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Li X, Wang X, Du J, Bu X, Peng C, Duan X, Fu C. Applications of β-defensins against infectious pathogenic microorganisms. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38970163 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2377677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are polypeptides with potent antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs have rapid bactericidal activity, a low capacity for inducing resistance, and compatibility with the host immune system. A large body of data supports the antimicrobial activities of a large body of data supports the antimicrobial activities of the class of AMPs known as β-defensins. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of β-defensins against various pathogenic microorganism: bacteria, fungi, viruses, Mycoplasmas and Chlamydiae. The primary mechanisms of β-defensins against pathogenic microorganisms include inhibition of biofilms formations, dissolution of membranes, disruption of cell walls, and inhibition of adhesion and receptor binding. Although further study and structural modifications are needed, β-defensins are promising candidates for antimicrobial therapy. AREAS COVERED This review describes the inhibitory effects of β-defensins on various pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, we focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying their actions to provide, providing valuable references for the further study of β-defensins. EXPERT OPINION The biological activities and modes of action of β-defensins provide powerful resources for clinical microbial infection management. Addressing the salt sensitivity and toxicity of β-defensins may further enhance their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyun Li
- Infection and Microbiology Research Laboratory for Women and Children, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Dermatology, Dongying District Central Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Jiajing Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xiangzhen Bu
- Radiology Department, Dongying District People's Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Chao Peng
- Dermatology, Dongying District Central Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Ximeng Duan
- Infection and Microbiology Research Laboratory for Women and Children, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Chen Fu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
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Cen X, Liu B, Zhang G, Liu H, Yao G, He M, Liu W. Molecular identification of a novel antimicrobial peptide in giant Triton snail Charonia tritonis: mRNA profiles for tissues and its potential antibacterial activity. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 136:108734. [PMID: 37028689 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in innate immunity against microorganisms. AMPs is an effective antibacterial agent, and the chances of causing pathogens to develop is very low. However, there is little information about AMPs in the giant Triton snail Charonia tritonis. In this research, an antimicrobial peptide gene (termed Ct-20534) was identified in C. tritonis. The open reading frame of Ct-20534 is 381 bp in size and it encodes a basic peptide precursor containing 126 amino acids. Ct-20534 gene was found to be expressed in all five tissues examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR), but the highest expression was found in the proboscis. This is the first report that antibacterial peptides have been found in C. tritonis, and it has been proved that Ct-20534 has antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, among which the activity of Staphylococcus aureus is most significantly inhibited, this suggests that the newly discovered antimicrobial peptides in C. tritonis may play an important role in the immune system and bacterial resistance of C. tritonis. This study presents the discovery of a newly identified antibacterial peptide from C. tritonis, with its structural properties fully characterized and potent antibacterial activity confirmed. The results provide essential fundamental data for the development of preventive and therapeutic measures against aquatic animal diseases, which in turn can promote the sustainable and stable growth of the aquaculture industry and create economic benefits. Additionally, this research lays the foundation for future development of novel anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Cen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gege Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huiru Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Fishery Sciences, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Gaoyou Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Maoxian He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 511458, China
| | - Wenguang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 511458, China.
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Interaction of Tryptophan- and Arginine-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide with E. coli Outer Membrane-A Molecular Simulation Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032005. [PMID: 36768325 PMCID: PMC9916935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A short antimicrobial peptide (AMP), rich in tryptophan and arginine (P6-HRWWRWWRR-NH2), was used in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the interaction between AMPs and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from two E. coli outer membrane (OM) membrane models. The OM of Gram-negative bacteria is an asymmetric bilayer, with the outer layer consisting exclusively of lipopolysaccharide molecules and the lower leaflet made up of phospholipids. The mechanisms by which short AMPs permeate the OM of Gram-negative bacteria are not well understood at the moment. For this study, two types of E. coli OM membrane models were built with (i) smooth LPS composed of lipid A, K12 core and O21 O-antigen, and (ii) rough type LPS composed of lipid A and R1 core. An OmpF monomer from E. coli was embedded in both membrane models. MD trajectories revealed that AMP insertion in the LPS layer was facilitated by the OmpF-created gap and allowed AMPs to form hydrogen bonds with the phosphate groups of inner core oligosaccharides. OM proteins such as OmpF may be essential for the permeation of short AMPs such as P6 by exposing the LPS binding site or even by direct translocation of AMPs across the OM.
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Structural and positional studies of the antimicrobial peptide brevinin‐1BYa in membrane‐mimetic environments. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3208. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Lombardi VR, Corzo L, Carrera I, Cacabelos R. The Search for Biomarine-derived Compounds with Immunomodulatory Activity. JOURNAL OF EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 3:30-41. [DOI: 10.14218/jerp.2018.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Freitas CG, Lima SMF, Freire MS, Cantuária APC, Júnior NGO, Santos TS, Folha JS, Ribeiro SM, Dias SC, Rezende TMB, Albuquerque P, Nicola AM, de la Fuente-Núñez C, Hancock REW, Franco OL, Felipe MSS. An Immunomodulatory Peptide Confers Protection in an Experimental Candidemia Murine Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:e02518-16. [PMID: 28559266 PMCID: PMC5527641 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02518-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal Candida species are commensals present in the mammalian skin and mucous membranes. Candida spp. are capable of breaching the epithelial barrier of immunocompromised patients with neutrophil and cell-mediated immune dysfunctions and can also disseminate to multiple organs through the bloodstream. Here we examined the action of innate defense regulator 1018 (IDR-1018), a 12-amino-acid-residue peptide derived from bovine bactenecin (Bac2A): IDR-1018 showed weak antifungal and antibiofilm activity against a Candida albicans laboratory strain (ATCC 10231) and a clinical isolate (CI) (MICs of 32 and 64 μg · ml-1, respectively), while 8-fold lower concentrations led to dissolution of the fungal cells from preformed biofilms. IDR-1018 at 128 μg · ml-1 was not hemolytic when tested against murine red blood cells and also has not shown a cytotoxic effect on murine monocyte RAW 264.7 and primary murine macrophage cells at the tested concentrations. IDR-1018 modulated the cytokine profile during challenge of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with heat-killed C. albicans (HKCA) antigens by increasing monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, while suppressing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 levels. Mice treated with IDR-1018 at 10 mg · kg-1 of body weight had an increased survival rate in the candidemia model compared with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice, together with a diminished kidney fungal burden. Thus, IDR-1018 was able to protect against murine experimental candidemia and has the potential as an adjunctive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila G Freitas
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Stella M F Lima
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Curso de Odontologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mirna S Freire
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade-Rede Centro-oeste, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula C Cantuária
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nelson G O Júnior
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiane S Santos
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Jéssica S Folha
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Suzana M Ribeiro
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Simoni C Dias
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Taia M B Rezende
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Curso de Odontologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - André M Nicola
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - César de la Fuente-Núñez
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Biophysics Program, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Center for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- S-Inova Biotech-Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade-Rede Centro-oeste, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli S Felipe
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- S-Inova Biotech-Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Farrotti A, Conflitti P, Srivastava S, Ghosh JK, Palleschi A, Stella L, Bocchinfuso G. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Host Defense Peptide Temporin L and Its Q3K Derivative: An Atomic Level View from Aggregation in Water to Bilayer Perturbation. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22071235. [PMID: 28737669 PMCID: PMC6152314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22071235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin L (TempL) is a 13 residue Host Defense Peptide (HDP) isolated from the skin of frogs. It has a strong affinity for lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which is related to its high activity against Gram-negative bacteria and also to its strong tendency to neutralize the pro-inflammatory response caused by LPS release from inactivated bacteria. A designed analog with the Q3K substitution shows an enhancement in both these activities. In the present paper, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to investigate the origin of these improved properties. To this end, we have studied the behavior of the peptides both in water solution and in the presence of LPS lipid-A bilayers, demonstrating that the main effect through which the Q3K substitution improves the peptide activities is the destabilization of peptide aggregates in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Farrotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
| | - Paolo Conflitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India.
| | - Jimut Kanti Ghosh
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India.
| | - Antonio Palleschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Bocchinfuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
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Kosikowska P, Lesner A. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as drug candidates: a patent review (2003-2015). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 26:689-702. [PMID: 27063450 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2016.1176149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent the large group of endogenous compounds widely distributed in nature. Due to their broad spectrum of antibiotic activity, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, AMPs became a model for the discovery of novel antimicrobial drugs that could answer the problem of the increasing antibiotic resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. AREAS COVERED The review represents a comprehensive analysis of patents and patent applications from the year 2003 to 2015 referring to the therapeutic use of AMPs. The article highlights the general trends in the design, potential mode of action, and methods of biological evaluation of AMPs. EXPERT OPINION The existing discord between the upcoming list of antimicrobial peptides claimed in the patents or related scientific articles as the potent drug candidates and the frequent failures of AMPs in clinical trials emphasize the need of a better understanding of their pleiotropic nature and mechanisms of host defense in general. Nevertheless, the encouraging examples of AMPs already introduced into the market, like Polymyxin or Fuzeon®, give some reason for optimism that development of AMPs as a novel class of antibiotics is still considered viable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam Lesner
- a Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
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Dubovskii PV, Vassilevski AA, Kozlov SA, Feofanov AV, Grishin EV, Efremov RG. Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4501-22. [PMID: 26286896 PMCID: PMC11113828 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod venoms feature the presence of cytolytic peptides believed to act synergetically with neurotoxins to paralyze prey or deter aggressors. Many of them are linear, i.e., lack disulfide bonds. When isolated from the venom, or obtained by other means, these peptides exhibit common properties. They are cationic; being mostly disordered in aqueous solution, assume amphiphilic α-helical structure in contact with lipid membranes; and exhibit general cytotoxicity, including antifungal, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer activities. To suit the pharmacological needs, the activity spectrum of these peptides should be modified by rational engineering. As an example, we provide a detailed review on latarcins (Ltc), linear cytolytic peptides from Lachesana tarabaevi spider venom. Diverse experimental and computational techniques were used to investigate the spatial structure of Ltc in membrane-mimicking environments and their effects on model lipid bilayers. The antibacterial activity of Ltc was studied against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the action of Ltc on erythrocytes and cancer cells was investigated in detail with confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the present review, we give a critical account of the progress in the research of Ltc. We explore the relationship between Ltc structure and their biological activity and derive molecular characteristics, which can be used for optimization of other linear peptides. Current applications of Ltc and prospective use of similar membrane-active peptides are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Sergey A Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey V Feofanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
- Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Eugene V Grishin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Roman G Efremov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
- Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya, Moscow, 101000, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141700, Russia
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Interplay between Candida albicans and the antimicrobial peptide armory. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 13:950-7. [PMID: 24951441 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00093-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key elements of innate immunity, which can directly kill multiple bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. The medically important fungus Candida albicans colonizes different host niches as part of the normal human microbiota. Proliferation of C. albicans is regulated through a complex balance of host immune defense mechanisms and fungal responses. Expression of AMPs against pathogenic fungi is differentially regulated and initiated by interactions of a variety of fungal pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on human cells. Inflammatory signaling and other environmental stimuli are also essential to control fungal proliferation and to prevent parasitism. To persist in the host, C. albicans has developed a three-phase AMP evasion strategy, including secretion of peptide effectors, AMP efflux pumps, and regulation of signaling pathways. These mechanisms prevent C. albicans from the antifungal activity of the major AMP classes, including cathelicidins, histatins, and defensins leading to a basal resistance. This minireview summarizes human AMP attack and C. albicans resistance mechanisms and current developments in the use of AMPs as antifungal agents.
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Douglas S, Hoskin DW, Hilchie AL. Assessment of antimicrobial (host defense) peptides as anti-cancer agents. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1088:159-170. [PMID: 24146403 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-673-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial (host defense) peptides (CAPs) are able to kill microorganisms and cancer cells, leading to their consideration as novel candidate therapeutic agents in human medicine. CAPs can physically associate with anionic membrane structures, such as those found on cancer cells, causing pore formation, intracellular disturbances, and leakage of cell contents. In contrast, normal cells are less negatively-charged and are typically not susceptible to CAP-mediated cell death. Because the interaction of CAPs with cells is based on charge properties rather than cell proliferation, both rapidly dividing and quiescent cancer cells, as well as multidrug-resistant cancer cells, are targeted by CAPs, making CAPS potentially valuable as anti-cancer agents. CAPs often exist as families of peptides with slightly different amino acid sequences. In addition, libraries of synthetic peptide variants based on naturally occurring CAP templates can be generated in order to improve upon their action. High-throughput screens are needed to quickly and efficiently assess the suitability of each CAP variant. Here we present the methods for assessing CAP-mediated cytotoxicity against cancer cells (suspension and adherent) and untransformed cells (measured using the tritiated thymidine-release or MTT assay), and for discriminating between cell death caused by necrosis (measured using lactate dehydrogenase- or (51)Cr-release assays), or apoptosis and necrosis (single-stranded DNA content measured by flow cytometry). In addition the clonogenic assay, which assesses the ability of single transformed cells to multiply and produce colonies, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Douglas
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Maisetta G, Vitali A, Scorciapino MA, Rinaldi AC, Petruzzelli R, Brancatisano FL, Esin S, Stringaro A, Colone M, Luzi C, Bozzi A, Campa M, Batoni G. pH-dependent disruption of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and model membranes by the human antimicrobial peptides hepcidin 20 and 25. FEBS J 2013; 280:2842-54. [PMID: 23587102 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The human hepcidin 25 (hep-25) and its isoform hepcidin 20 (hep-20) are histidine-containing, cystein rich, β-sheet structured peptides endowed with antimicrobial activity. We previously reported that, similar to other histidine-containing peptides, the microbicidal effects of hep-25 and hep-20 are highly enhanced at acidic pH. In the present study, we investigated whether pH influences the mode of action of hep-25 and hep-20 on Escherichia coli American Type Culture Collection 25922 and model membranes. A striking release of β-galactosidase by hepcidin-treated E. coli was observed at pH 5.0, whereas no inner membrane permeabilization capacity was seen at pH 7.4, even at bactericidal concentrations. Similar results were obtained by flow cytometry when assessing the internalization of propidium iodide by hepcidin-treated E. coli. Scanning electron microscope imaging revealed that both peptides induced the formation of numerous blebs on the surface of bacterial cells at acidic pH but not at neutral pH. Moreover, a phospholipid/polydiacetylene colourimetric vesicle assay revealed a more evident membrane damaging effect at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.4. The leakage of entrapped dextrans of increasing molecular size from liposomes was also assessed at pH 7.4. Consistent with the lack of β-galactosidase release from whole E. coli observed at such a pH value, evident leakage of only the smallest 4-kDa dextran (and not of dextrans of 20 or 70 kDa) was observed, indicating a poor ability of hepcidin peptides to permeabilize liposome vesicles at pH 7.4. Altogether, the data obtained in the present study using different approaches strongly suggest that the ability of hepcidins to perturb bacterial membranes is markedly pH-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppantonio Maisetta
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Pisa, Italy
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13
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Attoub S, Mechkarska M, Sonnevend A, Radosavljevic G, Jovanovic I, Lukic ML, Conlon JM. Esculentin-2CHa: a host-defense peptide with differential cytotoxicity against bacteria, erythrocytes and tumor cells. Peptides 2013; 39:95-102. [PMID: 23159562 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The host-defense peptide, esculentin-2CHa (GFSSIFRGVA(10)KFASKGLGK D(20)LAKLGVDLVA(30) CKISKQC) shows potent (MIC≤6 μM) growth inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and differential cytotoxic activity against human erythrocytes (LC(50)=150 μM) and human non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells (LC(50)=10 μM). Esculentin-2CHa significantly (P<0.01) stimulates the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by mouse lymphoid cells and elevates its production after stimulation with concanavalin A and significantly (P<0.05) stimulates TNF-α production by peritoneal macrophages. Effects on IL-6 and IL-1β production were not significant. Removal of the hydrophobic N-terminal hexapeptide (GFSSIF) from esculentin-2CHa results in abolition of growth inhibitory activity against S. aureus and cytotoxic activity against erythrocytes and A549 cells as well as a marked (≥16-fold) reduction in potency against A. baumannii and S. maltophilia. The primary structure of esculentin-2 has been poorly conserved between frog species but evolutionary pressure has acted to maintain the hydrophobic character of this N-terminal hexapeptide sequence. Removal of the cyclic C-terminal domain (CKISKQC) and replacement of the Cys(31) and Cys(37) residues by serine resulted in appreciable decreases in cytotoxicity against all microorganisms and against mammalian cells. The more cationic [D20K, D27K] analog showed a modest increase in potency against all microorganisms (up to 4-fold) but a marked increase in cytotoxicity against erythrocytes (LC(50)=11 μM) and A549 cells (LC(50)=3 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Attoub
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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14
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Khan SA, Fidel PL, Thunayyan AA, Varlotta S, Meiller TF, Jabra-Rizk MA. Impaired Histatin-5 Levels and Salivary Antimicrobial Activity against C. albicans in HIV Infected Individuals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 4. [PMID: 23730535 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
HIV-infected individuals constitute a population highly susceptible to opportunistic infections, particularly oral candidiasis caused by the most pathogenic human fungal species Candida albicans. Host-produced salivary antimicrobial peptides are considered to be an important part of the host innate immune system involved in protection of the oral cavity against colonization and infection by microbial species. Histatin-5 (Hst-5) specifically has exhibited potent anti-candidal properties in vitro. However, its importance in protecting the oral mucosa against candidal colonization and importantly, its contribution to the observed enhanced susceptibility of HIV-infected individuals to candidiasis has not been previously investigated. To that end, a novel immunoassay was used to demonstrate significant decrease in salivary Hst-5 levels in HIV+ individuals concomitant with enhanced candidal prevalence. Further, saliva's anti-candidal potency was found to be proportional to Hst-5 concentration and significantly compromised in HIV+ subjects compared to controls. The key role for Hst-5 was further confirmed upon exposure to the Hst-5-specific antibody where saliva's initial killing activity was substantially compromised. Combined, these findings identify Hst-5 as a key anti-candidal salivary component and demonstrate its decreased levels in HIV infection providing new insights into oral Innate immune defense mechanisms and the enhanced susceptibility of HIV+ individuals to oral candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariq A Khan
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
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15
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Laurencin M, Amor M, Fleury Y, Baudy-Floc’h M. De Novo Cyclic Pseudopeptides Containing Aza-β3-amino Acids Exhibiting Antimicrobial Activities. J Med Chem 2012; 55:10885-95. [DOI: 10.1021/jm3009037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Laurencin
- Université de Rennes 1, ICMV, UMR CNRS 6226, 263 Av. du Général
Leclerc, F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Mosbah Amor
- Université de Rennes 1, ICMV, UMR CNRS 6226, 263 Av. du Général
Leclerc, F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Yannick Fleury
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratoire Universitaire de
Biodiversité et d’Ecologie Microbienne, EA 3882, F-29000
Quimper, France
| | - Michèle Baudy-Floc’h
- Université de Rennes 1, ICMV, UMR CNRS 6226, 263 Av. du Général
Leclerc, F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
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16
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Torrent M, Pulido D, Nogués MV, Boix E. Exploring new biological functions of amyloids: bacteria cell agglutination mediated by host protein aggregation. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1003005. [PMID: 23133388 PMCID: PMC3486885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are important effectors of the innate immune system that play a vital role in the prevention of infections. Recent advances have highlighted the similarity between AMPs and amyloid proteins. Using the Eosinophil Cationic Protein as a model, we have rationalized the structure-activity relationships between amyloid aggregation and antimicrobial activity. Our results show how protein aggregation can induce bacteria agglutination and cell death. Using confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy we have tracked the formation in situ of protein amyloid-like aggregates at the bacteria surface and on membrane models. In both cases, fibrillar aggregates able to bind to amyloid diagnostic dyes were detected. Additionally, a single point mutation (Ile13 to Ala) can suppress the protein amyloid behavior, abolishing the agglutinating activity and impairing the antimicrobial action. The mutant is also defective in triggering both leakage and lipid vesicle aggregation. We conclude that ECP aggregation at the bacterial surface is essential for its cytotoxicity. Hence, we propose here a new prospective biological function for amyloid-like aggregates with potential biological relevance. Microbial infections are reported among the worst human diseases and cause millions of deaths per year over the world. Antibiotics are used to treat infections and have saved more lives than any other drug in human history. However, due to extended use, many strains are becoming refractive to common antibiotics. In this light, new promising compounds, like antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are being investigated. Some AMPs also show agglutinating activity; this is the ability to clump bacteria after treatment. This feature is particularly appealing because agglutinating peptides could be used to keep bacteria to the infection focus, helping microbe clearance by host immune cells. In this study, we propose a novel mechanism to explain agglutinating activity at a molecular level using Eosinophil Cationic Protein. We show that the agglutinating mechanism is driven by the protein amyloid-like aggregation at the bacteria cell surface. Accordingly, elimination of the amyloid behavior abolishes both the agglutinating and the antimicrobial activities. This study provides a new concept on how Nature could exploit amyloid-like aggregates to fight bacterial infections. Moreover, these results could also add new insights in understanding the relation between infection and inflammation with dementia and amyloid-related diseases like Alzheimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Torrent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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17
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Conlon JM, Mechkarska M, Prajeep M, Sonnevend A, Coquet L, Leprince J, Jouenne T, Vaudry H, King JD. Host-defense peptides in skin secretions of the tetraploid frog Silurana epitropicalis with potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Peptides 2012; 37:113-9. [PMID: 22800690 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Revised: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A putative genome duplication event within the Silurana lineage has given rise to the tetraploid Cameroon clawed frog Silurana epitropicalis (Fischberg, Colombelli, and Picard, 1982). Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions of S. epitropicalis led to identification of 10 peptides with varying degrees of growth-inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Structural characterization identified the peptides as belonging to the magainin family (magainin-SE1), the caerulein-precursor fragment family (CPF-SE1, -SE2 and -SE3), the xenopsin-precursor fragment family (XPF-SE1, SE-2, SE-3 and -SE4), and the peptide glycine-leucine-amide family (PGLa-SE1 and -SE2). In addition, peptide phenylalanine-glutamine-amide (FLGALLGPLMNLLQ·NH(2)) was isolated from the secretions that lacked antimicrobial activity. Comparison of the multiplicity of orthologous peptides in S. epitropicalis and the diploid Silurana tropicalis indicates that extensive nonfunctionalization (deletion or silencing) of antimicrobial peptide genes has occurred after polyploidization in the Silurana lineage, as in the Xenopus lineage. CPF-SE2 (GFLGPLLKLGLKGAAKLLPQLLPSRQQ; MIC=2.5μM) and CPF-SE3 (GFLGSLLKTGLKVGSNLL·NH(2); MIC=5μM) showed potent growth-inhibitory activity against a range of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Their utility as systemic anti-infective drugs is limited by significant hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes (LC(50)=50μM for CPF-SE2 and 220μM for CPF-SE3) but the peptides may find application as topical agents in treatment of MRSA skin infections and decolonization of MRSA carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Conlon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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18
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Mechkarska M, Meetani M, Michalak P, Vaksman Z, Takada K, Conlon JM. Hybridization between the African clawed frogs Xenopus laevis and Xenopus muelleri (Pipidae) increases the multiplicity of antimicrobial peptides in skin secretions of female offspring. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2012; 7:285-91. [PMID: 22687652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2012] [Revised: 05/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptidomic analysis was used to compare the distribution of host-defense peptides in norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from laboratory-generated female F1 hybrids of the common clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) and Mueller's clawed frog Xenopus muelleri (Peters, 1844) with the corresponding distribution in skin secretions from the parent species. A total of 18 peptides were identified in secretions from the hybrid frogs. Eleven peptides (magainin-1, magainin-2, CPF-1, CPF-3, CPF-4, CPF-5, CPF-6, CPF-7, XPF-1, XPF-2, and PGLa) were identified in secretions of both the hybrids and X. laevis. Four peptides (magainin-M1, XPF-M1, CPF-M1, and tigerinin-M1) were previously found in skin secretions of X. muelleri but magainin-M2 and CPF-M2 from X. muelleri were not detected. Three previously undescribed peptides (magainin-LM1, PGLa-LM1, and CPF-LM1) were purified from the secretions of the hybrid frogs that were not detected in secretions from either X. laevis or X. muelleri. Magainin-LM1 differs from magainin-2 from X. laevis by a single amino acid substitution (Gly(13)→Ala) but PGLa-LM1 and CPF-LM1 differ appreciably in structure from orthologs in the parent species. CPF-LM1 shows potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and is hemolytic. The data indicate that hybridization increases the multiplicity of skin host-defense peptides in skin secretions. As the female F1 hybrids are fertile, hybridization may represent an adaptive strategy among Xenopus species to increase protection against pathogenic microorganisms in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mechkarska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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19
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Yount NY, Yeaman MR. Emerging themes and therapeutic prospects for anti-infective peptides. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2012; 52:337-60. [PMID: 22235859 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010611-134535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Pathogens resistant to most conventional anti-infectives are a harbinger of the need to discover and develop novel anti-infective agents and strategies. Endogenous host defense peptides (HDPs) have retained evolution-tested efficacy against pathogens that have become refractory to traditional antibiotics. Evidence indicates that HDPs target membrane integrity, bioenergetics, and other essential features of microbes that may be less mutable than conventional antibiotic targets. For these reasons, HDPs have received increasing attention as templates for development of potential anti-infective therapeutics. Unfortunately, advances toward this goal have proven disappointing, in part owing to limited understanding of relevant structure-activity and selective toxicity relationships in vivo, a limited number of reports and overall understanding of HDP pharmacology, and the difficulty of cost-effective production of such peptides on a commodity scale. However, recent molecular insights and technology innovations have led to novel HDP-based and mimetic anti-infective peptide candidates designed to overcome these limitations. Although initial setbacks have presented challenges to therapeutic development, emerging themes continue to highlight the potential of HDP-based anti-infectives as a platform for next-generation therapeutics that will help address the growing threat of multidrug-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannette Y Yount
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90509, USA
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20
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Conlon JM, Mechkarska M, King JD. Host-defense peptides in skin secretions of African clawed frogs (Xenopodinae, Pipidae). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2012; 176:513-8. [PMID: 22036891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African clawed frogs of the Xenopodinae (Xenopus+Silurana) constitute a well-defined system in which to study the evolutionary trajectory of duplicated genes and are a source of antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential. Allopolyploidization events within the Xenopodinae have given rise to tetraploid, octoploid, and dodecaploid species. The primary structures and distributions of host-defense peptides from the tetraploid frogs Xenopus borealis, Xenopus clivii, Xenopus laevis, Xenopus muelleri, "X. muelleri West", and Xenopus petersii may be compared with those from the octoploid frogs Xenopus amieti and X. andrei. Similarly, components in skin secretions from the diploid frog Silurana tropicalis may be compared with those from the tetraploid frog Silurana paratropicalis. All Xenopus antimicrobial peptides may be classified in the magainin, peptide glycine-leucine-amide (PGLa), caerulein-precursor fragment (CPF), and xenopsin-precursor fragment (XPF) families. However, the numbers of paralogs from the octoploid frogs were not significantly greater than the corresponding numbers from the tetraploid frogs. Magainins were not identified in skin secretions of Silurana frogs and the multiplicity of the PGLa, CPF, and XPF peptides from S. paratropicalis was not greater than that of S. tropicalis. The data indicate, therefore, that nonfunctionalization (gene silencing) has been the most common fate of antimicrobial peptide genes following polyploidization. While some duplicated gene products retain high antimicrobial potency (subfunctionalization), the very low activity of others suggests that they may be evolving towards a new biological role (neofunctionalization). CPF-AM1 and PGLa-AM1 from X. amieti show potential for development into anti-infective agents for use against antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Conlon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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21
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Thomas-Virnig CL, Allen-Hoffmann BL. A Bioengineered Human Skin Tissue for the Treatment of Infected Wounds. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2012; 1:88-94. [PMID: 24527286 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2011.0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex skin defects resulting from acute skin trauma and chronic, nonhealing wounds are life-threatening injuries. Infection is one of the most common obstacles to the healing of these types of wounds. Host defense peptides (HDPs) possessing a broad spectrum of activity against microorganisms and serving as innate immune modulators have emerged as potential treatment strategies for infected wounds. THE PROBLEM The increase in multidrug-resistant clinical bacterial isolates highlights the need for new and innovative anti-infective therapies for the treatment of both acute and chronic skin wounds. BASIC/CLINICAL SCIENCE To address the critical need for new therapeutic options to reduce infection and improve wound healing, a bioengineered skin substitute (BSS) tissue has been created to act as an anti-infective living human skin tissue that provides enhanced expression of the endogenous HDP, cathelicidin. To generate a BSS exhibiting these antimicrobial properties, the clinically tested NIKS progenitor cells were employed to provide a source of genetically uniform, nontumorigenic, pathogen-free human keratinocytes that are amenable to genetic engineering using nonviral means. CLINICAL CARE RELEVANCE Pathogenic bacterial strains are increasingly developing antibiotic resistance, thereby forcing the clinician to use potent antibiotics with deleterious effects on keratinocyte viability and migration. Therefore, an urgent need exists for new wound therapies that can circumvent many of the problems associated with current antibiotic treatments. CONCLUSION Enhanced expression of cathelicidin in a genetically engineered human BSS has been shown to inhibit the bacterial growth of a multidrug-resistant clinical strain of Acinetobacter baumannii in vivo, creating a new and innovative therapeutic option for combating these debilitating wound infections while also promoting healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B. Lynn Allen-Hoffmann
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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22
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Bechinger B, Salnikov ES. The membrane interactions of antimicrobial peptides revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Chem Phys Lipids 2012; 165:282-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2012.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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23
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King JD, Mechkarska M, Coquet L, Leprince J, Jouenne T, Vaudry H, Takada K, Conlon JM. Host-defense peptides from skin secretions of the tetraploid frogs Xenopus petersii and Xenopus pygmaeus, and the octoploid frog Xenopus lenduensis (Pipidae). Peptides 2012; 33:35-43. [PMID: 22123629 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 11/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions led to the identification of host-defense peptides belonging to the magainin, peptide glycine-leucine-amide (PGLa), and caerulein precursor fragment (CPF) families from the tetraploid frogs, Xenopus petersii (Peters' clawed frog) and Xenopus pygmaeus (Bouchia clawed frog), and the octoploid frog Xenopus lenduensis (Lendu Plateau clawed frog). Xenopsin-precursor fragment (XPF) peptides were not detected. The primary structures of the antimicrobial peptides from X. petersii demonstrate a close, but not conspecific relationship, with Xenopus laevis whereas the X. pygmaeus peptides show appreciable variation from previously characterized orthologs from other Xenopus species. Polyploidization events within the Xenopodinae (Silurana+Xenopus) are associated with extensive gene silencing (nonfunctionization) but unexpectedly the full complement of four PGLa paralogs were isolated from X. lenduendis secretions. Consistent with previous data, the CPF peptides showed the highest growth-inhibitory activity against bacteria with CPF-PG1 (GFGSLLGKALKIGTNLL.NH(2)) from X. pygmaeus combining high antimicrobial potency against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=6 μM) with relatively low hemolytic activity (LC(50)=145 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay D King
- Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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24
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Harris F, Dennison SR, Singh J, Phoenix DA. On the selectivity and efficacy of defense peptides with respect to cancer cells. Med Res Rev 2011; 33:190-234. [PMID: 21922503 DOI: 10.1002/med.20252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Here, we review potential determinants of the anticancer efficacy of innate immune peptides (ACPs) for cancer cells. These determinants include membrane-based factors, such as receptors, phosphatidylserine, sialic acid residues, and sulfated glycans, and peptide-based factors, such as residue composition, sequence length, net charge, hydrophobic arc size, hydrophobicity, and amphiphilicity. Each of these factors may contribute to the anticancer action of ACPs, but no single factor(s) makes an overriding contribution to their overall selectivity and toxicity. Differences between the anticancer actions of ACPs seem to relate to different levels of interplay between these peptide and membrane-based factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Harris
- School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom
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25
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Investigating the effect of a single glycine to alanine substitution on interactions of antimicrobial peptide latarcin 2a with a lipid membrane. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2011; 40:1087-100. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-011-0726-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Revised: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Morash MG, Douglas SE, Robotham A, Ridley CM, Gallant JW, Soanes KH. The zebrafish embryo as a tool for screening and characterizing pleurocidin host-defense peptides as anti-cancer agents. Dis Model Mech 2011; 4:622-33. [PMID: 21729875 PMCID: PMC3177944 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.007310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant cancers and the lack of targeted therapies for many cancers underscore an unmet need for new therapeutics with novel modes of action towards cancer cells. Host-defense peptides often exhibit selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells and show potential as anti-cancer therapeutics. Here, we screen 26 naturally occurring variants of the peptide pleurocidin for cytotoxic and anti-cancer activities, and investigate the underlying mechanism of action. Cytotoxicities were assessed in vitro using cell-based assays and in vivo using zebrafish embryos. Morphological changes were assessed by both transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and functional assays were performed on zebrafish embryos to investigate the mechanism of cell death. A total of 14 peptides were virtually inactive against HL60 human leukemia cells, whereas 12 caused >50% death at ≤32 μg/ml. Morphological changes characteristic of oncosis were evident by electron microscopy after only 1 minute of treatment with 32 μg/ml of variant NRC-03. Only two peptides were hemolytic. Four peptides showed no toxicity towards zebrafish embryos at the highest concentration tested (25 μM; ∼64 μg/ml) and one peptide was highly toxic, killing 4-hour-post-fertilization (hpf) embryos immediately after exposure to 1 μM peptide. Four other peptides killed embryos after 24 hours of exposure at 1 μM. Most peptides caused mortality at one or more developmental stages only after continuous exposure (24 hours) with higher lethal doses (≥5 μM). Pleurocidin NRC-03 bound to embryos and induced the release of superoxide, caused an increase in the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei, and caused membrane damage and the loss of embryonic epithelial integrity, marked by the exclusion of cells from the outer epithelium and the appearance of F-actin within the circumferential cells of the repair site. Our results indicate that specific pleurocidin variants are attractive cancer-selective agents that selectively induce cell death in target cells but leave non-target cells such as erythrocytes and non-transformed cells unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Morash
- Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
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27
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Mechkarska M, Ahmed E, Coquet L, Leprince J, Jouenne T, Vaudry H, King JD, Conlon JM. Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions demonstrates that the allopatric populations of Xenopus muelleri (Pipidae) are not conspecific. Peptides 2011; 32:1502-8. [PMID: 21664395 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Mueller's clawed frog Xenopus muelleri (Peters 1844) occupies two non-contiguous ranges in east and west Africa. The phylogenetic relationship between the two populations is unclear and it has been proposed that the western population represents a separate species. Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from X. muelleri from the eastern range resulted in the identification of five antimicrobial peptides structurally related to the magainins (magainin-M1 and -M2), xenopsin-precursor fragments (XPF-M1) and caerulein-precursor fragments (CPF-M1 and -M2) previously found in skin secretions of other Xenopus species. A cyclic peptide (WCPPMIPLCSRF.NH₂) containing the RFamide motif was also isolated that shows limited structural similarity to the tigerinins, previously identified only in frogs of the Dicroglossidae family. The components identified in skin secretions from X. muelleri from the western range comprised one magainin (magainin-MW1), one XPF peptide (XPF-MW1), two peptides glycine-leucine amide (PGLa-MW1 and -MW2), and three CPF peptides (CPF-MW1, -MW2 and -MW3). Comparison of the primary structures of these peptides suggest that western population of X. muelleri is more closely related to X. borealis than to X. muelleri consistent with its proposed designation as a separate species. The CPF peptides showed potent, broad-spectrum activity against reference strains of bacteria (MIC 3-25 μM), but were hemolytic against human erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mechkarska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Genome duplications within the Xenopodinae do not increase the multiplicity of antimicrobial peptides in Silurana paratropicalis and Xenopus andrei skin secretions. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2011; 6:206-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2011] [Revised: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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29
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Fighting bacterial infections—Future treatment options. Drug Resist Updat 2011; 14:125-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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30
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Bechinger B. Insights into the mechanisms of action of host defence peptides from biophysical and structural investigations. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:306-14. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.1343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2010] [Revised: 11/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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31
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Synthesis, conformational analysis and biological properties of a dicarba derivative of the antimicrobial peptide, brevinin-1BYa. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2011; 40:555-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-011-0679-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Revised: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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32
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Rajanbabu V, Chen JY. Applications of antimicrobial peptides from fish and perspectives for the future. Peptides 2011; 32:415-20. [PMID: 21093512 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2010] [Revised: 11/07/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fish are a major component of the aquatic fauna. Like other organisms, fish secrete different kinds of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are positively charged short amino-acid-chain molecules involved in host defense mechanisms. Environmental hazards and the greenhouse effect have led to increased evolution of drug- and vaccine-resistant pathogenic strains, and it is necessary to find new drugs with structural uniqueness to fight them. Aquatic sources contain thousands of fish species, and each secretes AMPs with structural differences which can be used by the pharmaceutical industry in its search for novel drugs to treat drug-resistant pathogens. Not only limited to antimicrobial functions, AMPs possess other desirable characteristics which may be exploited in the near future. In this review, we list fish AMPs available from published reports, and discuss application-oriented functions of these AMPs. Notably, the possibilities of using fish AMPs as antimicrobial agents, vaccine adjuvants, inactivated vaccines, and antitumor agents are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venugopal Rajanbabu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Jiaushi, Ilan 262, Taiwan
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Knowledge-based computational methods for identifying or designing novel, non-homologous antimicrobial peptides. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2011; 40:371-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-011-0674-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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34
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Samy RP, Thwin MM, Chow VTK, Bow H, Gopalakrishnakone P. Evaluation of antibacterial activity of proteins and peptides using a specific animal model for wound healing. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 716:245-65. [PMID: 21318911 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-012-6_15] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Wound healing is a complex process involving the integrated actions of numerous cell types, soluble mediators, and extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) purified from crotalid snake venom was found to express in vitro bactericidal activity against a group of clinical human pathogens. Based on the sequence homology of PLA(2), a series of peptides were derived from the C-terminal region of crotalid PLA(2). These short synthetic peptides were found to reproduce the bactericidal activity of its parent molecule. In vitro assays for bactericidal and cytolytic activities of these peptides showed very high microbicidal potency against Gram-negative and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Variants of the peptides showed reduced toxicity toward normal human cells, while retaining high bactericidal potency. Here we describe the protocol for evaluating the wound healing process by antibacterial peptides. We evaluated the biological roles of the candidate peptides in skin wound healing, using a specific BALB/c mice model. Peptide-treated animals showed accelerated healing of full-thickness skin wounds, with increased reepithelialization, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis observed during the healing process. Healing wounds in protein/peptide-treated mice had higher densities of neutrophils, macrophages, and fibrocytes. Along with increased leukocyte infiltration, levels of macrophage-derived chemokine expression were also upregulated. These results demonstrate that the protein/peptide derived from snake venoms promotes healing of skin wounds. The primary mechanism seems to be an increase in leukocyte infiltration, leading to locally elevated synthesis and release of collagen and growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramar Perumal Samy
- Venom and Toxin Research Program, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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35
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Won A, Khan M, Gustin S, Akpawu A, Seebun D, Avis TJ, Leung BO, Hitchcock AP, Ianoul A. Investigating the effects of L- to D-amino acid substitution and deamidation on the activity and membrane interactions of antimicrobial peptide anoplin. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2010; 1808:1592-600. [PMID: 21078293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Revised: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Isolated from the venom sac of solitary spider wasp, Anoplius samariensis, anoplin is the smallest linear α-helical antimicrobial peptide found naturally with broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and little hemolytic activity toward human erythrocytes. Deamidation was found to decrease the peptide's antibacterial properties. In the present work, interactions of amidated (Ano-NH2) and deamidated (Ano-OH) forms of anoplin as well as Ano-NH2 composed of all D-amino acids (D-Ano-NH2) with model cell membranes were investigated by means of Langmuir Blodgett (LB) technique, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM) and carboxyfluorescein leakage assay in order to gain a better understanding of the effect of these peptide modifications on membrane binding and lytic properties. According to LB, all three peptides form stable monolayers at the air/water interface with Ano-NH2 occupying a slightly greater area per molecule than Ano-OH. All three forms of the peptide interact preferentially with anionic 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (DPPG), rather than zwitterionic 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) lipid monolayer. Peptides form nanoscale clusters in zwitterionic but not in anionic monolayers. Finally, membrane lytic activity of all derivatives was found to depend strongly on membrane composition and lipid/peptide ratio. The results suggest that amidated forms of peptides are likely to possess higher membrane binding affinity due to the increased charge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Won
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr. Ottawa, ON, Canada
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36
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Mechkarska M, Ahmed E, Coquet L, Leprince J, Jouenne T, Vaudry H, King JD, Conlon JM. Antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential from skin secretions of the Marsabit clawed frog Xenopus borealis (Pipidae). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2010; 152:467-72. [PMID: 20656059 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2010.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 07/18/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nine peptides with differential growth inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions of the tetraploid frog Xenopus borealis Parker, 1936 (Pipidae). Structural characterization of the peptides demonstrated that they were orthologous to magainin-2 (1 peptide), peptide glycine-leucine-amide, PGLa (2 peptides), caerulein-precursor fragments, CPF (4 peptides), and xenopsin-precursor fragments, XPF (2 peptides), previously isolated from Xenopus laevis and X. amieti. In addition, a second magainin-related peptide (G**KFLHSAGKFGKAFLGEVMIG) containing a two amino acid residue deletion compared with magainin-2 was identified that had only weak antimicrobial activity. The peptide with the greatest potential for development into a therapeutically valuable anti-infective agent was CPF-B1 (GLGSLLGKAFKIGLKTVGKMMGGAPREQ) with MIC=5 microM against E. coli, MIC=5 microM against S. aureus, and MIC=25 microM against Candida albicans, and low hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes (LC(50)>200 microM). This peptide was also the most abundant antimicrobial peptide in the skin secretions. CPF-B1 was active against clinical isolates of the nosocomial pathogens, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) with MIC values in the range 4-8 microM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mechkarska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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