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Krishnan M, Choi J, Jang A, Yoon YK, Kim Y. Antiseptic 9-Meric Peptide with Potency against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12520. [PMID: 34830401 PMCID: PMC8621208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infection can cause acute host reactions that lead to high-fatality sepsis, making it important to develop new therapeutic options. Previously, we developed a short 9-meric peptide, Pro9-3D, with significant antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. In this study, we attempted to produce safer peptide antibiotics against CRAB by reversing the parent sequence to generate R-Pro9-3 and R-Pro9-3D. Among the tested peptides, R-Pro9-3D had the most rapid and effective antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly clinical CRAB isolates. Analyses of antimicrobial mechanisms based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralization, LPS binding, and membrane depolarization, as well as SEM ultrastructural investigations, revealed that R-Pro9-3D binds strongly to LPS and impairs the membrane integrity of CRAB by effectively permeabilizing its outer membrane. R-Pro9-3D was also less cytotoxic and had better proteolytic stability than Pro9-3D and killed biofilm forming CRAB. As an LPS-neutralizing peptide, R-Pro9-3D effectively reduced LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in RAW 264.7 cells. The antiseptic abilities of R-Pro9-3D were also investigated using a mouse model of CRAB-induced sepsis, which revealed that R-Pro9-3D reduced multiple organ damage and attenuated systemic infection by acting as an antibacterial and immunosuppressive agent. Thus, R-Pro9-3D displays potential as a novel antiseptic peptide for treating Gram-negative CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manigandan Krishnan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Joonhyeok Choi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Ahjin Jang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Young Kyung Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Yangmee Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
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Krishnan M, Choi J, Choi S, Kim Y. Anti-Endotoxin 9-Meric Peptide with Therapeutic Potential for the Treatment of Endotoxemia. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 31:25-32. [PMID: 33263333 PMCID: PMC9705858 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2011.11011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory reactions activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria can lead to severe septic shock. With the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria and a lack of efficient ways to treat resulting infections, there is a need to develop novel anti-endotoxin agents. Antimicrobial peptides have been noticed as potential therapeutic molecules for bacterial infection and as candidates for new antibiotic drugs. We previously designed the 9-meric antimicrobial peptide Pro9-3 and it showed high antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria. Here, to further examine its potency as an anti-endotoxin agent, we examined the antiendotoxin activities of Pro9-3 and elucidated its mechanism of action. We performed a dye-leakage experiment and BODIPY-TR cadaverine and limulus amebocyte lysate assays for Pro9-3 as well as its lysine-substituted analogue and their enantiomers. The results confirmed that Pro9-3 targets the bacterial membrane and the arginine residues play key roles in its antimicrobial activity. Pro9-3 showed excellent LPS-neutralizing activity and LPS-binding properties, which were superior to those of other peptides. Saturation transfer difference-nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to explore the interaction between LPS and Pro9-3 revealed that Trp3 and Tlr7 in Pro9-3 are critical for attracting Pro9-3 to the LPS in the gram-negative bacterial membrane. Moreover, the anti-septic effect of Pro9-3 in vivo was investigated using an LPS-induced endotoxemia mouse model, demonstrating its dual activities: antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria and immunosuppressive effect preventing LPS-induced endotoxemia. Collectively, these results confirmed the therapeutic potential of Pro9-3 against infection of gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manigandan Krishnan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonhyeok Choi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjae Choi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangmee Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-2-450-3421 Fax: +82-2-447-5987 E-mail:
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Krishnan M, Choi J, Jang A, Kim Y. A Novel Peptide Antibiotic, Pro10-1D, Designed from Insect Defensin Shows Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Sepsis Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176216. [PMID: 32867384 PMCID: PMC7504360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the challenges faced by conventional therapeutics, novel peptide antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria need to be urgently developed. We had previously designed Pro9-3 and Pro9-3D from the defensin of beetle Protaetia brevitarsis; they showed high antimicrobial activity with cytotoxicity. Here, we aimed to develop peptide antibiotics with bacterial cell selectivity and potent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria. We designed 10-meric peptides with increased cationicity by adding Arg to the N-terminus of Pro9-3 (Pro10-1) and its D-enantiomeric alteration (Pro10-1D). Among all tested peptides, the newly designed Pro10-1D showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and MDR strains with resistance against protease digestion. Pro10-1D can act as a novel potent peptide antibiotic owing to its outstanding inhibitory activities against bacterial film formation with high bacterial cell selectivity. Dye leakage and scanning electron microscopy revealed that Pro10-1D targets the bacterial membrane. Pro10-1D inhibited inflammation via Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, Pro10-1D ameliorated multiple-organ damage and attenuated systemic infection-associated inflammation in an E. coli K1-induced sepsis mouse model. Overall, our results suggest that Pro10-1D can potentially serve as a novel peptide antibiotic for the treatment of gram-negative sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yangmee Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-450-3421; Fax: +82-2-447-5987
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4
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Identification of an Ultra-Short Peptide with Potent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Activity for Development as a Topical Antibacterial Agent. Int J Pept Res Ther 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-9678-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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5
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Screening for a Potent Antibacterial Peptide to Treat Mupirocin-Resistant MRSA Skin Infections. Int J Pept Res Ther 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-017-9580-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Ng SMS, Yap YYA, Cheong JWD, Ng FM, Lau QY, Barkham T, Teo JWP, Hill J, Chia CSB. Antifungal peptides: a potential new class of antifungals for treating vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans. J Pept Sci 2017; 23:215-221. [PMID: 28105725 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis/candidosis is a common fungal infection afflicting approximately 75% of women globally caused primarily by the yeast Candida albicans. Fluconazole is widely regarded as the antifungal drug of choice since its introduction in 1990 due to its high oral bioavailability, convenient dosing regimen and favourable safety profile. However, its widespread use has led to the emergence of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans, posing a universal clinical concern. Coupled to the dearth of new antifungal drugs entering the market, it is imperative to introduce new drug classes to counter this threat. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates due to their membrane-disrupting mechanism of action. By specifically targeting fungal membranes and being rapidly fungicidal, they can reduce the chances of resistance development and treatment duration. Towards this goal, we conducted a head-to-head comparison of 61 short linear AMPs from the literature to identify the peptide with the most potent activity against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. The 11-residue peptide, P11-6, was identified and assayed against a panel of clinical C. albicans isolates followed by fungicidal/static determination and a time-kill assay to gauge its potential for further drug development. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Mei Samantha Ng
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Yi Yong Alvin Yap
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Jin Wei Darryl Cheong
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Fui Mee Ng
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Qiu Ying Lau
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Timothy Barkham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308433, Singapore
| | - Jeanette Woon Pei Teo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Hill
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
| | - Cheng San Brian Chia
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #03-01, 138669, Singapore
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A Head-to-Head Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activities of 30 Ultra-Short Antimicrobial Peptides Against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Int J Pept Res Ther 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-014-9440-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Shin A, Lee E, Kim JK, Bang JK, Kim Y. 9-Meric Peptide Analogs of Defensin-like Antimicrobial Peptide Coprisin with Potent Antibacterial Activities with Bacterial Sell Selectivites. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2014. [DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2014.35.9.2809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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9
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Chantell CA, Onaiyekan MA, Menakuru M. Fast conventional Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis: a comparative study of different activators. J Pept Sci 2011; 18:88-91. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Lee E, Kim JK, Shin S, Jeong KW, Lee J, Lee DG, Hwang JS, Kim Y. Enantiomeric 9-mer peptide analogs of protaetiamycine with bacterial cell selectivities and anti-inflammatory activities. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:675-82. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Revised: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Epand RF, Mor A, Epand RM. Lipid complexes with cationic peptides and OAKs; their role in antimicrobial action and in the delivery of antimicrobial agents. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:2177-88. [PMID: 21573783 PMCID: PMC11114973 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0711-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial agents are toxic to bacteria by a variety of mechanisms. One mechanism that is very dependent on the lipid composition of the bacterial membrane is the clustering of anionic lipid by cationic antimicrobial agents. Certain species of oligo-acyl-lysine (OAK) antimicrobial agents are particularly effective in clustering anionic lipids in mixtures mimicking the composition of bacterial membranes. The clustering of anionic lipids by certain cationic antimicrobial agents contributes to the anti-bacterial action of these agents. Bacterial membrane lipids are a determining factor, resulting in some species of bacteria being more susceptible than others. In addition, lipids can be used to increase the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents when administered in vivo. Therefore, we review some of the structures in which lipid mixtures can assemble, to more effectively be utilized as antimicrobial delivery systems. We describe in more detail the complexes formed between mixtures of lipids mimicking bacterial membranes and an OAK and their usefulness in synergizing with antibiotics to overcome bacterial multidrug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel F Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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Kim JK, Lee EJ, Jung KW, Kim YM. Structure-Activity Relationships of 9-mer Antimicrobial Peptide analogue of Protaetiamycine, 9Pbw2. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SOCIETY 2011. [DOI: 10.6564/jkmrs.2011.15.1.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Epand RM, Epand RF. Bacterial membrane lipids in the action of antimicrobial agents. J Pept Sci 2010; 17:298-305. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Revised: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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14
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Gao B, Zhu S. Identification and characterization of the parasitic wasp Nasonia defensins: positive selection targeting the functional region? DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 34:659-668. [PMID: 20097222 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2010.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2009] [Revised: 01/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Defensin is a crucial component of innate immunity highly conserved across different insect orders. Here, we report identification and characterization of defensins in the parasitic wasp Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). In comparison with those in the non-parasitic insect Apis mellifera, two different subtypes of defensins (defensin1 and defensin2) have undergone independent gene duplication to create a mutigene family of five members (named 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3) in the Nasonia lineage. Such duplication occurred before the divergence of three sibling species (N. vitripennis, N. giraulti and N. longicornis) and the duplicated genes was subsequently subjected to positive selection at the amino-terminal loop and the gamma-core region. RT-PCR identified that only the subtype 1 of defensins were constitutively expressed in the N. vitripennis adult stage and none of the five defensins was expressed in other developmental stages (i.e. the infected Musca domestica pupae). A functional form of 2-2 in N. vitripennis (named navidefensin2-2) was produced in Escherichia coli by an on-column refolding approach. The recombinant peptide presented a typical defensin structure, as identified by CD analysis, and selectively inhibited the growth of two Gram(+) bacteria at low micromolar concentrations. The bioactive surface responsible for antibacterial activity of navidefensin2-2 was identified in the gamma-core region of this molecule. Positive selection targeting the antibacterial region of defensins could be a consequence of evolutionary arms race between Nasonia and its pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Structure-function studies of chemokine-derived carboxy-terminal antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1798:1062-72. [PMID: 20004172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports which show that several chemokines can act as direct microbicidal agents have drawn renewed attention to these chemotactic signalling proteins. Here we present a structure-function analysis of peptides derived from the human chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha/CCL20), interleukin-8 (IL-8), neutrophil activating protein-2 (NAP-2) and thrombocidin-1 (TC-1). These peptides encompass the C-terminal alpha-helices of these chemokines, which have been suggested to be important for the direct antimicrobial activities. Far-UV CD spectroscopy showed that the peptides are unstructured in aqueous solution and that a membrane mimetic solvent is required to induce a helical secondary structure. A co-solvent mixture was used to determine solution structures of the peptides by two-dimensional (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. The highly cationic peptide, MIP-3alpha(51-70), had the most pronounced antimicrobial activity and displayed an amphipathic structure. A shorter version of this peptide, MIP-3alpha(59-70), remained antimicrobial but its structure and mechanism of action were unlike that of the former peptide. The NAP-2 and TC-1 proteins differ in their sequences only by the deletion of two C-terminal residues in TC-1, but intact TC-1 is a very potent antimicrobial while NAP-2 is inactive. The corresponding C-terminal peptides, NAP-2(50-70) and TC-1(50-68), had very limited and no bactericidal activity, respectively. This suggests that other regions of TC-1 contribute to its bactericidal activity. Altogether, this work provides a rational structural basis for the biological activities of these peptides and proteins and highlights the importance of experimental characterization of peptide fragments as distinct entities because their activities and structural properties may differ substantially from their parent proteins.
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Lee J, Hong HJ, Kim JK, Hwang JS, Kim Y, Lee DG. A novel antifungal analog peptide derived from protaetiamycine. Mol Cells 2009; 28:473-7. [PMID: 19855931 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-009-0155-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, the 9-mer analog peptides, 9Pbw2 and 9Pbw4, were designed based on a defensin-like peptide, protaetiamycine isolated from Protaetia brevitarsis. In this study, antifungal effects of the analog peptides were investigated. The antifungal susceptibility testing exhibited that 9Pbw4 contained more potent antifungal activities than 9Pbw2. A PI influx assay confirmed the effects of the analog peptides and demonstrated that the peptides exerted their activity by a membrane-active mechanism, in an energy-independent manner. As the noteworthy potency of 9Pbw4, the mechanism(s) of 9Pbw4 were further investigated. The membrane studies, using rhodamine-labeled giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran loaded liposome, suggested that the membrane-active mechanism of 9Pbw4 could have originated from the poreforming action and the radii of pores was presumed to be anywhere from 1.8 nm to 3.3 nm. These results were confirmed by 3D-flow cytometric contour-plot analysis. The present study suggests a potential of 9Pbw4 as a novel antifungal peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juneyoung Lee
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea
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Toniolo C, Hahm KS, Stella L. Editorial. J Pept Sci 2009; 15:549. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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