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Cao L, Li Z, Zhang R, Wu Y, Li W, Cao Z. StCT2, a new antibacterial peptide characterized from the venom of the scorpion Scorpiops tibetanus. Peptides 2012; 36:213-20. [PMID: 22542475 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial infection poses an increasing threat to global public health and new types of antibacterial agents are urgently needed to respond to the threat. Scorpion venom contains series of bioactive peptides, among which antibacterial peptide is an important part. Herein, a new antimicrobial peptide StCT2 was characterized from the venomous gland cDNA library of the Scorpiops tibetanus. The full-length cDNA of StCT2 is 369 nucleotides encoding the precursor that contains a putative 24 residues signal peptide, a presumed 14 residues mature peptide, and a putative 37 residues acidic propeptide at the C-terminus. The minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) of StCT2 for Staphylococcus aureus were 6.25-25μg/ml, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). StCT2 was further found to show high in vivo antimicrobial activity by an S. aureus infection mouse model. StCT2 exerted its antimicrobial activity via a rapid bactericidal mechanism. Taken together, these results demonstrate the efficacy and general mechanism of StCT2 antimicrobial action and the therapeutic potential of StCT2 as a new antimicrobial peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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Fitzgerald-Hughes D, Devocelle M, Humphreys H. Beyond conventional antibiotics for the future treatment of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusinfections: two novel alternatives. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 65:399-412. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00954.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Cao L, Dai C, Li Z, Fan Z, Song Y, Wu Y, Cao Z, Li W. Antibacterial activity and mechanism of a scorpion venom peptide derivative in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40135. [PMID: 22792229 PMCID: PMC3390344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BmKn2 is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) characterized from the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus martensii Karsch by our group. In this study, Kn2-7 was derived from BmKn2 to improve the antibacterial activity and decrease hemolytic activity. Kn2-7 showed increased inhibitory activity against both gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, Kn2-7 exhibited higher antibacterial activity against clinical antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, the topical use of Kn2-7 effectively protected the skin of mice from infection in an S. aureus mouse skin infection model. Kn2-7 exerted its antibacterial activity via a bactericidal mechanism. Kn2-7 killed S. aureus and E. coli rapidly by binding to the lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in the S. aureus cell wall and the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the E. coli cell wall, respectively. Finally, the hemolytic activity of Kn2-7 was significantly decreased, compared to the wild-type peptide BmKn2. Taken together, the Kn2-7 peptide can be developed as a topical therapeutic agent for treating bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Chao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Zhongjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (WL)
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (WL)
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Chen Y, Cao L, Zhong M, Zhang Y, Han C, Li Q, Yang J, Zhou D, Shi W, He B, Liu F, Yu J, Sun Y, Cao Y, Li Y, Li W, Guo D, Cao Z, Yan H. Anti-HIV-1 activity of a new scorpion venom peptide derivative Kn2-7. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34947. [PMID: 22536342 PMCID: PMC3334916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
For over 30 years, HIV/AIDS has wreaked havoc in the world. In the absence of an effective vaccine for HIV, development of new anti-HIV agents is urgently needed. We previously identified the antiviral activities of the scorpion-venom-peptide-derived mucroporin-M1 for three RNA viruses (measles viruses, SARS-CoV, and H5N1). In this investigation, a panel of scorpion venom peptides and their derivatives were designed and chosen for assessment of their anti-HIV activities. A new scorpion venom peptide derivative Kn2-7 was identified as the most potent anti-HIV-1 peptide by screening assays with an EC50 value of 2.76 µg/ml (1.65 µM) and showed low cytotoxicity to host cells with a selective index (SI) of 13.93. Kn2-7 could inhibit all members of a standard reference panel of HIV-1 subtype B pseudotyped virus (PV) with CCR5-tropic and CXCR4-tropic NL4-3 PV strain. Furthermore, it also inhibited a CXCR4-tropic replication-competent strain of HIV-1 subtype B virus. Binding assay of Kn2-7 to HIV-1 PV by Octet Red system suggested the anti-HIV-1 activity was correlated with a direct interaction between Kn2-7 and HIV-1 envelope. These results demonstrated that peptide Kn2-7 could inhibit HIV-1 by direct interaction with viral particle and may become a promising candidate compound for further development of microbicide against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Maohua Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dihan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Benxia He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Deying Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (HY)
| | - Huimin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (ZC); (HY)
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Chen ZY, Zeng DY, Hu YT, He YW, Pan N, Ding JP, Cao ZJ, Liu ML, Li WX, Yi H, Jiang L, Wu YL. Structural and functional diversity of acidic scorpion potassium channel toxins. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35154. [PMID: 22511981 PMCID: PMC3325286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the basic scorpion K+ channel toxins (KTxs) are well-known pharmacological tools and potential drug candidates, characterization the acidic KTxs still has the great significance for their potential selectivity towards different K+ channel subtypes. Unfortunately, research on the acidic KTxs has been ignored for several years and progressed slowly. Principal Findings Here, we describe the identification of nine new acidic KTxs by cDNA cloning and bioinformatic analyses. Seven of these toxins belong to three new α-KTx subfamilies (α-KTx28, α-KTx29, and α-KTx30), and two are new members of the known κ-KTx2 subfamily. ImKTx104 containing three disulfide bridges, the first member of the α-KTx28 subfamily, has a low sequence homology with other known KTxs, and its NMR structure suggests ImKTx104 adopts a modified cystine-stabilized α-helix-loop-β-sheet (CS-α/β) fold motif that has no apparent α-helixs and β-sheets, but still stabilized by three disulfide bridges. These newly described acidic KTxs exhibit differential pharmacological effects on potassium channels. Acidic scorpion toxin ImKTx104 was the first peptide inhibitor found to affect KCNQ1 channel, which is insensitive to the basic KTxs and is strongly associated with human cardiac abnormalities. ImKTx104 selectively inhibited KCNQ1 channel with a Kd of 11.69 µM, but was less effective against the basic KTxs-sensitive potassium channels. In addition to the ImKTx104 toxin, HeTx204 peptide, containing a cystine-stabilized α-helix-loop-helix (CS-α/α) fold scaffold motif, blocked both Kv1.3 and KCNQ1 channels. StKTx23 toxin, with a cystine-stabilized α-helix-loop-β-sheet (CS-α/β) fold motif, could inhibit Kv1.3 channel, but not the KCNQ1 channel. Conclusions/Significance These findings characterize the structural and functional diversity of acidic KTxs, and could accelerate the development and clinical use of acidic KTxs as pharmacological tools and potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan-Yun Zeng
- Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - You-Tian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Wen He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Pan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Ministry of Education,College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiu-Ping Ding
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Ministry of Education,College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Jian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mai-Li Liu
- Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (LJ); (HY); (YW)
| | - Ling Jiang
- Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (LJ); (HY); (YW)
| | - Ying-Liang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (LJ); (HY); (YW)
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Wang H, Meng XL, Xu JP, Wang J, Wang H, Ma CW. Production, purification, and characterization of the cecropin from Plutella xylostella, pxCECA1, using an intein-induced self-cleavable system in Escherichia coli. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 94:1031-9. [PMID: 22258643 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-011-3863-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely expressed and play an important role in innate immune defense against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Cecropins are a family of AMPs synthesized in the fat body of insects that have proven effective at killing specific pathogens. In order to fulfill their clinical potential as antimicrobial drugs, a simple, cost-effective method to express AMPs is sorely needed. In this study, we expressed and characterized the cecropin from Plutella xylostella (pxCECA1) using an intein-dependent expression system in Escherichia coli. We cloned the pxCECA1 gene from larva by RT-PCR and fused the encoding sequence of mature pxCECA1 with an intein gene and a chitin-binding domain gene (CBD) in pTWIN1 plasmid. The fusion protein CBD-intein-pxCECA1 was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and separated by flowing cell extracts through a chitin column. Subsequently, self-cleavage of the intein at its C-terminus was induced in a temperature- and pH-dependent manner, resulting in the release of mature pxCECA1. The optimal conditions for self-cleavage were determined to be pH 6.0 for 48 h at 4°C, under which 12.3 mg of recombinant pxCECA1 could be recovered from 1 l of E. coli culture. The purified pxCECA1 displayed antimicrobial activity against a broad variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This preparation was especially effective against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains. Catalase release assays demonstrated that pxCECA1 acts as a microbicidal agent. These results show for the first time that the IMPACT-TWIN expression system is an efficient, cost-effective way to produce fully functional AMPs and that the AMP pxCECA1 is a novel microbicidal agent with promising therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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57
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Ding R, Wu XC, Qian CD, Teng Y, Li O, Zhan ZJ, Zhao YH. Isolation and identification of lipopeptide antibiotics from Paenibacillus elgii B69 with inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Microbiol 2011; 49:942-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-011-1153-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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58
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Zhao R, Dai H, Qiu S, Li T, He Y, Ma Y, Chen Z, Wu Y, Li W, Cao Z. SdPI, the first functionally characterized Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor from scorpion venom. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27548. [PMID: 22087336 PMCID: PMC3210814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kunitz-type venom peptides have been isolated from a wide variety of venomous animals. They usually have protease inhibitory activity or potassium channel blocking activity, which by virtue of the effects on predator animals are essential for the survival of venomous animals. However, no Kunitz-type peptides from scorpion venom have been functionally characterized. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A new Kunitz-type venom peptide gene precursor, SdPI, was cloned and characterized from a venom gland cDNA library of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus. It codes for a signal peptide of 21 residues and a mature peptide of 59 residues. The mature SdPI peptide possesses a unique cysteine framework reticulated by three disulfide bridges, different from all reported Kunitz-type proteins. The recombinant SdPI peptide was functionally expressed. It showed trypsin inhibitory activity with high potency (K(i) = 1.6×10(-7) M) and thermostability. CONCLUSIONS The results illustrated that SdPI is a potent and stable serine protease inhibitor. Further mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulation revealed that SdPI possesses a serine protease inhibitory active site similar to other Kunitz-type venom peptides. To our knowledge, SdPI is the first functionally characterized Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor derived from scorpion venom, and it represents a new class of Kunitz-type venom peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yawen He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (WL); (ZC)
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (WL); (ZC)
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Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Urinary Tract Isolates and Influence of Urinary Tract Conditions on Antibiotic Tolerance. Curr Microbiol 2011; 64:7-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-011-0026-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Ctriporin, a new anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus peptide from the venom of the scorpion Chaerilus tricostatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 55:5220-9. [PMID: 21876042 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00369-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant microbes, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, seriously threaten human health. The outbreak of "superbugs" in recent years emphasizes once again the need for the development of new antimicrobial agents or resources. Antimicrobial peptides have an evident bactericidal effect against multidrug-resistant pathogens. In the present study, a new antimicrobial peptide, ctriporin, was cloned and characterized from the venom of the scorpion Chaerilus tricostatus, an animal which has not yet been explored for toxic peptide resources. The MICs of ctriporin against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, and Candida albicans are 5 to 20 μg/ml. Meanwhile, it MIC against clinical antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is 10 μg/ml. Furthermore, the potential for ctriporin to be used as a topical antibiotic for treating staphylococcal skin infections was investigated. External use of the peptide ctriporin dramatically decreased the bacterial counts and cured skin infections in mice. In addition, ctriporin demonstrates antimicrobial efficacy via the bactericidal mechanism of rapid cell lysis. Together, these results suggest the potential of developing ctriporin as a new topical antibiotic.
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61
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Li Q, Zhao Z, Zhou D, Chen Y, Hong W, Cao L, Yang J, Zhang Y, Shi W, Cao Z, Wu Y, Yan H, Li W. Virucidal activity of a scorpion venom peptide variant mucroporin-M1 against measles, SARS-CoV and influenza H5N1 viruses. Peptides 2011; 32:1518-25. [PMID: 21620914 PMCID: PMC7115635 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Outbreaks of SARS-CoV, influenza A (H5N1, H1N1) and measles viruses in recent years have raised serious concerns about the measures available to control emerging and re-emerging infectious viral diseases. Effective antiviral agents are lacking that specifically target RNA viruses such as measles, SARS-CoV and influenza H5N1 viruses, and available vaccinations have demonstrated variable efficacy. Therefore, the development of novel antiviral agents is needed to close the vaccination gap and silence outbreaks. We previously identified mucroporin, a cationic host defense peptide from scorpion venom, which can effectively inhibit standard bacteria. The optimized mucroporin-M1 can inhibit gram-positive bacteria at low concentrations and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. In this investigation, we further tested mucroporin and the optimized mucroporin-M1 for their antiviral activity. Surprisingly, we found that the antiviral activities of mucroporin-M1 against measles, SARS-CoV and influenza H5N1 viruses were notably increased with an EC₅₀ of 7.15 μg/ml (3.52 μM) and a CC₅₀ of 70.46 μg/ml (34.70 μM) against measles virus, an EC₅₀ of 14.46 μg/ml (7.12 μM) against SARS-CoV and an EC₅₀ of 2.10 μg/ml (1.03 μM) against H5N1, while the original peptide mucroporin showed no antiviral activity against any of these three viruses. The inhibition model could be via a direct interaction with the virus envelope, thereby decreasing the infectivity of virus. This report provides evidence that host defense peptides from scorpion venom can be modified for antiviral activity by rational design and represents a practical approach for developing broad-spectrum antiviral agents, especially against RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Dihan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
- Corresponding author at: Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China. Tel.: +86 27 87197103; fax: +86 27 87197103.
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 27 68752831; fax: +86 27 68756746.
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Hernández-Aponte CA, Silva-Sanchez J, Quintero-Hernández V, Rodríguez-Romero A, Balderas C, Possani LD, Gurrola GB. Vejovine, a new antibiotic from the scorpion venom of Vaejovis mexicanus. Toxicon 2011; 57:84-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2010] [Revised: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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63
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Yan R, Zhao Z, He Y, Wu L, Cai D, Hong W, Wu Y, Cao Z, Zheng C, Li W. A new natural α-helical peptide from the venom of the scorpion Heterometrus petersii kills HCV. Peptides 2011; 32:11-9. [PMID: 20950663 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2010] [Revised: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is no vaccine available for HCV, and almost half of patients cannot be cured using standard combination therapy. Thus, new anti-HCV strategies and drugs are urgently needed. Here, the gene encoding a new α-helical peptide, Hp1090, was screened from the venomous gland cDNA library of the scorpion Heterometrus petersii. Structural analysis showed that Hp1090 is an amphipathic α-helical peptide. In vitro HCV RNA inhibitory assays indicated that Hp1090 peptide inhibited HCV infection with an IC(50) of 7.62 μg/ml (5.0 μM), whereas Hp1035 peptide, showing high homology to Hp1090, exhibited no anti-HCV activity. Hp1090 acted as a viricide against HCV particles in vitro and prevented the initiation of HCV infection. Furthermore, this peptide interacted with HCV particles directly and rapidly permeabilized phospholipid membranes. Collectively, it seems that Hp1090 is virocidal for HCV in vitro, directly interacting with the viral membrane and decreasing the virus infectivity. These results suggest that Hp1090 could be considered an anti-HCV lead compound with virocidal mechanism that offers a potential therapeutic approach to HCV infection. Our work opens a new avenue for antiviral drug discovery in natural scorpion venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Ruiming Z, Yibao M, Yawen H, Zhiyong D, Yingliang W, Zhijian C, Wenxin L. Comparative venom gland transcriptome analysis of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus reveals intraspecific toxic gene diversity and new venomous components. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:452. [PMID: 20663230 PMCID: PMC3091649 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lychas mucronatus is one scorpion species widely distributed in Southeast Asia and southern China. Anything is hardly known about its venom components, despite the fact that it can often cause human accidents. In this work, we performed a venomous gland transcriptome analysis by constructing and screening the venom gland cDNA library of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus from Yunnan province and compared it with the previous results of Hainan-sourced Lychas mucronatus. Results A total of sixteen known types of venom peptides and proteins are obtained from the venom gland cDNA library of Yunnan-sourced Lychas mucronatus, which greatly increase the number of currently reported scorpion venom peptides. Interestingly, we also identified nineteen atypical types of venom molecules seldom reported in scorpion species. Surprisingly, the comparative transcriptome analysis of Yunnan-sourced Lychas mucronatus and Hainan-sourced Lychas mucronatus indicated that enormous diversity and vastly abundant difference could be found in venom peptides and proteins between populations of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus from different geographical regions. Conclusions This work characterizes a large number of venom molecules never identified in scorpion species. This result provides a comparative analysis of venom transcriptomes of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus from different geographical regions, which thoroughly reveals the fact that the venom peptides and proteins of the same scorpion species from different geographical regions are highly diversified and scorpion evolves to adapt a new environment by altering the primary structure and abundance of venom peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Ruiming
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, People's Republic of China
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Qi X, Zhou C, Li P, Xu W, Cao Y, Ling H, Ning Chen W, Ming Li C, Xu R, Lamrani M, Mu Y, Leong SSJ, Wook Chang M, Chan-Park MB. Novel short antibacterial and antifungal peptides with low cytotoxicity: Efficacy and action mechanisms. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 398:594-600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.06.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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66
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Gao B, Xu J, del Carmen Rodriguez M, Lanz-Mendoza H, Hernández-Rivas R, Du W, Zhu S. Characterization of two linear cationic antimalarial peptides in the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus. Biochimie 2010; 92:350-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2010.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Yuan W, Cao L, Ma Y, Mao P, Wang W, Zhao R, Wu Y, Cao Z, Li W. Cloning and functional characterization of a new antimicrobial peptide gene StCT1 from the venom of the scorpion Scorpiops tibetanus. Peptides 2010; 31:22-6. [PMID: 19854232 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2009] [Revised: 10/12/2009] [Accepted: 10/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion has an innovative venom gland, which is an important determinant in contributing to its successful survival for more than 400 million years. Scorpion venom contains a diversity of bioactive peptides, which represent a tremendous hitherto unexplored resource for use in drug design and development. Here, StCT1, a new antimicrobial peptide gene, was screened and isolated from the venomous gland cDNA library of the scorpion Scorpiops tibetanus. The full-length cDNA of StCT1 is 369 nucleotides encoding the precursor that contains a putative 24-residue signal peptide, a presumed 14-residue mature peptide, and an uncommon 37-residue acidic propeptide at the C-terminus. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the synthetic StCT1 peptide against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus were 12.5microg/ml and 100microg/ml, respectively. The MICs of StCT1 against clinical antibiotics-resistant bacterial strains, were 50-250microg/ml, 2-40 folds lower than those of penicillin. These results show that the antimicrobial peptide encoded by StCT1 gene from the venom of the scorpion S. tibetanus is a potential anti-infective polypeptide or lead compound, especially for treating antibiotics-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenying Yuan
- Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuhan, China
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68
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Chen G, Zhou M, Chen S, Lv G, Yao J. Nanolayer biofilm coated on magnetic nanoparticles by using a dielectric barrier discharge glow plasma fluidized bed for immobilizing an antimicrobial peptide. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 20:465706. [PMID: 19847021 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/46/465706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Using the monomer of acrylic acid and the novel technique of using a dielectric barrier discharge glow plasma fluidized bed (GPFB), a nanolayer biofilm of polyacrylic acid (PAA) was uniformly coated on the surface of magnetic nickel nanoparticles (NPs). Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc, were used to characterize the modified NPs. The thickness of the biofilm was about 2 nm when the NPs were treated using the GPFB once, and the discharging conditions affected the density of the carboxyl group obviously. The PAA acting as an adhesion layer was used to immobilize the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, to kill the bacteria of Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the results indicated that the modified nickel NPs immobilizing a certain concentration of LL-37 could kill the bacteria effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, People's Republic of China.
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