151
|
Tam JP, Wang S, Wong KH, Tan WL. Antimicrobial Peptides from Plants. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2015; 8:711-57. [PMID: 26580629 PMCID: PMC4695807 DOI: 10.3390/ph8040711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have evolved differently from AMPs from other life forms. They are generally rich in cysteine residues which form multiple disulfides. In turn, the disulfides cross-braced plant AMPs as cystine-rich peptides to confer them with extraordinary high chemical, thermal and proteolytic stability. The cystine-rich or commonly known as cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) of plant AMPs are classified into families based on their sequence similarity, cysteine motifs that determine their distinctive disulfide bond patterns and tertiary structure fold. Cystine-rich plant AMP families include thionins, defensins, hevein-like peptides, knottin-type peptides (linear and cyclic), lipid transfer proteins, α-hairpinin and snakins family. In addition, there are AMPs which are rich in other amino acids. The ability of plant AMPs to organize into specific families with conserved structural folds that enable sequence variation of non-Cys residues encased in the same scaffold within a particular family to play multiple functions. Furthermore, the ability of plant AMPs to tolerate hypervariable sequences using a conserved scaffold provides diversity to recognize different targets by varying the sequence of the non-cysteine residues. These properties bode well for developing plant AMPs as potential therapeutics and for protection of crops through transgenic methods. This review provides an overview of the major families of plant AMPs, including their structures, functions, and putative mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Shujing Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Ka H Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Wei Liang Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
152
|
Ghosh P, Roy A, Hess D, Ghosh A, Das S. Deciphering the mode of action of a mutant Allium sativum Leaf Agglutinin (mASAL), a potent antifungal protein on Rhizoctonia solani. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:237. [PMID: 26502719 PMCID: PMC4623900 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutant Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (mASAL) is a potent, biosafe, antifungal protein that exhibits fungicidal activity against different phytopathogenic fungi, including Rhizoctonia solani. Methods The effect of mASAL on the morphology of R.solani was monitored primarily by scanning electron and light microscopic techniques. Besides different fluorescent probes were used for monitoring various intracellular changes associated with mASAL treatment like change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of programmed cell death (PCD). In addition ligand blot followed by LC-MS/MS analyses were performed to detect the putative interactors of mASAL. Results Knowledge on the mode of function for any new protein is a prerequisite for its biotechnological application. Detailed morphological analysis of mASAL treated R. solani hyphae using different microscopic techniques revealed a detrimental effect of mASAL on both the cell wall and the plasma membrane. Moreover, exposure to mASAL caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the subsequent intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the target organism. In conjunction with this observation, evidence of the induction of programmed cell death (PCD) was also noted in the mASAL treated R. solani hyphae. Furthermore, we investigated its interacting partners from R. solani. Using ligand blots followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses, we identified different binding partners including Actin, HSP70, ATPase and 14-3-3 protein. Conclusions Taken together, the present study provides insight into the probable mode of action of the antifungal protein, mASAL on R. solani which could be exploited in future biotechnological applications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-015-0549-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prithwi Ghosh
- Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, Centenary Campus, P1/12, CIT Scheme, VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India.
| | - Amit Roy
- Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, Centenary Campus, P1/12, CIT Scheme, VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India. .,Present address: Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, SE-230 53, Sweden.
| | - Daniel Hess
- The Protein Analysis Facility, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Anupama Ghosh
- Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, Centenary Campus, P1/12, CIT Scheme, VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India.
| | - Sampa Das
- Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, Centenary Campus, P1/12, CIT Scheme, VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
153
|
Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological Activity of Antimicrobial--Pro-Proliferative Peptide Conjugates. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140377. [PMID: 26473368 PMCID: PMC4608580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin represents the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in its protection from the negative impact of the outside environment, maintains its homeostasis, enables sensory interaction and thermoregulation. The traumatized skin tissue undergoes several phenotype switches due to progressive reoxygenation and release of cytokine and growth factors, that activate mechanisms of reparative processes. However, in case of wounds colonized with pathogenic microflora natural regenerative mechanisms become substantially impaired, that could lead to chronic inflammatory states with non-healing skin lesions. Herein, we present the initial results of our studies aimed at the design of bifunctional peptide-based compounds. The chemical approach, that was utilized in this work, was based on the conjugation of antimicrobial peptides with the peptides, that have potential pro-proliferative and/or cytoprotective activity towards human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, in order to obtain antimicrobials with reduced cytotoxicity or compounds that maintain both activities, i.e. inhibit bacterial or fungi growth and activate cell proliferation/migration in in vitro tests. As a result, we obtained a group of peptide conjugates that effectively inhibited the growth of selected bacterial and fungi strains and were able to stimulate proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts under their effective microbicidal concentrations.
Collapse
|
154
|
Borquaye LS, Darko G, Ocansey E, Ankomah E. Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the crude peptide extracts of Galatea paradoxa and Patella rustica. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:500. [PMID: 26405620 PMCID: PMC4574042 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1266-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of crude peptide extracted from Galatea paradoxa (G. paradoxa) and Patella rustica (P. rustica). The extracts were tested against eight strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus feacalis, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one strain of fungi (Candida albicans) using agar well diffusion and broth dilution assays. The extracts from G. paradoxa demonstrated a high degree of activity against the bacteria strains but were inactive towards the fungus. P. rustica, however, showed a markedly higher antifungal activity but little antibacterial effect. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts determined by the broth tube dilution assay were 17 mg/mL of G. paradoxa against the entire spectrum of microorganisms tested except for C. albicans which was 20 mg/mL. The MIC of the extracts of P. rustica was 13 mg/mL against all the strains of microorganisms tested except for E. feacalis (17 mg/mL), K. pneumoniae (17 mg/mL) and C. albicans (13 mg/mL). Antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed scavenging ability on the DPPH radical was 56.77 % at 0.39 mg/mL for G. paradoxa and 79.77 % at 0.39 mg/mL for P. rustica. The study indicates that the crude peptide extracts from the two molluscs have promising antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that can be harnessed as leads for potential bioactive compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Godfred Darko
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Edward Ocansey
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Ankomah
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
155
|
Jiang H, Wang X, Xiao C, Wang W, Zhao X, Sui J, Sa R, Guo TL, Liu X. Antifungal activity of Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5 and characterization of its antifungal components. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 31:1605-18. [PMID: 26265360 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-015-1912-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of safe and effective methods for controlling fungal disease is an urgent issue in agriculture and forestry. Microbiological control of plant disease is expected to achieve better results than use of chemically derived fungicides. This study aimed to establish Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5 as a potential microbiological control agent of poplar canker. The bacterium was isolated from the poplar rhizosphere and demonstrated significant growth inhibition of several pathogenic fungi in vitro. The antifungal components of Br. laterosporus JX-5 were isolated and identified. The fermentation broth of Br. laterosporus JX-5 and its main antifungal component, designated as component B, reduced Botryosphaeria dothidea associated canker of the excised poplar branch by 70 and 90%, respectively. Component B is considerably heat-stable, adaptable to a broad pH range, and UV-resistant. It could inhibit Bo. dothidea by permeating the fungal membrane, fracturing the nuclei, damaging the cell wall, and eventually killing the pathogenic fungus. The antifungal activity exhibited by Br. laterosporus JX-5 and its bioactive metabolic products indicate its feasibility as a potential biocontrol agent for plant diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Jiang
- College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China. .,School of Life Science, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271018, China.
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Chengze Xiao
- College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Weiyan Wang
- College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Junkang Sui
- College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Rongbo Sa
- College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China.,School of Life Science, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Tai L Guo
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602-7382, USA.
| | - Xunli Liu
- College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
156
|
Maróti G, Downie JA, Kondorosi É. Plant cysteine-rich peptides that inhibit pathogen growth and control rhizobial differentiation in legume nodules. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 26:57-63. [PMID: 26116977 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2015.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Plants must co-exist with both pathogenic and beneficial microbes. Antimicrobial peptides with broad antimicrobial activities represent one of the first lines of defense against pathogens. Many plant cysteine-rich peptides with potential antimicrobial properties have been predicted. Amongst them, defensins and defensin-like peptides are the most abundant and plants can express several hundreds of them. In some rhizobial-legume symbioses special defensin-like peptides, the nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides have evolved in those legumes whose symbiotic partner terminally differentiates. In Medicago truncatula, >700 NCRs exist and collectively act as plant effectors inducing irreversible differentiation of rhizobia to nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. Cationic NCR peptides have a broad range of potent antimicrobial activities but do not kill the endosymbionts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - J Allan Downie
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Éva Kondorosi
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62., Szeged 6726, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
157
|
Activity of Novel Synthetic Peptides against Candida albicans. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9657. [PMID: 25965506 PMCID: PMC4603303 DOI: 10.1038/srep09657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. are the most common causes of fungal infections worldwide. Among the Candida species, Candida albicans remains the predominant species that causes invasive candidiasis in most countries. In this study, we used two peptides, KABT-AMP and uperin 3.6 as templates to develop novel antifungal peptides. Their anticandidal activity was assessed using a combination of MIC, time-killing assay and biofilm reduction assay. Hybrid peptides, KU2 and KU3 containing a mixed backbone of KABT-AMP and Uperin 3.6 demonstrated the most potent anticandidal activity with MIC values ranging from 8–16 mg/L. The number of Trp residues and the amphipathic structure of peptides probably enhanced the anticandidal activity of peptides. Increasing the cationicity of the uperin 3.6 analogues resulted in reduced MIC from the range of 64–128 mg/L to 16–64 mg/L and this was also correlated with the antibiofilm activity and killing kinetics of the peptides. Peptides showed synergistic effects when used in combination with conventional antifungals. Peptides demonstrated low haemolytic activity but significant toxicity on two normal human epithelial cell lines. This study provides us with a better understanding on the structure-activity relationship and the balance between cationicity and hydrophobicity of the peptides although the therapeutic application of the peptides is limited.
Collapse
|
158
|
López-Abarrategui C, McBeth C, Mandal SM, Sun ZJ, Heffron G, Alba-Menéndez A, Migliolo L, Reyes-Acosta O, García-Villarino M, Nolasco DO, Falcão R, Cherobim MD, Dias SC, Brandt W, Wessjohann L, Starnbach M, Franco OL, Otero-González AJ. Cm-p5: an antifungal hydrophilic peptide derived from the coastal mollusk Cenchritis muricatus (Gastropoda: Littorinidae). FASEB J 2015; 29:3315-25. [PMID: 25921828 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-269860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides form part of the first line of defense against pathogens for many organisms. Current treatments for fungal infections are limited by drug toxicity and pathogen resistance. Cm-p5 (SRSELIVHQRLF), a peptide derived from the marine mollusk Cenchritis muricatus peptide Cm-p1, has a significantly increased fungistatic activity against pathogenic Candida albicans (minimal inhibitory concentration, 10 µg/ml; EC50, 1.146 µg/ml) while exhibiting low toxic effects against a cultured mammalian cell line. Cm-p5 as characterized by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance revealed an α-helical structure in membrane-mimetic conditions and a tendency to random coil folding in aqueous solutions. Additional studies modeling Cm-p5 binding to a phosphatidylserine bilayer in silico and isothermal titration calorimetry using lipid monophases demonstrated that Cm-p5 has a high affinity for the phospholipids of fungal membranes (phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine), only moderate interactions with a mammalian membrane phospholipid, low interaction with ergosterol, and no interaction with chitin. Adhesion of Cm-p5 to living C. albicans cells was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy with FITC-labeled peptide. In a systemic candidiasis model in mice, intraperitoneal administration of Cm-p5 was unable to control the fungal kidney burden, although its low amphiphaticity could be modified to generate new derivatives with improved fungicidal activity and stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos López-Abarrategui
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, Havana University, Branch of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí," and Laboratory of Peptide Analysis and Synthesis, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
159
|
Liu R, Chen X, Falk SP, Masters KS, Weisblum B, Gellman SH. Nylon-3 polymers active against drug-resistant Candida albicans biofilms. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:2183-6. [PMID: 25650957 PMCID: PMC4682891 DOI: 10.1021/ja512567y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, and most diseases produced by C. albicans are associated with biofilms. We previously developed nylon-3 polymers with potent activity against planktonic C. albicans and excellent C. albicans versus mammalian cell selectivity. Here we show that these nylon-3 polymers have strong and selective activity against drug-resistant C. albicans in biofilms, as manifested by inhibition of biofilm formation and by killing of C. albicans in mature biofilms. The best nylon-3 polymer (poly-βNM) is superior to the antifungal drug fluconazole for all three strains examined. This polymer is slightly less effective than amphotericin B (AmpB) for two strains, but the polymer is superior against an AmpB-resistant strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runhui Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| | - Shaun P. Falk
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| | - Kristyn S. Masters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| | - Bernard Weisblum
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| | - Samuel H. Gellman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53706
| |
Collapse
|
160
|
Breen S, Solomon PS, Bedon F, Vincent D. Surveying the potential of secreted antimicrobial peptides to enhance plant disease resistance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:900. [PMID: 26579150 PMCID: PMC4621407 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural products found across diverse taxa as part of the innate immune system against pathogen attacks. Some AMPs are synthesized through the canonical gene expression machinery and are called ribosomal AMPs. Other AMPs are assembled by modular enzymes generating nonribosomal AMPs and harbor unusual structural diversity. Plants synthesize an array of AMPs, yet are still subject to many pathogen invasions. Crop breeding programs struggle to release new cultivars in which complete disease resistance is achieved, and usually such resistance becomes quickly overcome by the targeted pathogens which have a shorter generation time. AMPs could offer a solution by exploring not only plant-derived AMPs, related or unrelated to the crop of interest, but also non-plant AMPs produced by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes or animals. This review highlights some promising candidates within the plant kingdom and elsewhere, and offers some perspectives on how to identify and validate their bioactivities. Technological advances, particularly in mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), have been instrumental in identifying and elucidating the structure of novel AMPs, especially nonribosomal peptides which cannot be identified through genomics approaches. The majority of non-plant AMPs showing potential for plant disease immunity are often tested using in vitro assays. The greatest challenge remains the functional validation of candidate AMPs in plants through transgenic experiments, particularly introducing nonribosomal AMPs into crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Breen
- Plant Sciences Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National UniversityCanberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Peter S. Solomon
- Plant Sciences Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National UniversityCanberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Frank Bedon
- Department of Economic Development, AgriBioBundoora, VIC, Australia
- AgriBio, La Trobe UniversityBundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Delphine Vincent
- Department of Economic Development, AgriBioBundoora, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Delphine Vincent
| |
Collapse
|
161
|
Goyal RK, Mattoo AK. Multitasking antimicrobial peptides in plant development and host defense against biotic/abiotic stress. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 228:135-49. [PMID: 25438794 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2014.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Crop losses due to pathogens are a major threat to global food security. Plants employ a multilayer defense against a pathogen including the use of physical barriers (cell wall), induction of hypersensitive defense response (HR), resistance (R) proteins, and synthesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Unlike a complex R gene-mediated immunity, AMPs directly target diverse microbial pathogens. Many a times, R-mediated immunity breaks down and plant defense is compromised. Although R-gene dependent pathogen resistance has been well studied, comparatively little is known about the interactions of AMPs with host defense and physiology. AMPs are ubiquitous, low molecular weight peptides that display broad spectrum resistance against bacteria, fungi and viruses. In plants, AMPs are mainly classified into cyclotides, defensins, thionins, lipid transfer proteins, snakins, and hevein-like vicilin-like and knottins. Genetic distance lineages suggest their conservation with minimal effect of speciation events during evolution. AMPs provide durable resistance in plants through a combination of membrane lysis and cellular toxicity of the pathogen. Plant hormones - gibberellins, ethylene, jasmonates, and salicylic acid, are among the physiological regulators that regulate the expression of AMPs. Transgenically produced AMP-plants have become a means showing that AMPs are able to mitigate host defense responses while providing durable resistance against pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Autar K Mattoo
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, ARS's Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
162
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
163
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
164
|
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
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
165
|
The interaction of aurein 2.5 with fungal membranes. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2014; 43:255-64. [PMID: 24728560 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-014-0959-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aurein 2.5 (GLFDIVKKVVGAFGSL-NH2) is an antimicrobial peptide, which was seen to have activity against Stachybotris chartarum, Penicillium roseopurpureum and Aspergillus flavus with minimum fungicidal concentrations in the range 250-500 μM. S. chartarum showed enhanced susceptibility to lysis as compared to P. roseopurpureum and A. flavus, (44, 26 and 28 % respectively). Monolayers formed from lipid membrane extracts derived from S. chartarum, P. roseopurpureum and A. flavus showed maximal surface pressure changes of 13.5, 10.3 and 10.2 mN m(-1) respectively. However, aurein 2.5 adopted similar levels of α-helical structure (circa 45 %) in the presence of vesicles formed from membrane lipid extracts derived from all three fungi. These data imply that differential activity is not due to targeting and membrane association but linked to the ability of the bound peptide to lyse the cells. At sterol levels mimetic of eukaryotic systems, high levels of α-helical structure (circa 50 %) were also observed and hence similar binding. However, enhanced sterol levels (>0.6) led to a reduction in monolayer membrane interaction, suggesting that the sterols influence efficacy. Consistent with this suggestion, thermodynamic analysis showed that the peptide was able to destabilise model fungal monolayers, as indicated by negative values of ∆Gmix.
Collapse
|
166
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
167
|
Liu R, Chen X, Falk SP, Mowery BP, Karlsson AJ, Weisblum B, Palecek SP, Masters KS, Gellman SH. Structure-activity relationships among antifungal nylon-3 polymers: identification of materials active against drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:4333-42. [PMID: 24606327 PMCID: PMC3985965 DOI: 10.1021/ja500036r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major challenge to human health that is heightened by pathogen resistance to current therapeutic agents. Previously, we were inspired by host-defense peptides to develop nylon-3 polymers (poly-β-peptides) that are toxic toward the fungal pathogen Candida albicans but exert little effect on mammalian cells. Based on subsequent analysis of structure-activity relationships among antifungal nylon-3 polymers, we have now identified readily prepared cationic homopolymers active against strains of C. albicans that are resistant to the antifungal drugs fluconazole and amphotericin B. These nylon-3 polymers are nonhemolytic. In addition, we have identified cationic-hydrophobic copolymers that are highly active against a second fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, and moderately active against a third pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runhui Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Shaun P. Falk
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Brendan P. Mowery
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Amy J. Karlsson
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Bernard Weisblum
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Sean P. Palecek
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Kristyn S. Masters
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Samuel H. Gellman
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, and Department of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| |
Collapse
|
168
|
Nguyen NNT, Ranwez V, Vile D, Soulié MC, Dellagi A, Expert D, Gosti F. Evolutionary tinkering of the expression of PDF1s suggests their joint effect on zinc tolerance and the response to pathogen attack. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:70. [PMID: 24653728 PMCID: PMC3949115 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Multigenic families of Plant Defensin type 1 (PDF1) have been described in several species, including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as zinc tolerant and hyperaccumulator A. halleri. In A. thaliana, PDF1 transcripts (AtPDF1) accumulate in response to pathogen attack following synergic activation of ethylene/jasmonate pathways. However, in A. halleri, PDF1 transcripts (AhPDF1) are constitutively highly accumulated. Through an evolutionary approach, we investigated the possibility of A. halleri or A. thaliana species specialization in different PDF1s in conveying zinc tolerance and/or the response to pathogen attack via activation of the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway. The accumulation of each PDF1 from both A. halleri and A. thaliana was thus compared in response to zinc excess and MeJA application. In both species, PDF1 paralogues were barely or not at all responsive to zinc. However, regarding the PDF1 response to JA signaling activation, A. thaliana had a higher number of PDF1s responding to JA signaling activation. Remarkably, in A. thaliana, a slight but significant increase in zinc tolerance was correlated with activation of the JA signaling pathway. In addition, A. halleri was found to be more tolerant to the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea than A. thaliana. Since PDF1s are known to be promiscuous antifungal proteins able to convey zinc tolerance, we propose, on the basis of the findings of this study, that high constitutive PDF1 transcript accumulation in A. halleri is a potential way to skip the JA signaling activation step required to increase the PDF1 transcript level in the A. thaliana model species. This could ultimately represent an adaptive evolutionary process that would promote a PDF1 joint effect on both zinc tolerance and the response to pathogens in the A. halleri extremophile species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nga N. T. Nguyen
- Unité Mixte de Recherche, Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Montpellier SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier IIMontpellier, France
| | - Vincent Ranwez
- Unité Mixte de Recherche, Amélioration Génétique et Adaptation des Plantes Méditerranéennes et Tropicales, Montpellier SupAgro/CIRAD/INRAMontpellier, France
| | - Denis Vile
- Laboratoire d'Ecophysiologie des Plantes sous Stress Environnementaux (LEPSE), UMR759 INRA/SupAgroMontpellier, France
| | - Marie-Christine Soulié
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Pathogènes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 217, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC Univ. Paris 06)Paris, France
| | - Alia Dellagi
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Pathogènes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 217 INRA/AgroParisTech/UPMCParis, France
| | - Dominique Expert
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Pathogènes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 217 INRA/AgroParisTech/UPMCParis, France
| | - Françoise Gosti
- Unité Mixte de Recherche, Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Montpellier SupAgro/CNRS/INRA/Université Montpellier IIMontpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
169
|
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.
Collapse
|
170
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
171
|
Novel properties of antimicrobial peptide anoplin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 444:520-4. [PMID: 24472551 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial decapeptide anoplin was tested for its antifungal activity against plant pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans and protection of Brassica napus plants from disease. To reveal the mode of action of the peptide, a natural form of anoplin amidated on C-terminus (ANP-NH2), and its carboxylated analog (ANP-OH) were used in the study. We demonstrated strong antifungal activity of anoplin in vitro regardless C-terminus modification. In addition we show that both ANP-NH2 and ANP-OH induce expression of defence genes in B. napus and protects plants from L. maculans infection. The results indicate that the amidation of anoplin is not essential for its antifungal and plant defence stimulating activities.
Collapse
|
172
|
Guilhelmelli F, Vilela N, Albuquerque P, Derengowski LDS, Silva-Pereira I, Kyaw CM. Antibiotic development challenges: the various mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides and of bacterial resistance. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:353. [PMID: 24367355 PMCID: PMC3856679 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural antibiotics produced by various organisms such as mammals, arthropods, plants, and bacteria. In addition to antimicrobial activity, AMPs can induce chemokine production, accelerate angiogenesis, and wound healing and modulate apoptosis in multicellular organisms. Originally, their antimicrobial mechanism of action was thought to consist solely of an increase in pathogen cell membrane permeability, but it has already been shown that several AMPs do not modulate membrane permeability in the minimal lethal concentration. Instead, they exert their effects by inhibiting processes such as protein and cell wall synthesis, as well as enzyme activity, among others. Although resistance to these molecules is uncommon several pathogens developed different strategies to overcome AMPs killing such as surface modification, expression of efflux pumps, and secretion of proteases among others. This review describes the various mechanisms of action of AMPs and how pathogens evolve resistance to them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Guilhelmelli
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nathália Vilela
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lorena da S Derengowski
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ildinete Silva-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| | - Cynthia M Kyaw
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
173
|
Ryazantsev DY, Rogozhin EA, Dimitrieva TV, Drobyazina PE, Khadeeva NV, Egorov TA, Grishin EV, Zavriev SK. A novel hairpin-like antimicrobial peptide from barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) seeds: Structure-functional and molecular-genetics characterization. Biochimie 2013; 99:63-70. [PMID: 24275143 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A novel plant hairpin-like defense polypeptide named EcAMP3 was isolated from latent barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) seeds. The native peptide and its recombinant analogue were characterized. EcAMP3 displays antifungal and antibacterial activity in vitro. The gene family encoding EcAMPs precursor protein was also characterized; the genes and pseudogenes of this family show 97-100% homology. Every member of EcAMPs precursor family contains seven identical cysteine motifs: C1XXXC2(11-13)C3XXXC4. One of those motifs corresponds to the isolated peptide. EcAMP3 is the first member of the plant hairpin-like peptide family that inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic bacteria. Obtained results can explain the nature of the complex resistance of barnyard grass to a variety of pathogenic microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Yu Ryazantsev
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Eugene A Rogozhin
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Tatiana V Dimitrieva
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Polina E Drobyazina
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation; All-Russian Research Institute of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, ul. Timiryazevskaya 42, 127550 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Natalia V Khadeeva
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Gubkina 3, 117809 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Tsezi A Egorov
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Eugene V Grishin
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Sergey K Zavriev
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russian Federation.
| |
Collapse
|
174
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
175
|
Theberge S, Semlali A, Alamri A, Leung KP, Rouabhia M. C. albicans growth, transition, biofilm formation, and gene expression modulation by antimicrobial decapeptide KSL-W. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:246. [PMID: 24195531 PMCID: PMC4229313 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial peptides have been the focus of much research over the last decade because of their effectiveness and broad-spectrum activity against microbial pathogens. These peptides also participate in inflammation and the innate host defense system by modulating the immune function that promotes immune cell adhesion and migration as well as the respiratory burst, which makes them even more attractive as therapeutic agents. This has led to the synthesis of various antimicrobial peptides, including KSL-W (KKVVFWVKFK-NH2), for potential clinical use. Because this peptide displays antimicrobial activity against bacteria, we sought to determine its antifungal effect on C. albicans. Growth, hyphal form, biofilm formation, and degradation were thus examined along with EFG1, NRG1, EAP1, HWP1, and SAP 2-4-5-6 gene expression by quantitative RT-PCR. Results This study demonstrates that KSL-W markedly reduced C. albicans growth at both early and late incubation times. The significant effect of KSL-W on C. albicans growth was observed beginning at 10 μg/ml after 5 h of contact by reducing C. albicans transition and at 25 μg/ml by completely inhibiting C. albicans transition. Cultured C. albicans under biofilm-inducing conditions revealed that both KSL-W and amphotericin B significantly decreased biofilm formation at 2, 4, and 6 days of culture. KSL-W also disrupted mature C. albicans biofilms. The effect of KSL-W on C. albicans growth, transition, and biofilm formation/disruption may thus occur through gene modulation, as the expression of various genes involved in C. albicans growth, transition and biofilm formation were all downregulated when C. albicans was treated with KSL-W. The effect was greater when C. albicans was cultured under hyphae-inducing conditions. Conclusions These data provide new insight into the efficacy of KSL-W against C. albicans and its potential use as an antifungal therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mahmoud Rouabhia
- Oral Ecology Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Laval University, 2420, rue de la Terrasse, Quebec G1V 0A6, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
176
|
Gupta K, Jang H, Harlen K, Puri A, Nussinov R, Schneider JP, Blumenthal R. Mechanism of membrane permeation induced by synthetic β-hairpin peptides. Biophys J 2013; 105:2093-103. [PMID: 24209854 PMCID: PMC3824417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the membrane destabilizing properties of synthetic amphiphilic cationic peptides, MAX1 and MAX35, which have the propensity to form β-hairpin structures under certain conditions, and a control non-β-hairpin-forming peptide MAX8V16E. All three peptides bind to liposomes containing a mixture of zwitterionic POPC and negatively charged POPS lipids as determined by Zeta potential measurements. Circular dichroism measurements indicated folding of MAX1 and MAX35 in the presence of the POPC/POPS liposomes, whereas no such folding was observed with MAX8V16E. There was no binding or folding of these peptides to liposomes containing only POPC. MAX1 and MAX35 induced release of contents from negatively charged liposomes, whereas MAX8V16E failed to promote solute release under identical conditions. Thus, MAX1 and MAX35 bind to, and fold at the surface of negatively charged liposomes adopting a lytic conformation. We ruled out leaky fusion as a mechanism of release by including 2 mol % PEG-PE in the liposomes, which inhibits aggregation/fusion but not folding of MAX or MAX-induced leakage. Using a concentration-dependent quenching probe (calcein), we determined that MAX-induced leakage of liposome contents was an all-or-none process. At MAX1 concentrations, which cause release of ~50% of the liposomes that contain small (R(h) <1.5 nm) markers, only ~15% of those liposomes release a fluorescent dextran of 40 kDa. A multimeric model of the pore is presented based on these results. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations show that barrels consisting of 10 β-hairpin MAX1 and MAX35 peptides are relatively more stable than MAX8V16E barrels in the bilayer, suggesting that barrels of this size are responsible for the peptides lytic action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Gupta
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Kevin Harlen
- Peptide Design and Materials Section, Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Anu Puri
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Joel P. Schneider
- Peptide Design and Materials Section, Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Robert Blumenthal
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
177
|
Challa C, Kumar N, John M, Lankalapalli RS. A comparative study of antimicrobial properties of cyclo(l-Pro- l-Asp) with its 2-ketopiperazine analog. Med Chem Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-013-0836-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
178
|
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Göhre
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carl Haag
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
179
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | |
Collapse
|
180
|
Bojsen R, Torbensen R, Larsen CE, Folkesson A, Regenberg B. The synthetic amphipathic peptidomimetic LTX109 is a potent fungicide that disturbs plasma membrane integrity in a sphingolipid dependent manner. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69483. [PMID: 23874964 PMCID: PMC3709891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The peptidomimetic LTX109 (arginine-tertbutyl tryptophan-arginine-phenylethan) was previously shown to have antibacterial properties. Here, we investigated the activity of this novel antimicrobial peptidomimetic on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that LTX109 was an efficient fungicide that killed all viable cells in an exponentially growing population as well as a large proportion of cells in biofilm formed on an abiotic surface. LTX109 had similar killing kinetics to the membrane-permeabilizing fungicide amphotericin B, which led us to investigate the ability of LTX109 to disrupt plasma membrane integrity. S. cerevisiae cells exposed to a high concentration of LTX109 showed rapid release of potassium and amino acids, suggesting that LTX109 acted by destabilizing the plasma membrane. This was supported by the finding that cells were permeable to the fluorescent nucleic acid stain SYTOX Green after a few minutes of LTX109 treatment. We screened a haploid S. cerevisiae gene deletion library for mutants resistant to LTX109 to uncover potential molecular targets. Eight genes conferred LTX109 resistance when deleted and six were involved in the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway (SUR1, SUR2, SKN1, IPT1, FEN1 and ORM2). The involvement of all of these genes in the biosynthetic pathway for the fungal-specific lipids mannosylinositol phosphorylceramide (MIPC) and mannosyl di-(inositol phosphoryl) ceramide (M(IP)2C) suggested that these lipids were essential for LTX109 sensitivity. Our observations are consistent with a model in which LTX109 kills S. cerevisiae by nonspecific destabilization of the plasma membrane through direct or indirect interaction with the sphingolipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Bojsen
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Torbensen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Folkesson
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Section for Bacteriology, Pathology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Regenberg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|