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Bonvin E, Personne H, Paschoud T, Reusser J, Gan BH, Luscher A, Köhler T, van Delden C, Reymond JL. Antimicrobial Peptide-Peptoid Hybrids with and without Membrane Disruption. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2593-2606. [PMID: 38062792 PMCID: PMC10714400 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Among synthetic analogues of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) under investigation to address antimicrobial resistance, peptoids (N-alkylated oligoglycines) have been reported to act both by membrane disruption and on intracellular targets. Here we gradually introduced peptoid units into the membrane-disruptive undecapeptide KKLLKLLKLLL to test a possible transition toward intracellular targeting. We found that selected hybrids containing up to five peptoid units retained the parent AMP's α-helical folding, membrane disruption, and antimicrobial effects against Gram-negative bacteria including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae while showing reduced hemolysis and cell toxicities. Furthermore, some hybrids containing as few as three peptoid units as well as the full peptoid lost folding, membrane disruption, hemolysis, and cytotoxicity but displayed strong antibacterial activity under dilute medium conditions typical for proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs), pointing to intracellular targeting. These findings parallel previous reports that partially helical amphiphilic peptoids are privileged oligomers for antibiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Bonvin
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hippolyte Personne
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Paschoud
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jérémie Reusser
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bee-Ha Gan
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Luscher
- Department
of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Service of
Infectious Diseases, University Hospital
of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thilo Köhler
- Department
of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Service of
Infectious Diseases, University Hospital
of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian van Delden
- Department
of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Service of
Infectious Diseases, University Hospital
of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Louis Reymond
- Department
of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Traditional and Computational Screening of Non-Toxic Peptides and Approaches to Improving Selectivity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030323. [PMID: 35337121 PMCID: PMC8953747 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides have positively impacted the pharmaceutical industry as drugs, biomarkers, or diagnostic tools of high therapeutic value. However, only a handful have progressed to the market. Toxicity is one of the main obstacles to translating peptides into clinics. Hemolysis or hemotoxicity, the principal source of toxicity, is a natural or disease-induced event leading to the death of vital red blood cells. Initial screenings for toxicity have been widely evaluated using erythrocytes as the gold standard. More recently, many online databases filled with peptide sequences and their biological meta-data have paved the way toward hemolysis prediction using user-friendly, fast-access machine learning-driven programs. This review details the growing contributions of in silico approaches developed in the last decade for the large-scale prediction of erythrocyte lysis induced by peptides. After an overview of the pharmaceutical landscape of peptide therapeutics, we highlighted the relevance of early hemolysis studies in drug development. We emphasized the computational models and algorithms used to this end in light of historical and recent findings in this promising field. We benchmarked seven predictors using peptides from different data sets, having 7–35 amino acids in length. According to our predictions, the models have scored an accuracy over 50.42% and a minimal Matthew’s correlation coefficient over 0.11. The maximum values for these statistical parameters achieved 100.0% and 1.00, respectively. Finally, strategies for optimizing peptide selectivity were described, as well as prospects for future investigations. The development of in silico predictive approaches to peptide toxicity has just started, but their important contributions clearly demonstrate their potential for peptide science and computer-aided drug design. Methodology refinement and increasing use will motivate the timely and accurate in silico identification of selective, non-toxic peptide therapeutics.
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Evaluation the Therapeutic Index of Recombinant Antimicrobial S3 Tetramer-Peptides Expressed in E. coli. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10263-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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4
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Selectivity of Antimicrobial Peptides: A Complex Interplay of Multiple Equilibria. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1117:175-214. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-3588-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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5
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Inui Kishi RN, Stach-Machado D, Singulani JDL, dos Santos CT, Fusco-Almeida AM, Cilli EM, Freitas-Astúa J, Picchi SC, Machado MA. Evaluation of cytotoxicity features of antimicrobial peptides with potential to control bacterial diseases of citrus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203451. [PMID: 30192822 PMCID: PMC6128562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can be found in various organisms, and could be considered an alternative for pesticides used to control plant pathogens, including those affecting citrus. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of frozen concentrated orange juice in the world. However, the citrus industry has been affected by several diseases such as citrus canker and huanglongbing (HLB), caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X.citri) and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CaLas), respectively. In order to control these pathogens, putative AMPs were prospected in databases containing citrus sequences. Furthermore, AMPs already reported in the literature were also used for in vitro and in vivo assays against X.citri. Since CaLas cannot be cultivated in vitro, surrogates as Sinorhizobium meliloti and Agrobacterium tumefaciens were used. This study reports the evaluation of six AMPs obtained from different sources, two of them from Citrus spp. (citrus-amp1 and citrus-amp2), three from amphibians (Hylin-a1, K0-W6-Hy-a1 and Ocellatin 4-analogue) and one from porcine (Tritrpticin). Peptides K0-W6-Hy-a1, Ocellatin 4-analogue, and citrus-amp1 showed bactericidal activity against X.citri and S. meliloti and bacteriostatic effect on A. tumefaciens. These results were confirmed for X.citri in planta. In addition cytotoxicity evaluations of these molecules were performed. The AMPs that showed the lowest hemolytic activities were Triptrpticin, citrus-amp1 and citrus-amp2. Citrus-amp1 and citrus-amp2 not presented toxicity in experiments using in vivo model, G. mellonella and U87 MG cells. To verify the interaction of these AMPs with bacteria and erythrocyte cell membranes, vesicles mimicking these cells were built. Citrus-amp1 and Tritrpticin exhibited higher affinity to bacterial membranes, while Ocellatin 4-analogue and Hylin-a1 showed higher affinity to erythrocyte membranes; exclude their use in citrus. This work demonstrates an essential alternative, trough AMPs obtained from Citrus spp., which can be feasibly used to control bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Naomi Inui Kishi
- Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira, Instituto Agronômico, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Dagmar Stach-Machado
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Junya de Lacorte Singulani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Tavares dos Santos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Instituto de Química de Araraquara, Departamento de Bioquímica e tecnologia química, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Simone Cristina Picchi
- Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira, Instituto Agronômico, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio Machado
- Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira, Instituto Agronômico, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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A novel in vitro metric predicts in vivo efficacy of inhaled silver-based antimicrobials in a murine Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6376. [PMID: 29686296 PMCID: PMC5913254 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24200-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To address the escalating problem of antimicrobial resistance and the dwindling antimicrobial pipeline, we have developed a library of novel aerosolizable silver-based antimicrobials, particularly for the treatment of pulmonary infections. To rapidly screen this library and identify promising candidates, we have devised a novel in vitro metric, named the “drug efficacy metric” (DEM), which integrates both the antibacterial activity and the on-target, host cell cytotoxicity. DEMs calculated using an on-target human bronchial epithelial cell-line correlates well (R2 > 0.99) with in vivo efficacy, as measured by median survival hours in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia mouse model following aerosolized antimicrobial treatment. In contrast, DEMs derived using off-target primary human dermal fibroblasts correlate poorly (R2 = 0.0595), which confirms our hypothesis. SCC1 and SCC22 have been identified as promising drug candidates through these studies, and SCC22 demonstrates a dose-dependent survival advantage compared to sham treatment. Finally, silver-bearing biodegradable nanoparticles were predicted to exhibit excellent in vivo efficacy based on its in vitro DEM value, which was confirmed in our mouse pneumonia model. Thus, the DEM successfully predicted the efficacy of various silver-based antimicrobials, and may serve as an excellent tool for the rapid screening of potential antimicrobial candidates without the need for extensive animal experimentation.
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7
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Lee W, Lee DG. Potential role of potassium and chloride channels in regulation of silymarin-induced apoptosis in Candida albicans. IUBMB Life 2018; 70:197-206. [PMID: 29356280 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Silymarin, which is derived from the seeds of Silybum marianum, has been widely used to prevent and treat liver diseases. In our previous study, we reported that at concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), silymarin exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans by targeting its plasma membrane. However, the antifungal mechanism at concentration below the MIC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the underlying mechanism of antifungal effects of silymarin at concentration below the MIC. To evaluate the inhibitory effects on the ion channels, C. albicans cells were separately pretreated with potassium and chloride channel blockers. The antifungal activity of silymarin at sub-MIC was affected by the ion channel blockers. Potassium channel blockade inhibited the antifungal effects, whereas chloride channel blockade slightly enhanced these effects. Subsequently, we found that silymarin induced disturbances in calcium homeostasis via the cytosolic and mitochondrial accumulation of calcium. Furthermore, apoptotic responses, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and caspase activation were induced in response to silymarin treatment. The increases in intracellular calcium level and pro-apoptotic changes were prevented when potassium ion channels were blocked. In contrast, these changes were enhanced upon chloride channels blockade; however, this did not affect the intracellular calcium levels and MMP loss. Thus, we showed that silymarin treatment at concentration below the MIC induced apoptosis in C. albicans; additionally, ion channels contributed these effects. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(3):197-206, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjong Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Gun Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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8
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Molchanova N, Hansen PR, Franzyk H. Advances in Development of Antimicrobial Peptidomimetics as Potential Drugs. Molecules 2017; 22:E1430. [PMID: 28850098 PMCID: PMC6151827 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has evolved into a global health problem as current treatment options are failing for infections caused by pan-resistant bacteria. Hence, novel antibiotics are in high demand, and for this reason antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted considerable interest, since they often show broad-spectrum activity, fast killing and high cell selectivity. However, the therapeutic potential of natural AMPs is limited by their short plasma half-life. Antimicrobial peptidomimetics mimic the structure and biological activity of AMPs, but display extended stability in the presence of biological matrices. In the present review, focus is on the developments reported in the last decade with respect to their design, synthesis, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic side effects as well as their potential applications as anti-infective agents. Specifically, only peptidomimetics with a modular structure of residues connected via amide linkages will be discussed. These comprise the classes of α-peptoids (N-alkylated glycine oligomers), β-peptoids (N-alkylated β-alanine oligomers), β³-peptides, α/β³-peptides, α-peptide/β-peptoid hybrids, α/γ N-acylated N-aminoethylpeptides (AApeptides), and oligoacyllysines (OAKs). Such peptidomimetics are of particular interest due to their potent antimicrobial activity, versatile design, and convenient optimization via assembly by standard solid-phase procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Molchanova
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Paul R Hansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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9
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Role of potassium channels in chlorogenic acid-induced apoptotic volume decrease and cell cycle arrest in Candida albicans. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:585-592. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Arias M, Jensen KV, Nguyen LT, Storey DG, Vogel HJ. Hydroxy-tryptophan containing derivatives of tritrpticin: modification of antimicrobial activity and membrane interactions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:277-88. [PMID: 25178967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Tritrpticin is an antimicrobial peptide with a strong microbicidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. The 13-residue peptide is essentially symmetrical and possesses a unique cluster of three Trp residues near the center of its amino acid sequence. The mechanism of action of tritrpticin is believed to involve permeabilization of the cytoplasmic membrane of susceptible bacteria. However it has been suggested that intracellular targets may also play a role in its antimicrobial activity. In this work the mechanism of action of several tritrpticin derivatives was studied through substitution of the three Trp residues with 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5OHW), a naturally occurring non-ribosomal amino acid. Although it is more polar, 5OHW preserves many of the biophysical and biochemical properties of Trp, allowing the use of fluorescence spectroscopy and NMR techniques to study the interaction of the modified peptides with membrane mimetics. Single or triple 5OHW substitution did not have a large effect on the MIC of the parent peptide against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. However, the mechanism of action was altered by simultaneously replacing all three Trp with 5OHW. Our results suggest that the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria did not constitute the main target of this particular tritrpticin derivative. Since the addition of a hydroxyl group to the indole motif of the Trp residue was able to modify the mechanism of action of the peptides, our data confirm the importance of the Trp cluster in tritrpticin. This work also shows that 5OHW constitutes a new probe to modulate the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of other Trp-rich antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Arias
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Katharine V Jensen
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Leonard T Nguyen
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Douglas G Storey
- Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Hans J Vogel
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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11
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Park M, Wetzler M, Jardetzky TS, Barron AE. A readily applicable strategy to convert peptides to peptoid-based therapeutics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58874. [PMID: 23555603 PMCID: PMC3605428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Incorporation of unnatural amino acids and peptidomimetic residues into therapeutic peptides is highly efficacious and commonly employed, but generally requires laborious trial-and-error approaches. Previously, we demonstrated that C20 peptide has the potential to be a potential antiviral agent. Herein we report our attempt to improve the biological properties of this peptide by introducing peptidomimetics. Through combined alanine, proline, and sarcosine scans coupled with a competitive fluorescence polarization assay developed for identifying antiviral peptides, we enabled to pinpoint peptoid-tolerant peptide residues within C20 peptide. The synergistic benefits of combining these (and other) commonly employed methods could lead to a easily applicable strategy for designing and refining therapeutically-attractive peptidomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyoung Park
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Modi Wetzler
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Theodore S. Jardetzky
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Ahn YJ, Jeon YJ, Shin SY. Cell Selectivity and Anti-inflammatory Activity of a Novel Tritrpticin Analog Containing Homo-tryptophan Peptoid Residues. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2013. [DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2013.34.3.963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Alba A, López-Abarrategui C, Otero-González AJ. Host defense peptides: an alternative as antiinfective and immunomodulatory therapeutics. Biopolymers 2013. [PMID: 23193590 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Host defense peptides are conserved components of innate immune response present among all classes of life. These peptides are potent, broad spectrum antimicrobial agents with potential as novel therapeutic compounds. Also, the ability of host defense peptides to modulate immunity is an emerging therapeutic concept since its selective modulation is a novel antiinfective strategy. Their mechanisms of action and the fundamental differences between pathogens and host cells surfaces mostly lead to a not widely extended microbial resistance and to a lower toxicity toward host cells. Biological libraries and rational design are novel tools for developing such molecules with promising applications as therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annia Alba
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí," La Habana, Cuba
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14
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Abstract
Peptoids (N-substituted glycines) are mimics of α-peptides in which the side chains are attached to the backbone N (α) -amide nitrogen instead of the C (α) -atom. Peptoids hold promise as therapeutics since they often retain the biological activity of the parent peptide and are stable to proteases. In recent years, peptoids have attracted attention as new potential antibiotics against multiresistant bacteria. Here we describe the submonomer solid-phase synthesis of an antimicrobial peptoid, H-Nmbn-Nlys-Nlys-Nnap-Nbut-Nmbn-Nlys-NH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Hansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Abstract
Peptoids (oligomers of N-substituted glycine residues) and peptide-peptoid hybrid polymers (peptomers) are interesting classes of compounds mimicking structure and function of biologically active peptides. The oligomeric peptidomimetics such as peptoids are particularly important compounds since they provide access to an enormous molecular diversity, by variation of the building blocks. The modular structure of peptoids, ease of synthesis, and high compatibility with existing peptide chemistry synthetic protocols, make peptoids and peptoid-containing peptidomimetics ideal tools for structure-activity and drug discovery related studies.
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16
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Nguyen LT, de Boer L, Zaat SAJ, Vogel HJ. Investigating the cationic side chains of the antimicrobial peptide tritrpticin: hydrogen bonding properties govern its membrane-disruptive activities. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1808:2297-303. [PMID: 21641334 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2011] [Revised: 05/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The positively charged side chains of cationic antimicrobial peptides are generally thought to provide the initial long-range electrostatic attractive forces that guide them towards the negatively charged bacterial membranes. Peptide analogs were designed to examine the role of the four Arg side chains in the cathelicidin peptide tritrpticin (VRRFPWWWPFLRR). The analogs include several noncoded Arg and Lys derivatives that offer small variations in side chain length and methylation state. The peptides were tested for bactericidal and hemolytic activities, and their membrane insertion and permeabilization properties were characterized by leakage assays and fluorescence spectroscopy. A net charge of +5 for most of the analogs maintains their high antimicrobial activity and directs them towards preferential insertion into model bacterial membrane systems with a similar extent of burial of the Trp side chains. However the peptides exhibit significant functional differences. Analogs with methylated cationic side chains cause lower levels of membrane leakage and are associated with lower hemolytic activities, making them potentially attractive pharmaceutical candidates. Analogs containing the Arg guanidinium groups cause more membrane disruption than those containing the Lys amino groups. Peptides in the latter group with shorter side chains have increased membrane activity and conversely, elongating the Arg residue causes slightly higher membrane activity. Altogether, the potential for strong hydrogen bonding between the four positive Arg side chains with the phospholipid head groups seems to be a determinant for the membrane disruptive properties of tritrpticin and many related cationic antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard T Nguyen
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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17
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Dawson RM, Liu CQ. Analogues of peptide SMAP-29 with comparable antimicrobial potency and reduced cytotoxicity. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2011; 37:432-7. [PMID: 21377841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
SMAP-29 (sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-29) is a peptide with potent antibacterial properties. However, it is also highly cytotoxic both to human red blood cells (hRBCs) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. In this study, some of the amino acids of SMAP-29 were changed in an attempt to reduce haemolytic activity whilst maintaining high antibacterial efficacy. These analogues, plus other analogues described in the literature with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria coupled with no or low haemolytic activity, were evaluated for their cytotoxicity (hRBCs and HEK cells) as well as antimicrobial efficacy against two Gram-positive (Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus globigii) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Burkholderia thailandensis). The analogues previously described in the literature were found to have low antibacterial and haemolytic activity. Two of the designed analogues had comparable antibacterial efficacy with SMAP-29 against B. anthracis but reduced haemolytic activity and therefore had a therapeutic index that was enhanced 2.3-2.6-fold over that of SMAP-29.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M Dawson
- DSTO Melbourne, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207, Australia.
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18
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Effect of the antimicrobial peptide tritrpticin on the in vitro viability and growth of Trichomonas vaginalis. Curr Microbiol 2010; 62:301-6. [PMID: 20640424 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-010-9709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are widely distributed in nature; they play important roles in several aspects of innate immunity and may provide a basis for the design of novel therapeutic agents. In this study, C-amidated tritrpticin, a 13 amino acid tryptophan-rich antimicrobial peptide derived from a porcine cathelicidin, was tested against Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan that causes a serious non-viral sexually transmitted disease associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and high risk of HIV-1 infection. Tritrpticin was selected due to its reasonably easy synthesis and because analogs with lower toxicity may be designed. Our results show that tritrpticin-NH(2) at either 100 or 200 μg/ml (52.5 or 105 μM) clearly reduces the viability and growth of Trichomonas vaginalis. Together with tritrpticin-NH(2), sodium bicarbonate further limited trichomonad growth. Additionally, a low concentration of metronidazole (5.8 μM), the most commonly used medication for Trichomonas vaginalis, was more effective against the growth of the parasite when it was combined with tritrpticin-NH(2).
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Bang JK, Ravichandran, NM, Kwak OK, Jeon YH, Chung JH, Lee KW, Park JH, Kim SM, Park JS, Kang SW. Functional and Structural Characterization of Apidaecin. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2010. [DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2010.31.01.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Control of cell selectivity of antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1687-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 09/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Cell selectivity and mechanism of action of short antimicrobial peptides designed from the cell-penetrating peptide Pep-1. J Pept Sci 2009; 15:569-75. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Dawson RM, Liu CQ. Properties and applications of antimicrobial peptides in biodefense against biological warfare threat agents. Crit Rev Microbiol 2008; 34:89-107. [PMID: 18568863 DOI: 10.1080/10408410802143808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in knowledge of the properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are reviewed. AMPs are typically small, positively charged, amphipathic peptides that interact electrostatically and non-stereospecifically with the bacterial cell membrane, resulting in its permeabilization and cell death. Classes of AMPs, their mechanisms of action, hemolytic activity, and cytotoxicity towards host cells are discussed. A particular focus is AMPs with potential for use in defense against biological warfare agents. Some AMPs cytotoxic to Bacillus anthracis have been described. Synthesis of these peptides in multivalent form leads to a synergistic increase in antibacterial activity. Strategies to enhance the potency, stability, and selectivity of AMPs are discussed.
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Cerovský V, Slaninová J, Fucík V, Hulacová H, Borovicková L, Jezek R, Bednárová L. New potent antimicrobial peptides from the venom of Polistinae wasps and their analogs. Peptides 2008; 29:992-1003. [PMID: 18375018 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2007] [Accepted: 02/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Four new peptides of the mastoparan family, characterized recently in the venom of three neotropical social wasps collected in the Dominican Republic, Polistes major major, Polistes dorsalis dorsalis and Mischocyttarus phthisicus were synthesized and tested for antimicrobial potency against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E.c.) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and for hemolytic and mast cells degranulation activities. As these peptides possess strong antimicrobial activity (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Bacillus subtillis and E.c. in the range of 5-40 microM), we prepared 40 of their analogs to correlate biological activities, especially antimicrobial, with the net positive charge, hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, peptide length, amino acid substitutions at different positions of the peptide chain, N-terminal acylation and C-terminal deamidation. Circular dichroism spectra of the peptides measured in the presence of trifluoroethanol or SDS showed that the peptides might adopt alpha-helical conformation in such anisotropic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Cerovský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Park KH, Park Y, Park IIS, Hahm KS, Shin SY. Bacterial selectivity and plausible mode of antibacterial action of designed Pro-rich short model antimicrobial peptides. J Pept Sci 2008; 14:876-82. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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ZHOU XUXIA, LI WEIFEN, PAN YUANJIANG. Functional and structural characterization of apidaecin and itsN-terminal andC-terminal fragments. J Pept Sci 2007; 14:697-707. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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