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El-Mounadi K, Islam KT, Hernández-Ortiz P, Read ND, Shah DM. Antifungal mechanisms of a plant defensin MtDef4 are not conserved between the ascomycete fungi Neurospora crassa and Fusarium graminearum. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:542-59. [PMID: 26801962 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Defensins play an important role in plant defense against fungal pathogens. The plant defensin, MtDef4, inhibits growth of the ascomycete fungi, Neurospora crassa and Fusarium graminearum, at micromolar concentrations. We have reported that MtDef4 is transported into the cytoplasm of these fungi and exerts its antifungal activity on intracellular targets. Here, we have investigated whether the antifungal mechanisms of MtDef4 are conserved in these fungi. We show that N. crassa and F. graminearum respond differently to MtDef4 challenge. Membrane permeabilization is required for the antifungal activity of MtDef4 against F. graminearum but not against N. crassa. We find that MtDef4 is targeted to different subcellular compartments in each fungus. Internalization of MtDef4 in N. crassa is energy-dependent and involves endocytosis. By contrast, MtDef4 appears to translocate into F. graminearum autonomously using a partially energy-dependent pathway. MtDef4 has been shown to bind to the phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA). We provide evidence that the plasma membrane localized phospholipase D, involved in the biosynthesis of PA, is needed for entry of this defensin in N. crassa, but not in F. graminearum. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a defensin which inhibits the growth of two ascomycete fungi via different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazi T Islam
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Patricia Hernández-Ortiz
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Institution of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Nick D Read
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Institution of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Dilip M Shah
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
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Wilmes M, Stockem M, Bierbaum G, Schlag M, Götz F, Tran DQ, Schaal JB, Ouellette AJ, Selsted ME, Sahl HG. Killing of staphylococci by θ-defensins involves membrane impairment and activation of autolytic enzymes. Antibiotics (Basel) 2016; 3:617-31. [PMID: 25632351 PMCID: PMC4306331 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics3040617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
θ-Defensins are cyclic antimicrobial peptides expressed in leukocytes of Old world monkeys. To get insight into their antibacterial mode of action, we studied the activity of RTDs (rhesus macaque θ-defensins) against staphylococci. We found that in contrast to other defensins, RTDs do not interfere with peptidoglycan biosynthesis, but rather induce bacterial lysis in staphylococci by interaction with the bacterial membrane and/or release of cell wall lytic enzymes. Potassium efflux experiments and membrane potential measurements revealed that the membrane impairment by RTDs strongly depends on the energization of the membrane. In addition, RTD treatment caused the release of Atl-derived cell wall lytic enzymes probably by interaction with membrane-bound lipoteichoic acid. Thus, the premature and uncontrolled activity of these enzymes contributes strongly to the overall killing by θ-defensins. Interestingly, a similar mode of action has been described for Pep5, an antimicrobial peptide of bacterial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Wilmes
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (G.B.); (H.-G.S.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +49-228-28711397
| | - Marina Stockem
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (G.B.); (H.-G.S.)
| | - Gabriele Bierbaum
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (G.B.); (H.-G.S.)
| | - Martin Schlag
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Microbial Genetics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Friedrich Götz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Microbial Genetics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Dat Q. Tran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601, USA; E-Mails: (D.Q.T.); (J.B.S.); (A.J.O.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Justin B. Schaal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601, USA; E-Mails: (D.Q.T.); (J.B.S.); (A.J.O.); (M.E.S.)
| | - André J. Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601, USA; E-Mails: (D.Q.T.); (J.B.S.); (A.J.O.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Michael E. Selsted
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601, USA; E-Mails: (D.Q.T.); (J.B.S.); (A.J.O.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Hans-Georg Sahl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; E-Mails: (M.S.); (G.B.); (H.-G.S.)
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Vriens K, Cools TL, Harvey PJ, Craik DJ, Braem A, Vleugels J, De Coninck B, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. The radish defensins RsAFP1 and RsAFP2 act synergistically with caspofungin against Candida albicans biofilms. Peptides 2016; 75:71-9. [PMID: 26592804 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The radish defensin RsAFP2 was previously characterized as a peptide with potent antifungal activity against several plant pathogenic fungi and human pathogens, including Candida albicans. RsAFP2 induces apoptosis and impairs the yeast-to-hypha transition in C. albicans. As the yeast-to-hypha transition is considered important for progression to mature biofilms, we analyzed the potential antibiofilm activity of recombinant (r)RsAFP2, heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris, against C. albicans biofilms. We found that rRsAFP2 prevents C. albicans biofilm formation with a BIC-2 (i.e., the minimal rRsAFP2 concentration that inhibits biofilm formation by 50% as compared to control treatment) of 1.65 ± 0.40 mg/mL. Moreover, biofilm-specific synergistic effects were observed between rRsAFP2 doses as low as 2.5 μg/mL to 10 μg/mL and the antimycotics caspofungin and amphotericin B, pointing to the potential of RsAFP2 as a novel antibiofilm compound. In addition, we characterized the solution structure of rRsAFP2 and compared it to that of RsAFP1, another defensin present in radish seeds. These peptides have similar amino acid sequences, except for two amino acids, but rRsAFP2 is more potent than RsAFP1 against planktonic and biofilm cultures. Interestingly, as in case of rRsAFP2, also RsAFP1 acts synergistically with caspofungin against C. albicans biofilms in a comparable low dose range as rRsAFP2. A structural comparison of both defensins via NMR analysis revealed that also rRsAFP2 adopts the typical cysteine-stabilized αβ-motif of plant defensins, however, no structural differences were found between these peptides that might result in their differential antifungal/antibiofilm potency. This further suggests that the conserved structure of RsAFP1 and rRsAFP2 bears the potential to synergize with antimycotics against C. albicans biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Annabel Braem
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vleugels
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Coninck
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium; Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium; Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
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PvD1 defensin, a plant antimicrobial peptide with inhibitory activity against Leishmania amazonensis. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:BSR20150060. [PMID: 26285803 PMCID: PMC4613715 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150060] [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: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PvD1 was able to inhibit the proliferation of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes; PvD1 caused cell membrane permeabilization and alterations in the cytoplasmic contents of these cells; PvD1 was internalized in these cells, what suggests a possible intracellular target. Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich peptides and exhibit antimicrobial activity against a variety of both plant and human pathogens. Despite the broad inhibitory activity that plant defensins exhibit against different micro-organisms, little is known about their activity against protozoa. In a previous study, we isolated a plant defensin named PvD1 from Phaseolus vulgaris (cv. Pérola) seeds, which was seen to be deleterious against different yeast cells and filamentous fungi. It exerted its effects by causing an increase in the endogenous production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and NO (nitric oxide), plasma membrane permeabilization and the inhibition of medium acidification. In the present study, we investigated whether PvD1 could act against the protozoan Leishmania amazonensis. Our results show that, besides inhibiting the proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes, the PvD1 defensin was able to cause cytoplasmic fragmentation, formation of multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles and membrane permeabilization in the cells of this organism. Furthermore, we show, for the first time, that PvD1 defensin was located within the L. amazonensis cells, suggesting the existence of a possible intracellular target.
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Vriens K, Cools TL, Harvey PJ, Craik DJ, Spincemaille P, Cassiman D, Braem A, Vleugels J, Nibbering PH, Drijfhout JW, De Coninck B, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Synergistic Activity of the Plant Defensin HsAFP1 and Caspofungin against Candida albicans Biofilms and Planktonic Cultures. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132701. [PMID: 26248029 PMCID: PMC4527839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides with antifungal activity against a broad range of yeast and fungi. In this study we investigated the antibiofilm activity of a plant defensin from coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea), i.e. HsAFP1. To this end, HsAFP1 was heterologously produced using Pichia pastoris as a host. The recombinant peptide rHsAFP1 showed a similar antifungal activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum as native HsAFP1 purified from seeds. NMR analysis revealed that rHsAFP1 consists of an α-helix and a triple-stranded antiparallel β-sheet stabilised by four intramolecular disulfide bonds. We found that rHsAFP1 can inhibit growth of the human pathogen Candida albicans as well as prevent C. albicans biofilm formation with a BIC50 (i.e. the minimum rHsAFP1 concentration required to inhibit biofilm formation by 50% as compared to control treatment) of 11.00 ± 1.70 μM. As such, this is the first report of a plant defensin exhibiting inhibitory activity against fungal biofilms. We further analysed the potential of rHsAFP1 to increase the activity of the conventional antimycotics caspofungin and amphotericin B towards C. albicans. Synergistic effects were observed between rHsAFP1 and these compounds against both planktonic C. albicans cells and biofilms. Most notably, concentrations of rHsAFP1 as low as 0.53 μM resulted in a synergistic activity with caspofungin against pre-grown C. albicans biofilms. rHsAFP1 was found non-toxic towards human HepG2 cells up to 40 μM, thereby supporting the lack of a general cytotoxic activity as previously reported for HsAFP1. A structure-function study with 24-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HsAFP1 sequence revealed the importance of the γ-core and its adjacent regions for HsAFP1 antibiofilm activity. These findings point towards broad applications of rHsAFP1 and its derivatives in the field of antifungal and antibiofilm drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tanne L. Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pieter Spincemaille
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Cassiman
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolic Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annabel Braem
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vleugels
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wouter Drijfhout
- Department of Immunohematology and Bloodtransfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara De Coninck
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno P. A. Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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56
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Mor V, Rella A, Farnoud AM, Singh A, Munshi M, Bryan A, Naseem S, Konopka JB, Ojima I, Bullesbach E, Ashbaugh A, Linke MJ, Cushion M, Collins M, Ananthula HK, Sallans L, Desai PB, Wiederhold NP, Fothergill AW, Kirkpatrick WR, Patterson T, Wong LH, Sinha S, Giaever G, Nislow C, Flaherty P, Pan X, Cesar GV, de Melo Tavares P, Frases S, Miranda K, Rodrigues ML, Luberto C, Nimrichter L, Del Poeta M. Identification of a New Class of Antifungals Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids. mBio 2015; 6:e00647. [PMID: 26106079 PMCID: PMC4479701 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00647-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Recent estimates suggest that >300 million people are afflicted by serious fungal infections worldwide. Current antifungal drugs are static and toxic and/or have a narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal drugs. The fungal sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is critical in promoting virulence of a variety of human-pathogenic fungi. In this study, we screened a synthetic drug library for compounds that target the synthesis of fungal, but not mammalian, GlcCer and found two compounds [N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-methylbenzohydrazide (BHBM) and its derivative, 3-bromo-N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide (D0)] that were highly effective in vitro and in vivo against several pathogenic fungi. BHBM and D0 were well tolerated in animals and are highly synergistic or additive to current antifungals. BHBM and D0 significantly affected fungal cell morphology and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular vesicles. Deep-sequencing analysis of drug-resistant mutants revealed that four protein products, encoded by genes APL5, COS111, MKK1, and STE2, which are involved in vesicular transport and cell cycle progression, are targeted by BHBM. IMPORTANCE Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antifungal drugs suffer from various drawbacks, including toxicity, drug resistance, and narrow spectrum of activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that pharmaceutical inhibition of fungal glucosylceramide presents a new opportunity to treat cryptococcosis and various other fungal infections. In addition to being effective against pathogenic fungi, the compounds discovered in this study were well tolerated by animals and additive to current antifungals. These findings suggest that these drugs might pave the way for the development of a new class of antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Visesato Mor
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Antonella Rella
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Amir M Farnoud
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Mansa Munshi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Arielle Bryan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Shamoon Naseem
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - James B Konopka
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Iwao Ojima
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erika Bullesbach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Ashbaugh
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Margaret Collins
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Larry Sallans
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Pankaj B Desai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Annette W Fothergill
- Department of Pathology, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - William R Kirkpatrick
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Patterson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Lai Hong Wong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Sunita Sinha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Guri Giaever
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Corey Nislow
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Patrick Flaherty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xuewen Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gabriele Vargas Cesar
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia de Melo Tavares
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Yan J, Yuan SS, Jiang LL, Ye XJ, Ng TB, Wu ZJ. Plant antifungal proteins and their applications in agriculture. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:4961-81. [PMID: 25971197 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6654-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are far more complex organisms than viruses or bacteria and can develop numerous diseases in plants that cause loss of a substantial portion of the crop every year. Plants have developed various mechanisms to defend themselves against these fungi which include the production of low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites and proteins and peptides with antifungal activity. In this review, families of plant antifungal proteins (AFPs) including defensins, lectins, and several others will be summarized. Moreover, the application of AFPs in agriculture will also be analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China,
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58
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Phoenix DA, Harris F, Mura M, Dennison SR. The increasing role of phosphatidylethanolamine as a lipid receptor in the action of host defence peptides. Prog Lipid Res 2015; 59:26-37. [PMID: 25936689 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Host defence peptides (HDPs) are antimicrobial agents produced by organisms across the prokaryotic and eukaryotic kingdoms. Many prokaryotes produce HDPs, which utilise lipid and protein receptors in the membranes of bacterial competitors to facilitate their antibacterial action and thereby survive in their niche environment. As a major example, it is well established that cinnamycin and duramycins from Streptomyces have a high affinity for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and exhibit activity against other Gram-positive organisms, such as Bacillus. In contrast, although eukaryotic HDPs utilise membrane interactive mechanisms to facilitate their antimicrobial activity, the prevailing view has long been that these mechanisms do not involve membrane receptors. However, this view has been recently challenged by reports that a number of eukaryotic HDPs such as plant cyclotides also use PE as a receptor to promote their antimicrobial activities. Here, we review current understanding of the mechanisms that underpin the use of PE as a receptor in the antimicrobial and other biological actions of HDPs and describe medical and biotechnical uses of these peptides, which range from tumour imaging and detection to inclusion in topical microbicidal gels to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Phoenix
- School of Applied Science, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK.
| | - Frederick Harris
- School of Applied Science, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK; School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Manuela Mura
- School of Mathematics and Physics, College of Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Sarah R Dennison
- School of Applied Science, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
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59
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The Tomato Defensin TPP3 Binds Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-Bisphosphate via a Conserved Dimeric Cationic Grip Conformation To Mediate Cell Lysis. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:1964-78. [PMID: 25802281 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00282-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins are a class of ubiquitously expressed cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) that play an important role in innate defense. Plant defensins are active against a broad range of microbial pathogens and act via multiple mechanisms, including cell membrane permeabilization. The cytolytic activity of defensins has been proposed to involve interaction with specific lipid components in the target cell wall or membrane and defensin oligomerization. Indeed, the defensin Nicotiana alata defensin 1 (NaD1) binds to a broad range of membrane phosphatidylinositol phosphates and forms an oligomeric complex with phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) that facilitates membrane lysis of both mammalian tumor and fungal cells. Here, we report that the tomato defensin TPP3 has a unique lipid binding profile that is specific for PIP2 with which it forms an oligomeric complex that is critical for cytolytic activity. Structural characterization of TPP3 by X-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that it forms a dimer in a "cationic grip" conformation that specifically accommodates the head group of PIP2 to mediate cooperative higher-order oligomerization and subsequent membrane permeabilization. These findings suggest that certain plant defensins are innate immune receptors for phospholipids and adopt conserved dimeric configurations to mediate PIP2 binding and membrane permeabilization. This mechanism of innate defense may be conserved across defensins from different species.
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60
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Longo LVG, Nakayasu ES, Pires JHS, Gazos-Lopes F, Vallejo MC, Sobreira TJP, Almeida IC, Puccia R. Characterization of Lipids and Proteins Associated to the Cell Wall of the Acapsular Mutant Cryptococcus neoformans Cap 67. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2015; 62:591-604. [PMID: 25733123 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes life-threatening meningitis. In this fungus, the cell wall is exceptionally not the outermost structure due to the presence of a surrounding polysaccharide capsule, which has been highly studied. Considering that there is little information about C. neoformans cell wall composition, we aimed at describing proteins and lipids extractable from this organelle, using as model the acapsular mutant C. neoformans cap 67. Purified cell wall preparations were extracted with either chloroform/methanol or hot sodium dodecyl sulfate. Total lipids fractionated in silica gel 60 were analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), while trypsin digested proteins were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We detected 25 phospholipid species among phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid. Two glycolipid species were identified as monohexosyl ceramides. We identified 192 noncovalently linked proteins belonging to different metabolic processes. Most proteins were classified as secretory, mainly via nonclassical mechanisms, suggesting a role for extracellular vesicles (EV) in transwall transportation. In concert with that, orthologs from 86% of these proteins have previously been reported both in fungal cell wall and/or in EV. The possible role of the presently described structures in fungal-host relationship is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa V G Longo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, 79968-0519, Texas, USA
| | - Jhon H S Pires
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Gazos-Lopes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, 79968-0519, Texas, USA
| | - Milene C Vallejo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago J P Sobreira
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, 79968-0519, Texas, USA
| | - Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
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61
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Shrestha SK, Chang CWT, Meissner N, Oblad J, Shrestha JP, Sorensen KN, Grilley MM, Takemoto JY. Antifungal amphiphilic aminoglycoside K20: bioactivities and mechanism of action. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:671. [PMID: 25538692 PMCID: PMC4257101 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
K20 is a novel amphiphilic antifungal aminoglycoside that is synthetically derived from the antibiotic kanamycin A. Reported here are investigations of K20's antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicity, and fungicidal mechanism of action. In vitro growth inhibitory activities against a variety of human and plant pathogenic yeasts, filamentous fungi, and bacteria were determined using microbroth dilution assays and time-kill curve analyses, and hemolytic and animal cell cytotoxic activities were determined. Effects on Cryptococcus neoformans H-99 infectivity were determined with a preventive murine lung infection model. The antifungal mechanism of action was studied using intact fungal cells, yeast lipid mutants, and small unilamellar lipid vesicles. K20 exhibited broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activities but not antibacterial activities. Pulmonary, single dose-administration of K20 reduced C. neoformans lung infection rates 4-fold compared to controls. Hemolysis and half-maximal cytotoxicities of mammalian cells occurred at concentrations that were 10 to 32-fold higher than fungicidal MICs. With fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), 20-25 mg/L K20 caused staining of >95% of C. neoformans and Fusarium graminearum cells and at 31.3 mg/L caused rapid leakage (30-80% in 15 min) of calcein from preloaded small unilamellar lipid vesicles. K20 appears to be a broad-spectrum fungicide, capable of reducing the infectivity of C. neoformans, and exhibits low hemolytic activity and mammalian cell toxicity. It perturbs the plasma membrane by mechanisms that are lipid modulated. K20 is a novel amphiphilic aminoglycoside amenable to scalable production and a potential lead antifungal for therapeutic and crop protection applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib K Shrestha
- Department of Biology, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA ; Synthetic Bioproducts Center, Utah State University North Logan, UT, USA
| | - Cheng-Wei T Chang
- Synthetic Bioproducts Center, Utah State University North Logan, UT, USA ; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | - Nicole Meissner
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Montana State University Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - John Oblad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | - Jaya P Shrestha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Jon Y Takemoto
- Department of Biology, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA ; Synthetic Bioproducts Center, Utah State University North Logan, UT, USA
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Meindre F, Lelièvre D, Loth K, Mith O, Aucagne V, Berthomieu P, Marquès L, Delmas AF, Landon C, Paquet F. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Structure of the Synthetic AhPDF1.1b Plant Defensin Evidences the Structural Feature within the γ-Motif. Biochemistry 2014; 53:7745-54. [DOI: 10.1021/bi501285k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Meindre
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Dominique Lelièvre
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Karine Loth
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Oriane Mith
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Vincent Aucagne
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Pierre Berthomieu
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Laurence Marquès
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Agnès F. Delmas
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Céline Landon
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
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Guimarães LL, Toledo MS, Ferreira FAS, Straus AH, Takahashi HK. Structural diversity and biological significance of glycosphingolipids in pathogenic and opportunistic fungi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:138. [PMID: 25309884 PMCID: PMC4174763 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are ubiquitous membrane components and have key roles in biological systems, acting as second messengers or modulators of signal transduction by affecting several events, ranging from cell adhesion, cell growth, cell motility, regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. Over the last 20 years our laboratory and other research groups determined the glycan and ceramide structures of more than 20 GSLs from several pathogenic/opportunistic fungi, using a combination of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance as well as other immunochemical and biochemical techniques. Fungal GSLs can be divided in two major classes: neutral GSLs, galactosyl- and glucosylceramide (GlcCer), and acidic GSLs, the glycosylinositol-phosphorylceramides (GIPCs). Glycosyl structures in fungal GIPCs exhibited significant structural diversity and distinct composition when compared to mammalian GSLs, e.g., the expression of inositol-mannose and inositol-glucosamine cores and the terminal residue of β-D-galactofuranose which are absent in mammalian cells. Studies performed by our group demonstrated that GIPC (Galfβ 6[Manα3]Manα2InsPCer) elicited in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis an immune response with production of antibodies directed to the terminal residue of β-D-galactofuranose. Further studies also showed that inhibition of GlcCer biosynthetic pathways affects fungal colony formation, spore germination and hyphal growth, indicating that enzymes involved in GlcCer biosynthesis may represent promising targets for the therapy of fungal infections. Recently, it was shown that GlcCer and GIPCs are preferentially localized in membrane microdomains and monoclonal antibodies directed to these GSLs interfere in several fungal biological processes such as growth and morphological transition. This review focuses on glycan structures carried on sphingolipids of pathogenic/opportunistic fungi, and aspects of their biological significance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana L Guimarães
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Santa Cecilia Santos, Brazil
| | - Marcos S Toledo
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe A S Ferreira
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anita H Straus
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helio K Takahashi
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
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64
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Troskie AM, de Beer A, Vosloo JA, Jacobs K, Rautenbach M. Inhibition of agronomically relevant fungal phytopathogens by tyrocidines, cyclic antimicrobial peptides isolated from Bacillus aneurinolyticus. Microbiology (Reading) 2014; 160:2089-2101. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.078840-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tyrocidines, a complex of analogous cyclic decapeptides produced by Bacillus aneurinolyticus, exhibited noteworthy activity against a range of phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium solani and Botrytis cinerea. The activity of the tyrocidine peptide complex (Trc mixture) and purified tyrocidines exhibited minimum inhibition concentrations below 13 µg ml−1 (~10 µM) and was significantly more potent than that of the commercial imidazole fungicide, bifonazole. Although the tyrocidines’ activity was negatively influenced by the presence of Ca2+, it remained unaffected by the presence of Mg2+, Na+ and K+. Microscopic analysis revealed significant impact on the morphology of F. solani and Bot. cinerea including retarded germination and hyperbranching of hyphae. Studies with membrane-impermeable dyes, SYTOX green and propidium iodide suggested that the main mode of action of tyrocidines involves the disruption of fungal membrane integrity. Because of the tyrocidines’ broad spectrum and potent antifungal activity, possible multiple targets reducing the risk of overt resistance and general salt tolerance, they are promising candidates that warrant further investigation as bio-fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anscha M. Troskie
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| | - Abré de Beer
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| | - Johan A. Vosloo
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| | - Karin Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| | - Marina Rautenbach
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
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65
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Vriens K, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: mechanisms of action and production. Molecules 2014; 19:12280-303. [PMID: 25153857 PMCID: PMC6271847 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190812280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides that possess biological activity towards a broad range of organisms. Their activity is primarily directed against fungi, but bactericidal and insecticidal actions have also been reported. The mode of action of various antifungal plant defensins has been studied extensively during the last decades and several of their fungal targets have been identified to date. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of well-characterized antifungal plant defensins, including RsAFP2, MsDef1, MtDef4, NaD1 and Psd1, and points out the variety by which antifungal plant defensins affect microbial cell viability. Furthermore, this review summarizes production routes for plant defensins, either via heterologous expression or chemical synthesis. As plant defensins are generally considered non-toxic for plant and mammalian cells, they are regarded as attractive candidates for further development into novel antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium.
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
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66
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Luca V, Olivi M, Di Grazia A, Palleschi C, Uccelletti D, Mangoni ML. Anti-Candida activity of 1-18 fragment of the frog skin peptide esculentin-1b: in vitro and in vivo studies in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2535-46. [PMID: 24221134 PMCID: PMC11113354 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1500-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent species causing life-threatening fungal infections. Current treatments to defeat Candida albicans have become quite difficult, due to their toxic side effects and the emergence of resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are fascinating molecules with a potential role as novel anti-infective agents. However, only a few studies have been performed on their efficacy towards the most virulent hyphal phenotype of this pathogen. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the anti-Candida activity of the N-terminal 1-18 fragment of the frog skin AMP esculentin-1b, Esc(1-18), under both in vitro and in vivo conditions using Caenorhabditis elegans as a simple host model for microbial infections. Our results demonstrate that Esc(1-18) caused a rapid reduction in the number of viable yeast cells and killing of the hyphal population. Esc(1-18) revealed a membrane perturbing effect which is likely the basis of its mode of action. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the ability of a frog skin AMP-derived peptide (1) to kill both growing stages of Candida; (2) to promote survival of Candida-infected living organisms and (3) to inhibit transition of these fungal cells from the roundish yeast shape to the more dangerous hyphal form at sub-inhibitory concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Luca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Olivi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Palleschi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Uccelletti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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67
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Hayes BME, Anderson MA, Traven A, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR. Activation of stress signalling pathways enhances tolerance of fungi to chemical fungicides and antifungal proteins. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2651-66. [PMID: 24526056 PMCID: PMC11113482 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1573-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Fungal disease is an increasing problem in both agriculture and human health. Treatment of human fungal disease involves the use of chemical fungicides, which generally target the integrity of the fungal plasma membrane or cell wall. Chemical fungicides used for the treatment of plant disease, have more diverse mechanisms of action including inhibition of sterol biosynthesis, microtubule assembly and the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, these treatments have limitations, including toxicity and the emergence of resistance. This has led to increased interest in the use of antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of fungal disease in both plants and humans. Antimicrobial peptides are a diverse group of molecules with differing mechanisms of action, many of which remain poorly understood. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly apparent that stress response pathways are involved in the tolerance of fungi to both chemical fungicides and antimicrobial peptides. These signalling pathways such as the cell wall integrity and high-osmolarity glycerol pathway are triggered by stimuli, such as cell wall instability, changes in osmolarity and production of reactive oxygen species. Here we review stress signalling induced by treatment of fungi with chemical fungicides and antifungal peptides. Study of these pathways gives insight into how these molecules exert their antifungal effect and also into the mechanisms used by fungi to tolerate sub-lethal treatment by these molecules. Inactivation of stress response pathways represents a potential method of increasing the efficacy of antifungal molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte M. E. Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | | | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia
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68
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Interplay between Candida albicans and the antimicrobial peptide armory. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 13:950-7. [PMID: 24951441 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00093-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key elements of innate immunity, which can directly kill multiple bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. The medically important fungus Candida albicans colonizes different host niches as part of the normal human microbiota. Proliferation of C. albicans is regulated through a complex balance of host immune defense mechanisms and fungal responses. Expression of AMPs against pathogenic fungi is differentially regulated and initiated by interactions of a variety of fungal pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on human cells. Inflammatory signaling and other environmental stimuli are also essential to control fungal proliferation and to prevent parasitism. To persist in the host, C. albicans has developed a three-phase AMP evasion strategy, including secretion of peptide effectors, AMP efflux pumps, and regulation of signaling pathways. These mechanisms prevent C. albicans from the antifungal activity of the major AMP classes, including cathelicidins, histatins, and defensins leading to a basal resistance. This minireview summarizes human AMP attack and C. albicans resistance mechanisms and current developments in the use of AMPs as antifungal agents.
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69
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Bleackley MR, Hayes BM, Parisi K, Saiyed T, Traven A, Potter ID, van der Weerden NL, Anderson MA. Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor is a new antifungal peptide that inhibits cellular magnesium uptake. Mol Microbiol 2014; 92:1188-97. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science; Melbourne Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Brigitte M. Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science; Melbourne Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science; Melbourne Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Tamana Saiyed
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science; Melbourne Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Clayton Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Ian D. Potter
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science; Melbourne Vic. 3086 Australia
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Silva PM, Gonçalves S, Santos NC. Defensins: antifungal lessons from eukaryotes. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:97. [PMID: 24688483 PMCID: PMC3960590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been the focus of intense research toward the finding of a viable alternative to current antifungal drugs. Defensins are one of the major families of AMPs and the most represented among all eukaryotic groups, providing an important first line of host defense against pathogenic microorganisms. Several of these cysteine-stabilized peptides present a relevant effect against fungi. Defensins are the AMPs with the broader distribution across all eukaryotic kingdoms, namely, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, and were recently shown to have an ancestor in a bacterial organism. As a part of the host defense, defensins act as an important vehicle of information between innate and adaptive immune system and have a role in immunomodulation. This multidimensionality represents a powerful host shield, hard for microorganisms to overcome using single approach resistance strategies. Pathogenic fungi resistance to conventional antimycotic drugs is becoming a major problem. Defensins, as other AMPs, have shown to be an effective alternative to the current antimycotic therapies, demonstrating potential as novel therapeutic agents or drug leads. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on some eukaryotic defensins with antifungal action. An overview of the main targets in the fungal cell and the mechanism of action of these AMPs (namely, the selectivity for some fungal membrane components) are presented. Additionally, recent works on antifungal defensins structure, activity, and cytotoxicity are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia M Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sónia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
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Plant-derived decapeptide OSIP108 interferes with Candida albicans biofilm formation without affecting cell viability. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2647-56. [PMID: 24566179 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01274-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously identified a decapeptide from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, OSIP108, which is induced upon fungal pathogen infection. In this study, we demonstrated that OSIP108 interferes with biofilm formation of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans without affecting the viability or growth of C. albicans cells. OSIP108 displayed no cytotoxicity against various human cell lines. Furthermore, OSIP108 enhanced the activity of the antifungal agents amphotericin B and caspofungin in vitro and in vivo in a Caenorhabditis elegans-C. albicans biofilm infection model. These data point to the potential use of OSIP108 in combination therapy with conventional antifungal agents. In a first attempt to unravel its mode of action, we screened a library of 137 homozygous C. albicans mutants, affected in genes encoding cell wall proteins or transcription factors important for biofilm formation, for altered OSIP108 sensitivity. We identified 9 OSIP108-tolerant C. albicans mutants that were defective in either components important for cell wall integrity or the yeast-to-hypha transition. In line with these findings, we demonstrated that OSIP108 activates the C. albicans cell wall integrity pathway and that its antibiofilm activity can be blocked by compounds inhibiting the yeast-to-hypha transition. Furthermore, we found that OSIP108 is predominantly localized at the C. albicans cell surface. These data point to interference of OSIP108 with cell wall-related processes of C. albicans, resulting in impaired biofilm formation.
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72
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Agp2p, the plasma membrane transregulator of polyamine uptake, regulates the antifungal activities of the plant defensin NaD1 and other cationic peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2688-98. [PMID: 24566173 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02087-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic antifungal peptides (AFPs) act through a variety of mechanisms but share the common feature of interacting with the fungal cell surface. NaD1, a defensin from Nicotiana alata, has potent antifungal activity against a variety of fungi of both hyphal and yeast morphologies. The mechanism of action of NaD1 occurs via three steps: binding to the fungal cell surface, permeabilization of the plasma membrane, and internalization and interaction with intracellular targets to induce fungal cell death. The targets at each of these three stages have yet to be defined. In this study, the screening of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion collection led to the identification of Agp2p as a regulator of the potency of NaD1. Agp2p is a plasma membrane protein that regulates the transport of polyamines and other molecules, many of which carry a positive charge. Cells lacking the agp2 gene were more resistant to NaD1, and this resistance was accompanied by a decreased uptake of defensin. Agp2p senses and regulates the uptake of the polyamine spermidine, and competitive inhibition of the antifungal activity of NaD1 by spermidine was observed in both S. cerevisiae and the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. The resistance of agp2Δ cells to other cationic antifungal peptides and decreased binding of the cationic protein cytochrome c to agp2Δ cells compared to that of wild-type cells have led to a proposed mechanism of resistance whereby the deletion of agp2 leads to an increase in positively charged molecules at the cell surface that repels cationic antifungal peptides.
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Cheung RCF, Wong JH, Pan WL, Chan YS, Yin CM, Dan XL, Wang HX, Fang EF, Lam SK, Ngai PHK, Xia LX, Liu F, Ye XY, Zhang GQ, Liu QH, Sha O, Lin P, Ki C, Bekhit AA, Bekhit AED, Wan DCC, Ye XJ, Xia J, Ng TB. Antifungal and antiviral products of marine organisms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:3475-94. [PMID: 24562325 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5575-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms including bacteria, fungi, algae, sponges, echinoderms, mollusks, and cephalochordates produce a variety of products with antifungal activity including bacterial chitinases, lipopeptides, and lactones; fungal (-)-sclerotiorin and peptaibols, purpurides B and C, berkedrimane B and purpuride; algal gambieric acids A and B, phlorotannins; 3,5-dibromo-2-(3,5-dibromo-2-methoxyphenoxy)phenol, spongistatin 1, eurysterols A and B, nortetillapyrone, bromotyrosine alkaloids, bis-indole alkaloid, ageloxime B and (-)-ageloxime D, haliscosamine, hamigeran G, hippolachnin A from sponges; echinoderm triterpene glycosides and alkene sulfates; molluscan kahalalide F and a 1485-Da peptide with a sequence SRSELIVHQR; and cepalochordate chitotriosidase and a 5026.9-Da antifungal peptide. The antiviral compounds from marine organisms include bacterial polysaccharide and furan-2-yl acetate; fungal macrolide, purpurester A, purpurquinone B, isoindolone derivatives, alterporriol Q, tetrahydroaltersolanol C and asperterrestide A, algal diterpenes, xylogalactofucan, alginic acid, glycolipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, sulfated polysaccharide p-KG03, meroditerpenoids, methyl ester derivative of vatomaric acid, lectins, polysaccharides, tannins, cnidarian zoanthoxanthin alkaloids, norditerpenoid and capilloquinol; crustacean antilipopolysaccharide factors, molluscan hemocyanin; echinoderm triterpenoid glycosides; tunicate didemnin B, tamandarins A and B and; tilapia hepcidin 1-5 (TH 1-5), seabream SauMx1, SauMx2, and SauMx3, and orange-spotted grouper β-defensin. Although the mechanisms of antifungal and antiviral activities of only some of the aforementioned compounds have been elucidated, the possibility to use those known to have distinctly different mechanisms, good bioavailability, and minimal toxicity in combination therapy remains to be investigated. It is also worthwhile to test the marine antimicrobials for possible synergism with existing drugs. The prospects of employing them in clinical practice are promising in view of the wealth of these compounds from marine organisms. The compounds may also be used in agriculture and the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy Chi Fai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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74
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Lay FT, Poon S, McKenna JA, Connelly AA, Barbeta BL, McGinness BS, Fox JL, Daly NL, Craik DJ, Heath RL, Anderson MA. The C-terminal propeptide of a plant defensin confers cytoprotective and subcellular targeting functions. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 14:41. [PMID: 24495600 PMCID: PMC3922462 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-14-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant defensins are small (45-54 amino acids), basic, cysteine-rich proteins that have a major role in innate immunity in plants. Many defensins are potent antifungal molecules and are being evaluated for their potential to create crop plants with sustainable disease resistance. Defensins are produced as precursor molecules which are directed into the secretory pathway and are divided into two classes based on the absence (class I) or presence (class II) of an acidic C-terminal propeptide (CTPP) of about 33 amino acids. The function of this CTPP had not been defined. RESULTS By transgenically expressing the class II plant defensin NaD1 with and without its cognate CTPP we have demonstrated that NaD1 is phytotoxic to cotton plants when expressed without its CTPP. Transgenic cotton plants expressing constructs encoding the NaD1 precursor with the CTPP had the same morphology as non-transgenic plants but expression of NaD1 without the CTPP led to plants that were stunted, had crinkled leaves and were less viable. Immunofluorescence microscopy and transient expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CTPP chimera were used to confirm that the CTPP is sufficient for vacuolar targeting. Finally circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy were used to show that the CTPP adopts a helical confirmation. CONCLUSIONS In this report we have described the role of the CTPP on NaD1, a class II defensin from Nicotiana alata flowers. The CTPP of NaD1 is sufficient for vacuolar targeting and plays an important role in detoxification of the defensin as it moves through the plant secretory pathway. This work may have important implications for the use of defensins for disease protection in transgenic crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung T Lay
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Angela A Connelly
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Barbara L Barbeta
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Bruce S McGinness
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Fox
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robyn L Heath
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC 3086, Australia
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Del Poeta M, Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Luberto C. Synthesis and biological properties of fungal glucosylceramide. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1003832. [PMID: 24415933 PMCID: PMC3887071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (CL)
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz – Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (CL)
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Structural and functional studies of a phosphatidic acid-binding antifungal plant defensin MtDef4: identification of an RGFRRR motif governing fungal cell entry. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82485. [PMID: 24324798 PMCID: PMC3853197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
MtDef4 is a 47-amino acid cysteine-rich evolutionary conserved defensin from a model legume Medicago truncatula. It is an apoplast-localized plant defense protein that inhibits the growth of the ascomycetous fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum in vitro at micromolar concentrations. Little is known about the mechanisms by which MtDef4 mediates its antifungal activity. In this study, we show that MtDef4 rapidly permeabilizes fungal plasma membrane and is internalized by the fungal cells where it accumulates in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, analysis of the structure of MtDef4 reveals the presence of a positively charged γ-core motif composed of β2 and β3 strands connected by a positively charged RGFRRR loop. Replacement of the RGFRRR sequence with AAAARR or RGFRAA abolishes the ability of MtDef4 to enter fungal cells, suggesting that the RGFRRR loop is a translocation signal required for the internalization of the protein. MtDef4 binds to phosphatidic acid (PA), a precursor for the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids and a signaling lipid known to recruit cytosolic proteins to membranes. Amino acid substitutions in the RGFRRR sequence which abolish the ability of MtDef4 to enter fungal cells also impair its ability to bind PA. These findings suggest that MtDef4 is a novel antifungal plant defensin capable of entering into fungal cells and affecting intracellular targets and that these processes are mediated by the highly conserved cationic RGFRRR loop via its interaction with PA.
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77
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Oguro Y, Yamazaki H, Takagi M, Takaku H. Antifungal activity of plant defensin AFP1 in Brassica juncea involves the recognition of the methyl residue in glucosylceramide of target pathogen Candida albicans. Curr Genet 2013; 60:89-97. [PMID: 24253293 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-013-0416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
An antifungal defensin, AFP1, of Brassica juncea inhibits the growth of various microorganisms. The molecular details of this inhibition remain largely unknown. Herein, we reveal that a specific structure of fungal sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is critical for the sensitivity of Candida albicans cells to AFP1. Our results revealed that AFP1 induces plasma membrane permeabilization and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wild-type C. albicans cells, but not in cells lacking the ninth methyl residue of the GlcCer sphingoid base moiety, which is a characteristic feature of fungi. AFP1-induced ROS production is responsible for its antifungal activity, with a consequent loss of yeast cell viability. These findings suggest that AFP1 specifically recognizes the structural difference of GlcCer for targeting of the fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Oguro
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, 265-1 Higashijima, Akiha-ku, Niigata, 956-8603, Japan
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Shahzad Z, Ranwez V, Fizames C, Marquès L, Le Martret B, Alassimone J, Godé C, Lacombe E, Castillo T, Saumitou-Laprade P, Berthomieu P, Gosti F. Plant Defensin type 1 (PDF1): protein promiscuity and expression variation within the Arabidopsis genus shed light on zinc tolerance acquisition in Arabidopsis halleri. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2013; 200:820-833. [PMID: 23865749 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant defensins are recognized for their antifungal properties. However, a few type 1 defensins (PDF1s) were identified for their cellular zinc (Zn) tolerance properties after a study of the metal extremophile Arabidopsis halleri. In order to investigate whether different paralogues would display specialized functions, the A. halleri PDF1 family was characterized at the functional and genomic levels. Eleven PDF1s were isolated from A. halleri. Their ability to provide Zn tolerance in yeast cells, their activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonii, and their level of expression in planta were compared with those of the seven A. thaliana PDF1s. The genomic organization of the PDF1 family was comparatively analysed within the Arabidopsis genus. AhPDF1s and AtPDF1s were able to confer Zn tolerance and AhPDF1s also displayed antifungal activity. PDF1 transcripts were constitutively more abundant in A. halleri than in A. thaliana. Within the Arabidopsis genus, the PDF1 family is evolutionarily dynamic, in terms of gain and loss of gene copy. Arabidopsis halleri PDF1s display no superior abilities to provide Zn tolerance. A constitutive increase in AhPDF1 transcript accumulation is proposed to be an evolutionary innovation co-opting the promiscuous PDF1 protein for its contribution to Zn tolerance in A. halleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham Shahzad
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Vincent Ranwez
- Montpellier SupAgro, UMR AGAP, F-34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Fizames
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Laurence Marquès
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Bénédicte Le Martret
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Julien Alassimone
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Cécile Godé
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Evolution des Populations Végétales, UMR CNRS 8016, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Lille1, F-59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Eric Lacombe
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Teddy Castillo
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Pierre Saumitou-Laprade
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Evolution des Populations Végétales, UMR CNRS 8016, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Lille1, F-59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Berthomieu
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
| | - Françoise Gosti
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Mixte de Recherche Montpellier, SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier II, 2 Place Viala, F-34060, Montpellier Cedex 1, France
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Nawrot R, Barylski J, Nowicki G, Broniarczyk J, Buchwald W, Goździcka-Józefiak A. Plant antimicrobial peptides. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2013; 59:181-96. [PMID: 24092498 PMCID: PMC3971460 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-013-0280-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a component of barrier defense system of plants. They have been isolated from roots, seeds, flowers, stems, and leaves of a wide variety of species and have activities towards phytopathogens, as well as against bacteria pathogenic to humans. Thus, plant AMPs are considered as promising antibiotic compounds with important biotechnological applications. Plant AMPs are grouped into several families and share general features such as positive charge, the presence of disulfide bonds (which stabilize the structure), and the mechanism of action targeting outer membrane structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Nawrot
- Department of Molecular Virology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznan, Poland,
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80
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van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. Properties and mechanisms of action of naturally occurring antifungal peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3545-70. [PMID: 23381653 PMCID: PMC11114075 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1260-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are a vital component of the innate immune system of all eukaryotic organisms and many of these peptides have potent antifungal activity. They have potential application in the control of fungal pathogens that are a serious threat to both human health and food security. Development of antifungal peptides as therapeutics requires an understanding of their mechanism of action on fungal cells. To date, most research on antimicrobial peptides has focused on their activity against bacteria. Several antimicrobial peptides specifically target fungal cells and are not active against bacteria. Others with broader specificity often have different mechanisms of action against bacteria and fungi. This review focuses on the mechanism of action of naturally occurring antifungal peptides from a diverse range of sources including plants, mammals, amphibians, insects, crabs, spiders, and fungi. While antimicrobial peptides were originally proposed to act via membrane permeabilization, the mechanism of antifungal activity for these peptides is generally more complex and often involves entry of the peptide into the cell.
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Abstract
Cationic and amphiphilic peptides are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms and constitute a first line of host defense against invading pathogens. Some of these host defense peptides (HDPs) combine specific antibiotic activities with modulation of immune responses. Moreover, they are active against bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics and show only modest resistance development under in vitro selection pressure. Based on these features, HDPs and particularly defensins are considered a promising source of novel anti-infective agents. This review summarizes the current knowledge about defensins from different kingdoms and discusses their potential for therapeutic application.
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82
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Hayes BME, Bleackley MR, Wiltshire JL, Anderson MA, Traven A, van der Weerden NL. Identification and mechanism of action of the plant defensin NaD1 as a new member of the antifungal drug arsenal against Candida albicans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:3667-75. [PMID: 23689717 PMCID: PMC3719733 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00365-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, pathogenic fungi have become a serious threat to human health, leading to major efforts aimed at characterizing new agents for improved treatments. Promising in this context are antimicrobial peptides produced by animals and plants as part of innate immune systems. Here, we describe an antifungal defensin, NaD1, with activity against the major human pathogen Candida albicans, characterize the mechanism of killing, and identify protection strategies used by the fungus to survive defensin treatment. The mechanism involves interaction between NaD1 and the fungal cell surface followed by membrane permeabilization, entry into the cytoplasm, hyperproduction of reactive oxygen species, and killing induced by oxidative damage. By screening C. albicans mutant libraries, we identified that the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway has a unique role in protection against NaD1, while several other stress-responsive pathways are dispensable. The involvement of the HOG pathway is consistent with induction of oxidative stress by NaD1. The HOG pathway has been reported to have a major role in protection of fungi against osmotic stress, but our data indicate that osmotic stress does not contribute significantly to the adverse effects of NaD1 on C. albicans. Our data, together with previous studies with human beta-defensins and salivary histatin 5, indicate that inhibition of the HOG pathway holds promise as a broad strategy for increasing the activity of antimicrobial peptides against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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83
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Longo LVG, Nakayasu ES, Gazos-Lopes F, Vallejo MC, Matsuo AL, Almeida IC, Puccia R. Characterization of cell wall lipids from the pathogenic phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cultivated in the presence or absence of human plasma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63372. [PMID: 23691038 PMCID: PMC3656940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fungal cell wall is a complex and dynamic outer structure. In pathogenic fungi its components interact with the host, determining the infection fate. The present work aimed to characterize cell wall lipids from P. brasiliensis grown in the presence and absence of human plasma. We compared the results from isolates Pb3 and Pb18, which represent different phylogenetic species that evoke distinct patterns of experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We comparatively characterized cell wall phospholipids, fatty acids, sterols, and neutral glycolipids by using both electrospray ionization- and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of lipids extracted with organic solvents followed by fractionation in silica-gel-60. We detected 49 phospholipid species in Pb3 and 38 in Pb18, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid. In both Pb3 and Pb18, PC and PE had the most numerous species. Among the fatty acids, C18:1 and C18:2 were the most abundant species in both isolates, although C18:2 was more abundant in Pb18. There was a different effect of plasma supplementation on fatty acids depending on the fungal isolate. The prevalent glycolipid species was Hex-C18:0-OH/d19:2-Cer, although other four minor species were also detected. The most abundant sterol in all samples was brassicasterol. Distinct profiles of cell wall and total yeast sterols suggested that the preparations were enriched for cell wall components. The presence of plasma in the culture medium specially increased cell wall brassicasterol abundance and also other lipids. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We here report an original comparative lipidomic analysis of P. brasiliensis cell wall. Our results open doors to understanding the role of cell wall lipids in fungal biology, and interaction with anti-fungal drugs and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa V. G. Longo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Felipe Gazos-Lopes
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Milene C. Vallejo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alisson L. Matsuo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rosana Puccia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
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84
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Krause C, Richter S, Knöll C, Jürgens G. Plant secretome - from cellular process to biological activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:2429-41. [PMID: 23557863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that plants secrete a large number of proteins and peptides into the extracellular space. Secreted proteins play a crucial role in stress response, communication and development of organisms. Here we review the current knowledge of the secretome of more than ten plant species, studied in natural conditions or during (a)biotic stress. This review not only deals with the classical secretory route via endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi followed by proteins containing a known N-terminal signal peptide, but also covers new findings about unconventional secretion of leaderless proteins. We describe alternative secretion pathways and the involved compartments like the recently discovered EXPO. The well characterized secreted peptides that function as ligands of receptor proteins exemplify the biological significance and activity of the secretome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: An Updated Secretome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Krause
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Troppens DM, Dmitriev RI, Papkovsky DB, O'Gara F, Morrissey JP. Genome-wide investigation of cellular targets and mode of action of the antifungal bacterial metabolite 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Yeast Res 2013; 13:322-34. [PMID: 23445507 DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a proven model to investigate the effects of small molecules and drugs on fungal and eukaryotic cells. In this study, the mode of action of an antifungal metabolite, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), was determined. Applying a combination of genetic and physiological approaches, it was established that this bacterial metabolite acts as a proton ionophore and dissipates the proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane. The uncoupling of respiration and ATP synthesis ultimately leads to growth inhibition and is the primary toxic effect of DAPG. A genome-wide screen identified 154 DAPG-tolerant mutants and showed that there are many alterations in cellular metabolism that can confer at least some degree of tolerance to this uncoupler. One mutant, ydc1, was studied in some more detail as it displayed increased tolerance to both DAPG and the uncoupler carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and appears to be unconnected to other tolerant mutant strains. Deleting YDC1 alters sphingolipid homoeostasis in the cell, and we suggest here that this may be linked to reduced drug sensitivity. Sphingolipids and their derivatives are important eukaryotic signal molecules, and the observation that altering homoeostasis may affect yeast response to metabolic uncoupling agents raises some intriguing questions for future studies.
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87
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De Coninck B, Cammue BP, Thevissen K. Modes of antifungal action and in planta functions of plant defensins and defensin-like peptides. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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88
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Ulm H, Wilmes M, Shai Y, Sahl HG. Antimicrobial host defensins - specific antibiotic activities and innate defense modulation. Front Immunol 2012; 3:249. [PMID: 22912635 PMCID: PMC3418506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ulm
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Section, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
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Muñoz A, Read ND. Live-cell imaging and analysis shed light on the complexity and dynamics of antimicrobial Peptide action. Front Immunol 2012; 3:248. [PMID: 22912634 PMCID: PMC3418630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Muñoz
- Fungal Cell Biology Group, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, UK
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