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Jiang Z, Huang YH, Kaas Q, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Structure and Activity of Reconstructed Pseudo-Ancestral Cyclotides. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400124. [PMID: 38632079 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Cyclotides are cyclic peptides that are promising scaffolds for the design of drug candidates and chemical tools. However, despite there being hundreds of reported cyclotides, drug design studies have commonly focussed on a select few prototypic examples. Here, we explored whether ancestral sequence reconstruction could be used to generate new cyclotides for further optimization. We show that the reconstructed 'pseudo-ancestral' sequences, named Ancy-m (for the ancestral cyclotide of the Möbius sub-family) and Ancy-b (for the bracelet sub-family), have well-defined structures like their extant members, comprising the core structural feature of a cyclic cystine knot. This motif underpins efforts to re-engineer cyclotides for agrochemical and therapeutic applications. We further show that the reconstructed sequences are resistant to temperatures approaching boiling, bind to phosphatidyl-ethanolamine lipid bilayers at micromolar affinity, and inhibit the growth of insect cells at inhibitory concentrations in the micromolar range. Interestingly, the Ancy-b cyclotide had a higher oxidative folding yield than its comparator cyclotide cyO2, which belongs to the bracelet cyclotide subfamily known to be notoriously difficult to fold. Overall, this study provides new cyclotide sequences not yet found naturally that could be valuable starting points for the understanding of cyclotide evolution and for further optimization as drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Jiang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
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2
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Tian S, de Veer SJ, Durek T, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Nucleation of a key beta-turn promotes cyclotide oxidative folding. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107125. [PMID: 38432638 PMCID: PMC10999817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived peptides characterized by a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and a cystine knot motif comprised of three disulfide bonds. Formation of this motif via in vitro oxidative folding can be challenging and can result in misfolded isomers with nonnative disulfide connectivities. Here, we investigated the effect of β-turn nucleation on cyclotide oxidative folding. Two types of β-turn mimics were grafted into kalata B1, individually replacing each of the four β-turns in the folded cyclotide. Insertion of d-Pro-Gly into loop 5 was beneficial to the folding of both cyclic kB1 and a linear form of the peptide. The linear grafted analog folded four-times faster in aqueous conditions than cyclic kB1 in optimized conditions. Additionally, the cyclic analogue folded without the need for redox agents by transitioning through a native-like intermediate that was on-pathway to product formation. Kalata B1 is from the Möbius subfamily of cyclotides. Grafting d-Pro-Gly into loop 5 of cyclotides from two other subfamilies also had a beneficial effect on folding. Our findings demonstrate the importance of a β-turn nucleation site for cyclotide oxidative folding, which could be adopted as a chemical strategy to improve the in vitro folding of diverse cystine-rich peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixin Tian
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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3
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Roseli RB, Huang YH, Henriques ST, Kaas Q, Craik DJ. Molecular dynamics simulations support a preference of cyclotide kalata B1 for phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184268. [PMID: 38191035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Kalata B1 (kB1), a naturally occurring cyclotide has been shown experimentally to bind lipid membranes that contain phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) phospholipids. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were used to explore its interaction with two phospholipids, palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), and a heterogeneous membrane comprising POPC/POPE (90:10), to understand the basis for the selectivity of kB1 towards PE phospholipids. The simulations showed that in the presence of only 10 % POPE lipid, kB1 forms a stable binding complex with membrane bilayers. An ionic interaction between the E7 carboxylate group of kB1 and the ammonium group of PE headgroups consistently initiates binding of kB1 to the membrane. Additionally, stable noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding (E7, T8, V10, G11, T13 and N15), cation-π (W23), and CH-π (W23) interactions between specific residues of kB1 and the lipid membrane play an important role in stabilizing the binding. These findings are consistent with a structure-activity relationship study on kB1 where lysine mutagenesis on the bioactive and hydrophobic faces of the peptide abolished membrane-dependent bioactivities. In summary, our simulations suggest the importance of residue E7 (in the bioactive face) in enabling kB1 to recognize and bind selectively to PE-containing phospholipids bilayers through ionic and hydrogen bonding interactions, and of W23 (in the hydrophobic face) for the association and insertion of kB1 into the lipid bilayer through cation-π and CH-π interactions. Overall, this work enhances our understanding of the molecular basis of the membrane binding and bioactivity of this prototypic cyclotide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ras Baizureen Roseli
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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4
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Ghadiri N, Javidan M, Sheikhi S, Taştan Ö, Parodi A, Liao Z, Tayybi Azar M, Ganjalıkhani-Hakemi M. Bioactive peptides: an alternative therapeutic approach for cancer management. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1310443. [PMID: 38327525 PMCID: PMC10847386 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1310443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is still considered a lethal disease worldwide and the patients' quality of life is affected by major side effects of the treatments including post-surgery complications, chemo-, and radiation therapy. Recently, new therapeutic approaches were considered globally for increasing conventional cancer therapy efficacy and decreasing the adverse effects. Bioactive peptides obtained from plant and animal sources have drawn increased attention because of their potential as complementary therapy. This review presents a contemporary examination of bioactive peptides derived from natural origins with demonstrated anticancer, ant invasion, and immunomodulation properties. For example, peptides derived from common beans, chickpeas, wheat germ, and mung beans exhibited antiproliferative and toxic effects on cancer cells, favoring cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. On the other hand, peptides from marine sources showed the potential for inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. In this review we will discuss these data highlighting the potential befits of these approaches and the need of further investigations to fully characterize their potential in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Ghadiri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Moslem Javidan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shima Sheikhi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Özge Taştan
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Alessandro Parodi
- Scientific Center for Translation Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Ziwei Liao
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mehdi Tayybi Azar
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mazdak Ganjalıkhani-Hakemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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5
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Sharma A, Butool B, Sahu P, Mishra R, Mohanty A. In Silico Analysis of Natural Plant-Derived Cyclotides with Antifungal Activity against Pathogenic Fungi. Protein Pept Lett 2024; 31:247-260. [PMID: 38445693 DOI: 10.2174/0109298665295545240223114346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal infections in plants, animals, and humans are widespread across the world. Limited classes of antifungal drugs to treat fungal infections and loss of drug efficacy due to rapidly evolving fungal strains pose a challenge in the agriculture and health sectors. Hence, the search for a new class of antifungal agents is imperative. Cyclotides are cyclic plant peptides with multiple bioactivities, including antifungal activity. They have six conserved cysteine residues forming three disulfide linkages (CI-CIV, CII-CV, CIII-CVI) that establish a Cyclic Cystine Knot (CCK) structure, making them extremely resistant to chemical, enzymatic, and thermal attacks. AIM This in silico analysis of natural, plant-derived cyclotides aimed to assess the parameters that can assist and hasten the process of selecting the cyclotides with potent antifungal activity and prioritize them for in vivo/ in vitro experiments. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to conduct in silico studies to compare the physicochemical parameters, sequence diversity, surface structures, and membrane-cyclotide interactions of experimentally screened (from literature survey) potent (MIC ≤ 20 μM) and non-potent (MIC > 20 μM) cyclotides for antifungal activity. METHODOLOGY Cyclotide sequences assessed for antifungal activity were retrieved from the database (Cybase). Various online and offline tools were used for sequence-based studies, such as physicochemical parameters, sequence diversity, and neighbor-joining trees. Structure-based studies involving surface structure analysis and membrane-cyclotide interaction were also carried out. All investigations were conducted in silico. RESULTS Physicochemical parameter values, viz. isoelectric point, net charge, and the number of basic amino acids, were significantly higher in potent cyclotides compared to non-potent cyclotides. The surface structure of potent cyclotides showed a larger hydrophobic patch with a higher number of hydrophobic amino acids. Furthermore, the membrane-cyclotide interaction studies of potent cyclotides revealed lower transfer free energy (ΔG transfer) and higher penetration depth into fungal membranes, indicating higher binding stability and membrane-disruption ability. CONCLUSION These in silico studies can be applied for rapidly identifying putatively potent antifungal cyclotides for in vivo and in vitro experiments, which will ultimately be relevant in the agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshita Sharma
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Bisma Butool
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Pallavi Sahu
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Reema Mishra
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Aparajita Mohanty
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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6
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Anticarcinogenic Trimethoxybenzoate of Catechin Stabilizes the Liquid Crystalline Bilayer Phase in Phosphatidylethanolamine Membranes. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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7
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Luo J, Liu S, Lu H, Chen Q, Shi Y. A comprehensive review of microorganism-derived cyclic peptides: Bioactive functions and food safety applications. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2022; 21:5272-5290. [PMID: 36161470 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides possess advanced structural characteristics of stability and play a vital role in medical treatment and agriculture. However, the biological functions of microorganism-derived cyclic peptides (MDCPs) and their applications in food industry were relatively absent. MDCPs are derived from extensive fermented food or soil. In this review, the synthesis approaches and structural characteristics are overviewed, while the interrelationship between bioactivities and functions is emphasized. This review summarizes the bioactivities of MDCPs from in vitro to in vivo, including antimicrobial activities, immune regulation, and antiviral cell activation. Their multiple functions as well as applications during food product processing, packaging, and storage are also comprehensively reviewed. Remarkably, some potential risks and cytotoxicity of MDCPs are also critically discussed. Moreover, future applications of MDCPs in the development of novel food additives and bioengineering materials are organized. Based on this review of native MDCPs, it is noteworthy that expected improvements of synthetic cyclic peptides in bioactive properties present potential valuable applications in future food, including artificial meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Luo
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyun Lu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qihe Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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8
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Dang TT, Huang YH, Ott S, Harvey PJ, Gilding EK, Tombling BJ, Chan LY, Kaas Q, Claridge-Chang A, Craik DJ. The acyclotide ribe 31 from Rinorea bengalensis has selective cytotoxicity and potent insecticidal properties in Drosophila. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102413. [PMID: 36007611 PMCID: PMC9513267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides and acyclic versions of cyclotides (acyclotides) are peptides involved in plant defense. These peptides contain a cystine knot motif formed by three interlocked disulfide bonds, with the main difference between the two classes being the presence or absence of a cyclic backbone, respectively. The insecticidal activity of cyclotides is well documented, but no study to date explores the insecticidal activity of acyclotides. Here, we present the first in vivo evaluation of the insecticidal activity of acyclotides from Rinorea bengalensis on the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster. Of a group of structurally comparable acyclotides, ribe 31 showed the most potent toxicity when fed to D. melanogaster. We screened a range of acyclotides and cyclotides and found their toxicity toward human red blood cells was substantially lower than toward insect cells, highlighting their selectivity and potential for use as bioinsecticides. Our confocal microscopy experiments indicated their cytotoxicity is likely mediated via membrane disruption. Furthermore, our surface plasmon resonance studies suggested ribe 31 preferentially binds to membranes containing phospholipids with phosphatidyl-ethanolamine headgroups. Despite having an acyclic backbone, we determined the three-dimensional NMR solution structure of ribe 31 is similar to that of cyclotides. In summary, our results suggest that, with further optimization, ribe 31 could have applications as an insecticide due to its potent in vivo activity against D. melanogaster. More broadly, this work advances the field by demonstrating that acyclotides are more common than previously thought, have potent insecticidal activity, and have the advantage of potentially being more easily manufactured than cyclotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien T Dang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stanislav Ott
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Claridge-Chang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, Singapore; Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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9
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Fernández-Bobey A, Pinto MEF, de Almeida LC, de Souza BM, Dias NB, de Paula-Souza J, Cilli EM, Lopes NP, Costa-Lotufo LV, Palma MS, da Silva Bolzani V. Cytotoxic Cyclotides from Anchietea pyrifolia, a South American Plant Species. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:2127-2134. [PMID: 36044031 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are mini-proteins with potent bioactivities and outstanding potential for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. More than 450 different plant cyclotides have been isolated from six angiosperm families. In Brazil, studies involving this class of natural products are still scarce, despite its rich floristic diversity. Herein were investigated the cyclotides from Anchietea pyrifolia roots, a South American medicinal plant from the family Violaceae. Fourteen putative cyclotides were annotated by LC-MS. Among these, three new bracelet cyclotides, anpy A-C, and the known cycloviolacins O4 (cyO4) and O17 (cyO17) were sequenced through a combination of chemical and enzymatic reactions followed by MALDI-MS/MS analysis. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated by a cytotoxicity assay against three human cancer cell lines (colorectal carcinoma cells: HCT 116 and HCT 116 TP53-/- and breast adenocarcinoma, MCF 7). For all assays, the IC50 values of isolated compounds ranged between 0.8 and 7.3 μM. CyO17 was the most potent cyclotide for the colorectal cancer cell lines (IC50, 0.8 and 1.2 μM). Furthermore, the hemolytic activity of anpy A and B, cyO4, and cyO17 was assessed, and the cycloviolacins were the least hemolytic (HD50 > 156 μM). This work sheds light on the cytotoxic effects of the anpy cyclotides against cancer cells. Moreover, this study expands the number of cyclotides obtained to date from Brazilian plant biodiversity and adds one more genus containing these molecules to the list of the Violaceae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Fernández-Bobey
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Meri Emili Ferreira Pinto
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Costa de Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 05508-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bibiana Monson de Souza
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Baptista Dias
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), University of The Frontier (UFRO), 4881-176, Temuco, Chile
| | - Juliana de Paula-Souza
- Department of Botany, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), 88040-535, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- Nucleus Research in Natural and Synthetic Products (NPPNS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 14040-903, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 05508-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Sergio Palma
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Protocols for measuring the stability and cytotoxicity of cyclotides. Methods Enzymol 2022; 663:19-40. [PMID: 35168789 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant host-defense peptides that have a wide range of biological activities and have diverse potential applications in medicine and agriculture. These 27-37 amino acid peptides have a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and are built around a cystine knot core, which makes them exceptionally stable. This stability and their amenability to sequence modifications has made cyclotides attractive scaffolds in drug design, and many synthetic cyclotides have now been designed and synthesized to test their efficacy as leads for a wide range of diseases, including infectious disease, cancer, pain and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, some natural cyclotides are selectively toxic to certain cancer cell lines, opening their potential as anticancer agents, and others have insecticidal activity, with applications in crop protection. With these applications in mind, there is a need to be able to measure cyclotides in pharmaceutical or agrichemical formulations and in biological media such as blood serum, as well as to assess their potential persistence in the environment when used as agrichemical agents. This chapter describes protocols for quantifying cyclotides in biological fluids, measuring their stability, and assessing their relative cytotoxicity on various types of cells.
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11
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Gerlach SL, Dunlop RA, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cox PA. Cyclotides Chemosensitize Glioblastoma Cells to Temozolomide. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:34-46. [PMID: 35044783 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive cancer originating in the brain, with a median survival of 12 months. Most patients do not respond to or develop resistance to the only effective chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide (TMZ), used to treat gliomas. Novel treatment methods are critically needed. Cyclotides are plant peptides that may be promising adjuvants to TMZ chemotherapy. They exhibit antitumor activity and chemosensitize cells to doxorubicin in breast cancer studies. During this research, we optimized cyclotide isolation techniques, and several cyclotides (CyO2, CyO13, kalata B1, and varv peptide A) exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in MTT assays with IC50 values of 2.15-7.92 μM against human brain astrocytoma cells (U-87 MG) and human bone marrow derived neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). CyO2 and varv peptide A increased TMZ-induced cell death in U-87 MG cultures alone and when coexposed with CyO2 or varv peptide A plus TMZ. Phase contrast microscopy of glioblastoma cells exposed to cyclotides alone and coexposed to TMZ indicated shrunken, granular cells with blebbing, and the most pronounced effects were observed with coexposure treatments of cyclotides and TMZ. Cumulative results provide the proof-of-concept that cyclotides may enhance TMZ chemotherapy, and in vivo pharmacokinetic investigations of cyclotides are warranted with respect to GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Gerlach
- Department of Biology, Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122, United States
| | - Rachael A Dunlop
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - James S Metcalf
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - Sandra A Banack
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - Paul Alan Cox
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
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12
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Hilton KLF, Manwani C, Boles JE, White LJ, Ozturk S, Garrett MD, Hiscock JR. The phospholipid membrane compositions of bacterial cells, cancer cell lines and biological samples from cancer patients. Chem Sci 2021; 12:13273-13282. [PMID: 34777745 PMCID: PMC8529332 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03597e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
While cancer now impacts the health and well-being of more of the human population than ever before, the exponential rise in antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial infections means AMR is predicted to become one of the greatest future threats to human health. It is therefore vital that novel therapeutic strategies are developed that can be used in the treatment of both cancer and AMR infections. Whether the target of a therapeutic agent be inside the cell or in the cell membrane, it must either interact with or cross this phospholipid barrier to elicit the desired cellular effect. Here we summarise findings from published research into the phospholipid membrane composition of bacterial and cancer cell lines and biological samples from cancer patients. These data not only highlight key differences in the membrane composition of these biological samples, but also the methods used to elucidate and report the results of this analogous research between the microbial and cancer fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira L F Hilton
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | - Chandni Manwani
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NJ UK
| | - Jessica E Boles
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | - Lisa J White
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | - Sena Ozturk
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | | | - Jennifer R Hiscock
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
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13
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Allegretti C, Bono A, D'Arrigo P, Gatti FG, Marzorati S, Rossato LAM, Serra S, Strini A, Tessaro D. Exploitation of Soybean Oil Acid Degumming Waste: Biocatalytic Synthesis of High Value Phospholipids. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202102191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Allegretti
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - Andrea Bono
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - Paola D'Arrigo
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche“Giulio Natta” Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (SCITEC-CNR) via Luigi Mancinelli 7 Milano 20131 Italy
| | - Francesco G. Gatti
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - Stefano Marzorati
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche“Giulio Natta” Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (SCITEC-CNR) via Luigi Mancinelli 7 Milano 20131 Italy
| | - Letizia A. M. Rossato
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - Stefano Serra
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche“Giulio Natta” Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (SCITEC-CNR) via Luigi Mancinelli 7 Milano 20131 Italy
| | - Alberto Strini
- Istituto per le Tecnologie della Costruzione Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ITC-CNR) via Lombardia 49 San Giuliano Milanese MI 20098 Italy
| | - Davide Tessaro
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano p.zza L. da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
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14
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Antimicrobial peptides as potential therapeutics for breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105777. [PMID: 34298112 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in women worldwide. Although notable advances have been achieved in the treatment of breast cancer, the overall survival rate of metastatic breast cancer patients is still considerably low due to the development of resistance to breast cancer chemotherapeutic agents and the non-optimal specificity of the current generation of cancer medications. Hence, there is a growing interest in the search for alternative therapeutics with novel anticancer mechanisms. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained much attention due to their cost-effectiveness, high specificity of action, and robust efficacy. However, there are no clinical data available about their efficacy. This warrants the increasing need for clinical trials to be conducted to assess the efficacy of this new class of drugs. Here, we will focus on the recent progress in the use of AMPs for breast cancer therapy and will highlight their modes of action. Finally, we will discuss the combination of AMP-based therapeutics with other breast cancer therapy strategies, including nanotherapy and chemotherapy, which may provide a potential avenue for overcoming drug resistance.
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15
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New Insights into Anthelmintic Mechanisms of Action of a Synthetic Peptide: An Ultrastructural and Nanomechanical Approach. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13142370. [PMID: 34301127 PMCID: PMC8309597 DOI: 10.3390/polym13142370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistant nematodes are not affected by the most common drugs commercially available. In the search for new anthelmintics, peptides have been investigated. Here, a linear synthetic peptide named RcAlb-PepIII bioinspired from the antimicrobial protein Rc-2S-Alb was designed, synthesized, and tested against barber pole worm Haemonchus contortus. The physicochemical properties of the peptide, the 3D structure model, the egg hatch inhibition, and larval development inhibition of H. contortus were carried out. Additionally, the ultrastructure of the nematode after treatment with the peptide was evaluated by atomic force microscopy. The RcAlb-PepIII inhibited the larval development of H. contortus with an EC50 of 90 µM and did not affect egg hatch. Atomic force microscopy reveals the high affinity of RcAlb-PepIII with the cuticle of H. contortus in the L2 stage. It also shows the deposition of RcAlb-PepIII onto the surface of the cuticle, forming a structure similar to a film that reduces the roughness and mean square roughness (Rq) of it. In conclusion, the bioinspired RcAlb-PepIII has the potential to be used as a new anthelmintic compound to control gastrointestinal nematode parasites.
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16
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van den Broek K, Epple M, Kersten LS, Kuhn H, Zielesny A. Quantitative Estimation of Cyclotide-Induced Bilayer Membrane Disruption by Lipid Extraction with Mesoscopic Simulation. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3027-3040. [PMID: 34008405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotide-induced membrane disruption is studied at the microsecond timescale by dissipative particle dynamics to quantitatively estimate a kinetic rate constant for membrane lipid extraction with a ″sandwich″ interaction model where two bilayer membranes enclose a cyclotide/water compartment. The obtained bioactivity trends for cyclotides Kalata B1, Cycloviolacin O2, and selected mutants with different membrane types are in agreement with experimental findings: For all membranes investigated, Cycloviolacin O2 shows a higher lipid extraction activity than Kalata B1. The presence of cholesterol leads to a decreased cyclotide activity compared to cholesterol-free membranes. Phosphoethanolamine-rich membranes exhibit an increased membrane disruption. A cyclotide's ″hydrophobic patch″ surface area is important for its bioactivity. A replacement of or with charged amino acid residues may lead to super-mutants with above-native activity but without simple charge-activity patterns. Cyclotide mixtures show linearly additive bioactivities without significant sub- or over-additive effects. The proposed method can be applied as a fast and easy-to-use tool for exploring structure-activity relationships of cyclotide/membrane systems: With the open software provided, the rate constant of a single cyclotide/membrane system can be determined in about 1 day by a scientific end-user without programming skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina van den Broek
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Sophie Kersten
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Hubert Kuhn
- CAM-D Technologies GmbH, 42697 Solingen, Germany
| | - Achim Zielesny
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
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17
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Dang TT, Chan LY, Tombling BJ, Harvey PJ, Gilding EK, Craik DJ. In Planta Discovery and Chemical Synthesis of Bracelet Cystine Knot Peptides from Rinorea bengalensis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:395-407. [PMID: 33570395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived peptides that have attracted interest as biocides and scaffolds for the development of stable peptide therapeutics. Cyclotides are characterized by their cyclic backbone and cystine knot framework, which engenders them with remarkably high stability. This study reports the cystine knot-related peptidome of Rinorea bengalensis, a small rainforest tree in the Violaceae family that is distributed from Australia westward to India. Surprisingly, many more acyclic knotted peptides (acyclotides) were discovered than cyclic counterparts (cyclotides), with 32 acyclotides and 1 cyclotide sequenced using combined transcriptome and proteomic analyses. Nine acyclotides were isolated and screened against a panel of mammalian cell lines, showing they had the cytotoxic properties normally associated with cyclotide-like peptides. NMR analysis of the acyclotide ribes 21 and 22 and the cyclotide ribe 33 confirmed that these peptides contained the cystine knot structural motif. The bracelet-subfamily cyclotide ribe 33 was amenable to chemical synthesis in reasonable yield, an achievement that has long eluded previous attempts to synthetically produce bracelet cyclotides. Accordingly, ribe 33 represents an exciting new bracelet cyclotide scaffold that can be subject to chemical modification for future molecular engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien T Dang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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18
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Philippe GJB, Mittermeier A, Lawrence N, Huang YH, Condon ND, Loewer A, Craik DJ, Henriques ST. Angler Peptides: Macrocyclic Conjugates Inhibit p53:MDM2/X Interactions and Activate Apoptosis in Cancer Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:414-428. [PMID: 33533253 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are being developed as targeted anticancer drugs to modulate cytosolic protein-protein interactions involved in cancer progression. However, their use as therapeutics is often limited by their low cell membrane permeation and/or inability to reach cytosolic targets. Conjugation to cell penetrating peptides has been successfully used to improve the cytosolic delivery of high affinity binder peptides, but cellular uptake does not always result in modulation of the targeted pathway. To overcome this limitation, we developed "angler peptides" by conjugating KD3, a noncell permeable but potent and specific peptide inhibitor of p53:MDM2 and p53:MDMX interactions, with a set of cyclic cell-penetrating peptides. We examined their binding affinity for MDM2 and MDMX, the cell entry mechanism, and role in reactivation of the p53 pathway. We identified two angler peptides, cTAT-KD3 and cR10-KD3, able to activate the p53 pathway in cancer cells. cTAT-KD3 entered cells via endocytic pathways, escaped endosomes, and activated the p53 pathway in breast (MCF7), lung (A549), and colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines at concentrations in the range of 1-12 μM. cR10-KD3 reached the cytosol via direct membrane translocation and activated the p53 pathway at 1 μM in all the tested cell lines. Our work demonstrates that nonpermeable anticancer peptides can be delivered into the cytosol and inhibit intracellular cancer pathways when they are conjugated with stable cell penetrating peptides. The mechanistic studies suggest that direct translocation leads to less toxicity, higher cytosol delivery at lower concentrations, and lower dependencies on the membrane of the tested cell line than occurs for an endocytic pathway with endosomal escape. The angler strategy can rescue high affinity peptide binders identified from high throughput screening and convert them into targeted anticancer therapeutics, but investigation of their cellular uptake and cell death mechanisms is essential to confirming modulation of the targeted cancer pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire J.-B. Philippe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nicholas D. Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia T. Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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19
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Soon TN, Chia AYY, Yap WH, Tang YQ. Anticancer Mechanisms of Bioactive Peptides. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 27:823-830. [PMID: 32271692 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200409102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite technological advancement, there is no 100% effective treatment against metastatic cancer. Increasing resistance of cancer cells towards chemotherapeutic drugs along with detrimental side effects remained a concern. Thus, the urgency in developing new anticancer agents has been raised. Anticancer peptides have been proven to display potent activity against a wide variety of cancer cells. Several mode of actions describing their cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on cancer cells have been proposed which involves cell surface binding leading to membranolysis or internalization to reach their intracellular target. Understanding the mechanism of action of these anticancer peptides is important in achieving full therapeutic success. In the present article, we discuss the anticancer action of peptides accompanied by the mechanisms underpinning their toxicity to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuey Ning Soon
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Adeline Yoke Yin Chia
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Wei Hsum Yap
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Yin-Quan Tang
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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20
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Grover T, Mishra R, Gulati P, Mohanty A. An insight into biological activities of native cyclotides for potential applications in agriculture and pharmaceutics. Peptides 2021; 135:170430. [PMID: 33096195 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived mini-proteins of 28 - 37 amino acids. They have a characteristic head-to-tail cyclic backbone and three disulfide cross-linkages formed by six highly conserved cysteine residues, creating a unique knotted ring structure, known as a cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif. The CCK topology confers immense stability to cyclotides with resistance to thermal and enzymatic degradation. Native cyclotides are of interest due to their multiple biological activities with several potential applications in agricultural (e.g. biopesticides, antifungal) and pharmaceutical (e.g. anti-HIV, cytotoxic to tumor cells) sectors. The most recent application of insecticidal activity of cyclotides is the commercially available biopesticidal spray known as 'Sero X' for cotton crops. Cyclotides have a general mode of action and their potency of bioactivity is determined through their binding ability, pore formation and disruption of the target biological membranes. Keeping in view the important potential applications of biological activities of cyclotides and the lack of an extensive and analytical compilation of bioactive cyclotides, the present review systematically describes eight major biological activities of the native cyclotides from four angiosperm families viz. Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Violaceae. The bioactivities of 94 cytotoxic, 57 antibacterial, 44 hemolytic, 25 antifungal, 21 anti-HIV, 20 nematocidal, 10 insecticidal and 5 molluscicidal cyclotides have been comprehensively elaborated. Further, their distribution in angiosperm families, mode of action and future prospects have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Grover
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India
| | - Reema Mishra
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India
| | - Pooja Gulati
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Aparajita Mohanty
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India.
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21
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Handley TNG, Wang CK, Harvey PJ, Lawrence N, Craik DJ. Cyclotide Structures Revealed by NMR, with a Little Help from X‐ray Crystallography. Chembiochem 2020; 21:3463-3475. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas N. G. Handley
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
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22
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Dang TT, Chan LY, Huang YH, Nguyen LTT, Kaas Q, Huynh T, Craik DJ. Exploring the Sequence Diversity of Cyclotides from Vietnamese Viola Species. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:1817-1828. [PMID: 32437150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Viola is the largest genus in the Violaceae plant family and is known for its ubiquitous natural production of cyclotides. Many Viola species are used as medicinal herbs across Asia and are often consumed by humans in teas for the treatment of diseases, including ulcers and asthma. Previous studies reported the isolation of cyclotides from Viola species in many countries in the hope of discovering novel compounds with anti-cancer activities; however, Viola species from Vietnam have not been investigated to date. Here, the discovery of cyclotides from three Viola species (V. arcuata, V. tonkinensis, and V. austrosinensis) collected in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam is reported. Ten cyclotides were isolated from these three Viola species: four are novel and six were previously reported to be expressed in other plants. The structures of three of the new bracelet cyclotides are similar to that of cycloviolacin O2. Because cycloviolacin O2 has previously been shown to have potent activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines including HeLa (human cervical cancer cells) and PC-3 (human prostate cancer cells), the cancer cytotoxicity of the cyclotides isolated from V. arcuata was assessed. All tested cyclotides were cytotoxic against cancer cells, albeit to varying degrees. The sequences discovered in this study significantly expand the understanding of cyclotide diversity, especially in comparison with other cyclotides found in plants from the Asian region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien T Dang
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Linh T T Nguyen
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Tien Huynh
- Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, RMIT University, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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23
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Du Q, Chan LY, Gilding EK, Henriques ST, Condon ND, Ravipati AS, Kaas Q, Huang YH, Craik DJ. Discovery and mechanistic studies of cytotoxic cyclotides from the medicinal herb Hybanthus enneaspermus. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10911-10925. [PMID: 32414842 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived peptides characterized by an ∼30-amino acid-long cyclic backbone and a cystine knot motif. Cyclotides have diverse bioactivities, and their cytotoxicity has attracted significant attention for its potential anticancer applications. Hybanthus enneaspermus (Linn) F. Muell is a medicinal herb widely used in India as a libido enhancer, and a previous study has reported that it may contain cyclotides. In the current study, we isolated 11 novel cyclotides and 1 known cyclotide (cycloviolacin O2) from H. enneaspermus and used tandem MS to determine their amino acid sequences. We found that among these cyclotides, hyen C comprises a unique sequence in loops 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 compared with known cyclotides. The most abundant cyclotide in this plant, hyen D, had anticancer activity comparable to that of cycloviolacin O2, one of the most cytotoxic known cyclotides. We also provide mechanistic insights into how these novel cyclotides interact with and permeabilize cell membranes. Results from surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that hyen D, E, L, and M and cycloviolacin O2 preferentially interact with model lipid membranes that contain phospholipids with phosphatidyl-ethanolamine headgroups. The results of a lactate dehydrogenase assay indicated that exposure to these cyclotides compromises cell membrane integrity. Using live-cell imaging, we show that hyen D induces rapid membrane blebbing and cell necrosis. Cyclotide-membrane interactions correlated with the observed cytotoxicity, suggesting that membrane permeabilization and disintegration underpin cyclotide cytotoxicity. These findings broaden our knowledge on the indigenous Indian herb H. enneaspermus and have uncovered cyclotides with potential anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingdan Du
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anjaneya S Ravipati
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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24
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Mehta L, Dhankhar R, Gulati P, Kapoor RK, Mohanty A, Kumar S. Natural and grafted cyclotides in cancer therapy: An insight. J Pept Sci 2020; 26:e3246. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lovekesh Mehta
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Rakhi Dhankhar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Pooja Gulati
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Rajeev Kumar Kapoor
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
| | - Aparajita Mohanty
- Department of Botany, Gargi CollegeUniversity of Delhi New Delhi India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of MicrobiologyMaharshi Dayanand University Rohtak India
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25
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Vernen F, Craik DJ, Lawrence N, Troeira Henriques S. Cyclic Analogues of Horseshoe Crab Peptide Tachyplesin I with Anticancer and Cell Penetrating Properties. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2895-2908. [PMID: 31714739 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tachyplesin-I (TI) is a host defense peptide from the horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus that has outstanding potential as an anticancer therapeutic lead. Backbone cyclized TI (cTI) has similar anticancer properties to TI but has higher stability and lower hemolytic activity. We designed and synthesized cTI analogues to further improve anticancer potential and investigated structure-activity relationships based on peptide-membrane interactions, cellular uptake, and anticancer activity. The membrane-binding affinity and cytotoxic activity of cTI were found to be highly dependent on peptide hydrophobicity and charge. We describe two analogues with increased selectivity toward melanoma cells and one analogue with the ability to enter cells with high efficacy and low toxicity. Overall, the structure-activity relationship study shows that cTI can be developed as a membrane-active antimelanoma lead, or be employed as a cell penetrating peptide scaffold that can target and enter cells without damaging their integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicitas Vernen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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Abstract
This Review explores the class of plant-derived macrocyclic peptides called cyclotides. We include an account of their discovery, characterization, and distribution in the plant kingdom as well as a detailed analysis of their sequences and structures, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis, biological functions, and applications. These macrocyclic peptides are around 30 amino acids in size and are characterized by their head-to-tail cyclic backbone and cystine knot motif, which render them to be exceptionally stable, with resistance to thermal or enzymatic degradation. Routes to their chemical synthesis have been developed over the past two decades, and this capability has facilitated a wide range of mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. In turn, these studies have both led to an increased understanding of their mechanisms of action as well as facilitated a range of applications in agriculture and medicine, as ecofriendly crop protection agents, and as drug leads or scaffolds for pharmaceutical design. Our overall objective in this Review is to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of cyclotides that we hope will stimulate further work on this fascinating family of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Meng-Wei Kan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
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27
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Henriques ST, Peacock H, Benfield AH, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Is the Mirror Image a True Reflection? Intrinsic Membrane Chirality Modulates Peptide Binding. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:20460-20469. [PMID: 31765148 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b11194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peptides with pharmaceutical activities are attractive drug leads, and knowledge of their mode-of-action is essential for translation into the clinic. Comparison of native and enantiomeric peptides has long been used as a powerful approach to discriminate membrane- or receptor-mediated modes-of-action on the basis of the assumption that interactions with cell membranes are independent of peptide chirality. Here, we revisit this paradigm with the cyclotide kalata B1, a drug scaffold with intrinsic membrane-binding activity whose enantiomer is less potent than native peptide. To investigate this chirality dependence, we compared peptide-lipid binding using mirror image model membranes. We synthesized phospholipids with non-natural chirality and demonstrate that native kalata B1 binds with higher affinity to phospholipids with chirality found in eukaryotic membranes. This study shows for the first time that the chiral environment of lipid bilayers can modulate the function of membrane-active peptides and challenges the view that peptide-lipid interactions are achiral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Translational Research Institute , Brisbane , Queensland 4102 , Australia
| | - Hayden Peacock
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Aurélie H Benfield
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Translational Research Institute , Brisbane , Queensland 4102 , Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
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28
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Huang YH, Du Q, Craik DJ. Cyclotides: Disulfide-rich peptide toxins in plants. Toxicon 2019; 172:33-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.10.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Philippe GJB, Gaspar D, Sheng C, Huang YH, Benfield AH, Condon ND, Weidmann J, Lawrence N, Löwer A, Castanho MARB, Craik DJ, Troeira Henriques S. Cell Membrane Composition Drives Selectivity and Toxicity of Designed Cyclic Helix-Loop-Helix Peptides with Cell Penetrating and Tumor Suppressor Properties. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2071-2087. [PMID: 31390185 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor protein p53 is inactive in a large number of cancers, including some forms of sarcoma, breast cancer, and leukemia, due to overexpression of its intrinsic inhibitors MDM2 and MDMX. Reactivation of p53 tumor suppressor activity, via disruption of interactions between MDM2/X and p53 in the cytosol, is a promising strategy to treat cancer. Peptides able to bind MDM2 and/or MDMX were shown to prevent MDM2/X:p53 interactions, but most possess low cell penetrability, low stability, and/or high toxicity to healthy cells. Recently, the designed peptide cHLH-p53-R was reported to possess high affinity for MDM2, resistance toward proteases, cell-penetrating properties, and toxicity toward cancer cells. This peptide uses a stable cyclic helix-loop-helix (cHLH) scaffold, which includes two helices connected with a Gly loop and cyclized to improve stability. In the current study, we were interested in examining the cell selectivity of cHLH-p53-R, its cellular internalization, and ability to reactivate the p53 pathway. We designed analogues of cHLH-p53-R and employed biochemical and biophysical methodologies using in vitro model membranes and cell-based assays to compare their structure, activity, and mode-of-action. Our studies show that cHLH is an excellent scaffold to stabilize and constrain p53-mimetic peptides with helical conformation, and reveal that anticancer properties of cHLH-p53-R are mediated by its ability to selectively target, cross, and disrupt cancer cell membranes, and not by activation of the p53 pathway. These findings highlight the importance of examining the mode-of-action of designed peptides to fully exploit their potential to develop targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire J.-B. Philippe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Caibin Sheng
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Aurélie H. Benfield
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Nicholas D. Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joachim Weidmann
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Miguel A. R. B. Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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30
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Zhang C, Yang M, Ericsson AC. Antimicrobial Peptides: Potential Application in Liver Cancer. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1257. [PMID: 31231341 PMCID: PMC6560174 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The physicochemical properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) including size, net charge, amphipathic structure, hydrophobicity, and mode-of-action together determine their broad-spectrum activities against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Recent studies show that some AMPs have both antimicrobial and anticancer activities, suggesting a new strategy for cancer therapy. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and lacks effective treatment. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) derived from AMPs or natural resources could be applied to combat HCC directly or as a synergistic treatment. However, the number of known ACPs is low compared to the number of antibacterial and antifungal peptides, and very few of them can be applied clinically for HCC treatment. In this review, we first summarize recent studies related to ACPs for HCC, followed by a description of potential modes-of-action including direct killing, anti-inflammation, immune modulation, and enhanced wound healing. We then describe the structures of AMPs and methods to design and modify these peptides to improve their anticancer efficacy. Finally, we explore the potential application of ACPs as vaccines or nanoparticles for HCC treatment. Overall, ACPs display several attractive properties as therapeutic agents, including broad-spectrum anticancer activity, ease-of-design and modification, and low production costs. As this is an emerging and novel area of cancer therapy, additional studies are needed to identify existing candidate AMPs with ACP activity, and assess their anticancer activity and specificity, and immunomodulatory effects, using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Aaron C. Ericsson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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31
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Gao X, De Mazière A, Iaea DB, Arthur CP, Klumperman J, Ciferri C, Hannoush RN. Visualizing the cellular route of entry of a cystine-knot peptide with Xfect transfection reagent by electron microscopy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6907. [PMID: 31061420 PMCID: PMC6502800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43285-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystine-knot peptides are attractive templates in drug discovery due to a number of features they possess including their 3D conformation, physicochemical stability and synthetic tractability. Yet, their cellular uptake mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Recently, we demonstrated that the cystine-knot peptide EETI-II is internalized into cells and that its cellular uptake could be modulated by using a protein transfection reagent Xfect. However, the mechanism of Xfect-mediated cellular internalization of EETI-II remained unclear. Here, by using high resolution electron microscopy, we observe the formation of EETI-II-positive macropinosomes and clathrin-coated pits at early time points after treatment of cells with EETI-II/Xfect complexes. Internalized EETI-II subsequently accumulates in intracellular Xfect-induced detergent-resistant membrane compartments which appear to lack characteristic endosomal or lysosomal markers. Notably, Xfect enables the uptake of cell impermeable nuclear dyes into similar intracellular compartments that do not seem to deliver the cargo to the cytosol or nucleus. Altogether, our findings reveal mechanistic insights into the cellular uptake route of Xfect, and underscore the need for the development of effective tools to enhance the cytosolic delivery of cystine-knot peptides. Finally, our data illustrate that electron microscopy is a powerful approach for studying endocytic mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides and their effects on cellular membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Gao
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ann De Mazière
- Section of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David B Iaea
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christopher P Arthur
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Judith Klumperman
- Section of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Claudio Ciferri
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rami N Hannoush
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA.
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32
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Camarero JA, Campbell MJ. The Potential of the Cyclotide Scaffold for Drug Development. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7020031. [PMID: 31010257 PMCID: PMC6631875 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are a novel class of micro-proteins (≈30-40 residues long) with a unique topology containing a head-to-tail cyclized backbone structure further stabilized by three disulfide bonds that form a cystine knot. This unique molecular framework makes them exceptionally stable to physical, chemical, and biological degradation compared to linear peptides of similar size. The cyclotides are also highly tolerant to sequence variability, aside from the conserved residues forming the cystine knot, and are orally bioavailable and able to cross cellular membranes to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs), both in vitro and in vivo. These unique properties make them ideal scaffolds for many biotechnological applications, including drug discovery. This review provides an overview of the properties of cyclotides and their potential for the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics. The selective disruption of PPIs still remains a very challenging task, as the interacting surfaces are relatively large and flat. The use of the cell-permeable highly constrained polypeptide molecular frameworks, such as the cyclotide scaffold, has shown great promise, as it provides unique pharmacological properties. The use of molecular techniques, such as epitope grafting, and molecular evolution have shown to be highly effective for the selection of bioactive cyclotides. However, despite successes in employing cyclotides to target PPIs, some of the challenges to move them into the clinic still remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
| | - Maria Jose Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033, USA.
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Silva ON, Pinto MF, Viana JF, Freitas CG, Fensterseifer IC, Craik DJ, Franco OL. Evaluation of the in vitro Antitumor Activity of Nanostructured Cyclotides in Polymers of Eudragit® L 100-55 and RS 30 D. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180815666180801115526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and given the limitations
of many current cancer drugs, there is great need to discover and develop novel treatments. An
alternative to the conventional drug discovery path is to exploit new classes of natural compounds
such as cyclotides. This peptide family is characterized by linked C- and N-termini and a structural
fold called the cyclic cystine knot (CCK). The CCK fold is responsible for the exceptional enzymatic,
chemical and thermal stability of cyclotides.
Methods:
In the present study, an alternative to traditional cancer treatments, involving new nanomaterials
and nanocarriers allowing efficient cyclotide delivery, is proposed. Using the polymers
Eudragit® L 100-55 and RS 30 D, the cyclotides kalata B2 and parigidin-br1 (PBR1) were nanocapsulated,
and nanoparticles 91 nm and 188 nm in diameter, respectively, were produced.
Results:
An encapsulation rate of up to 95% was observed. In vitro bioassays showed that the
nanostructured cyclotides were partially able to control the development of the colorectal adenocarcinoma
cell line CACO2 and the breast cancer cell line MCF-7.
Conclusion:
Data reported herein indicate that nanoformulated cyclotides exhibit antitumor activity
and sustained drug release. Thus, the system using Eudragit® nanocapsules seems to be efficient for
cyclotide encapsulation and probably could be used to target specific tumors in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmar N. Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Catolica Dom Bosco, Programa de Pós-graduacao em Biotecnologia, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Michelle F.S. Pinto
- Faculdade Anhanguera de Ciencias e Tecnologia de Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | | | - Camila G. Freitas
- Centro de Analises Proteomicas e Bioquimicas. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Genomicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica de Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Isabel C.M. Fensterseifer
- Centro de Analises Proteomicas e Bioquimicas. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Genomicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica de Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Octavio L. Franco
- Centro de Analises Proteomicas e Bioquimicas. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Genomicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica de Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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Gerlach SL, Chandra PK, Roy U, Gunasekera S, Göransson U, Wimley WC, Braun SE, Mondal D. The Membrane-Active Phytopeptide Cycloviolacin O2 Simultaneously Targets HIV-1-infected Cells and Infectious Viral Particles to Potentiate the Efficacy of Antiretroviral Drugs. MEDICINES 2019; 6:medicines6010033. [PMID: 30823453 PMCID: PMC6473583 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Novel strategies to increase the efficacy of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs will be of crucial importance. We hypothesize that membranes of HIV-1-infected cells and enveloped HIV-1 particles may be preferentially targeted by the phytopeptide, cycloviolacin O2 (CyO2) to significantly enhance ARV efficacy. Methods: Physiologically safe concentrations of CyO2 were determined via red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis. SYTOX-green dye-uptake and radiolabeled saquinavir (³H-SQV) uptake assays were used to measure pore-formation and drug uptake, respectively. ELISA, reporter assays and ultracentrifugation were conducted to analyze the antiviral efficacy of HIV-1 protease and fusion inhibitors alone and co-exposed to CyO2. Results: CyO2 concentrations below 0.5 μM did not show substantial hemolytic activity, yet these concentrations enabled rapid pore-formation in HIV-infected T-cells and monocytes and increased drug uptake. ELISA for HIV-1 p24 indicated that CyO2 enhances the antiviral efficacy of both SQV and nelfinavir. CyO2 (< 0.5 μM) alone decreases HIV-1 p24 production, but it did not affect the transcription regulatory function of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). Ultracentrifugation studies clearly showed that CyO2 exposure disrupted viral integrity and decreased the p24 content of viral particles. Furthermore, direct HIV-1 inactivation by CyO2 enhanced the efficacy of enfuvirtide. Conclusions: The membrane-active properties of CyO2 may help suppress viral load and augment antiretroviral drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Gerlach
- Department of Biology, Division of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Partha K Chandra
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Upal Roy
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA.
| | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Stephen E Braun
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Debasis Mondal
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Finkina EI, Melnikova DN, Bogdanov IV, Ovchinnikova TV. Peptides of the Innate Immune System of Plants. Part I. Structure, Biological Activity, and Mechanisms of Action. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162019010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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36
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Zhu S, Sani M, Separovic F. Interaction of cationic antimicrobial peptides from Australian frogs with lipid membranes. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Zhu
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
| | - Marc‐Antoine Sani
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
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37
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Zhang RY, Thapa P, Espiritu MJ, Menon V, Bingham JP. From nature to creation: Going around in circles, the art of peptide cyclization. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:1135-1150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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38
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Troeira Henriques S, Lawrence N, Chaousis S, Ravipati AS, Cheneval O, Benfield AH, Elliott AG, Kavanagh AM, Cooper MA, Chan LY, Huang YH, Craik DJ. Redesigned Spider Peptide with Improved Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2324-2334. [PMID: 28741926 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gomesin, a disulfide-rich antimicrobial peptide produced by the Brazilian spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana, has been shown to be potent against Gram-negative bacteria and to possess selective anticancer properties against melanoma cells. In a recent study, a backbone cyclized analogue of gomesin was shown to be as active but more stable than its native form. In the current study, we were interested in improving the antimicrobial properties of the cyclic gomesin, understanding its selectivity toward melanoma cells and elucidating its antimicrobial and anticancer mode of action. Rationally designed analogues of cyclic gomesin were examined for their antimicrobial potency, selectivity toward cancer cells, membrane-binding affinity, and ability to disrupt cell and model membranes. We improved the activity of cyclic gomesin by ∼10-fold against tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria without increasing toxicity to human red blood cells. In addition, we showed that gomesin and its analogues are more toxic toward melanoma and leukemia cells than toward red blood cells and act by selectively targeting and disrupting cancer cell membranes. Preference toward some cancer types is likely dependent on their different cell membrane properties. Our findings highlight the potential of peptides as antimicrobial and anticancer leads and the importance of selectively targeting cancer cell membranes for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stephanie Chaousis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Anjaneya S. Ravipati
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Olivier Cheneval
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Aurélie H. Benfield
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alysha G. Elliott
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Angela Maria Kavanagh
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Cooper
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Yue Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Tan H, Huang Y, Xu J, Chen B, Zhang P, Ye Z, Liang S, Xiao L, Liu Z. Spider Toxin Peptide Lycosin-I Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for in vivo Tumor Targeting and Therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:3168-3178. [PMID: 28839471 PMCID: PMC5566113 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are commonly utilized for intracellular delivery of functional materials to circumvent biomembrane barrier. However, further application of CPPs is hindered by lacking selectivity toward targeted cells. The spider venom peptide, lycosin-I, is a CPP with potent cytotoxicity to cancer cells, which might enable lycosin-I to deliver functional materials into cancer cells selectively. In this study, we demonstrated that the lycosin-I-conjugated spherical gold nanoparticles (LGNPs) not only exhibited efficient cellular internalization efficiency toward cancer cells but also displayed unprecedented selectivity over noncancerous cells. Although LGNPs were removed from the living circulatory system via reticuloendothelial system-dominant clearance modes without noticeable adverse effects to animals, they actually displayed active tumor-targeting effects and efficient accumulation in tumors in vivo. Furthermore, the potential application of this platform for cancer therapy was explored by lycosin-I-conjugated gold nanorods (LGNRs). LGNRs exhibited selective intracellular translocation towards cancer cells and efficient photothermal effect under near infrared (NIR, 808 nm) irradiation, which consequently killed cancer cells in vitro and in vivo effectively. Therefore, the established LGNPs and LGNRs possessed great potential in cancer-targeting delivery and photothermal therapy.
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Abstract
Cyclotides are globular microproteins with a unique head-to-tail cyclized backbone, stabilized by three disulfide bonds forming a cystine knot. This unique circular backbone topology and knotted arrangement of three disulfide bonds makes them exceptionally stable to chemical, thermal, and biological degradation compared to other peptides of similar size. In addition, cyclotides have been shown to be highly tolerant to sequence variability, aside from the conserved residues forming the cystine knot. Cyclotides can also cross cellular membranes and are able to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions, both in vitro and in vivo. All of these features make cyclotides highly promising as leads or frameworks for the design of peptide-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools. This article provides an overview on cyclotides and their applications as molecular imaging agents and peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gould
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121, USA
| | - Julio A. Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121, USA
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Cranfield CG, Henriques ST, Martinac B, Duckworth P, Craik DJ, Cornell B. Kalata B1 and Kalata B2 Have a Surfactant-Like Activity in Phosphatidylethanolomine-Containing Lipid Membranes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:6630-6637. [PMID: 28605904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b01642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are cyclic disulfide-rich peptides that are chemically and thermally stable and possess pharmaceutical and insecticidal properties. The activities reported for cyclotides correlate with their ability to target phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-phospholipids and disrupt cell membranes. However, the mechanism by which this disruption occurs remains unclear. In the current study we examine the effect of the prototypic cyclotides, kalata B1 (kB1) and kalata B2 (kB2), on tethered lipid bilayer membranes (tBLMs) using swept frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy. We confirmed that kB1 and kB2 bind to bilayers only if they contain PE-phospholipids. We hypothesize that the increase in membrane conduction and capacitance observed upon addition of kB1 or kB2 is unlikely to result from ion channel like pores but is consistent with the formation of lipidic toroidal pores. This hypothesis is supported by the concentration dependence of effects of kB1 and kB2 being suggestive of a critical micelle concentration event rather than a progressive increase in conduction arising from increased channel insertion. Additionally, conduction behavior is readily reversible when the peptide is rinsed from the bilayer. Our results support a mechanism by which kB1 and kB2 bind to and disrupt PE-containing membranes by decreasing the overall membrane critical packing parameter, as would a surfactant, which then opens or increases the size of existing membrane defects. The cyclotides need not participate directly in the conductive pore but might exert their effect indirectly through altering membrane packing constraints and inducing purely lipidic conductive pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Cranfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Boris Martinac
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute , Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, The University of New South Wales , Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Paul Duckworth
- SDx Tethered Membranes Pty Ltd , Unit 6 30-32 Barcoo Street, Roseville NSW 2069, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Bruce Cornell
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- SDx Tethered Membranes Pty Ltd , Unit 6 30-32 Barcoo Street, Roseville NSW 2069, Australia
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Dennison SR, Harris F, Phoenix DA. Investigations into the potential anticancer activity of Maximin H5. Biochimie 2017; 137:29-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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43
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Grage SL, Sani MA, Cheneval O, Henriques ST, Schalck C, Heinzmann R, Mylne JS, Mykhailiuk PK, Afonin S, Komarov IV, Separovic F, Craik DJ, Ulrich AS. Orientation and Location of the Cyclotide Kalata B1 in Lipid Bilayers Revealed by Solid-State NMR. Biophys J 2017; 112:630-642. [PMID: 28256223 PMCID: PMC5340158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are ultra-stable cyclic disulfide-rich peptides from plants. Their biophysical effects and medically interesting activities are related to their membrane-binding properties, with particularly high affinity for phosphatidylethanolamine lipids. In this study we were interested in understanding the molecular details of cyclotide-membrane interactions, specifically with regard to the spatial orientation of the cyclotide kalata B1 from Oldenlandia affinis when embedded in a lipid bilayer. Our experimental approach was based on the use of solid-state 19F-NMR of oriented bilayers in conjunction with the conformationally restricted amino acid L-3-(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent-[1.1.1]-1-ylglycine as an orientation-sensitive 19F-NMR probe. Its rigid connection to the kalata B1 backbone scaffold, together with the well-defined structure of the cyclotide, allowed us to calculate the protein alignment in the membrane directly from the orientation-sensitive 19F-NMR signal. The hydrophobic and polar residues on the surface of kalata B1 form well-separated patches, endowing this cyclotide with a pronounced amphipathicity. The peptide orientation, as determined by NMR, showed that this amphipathic structure matches the polar/apolar interface of the lipid bilayer very well. A location in the amphiphilic headgroup region of the bilayer was supported by 15N-NMR of uniformly labeled protein, and confirmed using solid-state 31P- and 2H-NMR. 31P-NMR relaxation data indicated a change in lipid headgroup dynamics induced by kalata B1. Changes in the 2H-NMR order parameter profile of the acyl chains suggest membrane thinning, as typically observed for amphiphilic peptides embedded near the polar/apolar bilayer interface. Furthermore, from the 19F-NMR analysis two important charged residues, E7 and R28, were found to be positioned equatorially. The observed location thus would be favorable for the postulated binding of E7 to phosphatidylethanolamine lipid headgroups. Furthermore, it may be speculated that this pair of side chains could promote oligomerization of kalata B1 through electrostatic intermolecular contacts via their complementary charges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan L Grage
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Marc-Antoine Sani
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Olivier Cheneval
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Constantin Schalck
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ralf Heinzmann
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Joshua S Mylne
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pavel K Mykhailiuk
- Chemistry Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine; Enamine Ltd., Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Igor V Komarov
- Institute of High Technologies, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
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Abdul Ghani H, Henriques ST, Huang YH, Swedberg JE, Schroeder CI, Craik DJ. Structural and functional characterization of chimeric cyclotides from the Möbius and trypsin inhibitor subfamilies. Biopolymers 2017; 108. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hafiza Abdul Ghani
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Joakim E. Swedberg
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
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45
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Troeira Henriques S, Craik DJ. Cyclotide Structure and Function: The Role of Membrane Binding and Permeation. Biochemistry 2017; 56:669-682. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia
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Tan LTH, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Lee WL, Chuah LH, Khan TM, Lee LH, Goh BH. Targeting Membrane Lipid a Potential Cancer Cure? Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:12. [PMID: 28167913 PMCID: PMC5253362 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer mortality and morbidity is projected to increase significantly over the next few decades. Current chemotherapeutic strategies have significant limitations, and there is great interest in seeking novel therapies which are capable of specifically targeting cancer cells. Given that fundamental differences exist between the cellular membranes of healthy cells and tumor cells, novel therapies based on targeting membrane lipids in cancer cells is a promising approach that deserves attention in the field of anticancer drug development. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a lipid membrane component which exists only in the inner leaflet of cell membrane under normal circumstances, has increased surface representation on the outer membrane of tumor cells with disrupted membrane asymmetry. PE thus represents a potential chemotherapeutic target as the higher exposure of PE on the membrane surface of cancer cells. This feature as well as a high degree of expression of PE on endothelial cells in tumor vasculature, makes PE an attractive molecular target for future cancer interventions. There have already been several small molecules and membrane-active peptides identified which bind specifically to the PE molecules on the cancer cell membrane, subsequently inducing membrane disruption leading to cell lysis. This approach opens up a new front in the battle against cancer, and is of particular interest as it may be a strategy that may be prove effective against tumors that respond poorly to current chemotherapeutic agents. We aim to highlight the evidence suggesting that PE is a strong candidate to be explored as a potential molecular target for membrane targeted novel anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loh Teng-Hern Tan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Priyia Pusparajah
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Leng Lee
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lay-Hong Chuah
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Tahir Mehmood Khan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University PeshawarPeshawar, Pakistan
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand
| | - Bey-Hing Goh
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand
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47
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Gao X, Stanger K, Kaluarachchi H, Maurer T, Ciepla P, Chalouni C, Franke Y, Hannoush RN. Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35179. [PMID: 27734922 PMCID: PMC5062073 DOI: 10.1038/srep35179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides or cyclic cystine-knot peptides have emerged as a promising class of pharmacological ligands that modulate protein function. Interestingly, very few cyclotides have been shown to enter into cells. Yet, it remains unknown whether backbone cyclization is required for their cellular internalization. In this report, we studied the cellular behavior of EETI-II, a model acyclic cystine-knot peptide. Even though synthetic methods have been used to generate EETI-II, recombinant methods that allow efficient large scale biosynthesis of EETI-II have been lagging. Here, we describe a novel protocol for recombinant generation of folded EETI-II in high yields and to near homogeneity. We also uncover that EETI-II is efficiently uptaken via an active endocytic pathway to early endosomes in mammalian cells, eventually accumulating in late endosomes and lysosomes. Notably, co-incubation with a cell-penetrating peptide enhanced the cellular uptake and altered the trafficking of EETI-II, leading to its evasion of lysosomes. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of modulating the subcellular distribution and intracellular targeting of cystine-knot peptides, and hence enable future exploration of their utility in drug discovery and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Gao
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Karen Stanger
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Harini Kaluarachchi
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Till Maurer
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Paulina Ciepla
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Cecile Chalouni
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Yvonne Franke
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Rami N Hannoush
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
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48
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Weidmann J, Craik DJ. Discovery, structure, function, and applications of cyclotides: circular proteins from plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:4801-12. [PMID: 27222514 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived cyclic peptides that have a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and three conserved disulphide bonds that form a cyclic cystine knot motif. They occur in plants from the Violaceae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae families, typically with 10-100 cyclotides in a given plant species, in a wide range of tissues, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. Some cyclotides are expressed in large amounts (up to 1g kg(-1) wet plant weight) and their natural function appears to be to protect plants from pests or pathogens. This article provides a brief overview of their discovery, distribution in plants, and applications. In particular, their exceptional stability has led to their use as peptide-based scaffolds in drug design applications. They also have potential as natural 'ecofriendly' insecticides, and as protein engineering frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Weidmann
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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49
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Strömstedt AA, Kristiansen PE, Gunasekera S, Grob N, Skjeldal L, Göransson U. Selective membrane disruption by the cyclotide kalata B7: complex ions and essential functional groups in the phosphatidylethanolamine binding pocket. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:1317-27. [PMID: 26878982 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic cystine knot plant peptides called cyclotides are active against a wide variety of organisms. This is primarily achieved through membrane binding and disruption, in part deriving from a high affinity for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids. Some cyclotides, such as kalata B7 (kB7), form complexes with divalent cations in a pocket associated with the tyrosine residue at position 15 (Tyr15). In the current work we explore the effect of cations on membrane leakage caused by cyclotides kB1, kB2 and kB7, and we identify a functional group that is essential for PE selectivity. The presence of PE-lipids in liposomes increased the membrane permeabilizing potency of the cyclotides, with the potency of kB7 increasing by as much as 740-fold. The divalent cations Mn(2+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) had no apparent effect on PE selectivity. However, amino acid substitutions in kB7 proved that Tyr15 is crucial for PE-selective membrane permeabilization on various liposome systems. Although the tertiary structure of kB7 was maintained, as reflected by the NMR solution structure, mutating Tyr into Ser at position 15 resulted in substantially reduced PE selectivity. Ala substitution at the same position produced a similar reduction in PE selectivity, while substitution with Phe maintained high selectivity. We conclude that the phenyl ring in Tyr15 is critical for the high PE selectivity of kB7. Our results suggest that PE-binding and divalent cation coordination occur in the same pocket without adverse effects of competitive binding for the phospholipid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam A Strömstedt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Pharmacognosy, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Eugen Kristiansen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Box 1041, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Pharmacognosy, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Grob
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Pharmacognosy, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Skjeldal
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Pharmacognosy, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
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50
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Ravipati AS, Henriques ST, Poth AG, Kaas Q, Wang CK, Colgrave ML, Craik DJ. Lysine-rich Cyclotides: A New Subclass of Circular Knotted Proteins from Violaceae. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:2491-500. [PMID: 26322745 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are macrocyclic proteins produced by plants for host defense. Although they occur sparsely in other plant families, cyclotides have been detected in every Violaceae plant species so far screened. Many of the Violaceae species examined until now have been from closely related geographical regions or habitats. To test the hypothesis that cyclotides are ubiquitous in this family, two geographically isolated (and critically endangered) species of Australasian Violaceae, namely Melicytus chathamicus and M. latifolius, were examined. Surprisingly, we discovered a suite of cyclotides possessing novel sequence features, including a lysine-rich nature, distinguishing them from "conventional" cyclotides and suggesting that they might have different physiological activities in plants to those reported to date. The newly discovered cyclotides were found to bind to lipid membranes and were cytotoxic against cancer cell lines but had low toxicity against red blood cells, which is advantageous for potential therapeutic applications. This suite of novel Lys-rich cyclotides emphasizes the broad diversity of cyclotides in Violaceae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjaneya S. Ravipati
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Aaron G. Poth
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Colgrave
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture Flagship, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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