151
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Ong ZY, Wiradharma N, Yang YY. Strategies employed in the design and optimization of synthetic antimicrobial peptide amphiphiles with enhanced therapeutic potentials. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 78:28-45. [PMID: 25453271 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which predominantly act via membrane active mechanisms have emerged as an exciting class of antimicrobial agents with tremendous potential to overcome the global epidemic of antibiotics-resistant infections. The first generation of AMPs derived from natural sources as diverse as plants, insects and humans has provided a wealth of compositional and structural information to design novel synthetic AMPs with enhanced antimicrobial potencies and selectivities, reduced cost of production due to shorter sequences and improved stabilities under physiological conditions. In this review, we will first discuss the common strategies employed in the design and optimization of synthetic AMPs, followed by highlighting the various approaches utilized to enhance the therapeutic potentials of designed AMPs under physiological conditions. Lastly, future perspectives on the development of improved AMPs for therapeutic applications will be presented.
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152
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Lee W, Lee DG. Fungicidal mechanisms of the antimicrobial peptide Bac8c. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:673-9. [PMID: 25434926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Bac8c (RIWVIWRR-NH2) is an analogue peptide derived through complete substitution analysis of the linear bovine host defense peptide variant Bac2A. In the present study, the antifungal mechanism of Bac8c against pathogenic fungi was investigated, with a particular focus on the effects of Bac8c on the cytoplasmic membrane. We used bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol [DiBAC4(3)] staining and 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiSC3(5)] assays to show that Bac8c induced disturbances in the membrane potential of Candida albicans. An increase in membrane permeability and suppression of cell wall regeneration were also observed in Bac8c-treated C. albicans. We studied the effects of Bac8c treatment on model membranes to elucidate its antifungal mechanism. Using calcein and FITC-labeled dextran leakage assays from Bac8c-treated large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), we found that Bac8c has a pore-forming action on fungal membranes, with an estimated pore radius of between 2.3 and 3.3 nm. A membrane-targeted mechanism of action was also supported by the observation of potassium release from the cytosol of Bac8c-treated C. albicans. These results indicate that Bac8c is considered as a potential candidate to develop a novel antimicrobial agent because of its low-cost production characteristics and high antimicrobial activity via its ability to induce membrane perturbations in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonyoung Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro 80, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Gun Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro 80, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
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153
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A Head-to-Head Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activities of 30 Ultra-Short Antimicrobial Peptides Against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Int J Pept Res Ther 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-014-9440-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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154
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Zhang M, Zhao J, Zheng J. Molecular understanding of a potential functional link between antimicrobial and amyloid peptides. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:7425-7451. [PMID: 25105988 DOI: 10.1039/c4sm00907j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial and amyloid peptides do not share common sequences, typical secondary structures, or normal biological activity but both the classes of peptides exhibit membrane-disruption ability to induce cell toxicity. Different membrane-disruption mechanisms have been proposed for antimicrobial and amyloid peptides, individually, some of which are not exclusive to either peptide type, implying that certain common principles may govern the folding and functions of different cytolytic peptides and associated membrane disruption mechanisms. Particularly, some antimicrobial and amyloid peptides have been identified to have dual complementary amyloid and antimicrobial properties, suggesting a potential functional link between amyloid and antimicrobial peptides. Given that some similar structural and membrane-disruption characteristics exist between the two classes of peptides, this review summarizes major findings, recent advances, and future challenges related to antimicrobial and amyloid peptides and strives to illustrate the similarities, differences, and relationships in the sequences, structures, and membrane interaction modes between amyloid and antimicrobial peptides, with a special focus on direct interactions of the peptides with the membranes. We hope that this review will stimulate further research at the interface of antimicrobial and amyloid peptides - which has been studied less intensively than either type of peptides - to decipher a possible link between both amyloid pathology and antimicrobial activity, which can guide drug design and peptide engineering to influence peptide-membrane interactions important in human health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
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155
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Rapsch K, Bier FF, von Nickisch-Rosenegk M. Rational design of artificial β-strand-forming antimicrobial peptides with biocompatible properties. Mol Pharm 2014; 11:3492-502. [PMID: 25192319 DOI: 10.1021/mp500271c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Because the intensive use of antibiotics has led to a large variety of resistant bacterial strains, therapeutic measures have become increasingly challenging. In order to ensure reliable treatment of diseases, alternative antimicrobial agents need to be explored. In this context, antimicrobial peptides have been discussed as novel bioactive molecules, which, however, may be limited in their applicability due to their high manufacturing costs and poor pharmacokinetic properties. Consequently, the design of artificial antimicrobial peptides featuring two flanking cationic regions and a hydrophobic center is presented. These sequences led to distinct antimicrobial activity on the same order of magnitude as that of naturally occurring reference peptides but with less cytotoxic or cytostatic drawbacks. Furthermore, a deletion and substitution library revealed the minimal sequence requirements. By analysis of the computed 3D structures of these peptides, a single characteristic β-strand was identified. This structural motif was pivotal for antimicrobial activity. Consequently, an optimized peptide sequence with antimicrobial and biocompatible properties was derived, and its application was demonstrated in a mixed culture experiment. Thus, it was shown that the optimized artificial antimicrobial peptide is suitable as a therapeutic agent and may be used as template for the development of new antimicrobial peptides with unique secondary structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Rapsch
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT , Branch Potsdam, Am Muehlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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156
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Sol A, Skvirsky Y, Nashef R, Zelentsova K, Burstyn-Cohen T, Blotnick E, Muhlrad A, Bachrach G. Actin enables the antimicrobial action of LL-37 peptide in the presence of microbial proteases. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:22926-22941. [PMID: 24947511 PMCID: PMC4132794 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.579672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides play an important host-protective role by their microcidal action, immunomodulatory functions, and tissue repair activities. Proteolysis is a common strategy of pathogens used to neutralize host defense peptides. Here, we show that actin, the most abundant structural protein in eukaryotes, binds the LL-37 host defense peptide, protects it from degradation by the proteases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Porphyromonas gingivalis, and enables its antimicrobial activity despite the presence of the proteases. Co-localization of LL-37 with extracellular actin was observed in necrotized regions of samples from oral lesions. Competition assays, cross-linking experiments, limited proteolysis, and mass spectrometry revealed that LL-37 binds by specific hydrophobic interactions to the His-40-Lys-50 segment of actin, located in the DNase I binding loop. The integrity of the binding site of both LL-37 and actin is a prerequisite to the binding. Our results demonstrate that actin, presumably released by dead cells and abundant in infected sites, might be utilized by the immune system to enhance spatio-temporal immunity in an attempt to arrest infection and control inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asaf Sol
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yaniv Skvirsky
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Rizan Nashef
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Katya Zelentsova
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Edna Blotnick
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research-Israel-Canada, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Andras Muhlrad
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Gilad Bachrach
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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157
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Wang L, Chen J, Shi L, Shi Z, Ren L, Wang Y. The promotion of antimicrobial activity on silicon substrates using a "click" immobilized short peptide. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:975-7. [PMID: 24301818 DOI: 10.1039/c3cc47922f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrated, for the first time, that the short antimicrobial peptide Tet213 could be conjugated onto the silicon surface by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The modified surface exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, and low cytotoxicity to rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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158
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In vitro and in vivo activities of antimicrobial peptides developed using an amino acid-based activity prediction method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:5342-9. [PMID: 24982064 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02823-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To design and discover new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with high levels of antimicrobial activity, a number of machine-learning methods and prediction methods have been developed. Here, we present a new prediction method that can identify novel AMPs that are highly similar in sequence to known peptides but offer improved antimicrobial activity along with lower host cytotoxicity. Using previously generated AMP amino acid substitution data, we developed an amino acid activity contribution matrix that contained an activity contribution value for each amino acid in each position of the model peptide. A series of AMPs were designed with this method. After evaluating the antimicrobial activities of these novel AMPs against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, DP7 was chosen for further analysis. Compared to the parent peptide HH2, this novel AMP showed broad-spectrum, improved antimicrobial activity, and in a cytotoxicity assay it showed lower toxicity against human cells. The in vivo antimicrobial activity of DP7 was tested in a Staphylococcus aureus infection murine model. When inoculated and treated via intraperitoneal injection, DP7 reduced the bacterial load in the peritoneal lavage solution. Electron microscope imaging and the results indicated disruption of the S. aureus outer membrane by DP7. Our new prediction method can therefore be employed to identify AMPs possessing minor amino acid differences with improved antimicrobial activities, potentially increasing the therapeutic agents available to combat multidrug-resistant infections.
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159
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Cherkasov A, Muratov EN, Fourches D, Varnek A, Baskin II, Cronin M, Dearden J, Gramatica P, Martin YC, Todeschini R, Consonni V, Kuz'min VE, Cramer R, Benigni R, Yang C, Rathman J, Terfloth L, Gasteiger J, Richard A, Tropsha A. QSAR modeling: where have you been? Where are you going to? J Med Chem 2014; 57:4977-5010. [PMID: 24351051 PMCID: PMC4074254 DOI: 10.1021/jm4004285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1053] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling is one of the major computational tools employed in medicinal chemistry. However, throughout its entire history it has drawn both praise and criticism concerning its reliability, limitations, successes, and failures. In this paper, we discuss (i) the development and evolution of QSAR; (ii) the current trends, unsolved problems, and pressing challenges; and (iii) several novel and emerging applications of QSAR modeling. Throughout this discussion, we provide guidelines for QSAR development, validation, and application, which are summarized in best practices for building rigorously validated and externally predictive QSAR models. We hope that this Perspective will help communications between computational and experimental chemists toward collaborative development and use of QSAR models. We also believe that the guidelines presented here will help journal editors and reviewers apply more stringent scientific standards to manuscripts reporting new QSAR studies, as well as encourage the use of high quality, validated QSARs for regulatory decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Eugene N. Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Molecular Structure and Cheminformatics, A.V. Bogatsky Physical-Chemical Institute National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, 65080, Ukraine
| | - Denis Fourches
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexandre Varnek
- Department of Chemistry, L. Pasteur University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67000, France
| | - Igor I. Baskin
- Department of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Mark Cronin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L33AF, UK
| | - John Dearden
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L33AF, UK
| | - Paola Gramatica
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, Varese, 21100, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Todeschini
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
| | - Viviana Consonni
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
| | - Victor E. Kuz'min
- Department of Molecular Structure and Cheminformatics, A.V. Bogatsky Physical-Chemical Institute National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Odessa, 65080, Ukraine
| | | | - Romualdo Benigni
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanita’, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | | | - James Rathman
- Altamira LLC, Columbus OH 43235, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
| | | | | | - Ann Richard
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27519, USA
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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160
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Rodolis MT, Mihalyi A, O'Reilly A, Slikas J, Roper DI, Hancock REW, Bugg TDH. Identification of a Novel Inhibition Site in Translocase MraY Based upon the Site of Interaction with Lysis Protein E from Bacteriophage ϕX174. Chembiochem 2014; 15:1300-8. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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161
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Orlandin A, Formaggio F, Toffoletti A, Peggion C. Cotton functionalized with peptides: characterization and synthetic methods. J Pept Sci 2014; 20:547-53. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Orlandin
- ICB, Padova Unit, CNR, Department of Chemistry; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Fernando Formaggio
- ICB, Padova Unit, CNR, Department of Chemistry; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Antonio Toffoletti
- ICB, Padova Unit, CNR, Department of Chemistry; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Cristina Peggion
- ICB, Padova Unit, CNR, Department of Chemistry; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
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162
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Koller D, Lohner K. The role of spontaneous lipid curvature in the interaction of interfacially active peptides with membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1838:2250-9. [PMID: 24853655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Research on antimicrobial peptides is in part driven by urgent medical needs such as the steady increase in pathogens being resistant to antibiotics. Despite the wealth of information compelling structure-function relationships are still scarce and thus the interfacial activity model has been proposed to bridge this gap. This model also applies to other interfacially active (membrane active) peptides such as cytolytic, cell penetrating or antitumor peptides. One parameter that is strongly linked to interfacial activity is the spontaneous lipid curvature, which is experimentally directly accessible. We discuss different parameters such as H-bonding, electrostatic repulsion, changes in monolayer surface area and lateral pressure that affect induction of membrane curvature, but also vice versa how membrane curvature triggers peptide response. In addition, the impact of membrane lipid composition on the formation of curved membrane structures and its relevance for diverse mode of action of interfacially active peptides and in turn biological activity are described. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Interfacially Active Peptides and Proteins. Guest Editors: William C. Wimley and Kalina Hristova.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Koller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Schmiedlstraße 6, A-8042 Graz, Austria.
| | - Karl Lohner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Schmiedlstraße 6, A-8042 Graz, Austria.
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163
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Deiss F, Matochko WL, Govindasamy N, Lin EY, Derda R. Flow‐Through Synthesis on Teflon‐Patterned Paper To Produce Peptide Arrays for Cell‐Based Assays. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201402037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Deiss
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 (Canada)
| | - Wadim L. Matochko
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 (Canada)
| | - Natasha Govindasamy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 (Canada)
| | - Edith Y. Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 (Canada)
| | - Ratmir Derda
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 (Canada)
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164
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Flow‐Through Synthesis on Teflon‐Patterned Paper To Produce Peptide Arrays for Cell‐Based Assays. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:6374-7. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201402037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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165
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Yoo WG, Lee JH, Shin Y, Shim JY, Jung M, Kang BC, Oh J, Seong J, Lee HK, Kong HS, Song KD, Yun EY, Kim IW, Kwon YN, Lee DG, Hwang UW, Park J, Hwang JS. Antimicrobial peptides in the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. Funct Integr Genomics 2014; 14:275-83. [DOI: 10.1007/s10142-014-0366-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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166
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Ding Y, Wang W, Fan M, Tong Z, Kuang R, Jiang W, Ni L. Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effect of Bac8c on major bacteria associated with dental caries and Streptococcus mutans biofilms. Peptides 2014; 52:61-7. [PMID: 24309076 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dental caries is a common oral bacterial infectious disease. Its prevention and treatment requires control of the causative pathogens within dental plaque, especially Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), one of the promising substitutes for conventional antibiotics, have been widely tested and used for controlling bacterial infections. The present study focuses on evaluating the potential of the novel AMPs cyclic bactenecin and its derivatives against bacteria associated with dental caries. The results indicate that Bac8c displayed highest activity against the bacteria tested, whereas both cyclic and linear bactenecin had weak antimicrobial activity. The cytotoxicity assay showed that Bac8c did not cause detectable toxicity at concentrations of 32-128μg/ml for 5min or 32-64μg/ml for 60min. S. mutans and Lactobacillus fermenti treated with Bac8c showed variable effects on bacterial structure via scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. There appeared to be a large amount of extracellular debris and obvious holes on the cell surface, as well as loss of cell wall and nucleoid condensation. The BioFlux system was employed to generate S. mutans biofilms under a controlled flow, which more closely resemble the formation process of natural biofilms. Bac8c remarkably reduced the viability of cells in biofilms formed in the BioFlux system. This phenomenon was further analyzed and verified by real-time PCR results of a significant suppression of the genes involved in S. mutans biofilm formation. Taken together, this study suggests that Bac8c has a potential clinical application in preventing and treating dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Ding
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng Fan
- Department of General Surgery, The 456th Hospital of PLA, Ji'nan City, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongchun Tong
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Kuang
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - WenKai Jiang
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Longxing Ni
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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167
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Diehnelt CW. Peptide array based discovery of synthetic antimicrobial peptides. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:402. [PMID: 24399997 PMCID: PMC3872314 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chris W Diehnelt
- Center for Innovations in Medicine, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
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168
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Zhao J, Zhao C, Liang G, Zhang M, Zheng J. Engineering antimicrobial peptides with improved antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:3280-96. [PMID: 24279498 DOI: 10.1021/ci400477e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The rapid rise of antibiotic resistance in pathogens becomes a serious and growing threat to medicine and public health. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important line of defense in the immune system against invading bacteria and microbial infection. In this work, we present a combined computational and experimental study of the biological activity and membrane interaction of the computationally designed Bac2A-based peptide library. We used the MARTINI coarse-grained molecular dynamics with adaptive biasing force method and the umbrella sampling technique to investigate the translocation of a total of 91 peptides with different amino acid substitutions through a mixed anionic POPE/POPG (3:1) bilayer and a neutral POPC bilayer, which mimic the bacterial inner membrane and the human red blood cell (hRBC) membrane, respectively. Potential of mean force (PMF, free energy profile) was obtained to measure the free energy barrier required to transfer the peptides from the bulk water phase to the water-membrane interface and to the bilayer interior. Different PMF profiles can indeed identify different membrane insertion scenarios by mapping out peptide-lipid energy landscapes, which are correlated with antimicrobial activity and hemolytic activity. Computationally designed peptides were further tested experimentally for their antimicrobial and hemolytic activities using bacteria growth inhibition assay and hemolysis assay. Comparison of PMF data with cell assay results reveals a good correlation of the peptides between predictive transmembrane activity and antimicrobial/hemolytic activity. Moreover, the most active mutants with the balanced substitutions of positively charged Arg and hydrophobic Trp residues at specific positions were discovered to achieve the improved antimicrobial activity while minimizing red blood cell lysis. Such substitutions provide more effective and cooperative interactions to distinguish the peptide interaction with different lipid bilayers. This work provides a useful computational tool to better understand the mechanism and energetics of membrane insertion of AMPs and to rationally design more effective AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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169
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Potential of host defense peptide prodrugs as neutrophil elastase-dependent anti-infective agents for cystic fibrosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 58:978-85. [PMID: 24277028 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01167-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are short antimicrobial peptides of the innate immune system. Deficiencies in HDPs contribute to enhanced susceptibility to infections, e.g., in cystic fibrosis (CF). Exogenous HDPs can compensate for these deficiencies, but their development as antimicrobials is limited by cytotoxicity. Three HDP prodrugs were designed so their net positive charge is masked by a promoiety containing a substrate for the enzyme neutrophil elastase (NE). This approach can confine activation to sites with high NE levels. Enzyme-labile peptides were synthesized, and their activation was investigated using purified NE. Susceptibilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to parent and prodrug peptides in the presence and absence of NE-rich CF human bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and different NaCl concentrations were compared. The effect of the HDP promoiety on cytotoxicity was determined with cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial (CFBE41o-) cells. NE in CF BAL fluids activated the HDP prodrugs, restoring bactericidal activity against reference and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. However, activation also required the addition of 300 mM NaCl. Under these conditions, the bactericidal activity levels of the HDP prodrugs differed, with pro-P18 demonstrating the greatest activity (90% to 100% of that of the parent, P18, at 6.25 μg/ml). Cytotoxic effects on CFBE41o- cells were reduced by the addition of the promoiety to HDPs. We demonstrate here for the first time the selective activation of novel HDP prodrugs by a host disease-associated enzyme at in vivo concentrations of the CF lung. This approach may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents with low toxicity that are active under the challenging conditions of the CF lung.
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170
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Albada HB, Prochnow P, Bobersky S, Langklotz S, Bandow JE, Metzler-Nolte N. Short antibacterial peptides with significantly reduced hemolytic activity can be identified by a systematic L-to-D exchange scan of their amino acid residues. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2013; 15:585-92. [PMID: 24147906 DOI: 10.1021/co400072q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
High systemic toxicity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) limits their clinical application to the treatment of topical infections; in parenteral systemic application of AMPs the problem of hemolysis is one of the first to be tackled. We now show that the selectivity of lipidated short synthetic AMPs can be optimized substantially by reducing their hemolytic activity without affecting their activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In order to identify the optimized peptides, two sets of 32 diastereomeric H-(D)Arg-WRWRW-(L)Lys(C(O)CnH2n+1)-NH2 (n = 7 or 9) peptides were prepared using a split-split procedure to perform a systematic L-to-D exchange scan on the central WRWRW-fragment. Compared to the all-L C8-lipidated lead sequence, diastereomeric peptides had very similar antibacterial properties, but were over 30 times less hemolytic. We show that the observed hemolysis and antibacterial activity is affected by both differences in lipophilicity of the different peptides and specific combinations of L- and D-amino acid residues. This study identified several peptides that can be used as tools to precisely unravel the origin of hemolysis and thus help to design even further optimized nontoxic very active short antibacterial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Bauke Albada
- Inorganic
Chemistry I—Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Pascal Prochnow
- Biology
of Microorganisms, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sandra Bobersky
- Inorganic
Chemistry I—Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sina Langklotz
- Biology
of Microorganisms, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia E. Bandow
- Biology
of Microorganisms, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Nils Metzler-Nolte
- Inorganic
Chemistry I—Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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171
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Haney EF, Hancock R(BE. Peptide design for antimicrobial and immunomodulatory applications. Biopolymers 2013; 100:572-83. [PMID: 23553602 PMCID: PMC3932157 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria and the dwindling supply of antibiotics available to combat these infections poses a significant threat to human health throughout the world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have long been touted as the next generation of antibiotics capable of filling the anti-infective void. Unfortunately, peptide-based antibiotics have yet to realize their potential as novel pharmaceuticals, in spite of the immense number of known AMP sequences and our improved understanding of their antibacterial mechanism of action. Recently, the immunomodulatory properties of certain AMPs have become appreciated. The ability of small synthetic peptides to protect against infection in vivo has demonstrated that modulation of the innate immune response is an effective strategy to further develop peptides as novel anti-infectives. This review focuses on the screening methods that have been used to assess novel peptide sequences for their antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. It will also examine how we have progressed in our ability to identify and optimize peptides with desired biological characteristics and enhanced therapeutic potential. In addition, the current challenges to the development of peptides as anti-infectives are examined and the strategies being used to overcome these issues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert (Bob) E.W. Hancock
- Corresponding author Centre for Microbial Diseases
and Immunity Research University of British Columbia 2259 Lower Mall Research
Station Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Canada
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172
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Emerging rules for effective antimicrobial coatings. Trends Biotechnol 2013; 32:82-90. [PMID: 24176168 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In order to colonize abiotic surfaces, bacteria and fungi undergo a profound change in their biology to form biofilms: communities of microbes embedded into a matrix of secreted macromolecules. Despite strict hygiene standards, biofilm-related infections associated with implantable devices remain a common complication in the clinic. Here, the application of highly dosed antibiotics is problematic in that the biofilm (i) provides a protective environment for microbes to evade antibiotics and/or (ii) can provide selective pressure for the evolution of antibiotic-resistant microbes. However, recent research suggests that effective prevention of biofilm formation may be achieved by multifunctional surface coatings that provide both non-adhesive and antimicrobial properties imparted by antimicrobial peptides. Such coatings are the subject of this review.
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173
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Characterization of a proteolytically stable multifunctional host defense peptidomimetic. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 20:1286-95. [PMID: 24120333 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 09/08/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro activity of a host defense peptidomimetic (HDM-4) was investigated. The compound exhibited an antimicrobial activity profile against a range of Gram-negative bacteria. HDM-4 permeabilized the outer membrane and partly depolarized the inner membrane at its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Moreover, it was demonstrated that HDM-4 was distributed widely in the bacterial cell at lethal concentrations, and that it could bind to DNA. It was confirmed that the multimodal action of HDM-4 resulted in it being less likely to lead to resistance development as compared to single-target antibiotics. HDM-4 exhibited multispecies anti-biofilm activity at sub-MIC levels. Furthermore, HDM-4 modulated the immune response by inducing the release of the chemoattractants interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and MCP-3 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, the compound suppressed lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammation by reducing the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α.
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174
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Rivas-Santiago CE, Hernández-Pando R, Rivas-Santiago B. Immunotherapy for pulmonary TB: antimicrobial peptides and their inducers. Immunotherapy 2013; 5:1117-26. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
TB is an infectious disease that still has an enormous impact on public health worldwide. With the continuous increasing epidemic of multidrug-resistant TB, new drugs and vaccines are urgently needed. In the last decade there has been a broad advance in the knowledge of innate immunity in TB. Together with the growing research regarding immunomodulators, new promising insights have been developed that can contribute in the control of TB. This is the case of antimicrobial peptides, which can be potential therapeutic or adjuvant agents. The current high cost of antimicrobial peptide synthesis may be a current deterrent for treatment; antimicrobial peptide-inducers can be an alternative for low-cost treatment and/or adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Enrique Rivas-Santiago
- Rutgers University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Center for Global Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Rogelio Hernández-Pando
- Department of Experimental Pathology, National Institute of Medical Sciences & Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Medical Research Unit Zacatecas, Mexican Institute of Social Security-IMSS, 45 Zacatecas, cp.98000, Mexico
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175
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Shestakov A, Jenssen H, Hancock REW, Nordström I, Eriksson K. Synthetic analogues of bovine bactenecin dodecapeptide reduce herpes simplex virus type 2 infectivity in mice. Antiviral Res 2013; 100:455-9. [PMID: 24012999 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have evaluated the potential of four synthetic peptides (denoted HH-2, 1002, 1006, 1018) with a distant relationship to the host defense peptide bovine bactenecin dodecapeptide for their ability to prevent genital infections with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in mice. All four peptides showed antiviral properties in vitro and reduced HSV-2 infection of Vero cells in a dose-dependent manner. Detailed analysis showed that the peptides were able to interfere with both viral attachment and entry, but not with replication post-entry, and were effective antivirals also when HSV-2 was introduced in human semen. Two of the peptides proved especially effective in reducing HSV-2 infection also in vivo. When admixed with virus prior to inoculation, both HH-2 and 1018 reduced viral replication and disease development in a genital model of HSV-2 infection in mice, and also when using very high infectious doses of HSV-2. These data show that peptides HH-2 and 1018 have antiviral properties and can be used to prevent genital herpes infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Shestakov
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
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176
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Torcato IM, Huang YH, Franquelim HG, Gaspar DD, Craik DJ, Castanho MARB, Henriques ST. The antimicrobial activity of Sub3 is dependent on membrane binding and cell-penetrating ability. Chembiochem 2013; 14:2013-22. [PMID: 24038773 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201300274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Because of their high activity against microorganisms and low cytotoxicity, cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been explored as the next generation of antibiotics. Although they have common structural features, the modes of action of AMPs are extensively debated, and a single mechanism does not explain the activity of all AMPs reported so far. Here we investigated the mechanism of action of Sub3, an AMP previously designed and optimised from high-throughput screening with bactenecin as the template. Sub3 has potent activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against fungi, but its mechanism of action has remained elusive. By using AFM imaging, ζ potential, flow cytometry and fluorescence methodologies with model membranes and bacterial cells, we found that, although the mechanism of action involves membrane targeting, Sub3 internalises inside bacteria at lethal concentrations without permeabilising the membrane, thus suggesting that its antimicrobial activity might involve both the membrane and intracellular targets. In addition, we found that Sub3 can be internalised into human cells without being toxic. As some bacteria are able to survive intracellularly and consequently evade host defences and antibiotic treatment, our findings suggest that Sub3 could be useful as an intracellular antimicrobial agent for infections that are notoriously difficult to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês M Torcato
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon (Portugal)
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177
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Stepwise identification of potent antimicrobial peptides from human genome. Biosystems 2013; 113:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2013.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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178
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Teixeira LD, Silva ON, Migliolo L, Fensterseifer ICM, Franco OL. In vivo antimicrobial evaluation of an alanine-rich peptide derived from Pleuronectes americanus. Peptides 2013; 42:144-8. [PMID: 23416023 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In several organisms, the first barrier against microbial infections consists of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which are molecules that act as components of the innate immune system. Recent studies have demonstrated that AMPs can perform various functions in different tissues or physiological conditions. In this view, this study was carried out in order to evaluate the multifunctional activity in vivo of an alanine-rich peptide, known as Pa-MAP, derived from the polar fish Pleuronectes americanus. Pa-MAP was evaluated in intraperitoneally infected mice with a sub-lethal concentration of Escherichia coli at standard concentrations of 1 and 5 mg kg(-1). At both concentrations, Pa-MAPs exhibited an ability to prevent E. coli infection and increase mice survival, similar to the result observed in mice treated with ampicillin at 2 mg kg(-1). In addition, mice were monitored for weight loss. The results showed that mice treated with Pa-MAPs at 1 mg kg(-1) gained 0.8% of body weight during the 72 h of experiment. The same was observed with Pa-MAP at 5 mg kg(-1), which had a gain of 0.5% in body weight during the treatment. Mice treated with ampicillin at 2 mg kg(-1) show a significant weight loss of 5.6% of body weight. The untreated group exhibited a 5.5% loss of body weight. The immunomodulatory effects were also evaluated by the quantification of IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ and nitric oxide cytokines in serum, but no immunomodulatory activity was observed. Data presented here suggest that Pa-MAP should be used as a novel antibiotic against infection control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro D Teixeira
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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179
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Guralp SA, Murgha YE, Rouillard JM, Gulari E. From design to screening: a new antimicrobial peptide discovery pipeline. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59305. [PMID: 23527157 PMCID: PMC3602187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) belong to a class of natural microbicidal molecules that have been receiving great attention for their lower propensity for inducing drug resistance, hence, their potential as alternative drugs to conventional antibiotics. By generating AMP libraries, one can study a large number of candidates for their activities simultaneously in a timely manner. Here, we describe a novel methodology where in silico designed AMP-encoding oligonucleotide libraries are cloned and expressed in a cellular host for rapid screening of active molecules. The combination of parallel oligonucleotide synthesis with microbial expression systems not only offers complete flexibility for sequence design but also allows for economical construction of very large peptide libraries. An application of this approach to discovery of novel AMPs has been demonstrated by constructing and screening a custom library of twelve thousand plantaricin-423 mutants in Escherichia coli. Analysis of selected clones by both Sanger-sequencing and 454 high-throughput sequencing produced a significant amount of data for positionally important residues of plantaricin-423 responsible for antimicrobial activity and, moreover, resulted in identification of many novel variants with enhanced specific activities against Listeria innocua. This approach allows for generation of fully tailored peptide collections in a very cost effective way and will have countless applications from discovery of novel AMPs to gaining fundamental understanding of their biological function and characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadet Albayrak Guralp
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yusuf E. Murgha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jean-Marie Rouillard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Mycroarray, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Erdogan Gulari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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180
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Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other microbial pathogens using improved synthetic antibacterial peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:2295-303. [PMID: 23478953 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00175-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of effective therapies for treating tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem. While Mycobacterium tuberculosis is notoriously resistant to most available antibiotics, we identified synthetic short cationic antimicrobial peptides that were active at low micromolar concentrations (less than 10 μM). These small peptides (averaging 10 amino acids) had remarkably broad spectra of antimicrobial activities against both bacterial and fungal pathogens and an indication of low cytotoxicity. In addition, their antimicrobial activities displayed various degrees of species specificity that were not related to taxonomy. For example, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were the best surrogates to predict peptide activity against M. tuberculosis, while Mycobacterium smegmatis was a poor surrogate. Principle component analysis of activity spectrum profiles identified unique features associated with activity against M. tuberculosis that reflect their distinctive amino acid composition; active peptides were more hydrophobic and cationic, reflecting increased tryptophan with compensating decreases in valine and other uncharged amino acids and increased lysine. These studies provide foundations for development of cationic antimicrobial peptides as potential new therapeutic agents for TB treatment.
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181
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Design and characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides, R-BP100 and RW-BP100, with activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:944-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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182
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Xi D, Teng D, Wang X, Mao R, Yang Y, Xiang W, Wang J. Design, expression and characterization of the hybrid antimicrobial peptide LHP7, connected by a flexible linker, against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Process Biochem 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2013.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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183
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Spindler EC, Boyle NR, Hancock REW, Gill RT. Genome-wide identification of genes conferring energy related resistance to a synthetic antimicrobial peptide (Bac8c). PLoS One 2013; 8:e55052. [PMID: 23383054 PMCID: PMC3561415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental issue in the design and development of antimicrobials is the lack of understanding of complex modes of action and how this complexity affects potential pathways for resistance evolution. Bac8c (RIWVIWRR-NH2) is an 8 amino acid antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that has been shown to have enhanced activity against a range of pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeast. We have previously demonstrated that Bac8c appears to interfere with multiple targets, at least in part through the disruption of cytoplasmic membrane related functions, and that resistance to this peptide does not easily develop using standard laboratory methods. Here, we applied a genomics approach, SCalar Analysis of Library Enrichement (SCALEs), to map the effect of gene overexpression onto Bac8c resistance in parallel for all genes and gene combinations (up to ∼ 10 adjacent genes) in the E. coli genome (a total of ∼ 500,000 individual clones were mapped). Our efforts identified an elaborate network of genes for which overexpression leads to low-level resistance to Bac8c (including biofilm formation, multi-drug transporters, etc). This data was analyzed to provide insights into the complex relationships between mechanisms of action and potential routes by which resistance to this synthetic AMP can develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen C. Spindler
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nanette R. Boyle
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Robert E. W. Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ryan T. Gill
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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184
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Domenyuk V, Loskutov A, Johnston SA, Diehnelt CW. A technology for developing synbodies with antibacterial activity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54162. [PMID: 23372679 PMCID: PMC3553175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic resistance has led to an increased research focus on discovery of new antibacterial candidates. While broad-spectrum antibiotics are widely pursued, there is evidence that resistance arises in part from the wide spread use of these antibiotics. Our group has developed a system to produce protein affinity agents, called synbodies, which have high affinity and specificity for their target. In this report, we describe the adaptation of this system to produce new antibacterial candidates towards a target bacterium. The system functions by screening target bacteria against an array of 10,000 random sequence peptides and, using a combination of membrane labeling and intracellular dyes, we identified peptides with target specific binding or killing functions. Binding and lytic peptides were identified in this manner and in vitro tests confirmed the activity of the lead peptides. A peptide with antibacterial activity was linked to a peptide specifically binding Staphylococcus aureus to create a synbody with increased antibacterial activity. Subsequent tests showed that this peptide could block S. aureus induced killing of HEK293 cells in a co-culture experiment. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the synbody system to discover new antibacterial candidate agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy Domenyuk
- The Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Andrey Loskutov
- The Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Stephen Albert Johnston
- The Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Life Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Chris W. Diehnelt
- The Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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185
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Rivas-Santiago B, Rivas Santiago CE, Castañeda-Delgado JE, León-Contreras JC, Hancock REW, Hernandez-Pando R. Activity of LL-37, CRAMP and antimicrobial peptide-derived compounds E2, E6 and CP26 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2012; 41:143-8. [PMID: 23141114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2012.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major worldwide health problem in part due to the lack of development of new treatments and the emergence of new strains such as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant strains that are threatening and impairing the control of this disease. In this study, the efficacy of natural and synthetic cationic antimicrobial (host defence) peptides that have been shown often to possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity was tested. The natural antimicrobial peptides human LL-37 and mouse CRAMP as well as synthetic peptides E2, E6 and CP26 were tested for their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis both in in vitro and in vivo models. The peptides had moderate antimicrobial activities, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 2 μg/mL to 10 μg/mL. In a virulent model of M. tuberculosis lung infection, intratracheal therapeutic application of these peptides three times a week at doses of ca. 1mg/kg led to significant 3-10-fold reductions in lung bacilli after 28-30 days of treatment. The treatments worked both against the drug-sensitive H37Rv strain and a MDR strain. These results indicate that antimicrobial peptides might constitute a novel therapy against TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Social Security Institute, Zacatecas, Mexico.
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186
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Migliolo L, Silva ON, Silva PA, Costa MP, Costa CR, Nolasco DO, Barbosa JARG, Silva MRR, Bemquerer MP, Lima LMP, Romanos MTV, Freitas SM, Magalhães BS, Franco OL. Structural and functional characterization of a multifunctional alanine-rich peptide analogue from Pleuronectes americanus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47047. [PMID: 23056574 PMCID: PMC3466273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, defense peptides that are able to act against several targets have been characterized. The present work focuses on structural and functional evaluation of the peptide analogue Pa-MAP, previously isolated as an antifreeze peptide from Pleuronectes americanus. Pa-MAP showed activities against different targets such as tumoral cells in culture (CACO-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116), bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923), viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and fungi (Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (28d&E) and T. rubrum (327)). This peptide did not show toxicity against mammalian cells such as erythrocytes, Vero and RAW 264.7 cells. Molecular mechanism of action was related to hydrophobic residues, since only the terminal amino group is charged at pH 7 as confirmed by potentiometric titration. In order to shed some light on its structure-function relations, in vitro and in silico assays were carried out using circular dichroism and molecular dynamics. Furthermore, Pa-MAP showed partial unfolding of the peptide changes in a wide pH (3 to 11) and temperature (25 to 95°C) ranges, although it might not reach complete unfolding at 95°C, suggesting a high conformational stability. This peptide also showed a conformational transition with a partial α-helical fold in water and a full α-helical core in SDS and TFE environments. These results were corroborated by spectral data measured at 222 nm and by 50 ns dynamic simulation. In conclusion, data reported here show that Pa-MAP is a potential candidate for drug design against pathogenic microorganisms due to its structural stability and wide activity against a range of targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Migliolo
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Osmar N. Silva
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula A. Silva
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Departamento de Virologia-Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maysa P. Costa
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Carolina R. Costa
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Diego O. Nolasco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - João A. R. G. Barbosa
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica-Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Maria R. R. Silva
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Marcelo P. Bemquerer
- Laboratório de Sîntese de Peptídeos, EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lidia M. P. Lima
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Maria T. V. Romanos
- Departamento de Virologia-Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonia M. Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofísica-Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Beatriz S. Magalhães
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Octavio L. Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas-Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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187
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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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188
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Anaya-López JL, López-Meza JE, Ochoa-Zarzosa A. Bacterial resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. Crit Rev Microbiol 2012; 39:180-95. [PMID: 22799636 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2012.699025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) have been considered as promising candidates to treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria to animals and humans. This assumption is based on their mechanism of action, which is mainly performed through electrostatic membrane interactions. Unfortunately, the rise in the reports that describe bacterial resistance to CAMPs has redefined their role as therapeutic agents. In this review, we describe the state of the art of the most common resistance mechanisms developed by bacteria to CAMPs, making special emphasis on resistance selection. Considering most of the resistance mechanisms here reviewed, the emergence of resistance is unlikely in the short term, however we also described evidences that show the evolution of resistance to CAMPs, reevaluating their use as good antibacterial agents. Finally, the knowledge related to the description of CAMP resistance mechanisms may provide useful information for improving strategies to control infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Anaya-López
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Unidad de Biotecnología, Celaya, México
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189
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Gao G, Cheng JTJ, Kindrachuk J, Hancock REW, Straus SK, Kizhakkedathu JN. Biomembrane interactions reveal the mechanism of action of surface-immobilized host defense IDR-1010 peptide. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 19:199-209. [PMID: 22365603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2011] [Revised: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dissecting the mechanism of action of surface-tethered antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptides is critical to the design of optimized anti-infection coatings on biomedical devices. To address this, we compared the biomembrane interactions of host defense peptide IDR-1010cys (1) in free form, (2) as a soluble polymer conjugate, and (3) with one end tethered to a solid support with model bacterial and mammalian lipid membranes. Our results show that IDR-1010cys in all three distinct forms interacted with bacterial and mammalian lipid vesicles, but the extent of the interactions as monitored by the induction of secondary structure varied. The enhanced interaction of surface-tethered peptides is well correlated with their very good antimicrobial activities. Our results demonstrate that there may be a difference in the mechanism of action of surface-tethered versus free IDR-1010cys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzheng Gao
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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190
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Kazemzadeh-Narbat M, Noordin S, Masri BA, Garbuz DS, Duncan CP, Hancock REW, Wang R. Drug release and bone growth studies of antimicrobial peptide-loaded calcium phosphate coating on titanium. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2012; 100:1344-52. [PMID: 22566395 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.32701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Revised: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Preventing infection is one of the major challenges in total hip and joint arthroplasty. The main concerns of local drug delivery as a solution have been the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the potential inhibition of osseointegration caused by the delivery systems. This work investigated the in vitro drug release, antimicrobial performance, and cytotoxicity, as well as the in vivo bone growth of an antimicrobial peptide loaded into calcium phosphate coated Ti implants in a rabbit model. Two potent AMP candidates (HHC36: KRWWKWWRR, Tet213: KRWWKWWRRC) were first investigated through an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. MTT absorbance values revealed that HHC36 showed much lower cytotoxicity (minimal cytotoxic concentration 200 μg/mL) than Tet 213 (50 μg/mL). The AMP HHC36 loaded onto CaP (34.7 ± 4.2 μg/cm(2)) had a burst release during the first few hours followed by a slow and steady release for 7 days as measured spectrophotometrically. The CaP-AMP coatings were antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in colony-forming units (CFU) in vitro assays. No cytotoxicity was observed on CaP-AMP samples against MG-63 osteoblast-like cells after 5 days in vitro. In a trabecular bone growth in vivo study using cylindrical implants, loading of AMP HHC36 did not impair bone growth onto the implants. Significant bone on-growth was observed on CaP-coated Ti with or without HHC36 loading, as compared with Ti alone. The current AMP-CaP coating thus offers in vivo osteoconductivity to orthopedic implants. It also offers in vitro antimicrobial property, with its in vivo performance to be confirmed in future animal infection models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Kazemzadeh-Narbat
- Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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191
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Monson CF, Cong X, Robison AD, Pace HP, Liu C, Poyton MF, Cremer PS. Phosphatidylserine reversibly binds Cu2+ with extremely high affinity. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:7773-9. [PMID: 22548290 DOI: 10.1021/ja212138e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylserine (PS) embedded within supported lipid bilayers was found to bind Cu(2+) from solution with extraordinarily high affinity. In fact, the equilibrium dissociation constant was in the femtomolar range. The resulting complex formed in a 1:2 Cu(2+)-to-PS ratio and quenches a broad spectrum of lipid-bound fluorophores in a reversible and pH-dependent fashion. At acidic pH values, the fluorophores were almost completely unquenched, while at basic pH values significant quenching (85-90%) was observed. The pH at which the transition occurred was dependent on the PS concentration and ranged from approximately pH 5 to 8. The quenching kinetics was slow at low Cu(2+) concentrations and basic pH values (up to several hours), while the unquenching reaction was orders of magnitude more rapid upon lowering the pH. This was consistent with diffusion-limited complex formation at basic pH but rapid dissociation under acidic conditions. The tight binding of Cu(2+) to PS may have physiological consequences under certain circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Monson
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 3255 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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192
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Efficacy of OH-CATH30 and its analogs against drug-resistant bacteria in vitro and in mouse models. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:3309-17. [PMID: 22491685 DOI: 10.1128/aac.06304-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered alternatives to conventional antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, their comparatively high toxicity toward eukaryotic cells and poor efficacy in vivo hamper their clinical application. OH-CATH30, a novel cathelicidin peptide deduced from the king cobra, possesses potent antibacterial activity in vitro. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OH-CATH30 and its analog OH-CM6 against drug-resistant bacteria in vitro and in vivo. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 ranged from 1.56 to 12.5 μg/ml against drug-resistant clinical isolates of several pathogenic species, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 were slightly altered in the presence of 25% human serum. OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 killed E. coli quickly (within 60 min) by disrupting the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Importantly, the 50% lethal doses (LD(50)) of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 in mice following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection were 120 mg/kg of body weight and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and no death was observed at any dose up to 160 mg/kg following subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Moreover, 10 mg/kg OH-CATH30 or OH-CM6 significantly decreased the bacterial counts as well as the inflammatory response in a mouse thigh infection model and rescued infected mice in a bacteremia model induced by drug-resistant E. coli. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the natural cathelicidin peptide OH-CATH30 and its analogs exhibit relatively low toxicity and potent efficacy in mouse models, indicating that they may have therapeutic potential against the systemic infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
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193
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Hancock REW, Nijnik A, Philpott DJ. Modulating immunity as a therapy for bacterial infections. Nat Rev Microbiol 2012; 10:243-54. [PMID: 22421877 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite our efforts to halt the increase and spread of antimicrobial resistance, bacteria continue to become less susceptible to antimicrobial drugs over time, and rates of discovery for new antibiotics are declining. Thus, it is essential to explore new paradigms for anti-infective therapy. One promising approach involves host-directed immunomodulatory therapies, whereby natural mechanisms in the host are exploited to enhance therapeutic benefit. The objective is to initiate or enhance protective antimicrobial immunity while limiting inflammation-induced tissue injury. A range of potential immune modulators have been proposed, including innate defence regulator peptides and agonists of innate immune components such as Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E W Hancock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Room 232, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4 British Columbia, Canada.
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194
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Inhibition of bacterial biofilm formation and swarming motility by a small synthetic cationic peptide. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:2696-704. [PMID: 22354291 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00064-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms cause up to 80% of infections and are difficult to treat due to their substantial multidrug resistance compared to their planktonic counterparts. Based on the observation that human peptide LL-37 is able to block biofilm formation at concentrations below its MIC, we screened for small peptides with antibiofilm activity and identified novel synthetic cationic peptide 1037 of only 9 amino acids in length. Peptide 1037 had very weak antimicrobial activity, but at 1/30th the MIC the peptide was able to effectively prevent biofilm formation (>50% reduction in cell biomass) by the Gram-negative pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia and Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes. Using a flow cell system and a widefield fluorescence microscope, 1037 was shown to significantly reduce biofilm formation and lead to cell death in biofilms. Microarray and follow-up studies showed that, in P. aeruginosa, 1037 directly inhibited biofilms by reducing swimming and swarming motilities, stimulating twitching motility, and suppressing the expression of a variety of genes involved in biofilm formation (e.g., PA2204). Comparison of microarray data from cells treated with peptides LL-37 and 1037 enabled the identification of 11 common P. aeruginosa genes that have a role in biofilm formation and are proposed to represent functional targets of these peptides. Peptide 1037 shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent against chronic, recurrent biofilm infections caused by a variety of bacteria.
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195
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Papareddy P, Mörgelin M, Walse B, Schmidtchen A, Malmsten M. Antimicrobial activity of peptides derived from human ß-amyloid precursor protein. J Pept Sci 2012; 18:183-91. [PMID: 22249992 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are important effector molecules of the innate immune system. Here, we describe that peptides derived from the heparin-binding disulfide-constrained loop region of human ß-amyloid precursor protein are antimicrobial. The peptides investigated were linear and cyclic forms of NWCKRGRKQCKTHPH (NWC15) as well as the cyclic form comprising the C-terminal hydrophobic amino acid extension FVIPY (NWCKRGRKQCKTHPHFVIPY; NWC20c). Compared with the benchmark antimicrobial peptide LL-37, these peptides efficiently killed the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Correspondingly, fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated that the peptides caused defects in bacterial membranes. Analogously, the peptides permeabilised negatively charged liposomes. Despite their bactericidal effect, the peptides displayed very limited hemolytic activities within the concentration range investigated and exerted very small membrane permeabilising effects on human epithelial cells. The efficiency of the peptides with respect to bacterial killing and liposome membrane leakage was in the order NWC20c > NWC15c > NWC15l, which also correlated to the adsorption density for these peptides at the model lipid membrane. Thus, whereas the cationic sequence is a minimum determinant for antimicrobial action, a constrained loop-structure as well as a hydrophobic extension further contributes to membrane permeabilising activity of this region of amyloid precursor protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Papareddy
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Biomedical Center, Tornavägen 10, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
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196
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Desgranges S, Ruddle CC, Burke LP, McFadden TM, O'Brien JE, Fitzgerald-Hughes D, Humphreys H, Smyth TP, Devocelle M. β-Lactam-host defence peptide conjugates as antibiotic prodrug candidates targeting resistant bacteria. RSC Adv 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ra01351g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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197
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Fjell CD, Hiss JA, Hancock REW, Schneider G. Designing antimicrobial peptides: form follows function. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2011; 11:37-51. [PMID: 22173434 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1367] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a severe threat to public health. Conventional antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective as a result of resistance, and it is imperative to find new antibacterial strategies. Natural antimicrobials, known as host defence peptides or antimicrobial peptides, defend host organisms against microbes but most have modest direct antibiotic activity. Enhanced variants have been developed using straightforward design and optimization strategies and are being tested clinically. Here, we describe advanced computer-assisted design strategies that address the difficult problem of relating primary sequence to peptide structure, and are delivering more potent, cost-effective, broad-spectrum peptides as potential next-generation antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Fjell
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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198
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Silva ON, Mulder KCL, Barbosa AEAD, Otero-Gonzalez AJ, Lopez-Abarrategui C, Rezende TMB, Dias SC, Franco OL. Exploring the pharmacological potential of promiscuous host-defense peptides: from natural screenings to biotechnological applications. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:232. [PMID: 22125552 PMCID: PMC3222093 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, the number of bacteria with enhanced resistance to conventional antibiotics has dramatically increased. Most of such bacteria belong to regular microbial flora, becoming a real challenge, especially for immune-depressed patients. Since the treatment is sometimes extremely expensive, and in some circumstances completely inefficient for the most severe cases, researchers are still determined to discover novel compounds. Among them, host-defense peptides (HDPs) have been found as the first natural barrier against microorganisms in nearly all living groups. This molecular class has been gaining attention every day for multiple reasons. For decades, it was believed that these defense peptides had been involved only with the permeation of the lipid bilayer in pathogen membranes, their main target. Currently, it is known that these peptides can bind to numerous targets, as well as lipids including proteins and carbohydrates, from the surface to deep within the cell. Moreover, by using in vivo models, it was shown that HDPs could act both in pathogens and cognate hosts, improving immunological functions as well as acting through multiple pathways to control infections. This review focuses on structural and functional properties of HDP peptides and the additional strategies used to select them. Furthermore, strategies to avoid problems in large-scale manufacture by using molecular and biochemical techniques will also be explored. In summary, this review intends to construct a bridge between academic research and pharmaceutical industry, providing novel insights into the utilization of HDPs against resistant bacterial strains that cause infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmar N Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Protômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
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199
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Torrent M, Di Tommaso P, Pulido D, Nogués MV, Notredame C, Boix E, Andreu D. AMPA: an automated web server for prediction of protein antimicrobial regions. Bioinformatics 2011; 28:130-1. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btr604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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200
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Ma M, Kazemzadeh-Narbat M, Hui Y, Lu S, Ding C, Chen DDY, Hancock REW, Wang R. Local delivery of antimicrobial peptides using self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays for peri-implant infections. J Biomed Mater Res A 2011; 100:278-85. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.33251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Revised: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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