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Ascoët S, Touchard A, Téné N, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Paquet F, Jouvensal L, Barassé V, Treilhou M, Billet A, Bonnafé E. The mechanism underlying toxicity of a venom peptide against insects reveals how ants are master at disrupting membranes. iScience 2023; 26:106157. [PMID: 36879819 PMCID: PMC9985030 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hymenopterans represent one of the most abundant groups of venomous organisms but remain little explored due to the difficult access to their venom. The development of proteo-transcriptomic allowed us to explore diversity of their toxins offering interesting perspectives to identify new biological active peptides. This study focuses on U9 function, a linear, amphiphilic and polycationic peptide isolated from ant Tetramorium bicarinatum venom. It shares physicochemical properties with M-Tb1a, exhibiting cytotoxic effects through membrane permeabilization. In the present study, we conducted a comparative functional investigation of U9 and M-Tb1a and explored the mechanisms underlying their cytotoxicity against insect cells. After showing that both peptides induced the formation of pores in cell membrane, we demonstrated that U9 induced mitochondrial damage and, at high concentrations, localized into cells and induced caspase activation. This functional investigation highlighted an original mechanism of U9 questioning on potential valorization and endogen activity in T. bicarinatum venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ascoët
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP316 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Nathan Téné
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Laurence Jouvensal
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Valentine Barassé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Arnaud Billet
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
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Hurka S, Lüddecke T, Paas A, Dersch L, Schulte L, Eichberg J, Hardes K, Brinkrolf K, Vilcinskas A. Bioactivity Profiling of In Silico Predicted Linear Toxins from the Ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120846. [PMID: 36548743 PMCID: PMC9784689 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120846] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The venoms of ants (Formicidae) are a promising source of novel bioactive molecules with potential for clinical and agricultural applications. However, despite the rich diversity of ant species, only a fraction of this vast resource has been thoroughly examined in bioprospecting programs. Previous studies focusing on the venom of Central European ants (subfamily Myrmicinae) identified a number of short linear decapeptides and nonapeptides resembling antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we describe the in silico approach and bioactivity profiling of 10 novel AMP-like peptides from the fellow Central European myrmicine ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Using the sequences of known ant venom peptides as queries, we screened the venom gland transcriptomes of both species. We found transcripts of nine novel decapeptides and one novel nonapeptide. The corresponding peptides were synthesized for bioactivity profiling in a broad panel of assays consisting of tests for cytotoxicity as well as antiviral, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activity. U-MYRTX-Mrug5a showed moderately potent antimicrobial effects against several bacteria, including clinically relevant pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, but high concentrations showed negligible cytotoxicity. U-MYRTX-Mrug5a is, therefore, a probable lead for the development of novel peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hurka
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.L.)
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.L.)
| | - Anne Paas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ludwig Dersch
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Lennart Schulte
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna Eichberg
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research “ASCRIBE”, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research “ASCRIBE”, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Karina Brinkrolf
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Takahashi H, Sovadinova I, Yasuhara K, Vemparala S, Caputo GA, Kuroda K. Biomimetic antimicrobial polymers—Design, characterization, antimicrobial, and novel applications. WIRES NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 15:e1866. [PMID: 36300561 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Biomimetic antimicrobial polymers have been an area of great interest as the need for novel antimicrobial compounds grows due to the development of resistance. These polymers were designed and developed to mimic naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides in both physicochemical composition and mechanism of action. These antimicrobial peptide mimetic polymers have been extensively investigated using chemical, biophysical, microbiological, and computational approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions that drive function. These studies have helped inform SARs, mechanism of action, and general physicochemical factors that influence the activity and properties of antimicrobial polymers. However, there are still lingering questions in this field regarding 3D structural patterning, bioavailability, and applicability to alternative targets. In this review, we present a perspective on the development and characterization of several antimicrobial polymers and discuss novel applications of these molecules emerging in the field. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruko Takahashi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life Hiroshima University Higashi‐Hiroshima Hiroshima Japan
| | - Iva Sovadinova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
| | - Kazuma Yasuhara
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology Nara Institute of Science and Technology Nara Japan
- Center for Digital Green‐Innovation Nara Institute of Science and Technology Nara Japan
| | - Satyavani Vemparala
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences CIT Campus Chennai India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute Training School Complex Mumbai India
| | - Gregory A. Caputo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Rowan University Glassboro New Jersey USA
| | - Kenichi Kuroda
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Schifano NP, Caputo GA. Investigation of the Role of Hydrophobic Amino Acids on the Structure-Activity Relationship in the Antimicrobial Venom Peptide Ponericin L1. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:537-551. [PMID: 34792624 PMCID: PMC9114170 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00204-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Venom mixtures from insects, reptiles, and mollusks have long been a source of bioactive peptides which often have alternative uses as therapeutics. While these molecules act in numerous capacities, there have been many venom components that act on the target cells through membrane disruptive mechanisms. These peptides have long been of interest as potential antimicrobial peptide platforms, but the inherent cytotoxicity of venom peptides often results in poor therapeutic potential. Despite this, efforts are ongoing to identify and characterize venom peptide which exhibit high antimicrobial activity with low cytotoxicity and modify these to further enhance the efficacy while reducing toxicity. One example is ponericin L1 from Neoponera goeldii which has been demonstrated to have good antimicrobial activity and low in vitro cytotoxicity. The L1 sequence was modified by uniformly replacing the native hydrophobic residues with either Leu, Ile, Phe, Ala, or Val. Spectroscopic and microbiological approaches were employed to investigate how the amino acid sequence changes impacted membrane interaction, secondary structure, and antimicrobial efficacy. The L1 derivatives showed varying degrees of bilayer interaction, in some cases driven by bilayer composition. Several of the variants exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to the parent strain, while others lost all activity. Interestingly, the variant containing Val lost all antimicrobial activity and ability to interact with bilayers. Taken together the results indicate that peptide secondary structure, amino acid composition, and hydrophobicity all play a role in peptide activity, although this is a delicate balance that can result in non-specific binding or complete loss of activity if specific amino acids are incorporated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Schifano
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
| | - Gregory A Caputo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
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Multipurpose peptides: The venoms of Amazonian stinging ants contain anthelmintic ponericins with diverse predatory and defensive activities. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114693. [PMID: 34302796 PMCID: PMC10167921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the face of increasing drug resistance, the development of new anthelmintics is critical for controlling nematodes that parasitise livestock. Although hymenopteran venom toxins have attracted attention for applications in agriculture and medicine, few studies have explored their potential as anthelmintics. Here we assessed hymenopteran venoms as a possible source of new anthelmintic compounds by screening a panel of ten hymenopteran venoms against Haemonchus contortus, a major pathogenic nematode of ruminants. Using bioassay-guided fractionation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified four novel anthelmintic peptides (ponericins) from the venom of the neotropical ant Neoponera commutata and the previously described ponericin M-PONTX-Na1b from Neoponera apicalis venom. These peptides inhibit H. contortus development with IC50 values of 2.8-5.6 μM. Circular dichroism spectropolarimetry indicated that the ponericins are unstructured in aqueous solution but adopt α-helical conformations in lipid mimetic environments. We show that the ponericins induce non-specific membrane perturbation, which confers broad-spectrum antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, hemolytic, and algogenic activities, with activity across all assays typically correlated. We also show for the first time that ponericins induce spontaneous pain behaviour when injected in mice. We propose that the broad-spectrum activity of the ponericins enables them to play both a predatory and defensive role in neoponeran ants, consistent with their high abundance in venom. This study reveals a broader functionality for ponericins than previously assumed, and highlights both the opportunities and challenges in pursuing ant venom peptides as potential therapeutics.
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Hitchner MA, Necelis MR, Shirley D, Caputo GA. Effect of Non-natural Hydrophobic Amino Acids on the Efficacy and Properties of the Antimicrobial Peptide C18G. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 13:527-541. [PMID: 32889698 PMCID: PMC7933317 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-020-09701-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been an area of great interest, due to the high selectivity of these molecules toward bacterial targets over host cells and the limited development of bacterial resistance to these molecules through evolution. The peptides are known to selectively bind to bacterial cell surfaces through electrostatic interactions, and subsequently, the peptides insert into the cell membrane and cause local disruptions of membrane integrity leading to cell death. Previous experiments showed that replacing the Leu residues in the AMP C18G with other naturally occurring hydrophobic residues resulted in side-chain-dependent activities. This work extends the investigation to non-natural hydrophobic amino acids and the effect on peptide activity. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) results demonstrated that amino acid substitutions containing long flexible carbon chains maintained or increased antimicrobial activity compared to natural analogues. In solution, the peptide showed aggregation only with the most hydrophobic non-natural amino acid substitutions. Binding assays using Trp fluorescence confirm a binding preference for anionic lipids while quenching experiments demonstrated that the more hydrophobic peptides are more deeply buried in the anionic lipid bilayers compared to the zwitterionic bilayers. The most effective peptides at killing bacteria were also those which showed some level of disruption of bacterial membranes; however, one peptide sequence exhibited very strong activity and very low levels of red blood cell hemolysis, yielding a promising target for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A Hitchner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
| | - Matthew R Necelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
| | - Devanie Shirley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
| | - Gregory A Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
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Makhlynets OV, Caputo GA. Characteristics and therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:011301. [PMID: 38505398 PMCID: PMC10903410 DOI: 10.1063/5.0035731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The demand for novel antimicrobial compounds is rapidly growing due to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In response, numerous alternative approaches are being taken including use of polymers, metals, combinatorial approaches, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are a naturally occurring part of the immune system of all higher organisms and display remarkable broad-spectrum activity and high selectivity for bacterial cells over host cells. However, despite good activity and safety profiles, AMPs have struggled to find success in the clinic. In this review, we outline the fundamental properties of AMPs that make them effective antimicrobials and extend this into three main approaches being used to help AMPs become viable clinical options. These three approaches are the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into the AMP sequence to impart better pharmacological properties, the incorporation of AMPs in hydrogels, and the chemical modification of surfaces with AMPs for device applications. These approaches are being developed to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and/or bioavailability of AMPs as clinical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Makhlynets
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
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Necelis MR, Santiago-Ortiz LE, Caputo GA. Investigation of the Role of Aromatic Residues in the Antimicrobial Peptide BuCATHL4B. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:388-402. [PMID: 32798369 PMCID: PMC8259864 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200813202918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are an attractive alternative to traditional small molecule antibiotics as AMPs typically target the bacterial cell membrane. A Trp-rich peptide sequence derived from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), BuCATHL4B was previously identified as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide. OBJECTIVE In this work, native Trp residues were replaced with other naturally occurring aromatic amino acids to begin to elucidate the importance of these residues on peptide activity. METHODS Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) results demonstrated activity against seven strains of bacteria. Membrane and bilayer permeabilization assays were performed to address the role of bilayer disruption in the activity of the peptides. Lipid vesicle binding and quenching experiments were also performed to gain an understanding of how the peptides interacted with lipid bilayers. RESULTS MIC results indicate the original, tryptophan-rich sequence, and the phenylalanine substituted sequences exhibit strong inhibition of bacterial growth. In permeabilization assays, peptides with phenylalanine substitutions have higher levels of membrane permeabilization than those substituted with tyrosine. In addition, one of the two-tyrosine substituted sequence, YWY, behaves most differently in the lowest antimicrobial activity, showing no permeabilization of bacterial membranes. Notably the antimicrobial activity is inherently species dependent, with varying levels of activity against different bacteria. CONCLUSION There appears to be little correlation between membrane permeabilization and activity, indicating these peptides may have additional mechanisms of action beyond membrane disruption. The results also identify two sequences, denoted FFF and YYW, which retain antibacterial activity but have markedly reduced hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Necelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | | | - Gregory A Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
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