorphism showed that Rpdef3 accounted for about 60% frequency of Rpdefs occurrence in clams from three geographic origins (Dalian, Qingdao and Hangzhou). By quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, the transcripts of Rpdefs were mainly detected in hemocytes and they responded sensitively to bacterial challenge in hemocytes. Evolutionary analysis indicated that all Rpdefs were under positive selection with positively selected basic amino acid residues detected in the C-terminal regions, which perhaps have a functional relevance by modifying the charge distribution of Rpdefs. The results also showed some lineages with dN/dS > 1, suggesting positive selection pressures existed in some lineages of phylogeny tree constructed by mollusk defensins. Overall, our results suggest that Rpdefs perhaps played important roles in host defense and positive selection is the major driving force in generating high diversity of defensins in the Manila clam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Linbao Zhang
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, PR China
| | - Dinglong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Qian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Fei Li
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Ming Cong
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, 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, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, 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, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Jianmin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, CAS, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China.
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Cordeiro FA, Amorim FG, Anjolette FAP, Arantes EC. Arachnids of medical importance in Brazil: main active compounds present in scorpion and spider venoms and tick saliva. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:24. [PMID: 26273285 PMCID: PMC4535291 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0028-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Arachnida is the largest class among the arthropods, constituting over 60,000 described species (spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, palpigrades, pseudoscorpions, solpugids and harvestmen). Many accidents are caused by arachnids, especially spiders and scorpions, while some diseases can be transmitted by mites and ticks. These animals are widely dispersed in urban centers due to the large availability of shelter and food, increasing the incidence of accidents. Several protein and non-protein compounds present in the venom and saliva of these animals are responsible for symptoms observed in envenoming, exhibiting neurotoxic, dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic activities. The phylogenomic analysis from the complementary DNA of single-copy nuclear protein-coding genes shows that these animals share some common protein families known as neurotoxins, defensins, hyaluronidase, antimicrobial peptides, phospholipases and proteinases. This indicates that the venoms from these animals may present components with functional and structural similarities. Therefore, we described in this review the main components present in spider and scorpion venom as well as in tick saliva, since they have similar components. These three arachnids are responsible for many accidents of medical relevance in Brazil. Additionally, this study shows potential biotechnological applications of some components with important biological activities, which may motivate the conducting of further research studies on their action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francielle A Cordeiro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14.040-903 Brazil
| | - Fernanda G Amorim
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14.040-903 Brazil
| | - Fernando A P Anjolette
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14.040-903 Brazil
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14.040-903 Brazil
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The first anionic defensin from amphibians. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1301-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1963-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Wang J, Bian G, Pan W, Feng T, Dai J. Molecular characterization of a defensin gene from a hard tick, Dermacentor silvarum. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:25. [PMID: 25588982 PMCID: PMC4311433 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are distributed worldwide and considered as vectors of many human diseases. Tick defensins, a family of antimicrobial peptides, form the first line of defense against pathogens. Findings A defensin-like gene, named Ds-defensin, was identified from a cDNA library of the hard tick Dermacentor silvarum collected from northeast China. The full-length cDNA of Ds-defensin was 225 bp, encoding a 74 amino acid peptide. The nucleotide sequence of Ds-defensin shared 98.2% similarity to putative defensin from Dermacentor marginatus. RT-PCR results suggested that Ds-defensin was extensively expressed in tick salivary gland and midgut, with a higher expression level in midgut. Ds-defensin showed broad antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the fungus Candida albicans. Conclusions We characterized a functional defensin from D. silvarum of China. Ds-defensin showed bactericidal activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ds-defensin can be expected to be introduced to the medical field as a new molecule with antibacterial activity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-014-0625-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tingting Feng
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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Tonk M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Valdés JJ, Rego ROM, Chrudimská T, Strnad M, Šíma R, Bell-Sakyi L, Franta Z, Vilcinskas A, Grubhoffer L, Rahnamaeian M. Defensins from the tick Ixodes scapularis are effective against phytopathogenic fungi and the human bacterial pathogen Listeria grayi. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:554. [PMID: 25443032 PMCID: PMC4269947 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0554-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes scapularis is the most common tick species in North America and a vector of important pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Tick defensins have been identified as a new source of antimicrobial agents with putative medical applications due to their wide-ranging antimicrobial activities. Two multigene families of defensins were previously reported in I. scapularis. The objective of the present study was to characterise the potential antimicrobial activity of two defensins from I. scapularis with emphasis on human pathogenic bacterial strains and important phytopathogenic fungi. METHODS Scapularisin-3 and Scapularisin-6 mature peptides were chemically synthesised. In vitro antimicrobial assays were performed to test the activity of these two defensins against species of different bacterial genera including Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Listeria spp. as well as Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa along with two plant-pathogenic fungi from the genus Fusarium. In addition, the tissue-specific expression patterns of Scapularisin-3 and Scapularisin-6 in I. scapularis midgut, salivary glands and embryo-derived cell lines were determined using PCR. Finally, tertiary structures of the two defensins were predicted and structural analyses were conducted. RESULTS Scapularisin-6 efficiently killed L. grayi, and both Scapularisin-3 and Scapularisin-6 caused strong inhibition (IC50 value: ~1 μM) of the germination of plant-pathogenic fungi Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium graminearum. Scapularisin-6 gene expression was observed in I. scapularis salivary glands and midgut. However, Scapularisin-3 gene expression was only detected in the salivary glands. Transcripts from the two defensins were not found in the I. scapularis tick cell lines ISE6 and ISE18. CONCLUSION Our results have two main implications. Firstly, the anti-Listeria and antifungal activities of Scapularisin-3 and Scapularisin-6 suggest that these peptides may be useful for (i) treatment of antibiotic-resistant L. grayi in humans and (ii) plant protection. Secondly, the antimicrobial properties of the two defensins described in this study may pave the way for further studies regarding pathogen invasion and innate immunity in I. scapularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain. .,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.
| | - Ryan O M Rego
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Tereza Chrudimská
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Strnad
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Radek Šíma
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Zdeněk Franta
- 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 Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 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. .,Institute for Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Xu X, Duan Z, Di Z, He Y, Li J, Li Z, Xie C, Zeng X, Cao Z, Wu Y, Liang S, Li W. Proteomic analysis of the venom from the scorpion Mesobuthus martensii. J Proteomics 2014; 106:162-80. [PMID: 24780724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The scorpion Mesobuthus martensii is the most populous species in eastern Asian countries, and several toxic components have been identified from their venoms. Nevertheless, a complete proteomic profile of the venom of M. martensii is still not available. In this study, the venom of M. martensii was analyzed by comprehensive proteomic approaches. 153 fractions were isolated from the M. martensii venom by 2-DE, SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. The ESI-Q-TOF MS results of all fractions were used to search the scorpion genomic and transcriptomic databases. Totally, 227 non-redundant protein sequences were unambiguously identified, composed of 134 previously known and 93 previously unknown proteins. Among 134 previously known proteins, 115 proteins were firstly confirmed from the M. martensii crude venom and 19 toxins were confirmed once again, involving 43 typical toxins, 7 atypical toxins, 12 venom enzymes and 72 cell associated proteins. In typical toxins, 7 novel-toxin sequences were identified, including 3 Na(+)-channel toxins, 3K(+)-channel toxins and 1 no-annotation toxin. These results increased 230% (115/50) venom components compared with previous studies from the M. martensii venom, especially 50% (24/48) typical toxins. Additionally, a mass fingerprint obtained by MALDI-TOF MS indicated that the scorpion venom contained more than 200 different molecular mass components. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This work firstly gave a systematic investigation of the M. martensii venom by combined proteomics strategy coupled with genomics and transcriptomics. A large number of protein components were unambiguously identified from the venom of M. martensii, most of which were confirmed for the first time. We also contributed 7 novel-toxin sequences and 93 protein sequences previously unknown to be part of the venom, for which we assigned potential biological functions. Besides, we obtained a mass fingerprint of the M. martensii venom. Together, our study not only provides the most comprehensive catalog of the molecular diversity of the M. martensii venom at the proteomic level, but also enriches the composition information of scorpion venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Zhigui Duan
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Education Ministry of China, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Di
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Yawen He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Jianglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Education Ministry of China, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, PR China
| | - Zhongjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Chunliang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Education Ministry of China, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, PR China
| | - Xiongzhi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Education Ministry of China, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, PR China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Songping Liang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Education Ministry of China, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, PR China.
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China.
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Tonk M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Valdés JJ, Rego ROM, Rudenko N, Golovchenko M, Bell-Sakyi L, de la Fuente J, Grubhoffer L. Identification and partial characterisation of new members of the Ixodes ricinus defensin family. Gene 2014; 540:146-52. [PMID: 24607035 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 01/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The hard-bodied tick Ixodes ricinus (castor bean tick) is the most common tick species in Europe. I. ricinus is a vector of the causative agents of diseases that affect humans and animals including tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis, tick-borne fever and babesiosis. The innate immune system provides ticks with quite an efficient defence against some pathogenic microorganisms in the event of their penetration into the tick body or through the blood meal. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute an important feature of the tick immune system. Defensins are a well-known class of AMPs. Members of the defensin family of proteins have been reported in several tick species. So far, only two defensins had been identified from I. ricinus. In this study, we report the identification of six novel putative defensins from I. ricinus at the genomic and transcriptional levels. At the genomic level they show differences with one being intronless, while others contain two introns. The expression pattern of these molecules in the salivary glands, midgut, ovary, Malpighian tubules, haemolymph and the tick cell line IRE/CTVM19 was determined. Some of them are tissue specific while others seem to be ubiquitous. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses show that these novel members of the I. ricinus defensin family differ phylogenetically and structurally; nevertheless, the cysteine pattern is highly conserved among the family members. Finally, antimicrobial-peptide prediction tools were used to predict putative antimicrobial activity of our defensins. They show putative antimicrobial activity mainly against Gram-positive bacteria. This study displays the diversity of the defensin family in the tick I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - James J Valdés
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Ryan O M Rego
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Nataliia Rudenko
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | | | - José de la Fuente
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; SaBio, Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Biology Centre of the AS CR, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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30
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Qiu C, Sun J, Liu M, Wang B, Jiang K, Sun S, Meng X, Luo Z, Wang L. Molecular cloning of hemocyanin cDNA from Fenneropenaeus chinensis and antimicrobial analysis of two C-terminal fragments. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 16:46-53. [PMID: 23887674 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-013-9519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Peptides derived from shrimp hemocyanin have antimicrobial properties. This is the first report of hemocyanin cDNA (FCHc) cloned from Fenneropenaeus chinensis and recombinant expression of two C-terminal fragments. Based on sequence analysis of Fenneropenaeus chinensis hemocyanin FCHc, we subcloned two FCHc fragments by designing special primers. Two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were derived from FCHc (FCHc-C1 and FCHc-C2). The recombinant sequence of FCHc-C1 consisted of 207 bp encoding 69 amino acids and the recombinant sequence of FCHc-C2 consisted of 120 bp encoding 40 amino acids. The results of Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting indicated that recombinant FCHc-C1 and FCHc-C2 peptides (rFCHc-C1 and rFCHc-C2) were expressed successfully. An inhibition assay showed that FCHc-C1 and FCHc-C2 were anionic AMPs with antifungal and antibacterial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuwen Qiu
- R&D Center of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
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Nayduch D, Cohnstaedt LW, Saski C, Lawson D, Kersey P, Fife M, Carpenter S. Studying Culicoides vectors of BTV in the post-genomic era: resources, bottlenecks to progress and future directions. Virus Res 2013; 182:43-9. [PMID: 24355835 PMCID: PMC3979112 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides sonorensis is the only colonized species of bluetongue virus vector. The development of a fully annotated genome for this species is in progress. Transcriptomic analyses are being employed to investigate functional elements of the genome, particularly genes involved in hematophagy, reproduction, development and vector competence.
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are a major vector group responsible for the biological transmission of a wide variety of globally significant arboviruses, including bluetongue virus (BTV). In this review we examine current biological resources for the study of this genus, with an emphasis on detailing the history of extant colonies and cell lines derived from C. sonorensis, the major vector of BTV in the USA. We then discuss the rapidly developing area of genomic and transcriptomic analyses of biological processes in vectors and introduce the newly formed Culicoides Genomics and Transcriptomics Alliance. Preliminary results from these fields are detailed and finally likely areas of future research are discussed from an entomological perspective describing limitations in our understanding of Culicoides biology that may impede progress in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Nayduch
- USDA-ARS, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Lee W Cohnstaedt
- USDA-ARS, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Christopher Saski
- Clemson University Genomics Institute, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, BRC #310, 105 Collins Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Daniel Lawson
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Paul Kersey
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Mark Fife
- Vector-borne Viral Disease Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Simon Carpenter
- Vector-borne Viral Disease Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK
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The hemolymph proteome of fed and starved Drosophila larvae. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67208. [PMID: 23840627 PMCID: PMC3688620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The co-operation of specialized organ systems in complex multicellular organisms depends on effective chemical communication. Thus, body fluids (like blood, lymph or intraspinal fluid) contain myriads of signaling mediators apart from metabolites. Moreover, these fluids are also of crucial importance for immune and wound responses. Compositional analyses of human body fluids are therefore of paramount diagnostic importance. Further improving their comprehensiveness should increase our understanding of inter-organ communication. In arthropods, which have trachea for gas exchange and an open circulatory system, the single dominating interstitial fluid is the hemolymph. Accordingly, a detailed analysis of hemolymph composition should provide an especially comprehensive picture of chemical communication and defense in animals. Therefore we used an extensive protein fractionation workflow in combination with a discovery-driven proteomic approach to map out the detectable protein composition of hemolymph isolated from Drosophila larvae. Combined mass spectrometric analysis revealed more than 700 proteins extending far beyond the previously known Drosophila hemolymph proteome. Moreover, by comparing hemolymph isolated from either fed or starved larvae, we provide initial provisional insights concerning compositional changes in response to nutritional state. Storage proteins in particular were observed to be strongly reduced by starvation. Our hemolymph proteome catalog provides a rich basis for data mining, as exemplified by our identification of potential novel cytokines, as well as for future quantitative analyses by targeted proteomics.
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Teixeira ML, Rosa AD, Brandelli A. Characterization of an antimicrobial peptide produced by Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizezinii showing inhibitory activity towards Haemophilus parasuis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2013; 159:980-988. [PMID: 23519163 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.062828-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Haemophilus parasuis is the pathogen that causes Glässer's disease, a major illness affecting young pigs. The aim of this work was to investigate the antagonistic activity of antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus species against H. parasuis. Among the tested strains, only Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 inhibited H. parasuis growth. The antibacterial substance was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purification was about 100-fold with a yield of 0.33 %. The purified substance was resistant up to 80 °C and pH ranging 3-7, but the substance lost its activity when it was treated with proteases. The peptide had a molecular mass of 1083 Da and its sequence was determined by MS as NRWCFAGDD, which showed no homology with other known antimicrobial peptides. The complete inhibition of H. parasuis growth was observed at 20 µg peptide ml(-1) after 20 min of exposure. The peptide obtained by chemical synthesis also showed antimicrobial activity on H. parasuis. The identification of antimicrobial substances that can be effective against H. parasuis is very relevant to combat this pathogen that causes important losses in swine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mário Lettieri Teixeira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Brasil
| | - Andréia Dalla Rosa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Brasil
| | - Adriano Brandelli
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Brasil
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Zdybicka-Barabas A, Mak P, Klys A, Skrzypiec K, Mendyk E, Fiołka MJ, Cytryńska M. Synergistic action of Galleria mellonella anionic peptide 2 and lysozyme against Gram-negative bacteria. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2012; 1818:2623-35. [PMID: 22705262 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lysozyme and antimicrobial peptides are key factors of the humoral immune response in insects. In the present work lysozyme and anionic defense peptide (GMAP2) were isolated from the hemolymph of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella and their antibacterial activity was investigated. Adsorption of G. mellonella lysozyme on the cell surface of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was demonstrated using immunoblotting with anti-G. mellonella lysozyme antibodies. Lysozyme effectively inhibited the growth of selected Gram-positive bacteria, which was accompanied by serious alterations of the cell surface, as revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. G. mellonella lysozyme used in concentrations found in the hemolymph of naive and immunized larvae, perforated also the Escherichia coli cell membrane and the level of such perforation was considerably increased by GMAP2. GMAP2 used alone did not perforate E. coli cells nor influence lysozyme muramidase activity. However, the peptide induced a decrease in the turgor pressure of the bacterial cell. Moreover, in the samples of bacteria treated with a mixture of lysozyme and GMAP2 the sodium chloride crystals were found, suggesting disturbance of ion transport across the membrane leading to cell disruption. These results clearly indicated the synergistic action of G. mellonella lysozyme and anionic peptide 2 against Gram-negative bacteria. The reported results suggested that, thanks to immune factors constitutively present in hemolymph, G. mellonella larvae are to some extent protected against infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
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Zheng H, Zhou L, Yang X, Wang D, Liu J. Cloning and characterization of a male-specific defensin-like antimicrobial peptide from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 37:207-211. [PMID: 22033149 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A novel gene was identified from a cDNA library of the male accessory glands of Haemaphysalis longicornis. The full-length cDNA of the gene was 349bp, encoding a 79-amino acid defensin-like protein and therefore the protein was named HlMS-defensin. Reverse transcriptase-PCR results suggested that this gene was expressed exclusively in male ticks. The tissue expression pattern and the mRNA levels of HlMS-defensin during blood feeding were determined using real-time PCR. HlMS-defensin was expressed predominately in the male accessory gland and was up-regulated during blood feeding. The antimicrobial activity of a synthetic peptide based on the predicted mature portion of HlMS-defensin was examined against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. It appears that ticks use the antimicrobial peptide to protect their reproductive tracts from microbial infections. The protective role of HlMS-defensin during mating was also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050016, Hebei, China
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36
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Riciluca KCT, Sayegh RSR, Melo RL, Silva PI. Rondonin an antifungal peptide from spider (Acanthoscurria rondoniae) haemolymph. RESULTS IN IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 2:66-71. [PMID: 24371568 DOI: 10.1016/j.rinim.2012.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial activities were detected in the haemolymph of the spider Acanthoscurrria rondoniae. A novel antifungal peptide, rondonin, was purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Rondonin has an amino acid sequence of IIIQYEGHKH and a molecular mass of 1236.776 Da. This peptide has identity to a C-terminal fragment of the "d" subunit of haemocyanin from the spiders Eurypelma californicum and Acanthoscurria gomesiana. A synthetic peptide mimicking rondonin had identical characteristics to those of the isolated material, confirming its sequence. The synthetic peptide was active only against fungus. These data led us to conclude that the antifungal activity detected in the plasma of these spiders is the result of enzymatic processing of a protein that delivers oxygen in the haemolymph of many chelicerate. Several studies have suggested that haemocyanins are involved in the arthropod immune system, and the activity of this haemocyanin fragment reinforces this idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C T Riciluca
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo - SP, Brazil ; Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças - CCD, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R S R Sayegh
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - R L Melo
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - P I Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo - SP, Brazil
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de Lima-Netto S, Pinheiro A, Nakano E, Zucatelli Mendonça RM, Barros-Battesti DM, Mendonça RZ. Antiviral effect of the egg wax of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae). Cytotechnology 2012; 64:601-6. [PMID: 22441939 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-012-9444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of viral infections, especially those caused by influenza viruses, is of great interest in Public Health. Bio prospection has shown the presence of active principles in the hemolymph of arthropods, and in the salivary gland of ticks, and some of these are of interest for the development of new pharmacological drugs. Ticks lay their eggs in the environment, and to protect them from desiccation and microbial attack they involve the eggs in a waxy layer produced by an organ known as Gené's Organ. In this study, the eggs wax from tick Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) was extracted using ice cold phosphate buffer. The antiviral activity was evaluated with picornavirus and influenza virus. In both cases egg wax was able to inhibit virus replication. For influenza virus, an amount as small as 12 μg/mL of crude egg wax suspension neutralized 128 UHA (hemaglutinant unit) of H(1)N(1) influenza virus. With picornavirus, egg wax led to a 256-fold reduction in virus production by L929 cells. Egg wax was not cytotoxic to VERO, MDCK and L929 cell, being observed that the cell morphology was preserved with concentration as high as 2 mg/mL. In addition no genotoxic effect was observed for Vero cells, suggesting a very interesting potential antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange de Lima-Netto
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05503-900, Brazil,
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Tanaka T, Maeda H, Matsuo T, Boldbattar D, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Kume A, Suzuki H, Xuan X, Tsuji N, Fujisaki K. Parasiticidal activity of Haemaphysalis longicornis longicin P4 peptide against Toxoplasma gondii. Peptides 2012; 34:242-50. [PMID: 21849158 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2011] [Revised: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The Haemaphysalis longicornis longicin P4 peptide is an active part peptide produced by longicin which displays bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and other microorganisms. In the present study, the effect of the longicin P4 peptide on the infectivity of Toxoplasma gondii parasites was examined in vitro. Tachyzoites of T. gondii incubated with longicin P4 had induced aggregation and lost the trypan blue dye exclusion activity and the invasion ability into the mouse embryonal cell line (NIH/3T3). Longicin P4 bound to T. gondii tachyzoites, as demonstrated by fluoresce microscopic analysis. An electron microscopic analysis and a fluorescence propidium iodide exclusion assay of tachyzoites exposed to longicin P4 revealed pore formation in the cellular membrane, membrane disorganization, and hollowing as well as cytoplasmic vacuolization. The number of tachyzoites proliferated in mouse macrophage cell line (J774A.1) was significantly decreased by incubation with longicin P4. These findings suggested that longicin P4 conceivably impaired parasite membranes, leading to the destruction of Toxoplasma parasites in J774A.1 cells. Thus, longicin P4 is an interesting candidate for antitoxoplasmosis drug design that causes severe toxicity to T. gondii and plays an important role in reducing cellular infection. This is the first report showing that longicin P4 causes aggregation and membrane injury of parasites, leading to Toxoplasma tachyzoite destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Tanaka
- Department of Frontier Veterinary Science, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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Galay RL, Maeda H, Aung KM, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Xuan X, Igarashi I, Tsuji N, Tanaka T, Fujisaki K. Anti-babesial activity of a potent peptide fragment derived from longicin of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Trop Anim Health Prod 2011; 44:343-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-011-0027-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Seufi AM, Hafez EE, Galal FH. Identification, phylogenetic analysis and expression profile of an anionic insect defensin gene, with antibacterial activity, from bacterial-challenged cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. BMC Mol Biol 2011; 12:47. [PMID: 22067477 PMCID: PMC3234185 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-12-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Defensins are a well known family of cationic antibacterial peptides (AMPs) isolated from fungi, plants, insects, mussels, birds, and various mammals. They are predominantly active against gram (+) bacteria, and a few of them are also active against gram (-) bacteria and fungi. All insect defensins belonging to the invertebrate class have a consensus motif, C-X5-16-C-X3-C-X9-10-C-X4-7-CX1-C. Only seven AMPs have already been found in different lepidopteran species. No report was published on the isolation of defensin from the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. Results An anionic defensin, termed SpliDef, was isolated from the haemolymph of the cotton leafworm, S. littoralis, after bacterial challenge using differential display technique. Based on sequence analyses of the data, specific primers for full length and mature peptide of defensin were designed and successfully amplified 471 and 150 bp amplicons. The integration of the results revealed that the 471 bp-PCR product has one open reading frame (orf) of 303 bp long, including both start codon (AUG) and stop codon (UGA). The deduced peptide consists of a 23-residues signal peptide, a 27-residues propeptide and a 50-residues mature peptide with the conserved six-cysteine motif of insect defensins. Both haemolymph and expressed protein exhibited antibacterial activities comparable to positive control. The RT-qPCR indicated that it was more than 41-folds up-regulated at 48 h p.i. Conclusion Our results highlight an important immune role of the defensin gene in Spodoptera littoralis by cooperating with other AMPs to control bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaaeddeen M Seufi
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo university, 9 Gamaa St. Giza, 12613, Egypt.
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41
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Dolashka P, Moshtanska V, Borisova V, Dolashki A, Stevanovic S, Dimanov T, Voelter W. Antimicrobial proline-rich peptides from the hemolymph of marine snail Rapana venosa. Peptides 2011; 32:1477-83. [PMID: 21703315 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hemolymph of Rapana venosa snails is a complex mixture of biochemically and pharmacologically active components such as peptides and proteins. Antimicrobial peptides are gaining attention as antimicrobial alternatives to chemical food preservatives and commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, for the first time we have explored the isolation, identification and characterisation of 11 novel antimicrobial peptides produced by the hemolymph of molluscs. The isolated peptides from the hemolymph applying ultrafiltration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) have molecular weights between 3000 and 9500 Da, determined by mass spectrometric analysis. The N-terminal sequences of the peptides identified by Edman degradation matched no peptides in the MASCOT search database, indicating novel proline-rich peptides. UV spectra revealed that these substances possessed the characteristics of protein peptides with acidic isoelectric points. However, no Cotton effects were observed between 190 and 280 nm by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Four of the pro-rich peptides also showed strong antimicrobial activities against tested microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Dolashka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, G. Bonchev 9, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
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42
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Zhao H, Kong Y, Wang H, Yan T, Feng F, Bian J, Yang Y, Yu H. A defensin-like antimicrobial peptide from the venoms of spider, Ornithoctonus hainana. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:540-4. [PMID: 21538709 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The defensin-like antimicrobial peptides have been characterized from various other arthropods including insects, scorpions, and ticks. But no natural spider defensin-like antimicrobial peptides have ever been isolated from spiders, except couple of cDNA and DNA sequences of five spider species revealed by previous genomic study. In this work, a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide named Oh-defensin was purified and characterized from the venoms of the spider, Ornithoctonus hainana. Oh-defensin is composed of 52 amino acid (aa) residues including six Cys residues that possibly form three disulfide bridges. Its aa sequence is MLCKLSMFGAVLGV PACAIDCLPMGKTGGSCEGGVCGCRKLTFKILWDKKFG. By BLAST search, Oh-defensin showed significant sequence similarity to other arthropod antimicrobial peptides of the defensin family. Oh-defensin exerted potent antimicrobial activities against tested microorganisms including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The cDNA encoding Oh-defensin precursor was also cloned from the cDNA library of O. hainana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwen Zhao
- Department of Kidney, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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Zhang H, Zhang W, Wang X, Zhou Y, Wang N, Zhou J. Identification of a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide from salivary glands of the tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides. Peptides 2011; 32:441-6. [PMID: 21168461 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The presence of an effective immune response in the hemocoel of ticks is crucial for survival, as it prevents the invasion of pathogens throughout the animal's body. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in this response by rapidly killing invading microorganisms. In this study, a subtraction hybridization cDNA library was constructed from the salivary glands of the unfed and fed female tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and a novel cysteine-rich AMP designated Rhamp (R. haemaphysaloides antimicrobial peptide) was isolated and identified. The Rhamp was encoded by a gene with an open reading frame of 303 bp which encoded a mature peptide with 8 kDa molecular weight. No identity was found by BLAST search to any database entries. The sequence encoding the Rhamp was subcloned into the pGEX-4T vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein of Rhamp showed chymotrypsin and elastase-inhibitory activity and markedly inhibited the growth of gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, and E. coli. Moreover, the recombinant protein also exerted low hemolytic activity. These results indicate the Rhamp is a novel antimicrobial peptide with proteinase activity from the tick R. haemaphysaloides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houshuang Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 518 Ziyue Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200241, China
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A Kunitz protease inhibitor from Dermacentor variabilis, a vector for spotted fever group rickettsiae, limits Rickettsia montanensis invasion. Infect Immun 2010; 79:321-9. [PMID: 20956566 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00362-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A defining facet of tick-Rickettsia symbioses is the molecular strategy employed by each partner to ensure its own survival. Ticks must control rickettsial colonization to avoid immediate death. In the current study, we show that rickettsial abundance in the tick midgut increases once the expression of a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) (DvKPI) is suppressed by small interfering RNA (siRNA). A series of in vitro invasion assays suggested that DvKPI limits rickettsial colonization during host cell entry. Interestingly, we observed that DvKPI associates with rickettsiae in vitro as well as in the tick midgut. Collectively, our data demonstrate that DvKPI limits host cell invasion by Rickettsia montanensis, possibly through an association with the bacterium.
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Ye J, Zhao H, Wang H, Bian J, Zheng R. A defensin antimicrobial peptide from the venoms of Nasonia vitripennis. Toxicon 2010; 56:101-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Revised: 03/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Lu QM, Lai R, Zhang Y. [Animal toxins and human disease: from single component to venomics, from biochemical characterization to disease mechanisms, from crude venom utilization to rational drug design]. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2010; 31:2-16. [PMID: 20446448 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1141.2010.01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many animals produced a diversity of venoms and secretions to adapt the changes of environments through the long history of evolution. The components including a large quantity of specific and highly active peptides and proteins have become good research models for protein structure-function and also served as tools and novel clues for illustration of human disease mechanisms. At the same time, they are rich natural resources for new drug development. Through the valuable venomous animal resources of China, researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, CAS have carried out animal toxin research over 30 years. This paper reviews the main work conducted on snake venoms, amphibian and insect secretions, and the development from single component to venomics, from biochemical characterization to human disease mechanisms, from crude venom to rational drug design along with a short perspective on future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Min Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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Lu X, Che Q, Lv Y, Wang M, Lu Z, Feng F, Liu J, Yu H. A novel defensin-like peptide from salivary glands of the hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Protein Sci 2010; 19:392-7. [PMID: 20027626 DOI: 10.1002/pro.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A novel defensin-like antimicrobial peptide named longicornsin was isolated from the salivary glands of the hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, using a 10-kDa cut-off Centriprep filter and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Its amino acid sequence was determined as DFGCGQGMIFMCQRRCMRLYPGSTGFCRGFRCMCDTHIPLRPPFMVG by Edman degradation. The cDNA encoding longicornsin was cloned by cDNA library screening. The predicted protein from the cDNA sequence was composed of 78 amino acids including a mature longicornsin. It showed similarity with defensin-like peptides from other ticks by BLAST search. Different from most other tick defensin-like peptides, longicornsin had a C-terminal extension. Purified longicornsin exerted potent antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi. Interestingly, it even showed strong antimicrobial ability against drug-resistant microorganisms and Helicobacter pylori. The results of this study indicated that longicornsin is a potential candidate for novel antimicrobial drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095 China
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Nam BH, Moon JY, Kim YO, Kong HJ, Kim WJ, Lee SJ, Kim KK. Multiple beta-defensin isoforms identified in early developmental stages of the teleost Paralichthys olivaceus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 28:267-274. [PMID: 19900559 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2009.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Revised: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The beta-defensin-like gene and its cloned isoforms (fBDI-1 to -5) were identified in an expressed sequence tag (EST) library from the early developmental stages of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The fBDI cDNA clones show identical amino acid sequences in 24 residues of the signal peptide and 38 residues of the mature peptide; however, the propiece region varies in sequence and length, from 5 to 15 amino acid residues. The predicted molecular weight of the mature peptide is 3.83 kDa, and its predicted isoelectric point is 4.1, showing anionic properties. The genomic organisation of the isoforms was analysed using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA containing the fBDI gene. Southern blotting and sequence analyses of fBDI BAC DNA confirmed that the fBDI isoforms cluster at the same locus and exhibit the conserved gene organisation reported for other fish defensin genes. The fBDI mRNA was expressed constitutively in early developmental stages after hatching, and pathogen challenge induced fBDI expression in the head kidney of juvenile fish. We also produced a recombinant fBDI peptide (smfBD) using the expression plasmid pET32 and examined its bioactivity toward Escherichia coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Hye Nam
- Biotechnology Research Division, Aquaculture Industry Department, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-902, Republic of Korea.
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Kopáček P, Hajdušek O, Burešová V, Daffre S. Tick Innate Immunity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8059-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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RAHMAN MM, TSUJI N, BOLDBAATAR D, BATTUR B, LIAO M, UMEMIYA-SHIRAFUJI R, YOU M, TANAKA T, FUJISAKI K. Structural Characterization and Cytolytic Activity of a Potent Antimicrobial Motif in Longicin, a Defensin-Like Peptide in the Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. J Vet Med Sci 2010; 72:149-56. [DOI: 10.1292/jvms.09-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Naotoshi TSUJI
- National Institute of Animal Health, National Agricultural Research Organization
| | | | - Banzragch BATTUR
- Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University
| | - Min LIAO
- Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University
| | | | - Myungjo YOU
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University
| | - Tetsuya TANAKA
- Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University
| | - Kozo FUJISAKI
- Department of Frontier Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University
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