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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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Ren G, Zhang Y, Chen Z, Xue X, Fan H. Research Progress of Small Plant Peptides on the Regulation of Plant Growth, Development, and Abiotic Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4114. [PMID: 38612923 PMCID: PMC11012589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074114] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Small peptides in plants are typically characterized as being shorter than 120 amino acids, with their biologically active variants comprising fewer than 20 amino acids. These peptides are instrumental in regulating plant growth, development, and physiological processes, even at minimal concentrations. They play a critical role in long-distance signal transduction within plants and act as primary responders to a range of stress conditions, including salinity, alkalinity, drought, high temperatures, and cold. This review highlights the crucial roles of various small peptides in plant growth and development, plant resistance to abiotic stress, and their involvement in long-distance transport. Furthermore, it elaborates their roles in the regulation of plant hormone biosynthesis. Special emphasis is given to the functions and mechanisms of small peptides in plants responding to abiotic stress conditions, aiming to provide valuable insights for researchers working on the comprehensive study and practical application of small peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guocheng Ren
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; (G.R.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); (X.X.)
- Dongying Key Laboratory of Salt Tolerance Mechanism and Application of Halophytes, Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, No. 2 Kangyang Road, Dongying 257000, China
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; (G.R.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); (X.X.)
- Dongying Key Laboratory of Salt Tolerance Mechanism and Application of Halophytes, Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, No. 2 Kangyang Road, Dongying 257000, China
| | - Zengting Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; (G.R.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); (X.X.)
| | - Xin Xue
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; (G.R.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); (X.X.)
| | - Hai Fan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; (G.R.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); (X.X.)
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Liu L, Yang L, Cao S, Gao Z, Yang B, Zhang G, Zhu R, Wu D. CyclicPepedia: a knowledge base of natural and synthetic cyclic peptides. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae190. [PMID: 38678388 PMCID: PMC11056021 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae190] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic peptides offer a range of notable advantages, including potent antibacterial properties, high binding affinity and specificity to target molecules, and minimal toxicity, making them highly promising candidates for drug development. However, a comprehensive database that consolidates both synthetically derived and naturally occurring cyclic peptides is conspicuously absent. To address this void, we introduce CyclicPepedia (https://www.biosino.org/iMAC/cyclicpepedia/), a pioneering database that encompasses 8744 known cyclic peptides. This repository, structured as a composite knowledge network, offers a wealth of information encompassing various aspects of cyclic peptides, such as cyclic peptides' sources, categorizations, structural characteristics, pharmacokinetic profiles, physicochemical properties, patented drug applications, and a collection of crucial publications. Supported by a user-friendly knowledge retrieval system and calculation tools specifically designed for cyclic peptides, CyclicPepedia will be able to facilitate advancements in cyclic peptide drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Liu Yang
- National Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, P. R. China
| | - Suqi Cao
- National Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, P. R. China
| | - Zhigang Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, P. R. China
| | - Bin Yang
- Shanghai Southgene Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- National Genomics Data Center & Bio-Med Big Data Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P. R. China
| | - Ruixin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Dingfeng Wu
- National Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, P. R. China
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An J, Tsopmejio ISN, Wang Z, Li W. Review on Extraction, Modification, and Synthesis of Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020908. [PMID: 36677965 PMCID: PMC9863410 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020908] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds. This review sorted and summarized the relevant literature about peptides during the past decade. Recent works on the extraction, modification and synthesis of peptides were reviewed. Importantly, the unique beneficial effects of peptides on the skin were extensively explored, providing ideas for the development and innovation of peptides and laying a knowledge foundation for the clinical application of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabing An
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | | | - Zi Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (W.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-431-84533304 (W.L.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Life Sciences, Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (W.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-431-84533304 (W.L.)
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Xu X, Jiang N, Liu S, Jin Y, Cheng Y, Xu T, Wang X, Liu Y, Zhang M, Du S, Fan J, Zhang A. Moroidin, a Cyclopeptide from the Seeds of Celosia cristata That Induces Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:1918-1927. [PMID: 35951980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01215] [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
Interference of microtubule dynamics with tubulin-targeted drugs is a validated approach for cancer chemotherapy. Moroidin (1) is an Urticaceae-type cyclopeptide having a potent inhibitory effect on purified tubulin polymerization. So far, moroidin has not been chemically synthesized, and its effect on cancer cells remains unknown. Herein, the cyclopeptide moroidin was isolated and identified from the seeds of Celosia cristata, and a revised assignment of its NMR data was presented. For the first time, moroidin (1) was demonstrated as having cytotoxic effects for several cancer cells, especially A549 lung cancer cells. The cellular evidence obtained showed that moroidin disrupts microtubule polymerization and decreases β-tubulin protein levels, but is not as potent as colchicine. Molecular docking indicated that 1 has a high binding potential to the vinca alkaloid site on tubulin. Moreover, moroidin arrested A549 cells in the G2/M phase and induced cell apoptosis. The intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and AKT were involved in the moroidin-induced cell apoptosis. In addition, moroidin (1) inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells at sublethal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangming Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Cheng
- The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211112, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM and the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanhua Liu
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingwan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310012, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuhu Du
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Junting Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Aixia Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
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Nagao M, Hoshino Y, Miura Y. Synthesis of well-defined cyclic glycopolymers and the relationship between their physical properties and their interaction with lectins. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00941b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The suppressed molecular mobility of the cyclic glycopolymers was found to weaken their interactions with target proteins, demonstrating the influence of polymer topology on molecular recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Nagao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yu Hoshino
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Miura
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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