301
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Structure-function studies of chemokine-derived carboxy-terminal antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1798:1062-72. [PMID: 20004172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports which show that several chemokines can act as direct microbicidal agents have drawn renewed attention to these chemotactic signalling proteins. Here we present a structure-function analysis of peptides derived from the human chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha/CCL20), interleukin-8 (IL-8), neutrophil activating protein-2 (NAP-2) and thrombocidin-1 (TC-1). These peptides encompass the C-terminal alpha-helices of these chemokines, which have been suggested to be important for the direct antimicrobial activities. Far-UV CD spectroscopy showed that the peptides are unstructured in aqueous solution and that a membrane mimetic solvent is required to induce a helical secondary structure. A co-solvent mixture was used to determine solution structures of the peptides by two-dimensional (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. The highly cationic peptide, MIP-3alpha(51-70), had the most pronounced antimicrobial activity and displayed an amphipathic structure. A shorter version of this peptide, MIP-3alpha(59-70), remained antimicrobial but its structure and mechanism of action were unlike that of the former peptide. The NAP-2 and TC-1 proteins differ in their sequences only by the deletion of two C-terminal residues in TC-1, but intact TC-1 is a very potent antimicrobial while NAP-2 is inactive. The corresponding C-terminal peptides, NAP-2(50-70) and TC-1(50-68), had very limited and no bactericidal activity, respectively. This suggests that other regions of TC-1 contribute to its bactericidal activity. Altogether, this work provides a rational structural basis for the biological activities of these peptides and proteins and highlights the importance of experimental characterization of peptide fragments as distinct entities because their activities and structural properties may differ substantially from their parent proteins.
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302
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Sherman PJ, Jackway RJ, Gehman JD, Praporski S, McCubbin GA, Mechler A, Martin LL, Separovic F, Bowie JH. Solution Structure and Membrane Interactions of the Antimicrobial Peptide Fallaxidin 4.1a: An NMR and QCM Study. Biochemistry 2009; 48:11892-901. [DOI: 10.1021/bi901668y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Sherman
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Jackway
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - John D. Gehman
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Adam Mechler
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | | | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - John H. Bowie
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
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303
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Gopal R, Park SC, Ha KJ, Cho SJ, Kim SW, Song PI, Nah JW, Park Y, Hahm KS. Effect of Leucine and Lysine substitution on the antimicrobial activity and evaluation of the mechanism of the HPA3NT3 analog peptide. J Pept Sci 2009; 15:589-94. [PMID: 19642077 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a HPA3NT3-analog (FKKLKKLFKKILKLK-NH2) peptide was designed. In this analog, two Trp residues (positions 12, 14) were replaced with Leu, and Arg and Asn (positions 3, 13) were replaced with Lys to investigate the role of amino acid substitution and increased cationicity on antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. In fungal and Gram-negative bacterial cells, HPA3NT3-analog activity was unchanged or slightly enhanced when compared to the HPA3NT3 peptide. In addition, a twofold decrease in activity against Gram-positive bacteria was observed. The HPA3NT3-analog also induced less hemolysis (4.2%) than the HPA3NT3 peptide (71%) at 200 microM. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed that the HPA3NT3-analog peptide had an unordered structure in buffer and egg yolk L-2-phosphatidyl choline (EYPC), but adapted an alpha-helical conformation in 50% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and negatively charged egg yolk L-2-phosphatidyl glycerol (EYPG), while the parent peptide showed an ordered structure in the EYPC. Additionally, the HPA3NT3-analog peptide induced the leakage of calcein from egg yolk L-2-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (EYPE)/EYPG (7:3 w/w) large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs); however, the activity was slightly weaker than that of the HPA3NT3 peptide. The molecular dynamics (MD) structures revealed that the amino acid substitutions induced a significant variation in peptide structure. These results suggest that the substitutions of Arg and Asn with Lys and two Trp with Leu resulted in small changes in HPA3NT3-analog activity and significant decreases in hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramamourthy Gopal
- Research Center for Proteineous Materials (RCPM), Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea
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304
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Kang SJ, Won HS, Choi WS, Lee BJ. De novo generation of antimicrobial LK peptides with a single tryptophan at the critical amphipathic interface. J Pept Sci 2009; 15:583-8. [PMID: 19544481 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
De novo design of amphipathic model peptides has been successful for generating many antimicrobial peptides with various lengths and amino acid compositions. Here, we suggest a very simple strategy to design antimicrobial peptides with a short length and a simple amino acid composition. Amphipathic helical properties were conferred by using only leucines and lysines and a single tryptophan was positioned at the critical amphipathic interface between the hydrophilic ending side and the hydrophobic starting side, in the helical wheel projection. According to this rule, the model peptides with 7 to 13 residues exhibited antimicrobial activity. Among them, the most potent activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, covering all of the nine bacterial strains tested in this study, was found for the 11-mer sequences having a 1:1 (L(5)K(5)W(6)) or a 3:2 (L(6)K(4)W(6)) ratio of leucines to lysines. In particular, the former peptide L(5)K(5)W(6) could be evaluated as the most useful agent, as it showed no significant hemolytic activity with a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Jin Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea
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305
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Dawson RM, Liu CQ. Cathelicidin peptide SMAP-29: comprehensive review of its properties and potential as a novel class of antibiotics. Drug Dev Res 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.20329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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306
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Bhattacharjya S, Ramamoorthy A. Multifunctional host defense peptides: functional and mechanistic insights from NMR structures of potent antimicrobial peptides. FEBS J 2009; 276:6465-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07357.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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307
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Pasupuleti M, Roupe M, Rydengård V, Surewicz K, Surewicz WK, Chalupka A, Malmsten M, Sörensen OE, Schmidtchen A. Antimicrobial activity of human prion protein is mediated by its N-terminal region. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7358. [PMID: 19809501 PMCID: PMC2752989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cellular prion-related protein (PrPc) is a cell-surface protein that is ubiquitously expressed in the human body. The multifunctionality of PrPc, and presence of an exposed cationic and heparin-binding N-terminus, a feature characterizing many antimicrobial peptides, made us hypotesize that PrPc could exert antimicrobial activity. Methodology and Principal Findings Intact recombinant PrP exerted antibacterial and antifungal effects at normal and low pH. Studies employing recombinant PrP and N- and C-terminally truncated variants, as well as overlapping peptide 20mers, demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity is mediated by the unstructured N-terminal part of the protein. Synthetic peptides of the N-terminus of PrP killed the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as the fungus Candida parapsilosis. Fluorescence studies of peptide-treated bacteria, paired with analysis of peptide effects on liposomes, showed that the peptides exerted membrane-breaking effects similar to those seen after treatment with the “classical” human antimicrobial peptide LL-37. In contrast to LL-37, however, no marked helix induction was detected for the PrP-derived peptides in presence of negatively charged (bacteria-mimicking) liposomes. PrP furthermore showed an inducible expression during wounding of human skin ex vivo and in vivo, as well as stimulation of keratinocytes with TGF-α in vitro. Conclusions The demonstration of an antimicrobial activity of PrP, localisation of its activity to the N-terminal and heparin-binding region, combined with results showing an increased expression of PrP during wounding, indicate that PrPs could have a previously undisclosed role in host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Pasupuleti
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail: (AS); (MP)
| | - Markus Roupe
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Victoria Rydengård
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Krystyna Surewicz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Witold K. Surewicz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anna Chalupka
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Ole E. Sörensen
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Artur Schmidtchen
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail: (AS); (MP)
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308
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Control of cell selectivity of antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1687-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 09/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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309
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Arenas G, Guzmán F, Cárdenas C, Mercado L, Marshall SH. A novel antifungal peptide designed from the primary structure of a natural antimicrobial peptide purified from Argopecten purpuratus hemocytes. Peptides 2009; 30:1405-11. [PMID: 19481126 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2009] [Revised: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 05/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We have isolated and purified a natural antimicrobial peptide from Argopecten purpuratus hemocytes. 47 residues were determined from its primary structure representing the N-terminal of the complete sequence. This peptide of 5100.78Da was chemically synthesized and named Ap. The peptide has 25% of hydrophobic amino acids with a net charge of +1, and partial homology with known active antimicrobial peptides. Based on that sequence, a new peptide was designed and modeled to increase hydrophobicity and cationicity. The designed 30-residue peptide was chemically synthesized resulting in a novel 38% hydrophobic molecule named peptide Ap-S, with a net charge of +5 and 3028Da. A secondary structure was shown by circular dichroism, thus exposing a hydrophobic epitope toward the N-terminus and a hydrophilic one toward the C-terminus, improving amphipathicity. Ap-S was much more active than the parental Ap. Ap-S up to 100microM has no cytotoxic effect against fish cell line CHSE-214. We demonstrated that the chemical modification of a natural peptide and the chemical synthesis of derived molecules may be a powerful tool for obtaining substitutes to conventional antibiotics, displaying the many advantages of antimicrobial peptides and overcoming the limitations of natural peptides for large-scale production and application, such as the low specific activity and the minute amounts recovered in vivo. This peptide may have a relevant application in aquaculture by controlling Saprolegna sp., a parasitic pathogen fungus that attacks the culture of fish in different stages of their growth, from egg to adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Arenas
- Laboratorio de Genética e Inmunología Molecular, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile.
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310
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Gottler LM, Ramamoorthy A. Structure, membrane orientation, mechanism, and function of pexiganan--a highly potent antimicrobial peptide designed from magainin. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2009; 1788:1680-6. [PMID: 19010301 PMCID: PMC2726618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Revised: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The growing problem of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotic compounds and the need for new antibiotics have stimulated interest in the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as human therapeutics. Development of topically applied agents, such as pexiganan (also known as MSI-78, an analog of the naturally occurring magainin2, extracted from the skin of the African frog Xenopus laevis) has been the focus of pharmaceutical development largely because of the relative safety of topical therapy and the uncertainty surrounding the long-term toxicology of any new class of drug administered systemically. The main hurdle that has hindered the development of antimicrobial peptides is that many of the naturally occurring peptides (such as magainin), although active in vitro, are effective in animal models of infection only at very high doses, often close to the toxic doses of the peptide, reflecting an unacceptable margin of safety. Though MSI-78 did not pass the FDA approval, it is still the best-studied AMP to date for therapeutic purposes. Biophysical studies have shown that this peptide is unstructured in solution, forms an antiparallel dimer of amphipathic helices upon binding to the membrane, and disrupts membrane via toroidal-type pore formation. This article covers functional, biophysical, biochemical and structural studies on pexiganan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey M. Gottler
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics and Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055
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311
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van Dijk A, Molhoek EM, Veldhuizen EJ, Bokhoven JLTV, Wagendorp E, Bikker F, Haagsman HP. Identification of chicken cathelicidin-2 core elements involved in antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities. Mol Immunol 2009; 46:2465-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Accepted: 05/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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312
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Nicolas P, El Amri C. The dermaseptin superfamily: A gene-based combinatorial library of antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1537-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2008] [Revised: 09/14/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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313
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Rivas L, Luque-Ortega JR, Andreu D. Amphibian antimicrobial peptides and Protozoa: Lessons from parasites. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1570-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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314
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Abstract
We have designed and chemically synthesized an artificial β-defensin based on a minimal template derived from the comparative analysis of over 80 naturally occurring sequences. This molecule has the disulfide-bridged β-sheet core structure of natural β-defensins and shows a robust salt-sensitive antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeast, as well as a chemotactic activity against immature dendritic cells. An SAR (structure–activity relationship) study using two truncated fragments or a Cys→Ser point-mutated analogue, from which one or two of the three disulfide bridges were absent, indicated that altering the structure resulted in a different type of membrane interaction and a switch to different modes of action towards both microbial and host cells, and that covalent dimerization could favour antimicrobial activity. Comparison of the structural, aggregational and biological activities of the artificial defensin with those of three human β-defensins and their primate orthologues provided useful information on how their mode of action may relate to specific structural features.
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315
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Polyansky AA, Vassilevski AA, Volynsky PE, Vorontsova OV, Samsonova OV, Egorova NS, Krylov NA, Feofanov AV, Arseniev AS, Grishin EV, Efremov RG. N-terminal amphipathic helix as a trigger of hemolytic activity in antimicrobial peptides: A case study in latarcins. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2425-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2009] [Revised: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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316
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Schmidtchen A, Pasupuleti M, Mörgelin M, Davoudi M, Alenfall J, Chalupka A, Malmsten M. Boosting antimicrobial peptides by hydrophobic oligopeptide end tags. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:17584-94. [PMID: 19398550 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.011650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel approach for boosting antimicrobial peptides through end tagging with hydrophobic oligopeptide stretches is demonstrated. Focusing on two peptides derived from kininogen, GKHKNKGKKNGKHNGWK (GKH17) and HKHGHGHGKHKNKGKKN (HKH17), tagging resulted in enhanced killing of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and fungal Candida albicans. Microbicidal potency increased with tag length, also in plasma, and was larger for Trp and Phe stretches than for aliphatic ones. The enhanced microbicidal effects correlated to a higher degree of bacterial wall rupture. Analogously, tagging promoted peptide binding to model phospholipid membranes and liposome rupture, particularly for anionic and cholesterol-void membranes. Tagged peptides displayed low toxicity, particularly in the presence of serum, and resisted degradation by human leukocyte elastase and by staphylococcal aureolysin and V8 proteinase. The biological relevance of these findings was demonstrated ex vivo and in vivo in porcine S. aureus skin infection models. The generality of end tagging for facile boosting of antimicrobial peptides without the need for post-synthesis modification was also demonstrated.
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317
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Pasupuleti M, Schmidtchen A, Chalupka A, Ringstad L, Malmsten M. End-tagging of ultra-short antimicrobial peptides by W/F stretches to facilitate bacterial killing. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5285. [PMID: 19381271 PMCID: PMC2667214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to increasing resistance development among bacteria, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are receiving increased attention. Ideally, AMP should display high bactericidal potency, but low toxicity against (human) eukaryotic cells. Additionally, short and proteolytically stable AMPs are desired to maximize bioavailability and therapeutic versatility. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A facile approach is demonstrated for reaching high potency of ultra-short antimicrobal peptides through end-tagging with W and F stretches. Focusing on a peptide derived from kininogen, KNKGKKNGKH (KNK10) and truncations thereof, end-tagging resulted in enhanced bactericidal effect against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Through end-tagging, potency and salt resistance could be maintained down to 4-7 amino acids in the hydrophilic template peptide. Although tagging resulted in increased eukaryotic cell permeabilization at low ionic strength, the latter was insignificant at physiological ionic strength and in the presence of serum. Quantitatively, the most potent peptides investigated displayed bactericidal effects comparable to, or in excess of, that of the benchmark antimicrobial peptide LL-37. The higher bactericidal potency of the tagged peptides correlated to a higher degree of binding to bacteria, and resulting bacterial wall rupture. Analogously, tagging enhanced peptide-induced rupture of liposomes, particularly anionic ones. Additionally, end-tagging facilitated binding to bacterial lipopolysaccharide, both effects probably contributing to the selectivity displayed by these peptides between bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Importantly, W-tagging resulted in peptides with maintained stability against proteolytic degradation by human leukocyte elastase, as well as staphylococcal aureolysin and V8 proteinase. The biological relevance of these findings was demonstrated ex vivo for pig skin infected by S. aureus and E. coli. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE End-tagging by hydrophobic amino acid stretches may be employed to enhance bactericidal potency also of ultra-short AMPs at maintained limited toxicity. The approach is of general applicability, and facilitates straightforward synthesis of hydrophobically modified AMPs without the need for post-peptide synthesis modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Pasupuleti
- Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Artur Schmidtchen
- Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Chalupka
- Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Malmsten
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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318
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Galanth C, Abbassi F, Lequin O, Ayala-Sanmartin J, Ladram A, Nicolas P, Amiche M. Mechanism of antibacterial action of dermaseptin B2: interplay between helix-hinge-helix structure and membrane curvature strain. Biochemistry 2009; 48:313-27. [PMID: 19113844 DOI: 10.1021/bi802025a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dermaseptin B2 (Drs B2) is a 33-residue-long cationic, alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide endowed with membrane-damaging activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and protozoa, but its precise mechanism of action remained ill-defined. A detailed characterization of peptide-membrane interactions of Drs B2 was undertaken in comparison with a C-terminal truncated analogue, [1-23]-Drs B2, that was virtually inactive on bacteria despite retaining the cationic charge of the full-length peptide. Both peptides were tested on living cells using membrane permeabilization assays and on large unilamellar and multilamellar phospholipid vesicles composed of binary lipid mixtures by dye leakage assay, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and differential scanning calorimetry and also on SDS micelles using NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that Drs B2 induces a strong perturbation of anionic lipid bilayers, resides at the hydrocarbon core-water interface, parallel to the plane of the membrane, and interacts preferentially with the polar head groups and glycerol backbone region of the anionic phospholipids, as well as the region of the lipid acyl chain near the bilayer surface. The interfacial location of Drs B2 induces a positive curvature of the bilayer and clustering of anionic lipids, consistent with a carpet mechanism, that may lead to the formation of mixed peptide-phospholipid toroidal, transient pores and membrane permeation/disruption once a threshold peptide accumulation is reached. In constrast, the truncated [1-23]-Drs B2 analogue interacts at the head group level without penetrating and perturbing the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. NMR study in SDS micelles showed that [1-23]-Drs B2 adopts a well-defined helix encompassing residues 2-20, whereas Drs B2 was previously found to adopt helical structures interrupted around the Val(9)-Gly(10) segment. Thus the antibacterial activity of Drs B2 depends markedly on a threshold number of hydrophobic residues to be present on both extremities of the helix. In a membrane environment with a strong positive curvature strain, Drs B2 can adopt a flexible helix-hinge-helix structure that facilitates the concomitant insertion of the strongly hydrophobic N- and C-termini of the peptide into the acyl core of the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Galanth
- Peptidome de la Peau des Amphibiens, UPMC Universite Paris 06, CNRS FRE 2852, F-75005 Paris, France.
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319
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Evaluation of strategies for improving proteolytic resistance of antimicrobial peptides by using variants of EFK17, an internal segment of LL-37. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 53:593-602. [PMID: 19029324 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00477-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods for increasing the proteolytic stability of EFK17 (EFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLV), a new peptide sequence with antimicrobial properties derived from LL-37, were evaluated. EFK17 was modified by four d-enantiomer or tryptophan (W) substitutions at known protease cleavage sites as well as by terminal amidation and acetylation. The peptide variants were studied in terms of proteolytic resistance, antibacterial potency, and cytotoxicity but also in terms their adsorption at model lipid membranes, liposomal leakage generation, and secondary-structure behavior. The W substitutions resulted in a marked reduction in the proteolytic degradation caused by human neutrophil elastase, Staphylococcus aureus aureolysin, and V8 protease but not in the degradation caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase. For the former two endoproteases, amidation and acetylation of the terminals also reduced proteolytic degradation but only when used in combination with W substitutions. The d-enantiomer substitutions rendered the peptides indigestible by all four proteases; however, those peptides displayed little antimicrobial potency. The W- and end-modified peptides, on the other hand, showed an increased bactericidal potency compared to that of the native peptide sequence, coupled with a moderate cytotoxicity that was largely absent in serum. The bactericidal, cytotoxic, and liposome lytic properties correlated with each other as well as with the amount of peptide adsorbed at the lipid membrane and the extent of helix formation associated with the adsorption. The lytic properties of the W-substituted peptides were less impaired by increased ionic strength, presumably by a combination of W-mediated stabilization of the largely amphiphilic helix conformation and a nonelectrostatic W affinity for the bilayer interface. Overall, W substitutions constitute an interesting means to reduce the proteolytic susceptibility of EFK17 while also improving antimicrobial performance.
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320
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Lysine-enriched cecropin-mellitin antimicrobial peptides with enhanced selectivity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:4463-5. [PMID: 18852279 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00810-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysine-enriched analogs of the cecropin-mellitin hybrid peptide, CA(1-7) M(2-9) (designated CM15), designed with optimized amphipathicity, retained antimicrobial activities similar to that of wild-type CM15 and had substantially reduced levels of hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity toward cultured macrophages, resulting in enhanced selectivity. These lysine-enriched analogs provide templates for improved CM15 peptide or peptidomimetic antibiotics.
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321
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Chou HT, Kuo TY, Chiang JC, Pei MJ, Yang WT, Yu HC, Lin SB, Chen WJ. Design and synthesis of cationic antimicrobial peptides with improved activity and selectivity against Vibrio spp. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2008; 32:130-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2008.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2008] [Revised: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 04/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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322
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The antimicrobial peptide NK-2, the core region of mammalian NK-lysin, kills intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:1713-20. [PMID: 18332165 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01342-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In a time of dramatically increasing resistance of microbes to all kinds of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial peptides and synthetic analogs thereof have emerged as compounds with potentially significant therapeutical applications against human pathogens. Only very few of these peptide antibiotics have been tested against protozoan pathogens that are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in large parts of the world. Here, we studied the effect of NK-2, a peptide representing the cationic core region of the lymphocytic effector protein NK-lysin, on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Whereas noninfected red blood cells were hardly affected, human erythrocytes infected with the parasite were rapidly permeabilized by NK-2 in the micromolar range. Loss of plasma membrane asymmetry and concomitant exposure of phosphatidylserine upon infection appears to be the molecular basis for the observed target preference of NK-2, as can be demonstrated by annexin V binding. The peptide also affects the viability of the intracellular parasite, as evidenced by the drop in DNA content of cultured parasites. Accumulated evidence derived from permeabilization assays using parasites and liposomes as targets and from fluorescence microscopy of infected erythrocytes treated with fluorescently labeled NK-2 indicates that the positively charged peptide electrostatically interacts with the altered and negatively charged plasma membrane of the infected host cell and traverses this membrane as well as the parasitophorous vacuole membrane to reach its final target, the intracellular parasite. The apparent affinity for foreign membranes that resulted in the death of a eukaryotic parasite residing in human host cells makes NK-2 a promising template for novel anti-infectives.
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323
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Gottler LM, Lee HY, Shelburne CE, Ramamoorthy A, Marsh ENG. Using Fluorous Amino Acids to Modulate the Biological Activity of an Antimicrobial Peptide. Chembiochem 2008; 9:370-3. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200700643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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324
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Dennison SR, Morton LH, Harris F, Phoenix DA. The impact of membrane lipid composition on antimicrobial function of an α-helical peptide. Chem Phys Lipids 2008; 151:92-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Revised: 10/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/26/2007] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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325
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Pag U, Oedenkoven M, Sass V, Shai Y, Shamova O, Antcheva N, Tossi A, Sahl HG. Analysis of in vitro activities and modes of action of synthetic antimicrobial peptides derived from an alpha-helical 'sequence template'. J Antimicrob Chemother 2008; 61:341-52. [PMID: 18174202 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkm479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are indispensable components of innate immune systems and promising candidates for novel anti-infective strategies. We rationally designed a series of peptides based on a template derived from known alpha-helical AMPs, which were then analysed regarding efficacy against clinical isolates and antibiotic mechanisms. METHODS Efficacy tests included standard MIC and synergy assays. Whole cell assays with staphylococcal strains included killing kinetics, efflux experiments and determination of membrane depolarization. The transcriptional response of AMP-treated Staphylococcus aureus SG511 was analysed using a Scienion genomic microarray covering (approximately 90% of) the S. aureus N315 genome and AMP P16(6|E). RESULTS The AMPs showed remarkable broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi regardless of any pre-existing antibiotic resistance mechanism. Whole cell assays indicated that the AMPs target the cytoplasmic membrane; however, significant membrane leakage and depolarization was only observed with a standard laboratory test strain. Transcriptional profiling identified up-regulation of putative efflux pumps and of aerobic energy generation mechanisms as major counter activities. Important components of the staphylococcal cell wall stress stimulon were up-regulated and the lipid metabolism was also affected. CONCLUSIONS The broad spectrum activity of amphiphilic helical AMPs is based on multiple stresses resulting from interactions with microbial membranes; however, rather than killing through formation of pores, the AMPs appear to interfere with the coordinated and highly dynamic functioning of membrane bound multienzyme complexes such as electron transport chains and cell wall or lipid biosynthesis machineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Pag
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology-Pharmaceutical Microbiology Section, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
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326
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Krishnakumari V, Nagaraj R. Interaction of antibacterial peptides spanning the carboxy-terminal region of human beta-defensins 1-3 with phospholipids at the air-water interface and inner membrane of E. coli. Peptides 2008; 29:7-14. [PMID: 18063441 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/18/2007] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic peptides Phd1-3 spanning the cationic carboxy-terminal region of human beta-defensins HBD-1-3 have been shown to have antibacterial activity. Gross morphological changes were seen in E. coli cells treated with these peptides. In this paper, we have studied the surface-active properties of peptides Phd1-3 and their interactions with different phospholipids using Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers. Compression isotherms and increase in pressure on insertion of peptides into lipid monolayers at different initial pressures indicate the affinity of these peptides for negatively charged lipids. Phd3 inserted less effectively into monolayers as compared to Phd1 and Phd2. The peptides differed in their ability to permeabilize the inner membrane of E. coli, with Phd3 being least effective. It is likely that the peptides kill Gram-negative bacteria by more than one mechanism. When hydrophobicity and net charge favor insertion into lipid membranes, then membrane permeabilization could be the primary event in the killing of bacteria. In cases where membrane insertion does not occur, interaction with phospholipid interface induces highly selective stress that leads to stasis and cell death, as proposed for polymyxin B and bactenecin.
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327
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Soltani S, Keymanesh K, Sardari S. In silicoanalysis of antifungal peptides. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2007; 2:837-47. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2.6.837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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328
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El Amri C, Bruston F, Joanne P, Lacombe C, Nicolas P. Intrinsic flexibility and structural adaptability of Plasticins membrane-damaging peptides as a strategy for functional versatility. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2007; 36:901-9. [PMID: 17622524 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-007-0199-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2007] [Revised: 05/16/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The Plasticins are a family of antimicrobial, 23-29-residue Gly-Leu-rich ortholog peptides from the frog skin that have very similar amino acid sequences, hydrophobicities, and amphipathicities but differ markedly in their conformational plasticity and spectrum of activity. The intrinsic flexibility and structural malleability of Plasticins modulate their ability to bind to and disrupt the bilayer membranes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and/or to reach intracellular targets, therefore, triggering functional versatility. The discussion is opened herein on several examples of other membrane-active peptides, like viral fusion peptides, cell-penetrating peptides, that are able to display antimicrobial activity. Hence, Plasticins could be regarded as models of multipotent membrane-active peptides guided by structural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C El Amri
- FRE 2852 Protéines: Biochimie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Université Paris 6-CNRS, Peptidome de la peau d'amphibiens, tour 43, 4, Place Jussieu 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France.
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329
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Kacprzyk L, Rydengård V, Mörgelin M, Davoudi M, Pasupuleti M, Malmsten M, Schmidtchen A. Antimicrobial activity of histidine-rich peptides is dependent on acidic conditions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2007; 1768:2667-80. [PMID: 17655823 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2007] [Revised: 06/18/2007] [Accepted: 06/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic peptides composed of multiples of the consensus heparin-binding Cardin and Weintraub sequences AKKARA and ARKKAAKA are antimicrobial. Replacement of lysine and arginine by histidine in these peptides completely abrogates their antimicrobial and heparin-binding activities at neutral pH. However, the antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) as well as the fungus Candida albicans, was restored at acidic conditions (pH 5.5). Fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis showed that the binding of the histidine-rich peptides to E. coli and Candida was significantly enhanced at pH 5.5. Likewise, fluorescence studies for assessment of membrane permeation as well as electron microscopy analysis of peptide-treated bacteria, paired with studies of peptide effects on liposomes, demonstrated that the peptides induce membrane lysis only at acidic pH. No discernible hemolysis was noted for the histidine-rich peptides. Similar pH-dependent antimicrobial activities were demonstrated for peptides derived from histidine-rich and heparin-binding regions of human kininogen and histidine-rich glycoprotein. The results demonstrate that the presence of an acidic environment is an important regulator of the activity of histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Kacprzyk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, ul Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
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330
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Shental-Bechor D, Haliloglu T, Ben-Tal N. Interactions of cationic-hydrophobic peptides with lipid bilayers: a Monte Carlo simulation method. Biophys J 2007; 93:1858-71. [PMID: 17496025 PMCID: PMC1959530 DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.106.103812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a computational model of the interaction between hydrophobic cations, such as the antimicrobial peptide, Magainin2, and membranes that include anionic lipids. The peptide's amino acids were represented as two interaction sites: one corresponds to the backbone alpha-carbon and the other to the side chain. The membrane was represented as a hydrophobic profile, and its anionic nature was represented by a surface of smeared charges. Thus, the Coulombic interactions between the peptide and the membrane were calculated using the Gouy-Chapman theory that describes the electrostatic potential in the aqueous phase near the membrane. Peptide conformations and locations near the membrane, and changes in the membrane width, were sampled at random, using the Metropolis criterion, taking into account the underlying energetics. Simulations of the interactions of heptalysine and the hydrophobic-cationic peptide, Magainin2, with acidic membranes were used to calibrate the model. The calibrated model reproduced structural data and the membrane-association free energies that were measured also for other basic and hydrophobic-cationic peptides. Interestingly, amphipathic peptides, such as Magainin2, were found to adopt two main membrane-associated states. In the first, the peptide resided mostly outside the polar headgroups region. In the second, which was energetically more favorable, the peptide assumed an amphipathic-helix conformation, where its hydrophobic face was immersed in the hydrocarbon region of the membrane and the charged residues were in contact with the surface of smeared charges. This dual behavior provides a molecular interpretation of the available experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalit Shental-Bechor
- Department of Biochemistry, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
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331
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Pistolesi S, Pogni R, Feix JB. Membrane insertion and bilayer perturbation by antimicrobial peptide CM15. Biophys J 2007; 93:1651-60. [PMID: 17496013 PMCID: PMC1948049 DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.107.104034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important component of innate immunity and have generated considerable interest as a potential new class of antibiotic. The biological activity of AMPs is strongly influenced by peptide-membrane interactions; however, for many of these peptides the molecular details of how they disrupt and/or translocate across target membranes are not known. CM15 is a linear, synthetic hybrid AMP composed of the first seven residues of the cecropin A and residues 2-9 of the bee venom peptide mellitin. Previous studies have shown that upon membrane binding CM15 folds into an alpha-helix with its helical axis aligned parallel to the bilayer surface and have implicated the formation of 2.2-3.8 nm pores in its bactericidal activity. Here we report site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance studies examining the behavior of CM15 analogs labeled with a methanethiosulfonate spin label (MTSL) and a brominated MTSL as a function of increasing peptide concentration and utilize phospholipid-analog spin labels to assess the effects of CM15 binding and accumulation on the physical properties of membrane lipids. We find that as the concentration of membrane-bound CM15 is increased the N-terminal domain of the peptide becomes more deeply immersed in the lipid bilayer. Only minimal changes are observed in the rotational dynamics of membrane lipids, and changes in lipid dynamics are confined primarily to near the membrane surface. However, the accumulation of membrane-bound CM15 dramatically increases accessibility of lipid-analog spin labels to the polar relaxation agent, nickel (II) ethylenediaminediacetate, suggesting an increased permeability of the membrane to polar solutes. These results are discussed in relation to the molecular mechanism of membrane disruption by CM15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pistolesi
- Department of Biophysics and National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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332
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Malmsten M, Davoudi M, Walse B, Rydengård V, Pasupuleti M, Mörgelin M, Schmidtchen A. Antimicrobial peptides derived from growth factors. Growth Factors 2007; 25:60-70. [PMID: 17454151 DOI: 10.1080/08977190701344120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Growth factors, comprising diverse protein and peptide families, are involved in a multitude of developmental processes, including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Here we show that peptides derived from HB-EGF, amphiregulin, hepatocyte growth factor, PDGF-A and PDGF-B, as well as various FGFs are antimicrobial, demonstrating a previously unknown activity of growth factor-derived peptides. The peptides killed the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, as well as the fungus Candida albicans. Several peptides were also active against the Gram-positive S. aureus. Electron microscopy analysis of peptide-treated bacteria, paired with analysis of peptide effects on liposomes, showed that the peptides exerted membrane-breaking effects similar to those seen after treatment with the "classical" human antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Furthermore, HB-EGF was antibacterial per se, and its epitope GKRKKKGKGLGKKRDPCLRKYK retained its activity in presence of physiological salt and plasma. No discernible hemolysis was noted for the growth factor-derived peptides. Besides providing novel templates for design of peptide-based antimicrobials, our findings demonstrate a previously undisclosed link between the family of growth factors and antimicrobial peptides, both of which are induced during tissue remodelling and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Malmsten
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 23, Sweden
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333
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Influence of C-terminal amidation on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of cationic α-helical peptides. PURE APPL CHEM 2007. [DOI: 10.1351/pac200779040717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effect of C-terminal amidation on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of antimicrobial peptides was studied using three cationic peptides which form amphiphilic α-helices when bound to membranes. The natural antimicrobial peptide PGLa, the designer-made antibiotic MSI-103, and the cell-penetrating "model amphipathic peptide" (MAP) are all amidated in their original forms, and their biological activities were compared with the same sequences carrying a free C-terminus. It was found that, in general, a free COOH-terminus reduces both the antimicrobial activity and the hemolytic side effects of the peptides. The only exception was observed for MSI-103, whose antimicrobial activity was not decreased in the acid form. Having shown that the therapeutic index (TI) of this novel peptide is significantly higher than for the other tested peptides, with high antibiotic activity and little undesired effects, we suggest that it could be a useful starting point for further development of new peptide antibiotics.
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334
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Brahmachary M, Schönbach C, Yang L, Huang E, Tan SL, Chowdhary R, Krishnan SPT, Lin CY, Hume DA, Kai C, Kawai J, Carninci P, Hayashizaki Y, Bajic VB. Computational promoter analysis of mouse, rat and human antimicrobial peptide-coding genes. BMC Bioinformatics 2006; 7 Suppl 5:S8. [PMID: 17254313 PMCID: PMC1764486 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-7-s5-s8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effectors of the innate immune response. A multitude of signals coming from pathways of mammalian pathogen/pattern recognition receptors and other proteins affect the expression of AMP-coding genes (AMPcgs). For many AMPcgs the promoter elements and transcription factors that control their tissue cell-specific expression have yet to be fully identified and characterized. RESULTS Based upon the RIKEN full-length cDNA and public sequence data derived from human, mouse and rat, we identified 178 candidate AMP transcripts derived from 61 genes belonging to 29 AMP families. However, only for 31 mouse genes belonging to 22 AMP families we were able to determine true orthologous relationships with 30 human and 15 rat sequences. We screened the promoter regions of AMPcgs in the three species for motifs by an ab initio motif finding method and analyzed the derived promoter characteristics. Promoter models were developed for alpha-defensins, penk and zap AMP families. The results suggest a core set of transcription factors (TFs) that regulate the transcription of AMPcg families in mouse, rat and human. The three most frequent core TFs groups include liver-, nervous system-specific and nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs). Out of 440 motifs analyzed, we found that three represent potentially novel TF-binding motifs enriched in promoters of AMPcgs, while the other four motifs appear to be species-specific. CONCLUSION Our large-scale computational analysis of promoters of 22 families of AMPcgs across three mammalian species suggests that their key transcriptional regulators are likely to be TFs of the liver-, nervous system-specific and NHR groups. The computationally inferred promoter elements and potential TF binding motifs provide a rich resource for targeted experimental validation of TF binding and signaling studies that aim at the regulation of mouse, rat or human AMPcgs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Brahmachary
- Knowledge Extraction Laboratory, Institute for Infocomm Research, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119613, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Christian Schönbach
- Immunoinformatics Research Team, Advanced Genome Information Technology Group, RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Division of Genomics and Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Liang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Enli Huang
- Knowledge Extraction Laboratory, Institute for Infocomm Research, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119613, Singapore
| | - Sin Lam Tan
- Knowledge Extraction Laboratory, Institute for Infocomm Research, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119613, Singapore
- University of the Western Cape, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Rajesh Chowdhary
- Knowledge Extraction Laboratory, Institute for Infocomm Research, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119613, Singapore
| | - SPT Krishnan
- Knowledge Extraction Laboratory, Institute for Infocomm Research, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119613, Singapore
| | - Chin-Yo Lin
- Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 753 WIDB, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - David A Hume
- ARC Special Research Centre for Functional and Applied Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Chikatoshi Kai
- Genome Exploration Research Group (Genome Network Project Core Group), RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Jun Kawai
- Genome Exploration Research Group (Genome Network Project Core Group), RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Genome Science Laboratory, Discovery Research Institute, RIKEN Wako Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Piero Carninci
- Genome Exploration Research Group (Genome Network Project Core Group), RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Genome Science Laboratory, Discovery Research Institute, RIKEN Wako Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Hayashizaki
- Genome Exploration Research Group (Genome Network Project Core Group), RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Genome Science Laboratory, Discovery Research Institute, RIKEN Wako Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Vladimir B Bajic
- University of the Western Cape, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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335
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Pasupuleti M, Walse B, Nordahl EA, Mörgelin M, Malmsten M, Schmidtchen A. Preservation of antimicrobial properties of complement peptide C3a, from invertebrates to humans. J Biol Chem 2006; 282:2520-8. [PMID: 17132627 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m607848200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The human anaphylatoxin peptide C3a, generated during complement activation, exerts antimicrobial effects. Phylogenetic analysis, sequence analyses, and structural modeling studies paired with antimicrobial assays of peptides from known C3a sequences showed that, in particular in vertebrate C3a, crucial structural determinants governing antimicrobial activity have been conserved during the evolution of C3a. Thus, regions of the ancient C3a from Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda as well as corresponding parts of human C3a exhibited helical structures upon binding to bacterial lipopolysaccharide permeabilized liposomes and were antimicrobial against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Human C3a and C4a (but not C5a) were antimicrobial, in concert with the separate evolutionary development of the chemotactic C5a. Thus, the results demonstrate that, notwithstanding a significant sequence variation, functional and structural constraints imposed on C3a during evolution have preserved critical properties governing antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Pasupuleti
- Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Center, Lund University, Tornavägen 10, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
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336
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Dennison SR, Howe J, Morton LHG, Brandenburg K, Harris F, Phoenix DA. Interactions of an anionic antimicrobial peptide with Staphylococcus aureus membranes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 347:1006-10. [PMID: 16857163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.06.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2006] [Accepted: 06/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of the anionic peptide, AP1 (GEQGALAQFGEWL), was investigated. AP1 was found to kill Staphylococcus aureus with an MLC of 3mM and to induce maximal surface pressure changes of 3.8 mN m(-1) over 1200s in monolayers formed from lipid extract of S. aureus membranes. FTIR spectroscopy showed the peptide to be alpha-helical (100%) in the presence of vesicles formed from this lipid extract and to induce increases in their fluidity (Deltanu circa 0.5 cm(-1)). These combined data show that AP1 is able to function as an alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide against Gram-positive bacteria and suggest that the killing mechanism used by the peptide involves interactions with the membrane lipid headgroup region. Moreover, this killing mechanism differs strongly from that previously reported for AP1 against Gram-negative bacteria, indicating the importance of considering the effects of membrane lipid composition when investigating the structure/function relationships of antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Dennison
- Faculty of Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
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