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Decker T, Rautenbach M, Khan S, Khan W. Antibacterial efficacy and membrane mechanism of action of the Serratia-derived non-ionic lipopeptide, serrawettin W2-FL10. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0295223. [PMID: 38842361 PMCID: PMC11218446 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02952-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and mechanism of action of the non-ionic, cyclic lipopeptide, serrawettin W2-FL10 against Staphylococcus aureus. W2-FL10 exhibited potent activity against the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 6.3 to 31.3 μg/mL, while no activity was observed against Gram-negative bacteria. Broth microdilution assays showed that W2-FL10 interacted with key cell membrane components, such as lipid phosphatidyl glycerol and lipoteichoic acid of S. aureus. Upon membrane interaction, W2-FL10 dissipated membrane potential within 12 min and increased S. aureus membrane permeability within 28-40 min, albeit at slower rates and higher concentrations than the lytic peptide melittin. The observed membrane permeability, as detected with propidium iodide (PI), may be attributed to transmembrane pores/lesions, possibly dependent on dimer-driven lipopeptide oligomerization in the membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging also visually confirmed the formation of lesions in the cell wall of one of the S. aureus strains, and cell damage within 1 h of exposure to W2-FL10, corroborating the rapid time-kill kinetics of the S. aureus strains. This bactericidal action against the S. aureus strains corresponded to membrane permeabilization by W2-FL10, indicating that self-promoted uptake into the cytosol may be part of the mode of action. Finally, this lipopeptide exhibited low to moderate cytotoxicity to the Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cell line in comparison to the control (emetine) with an optimal lipophilicity range (log D value of 2.5), signifying its potential as an antibiotic candidate. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern, urgently requiring antibacterial compounds exhibiting low adverse health effects. In this study, a novel antibacterial lipopeptide analog is described, serrawettin W2-FL10 (derived from Serratia marcescens), with potent activity displayed against Staphylococcus aureus. Mechanistic studies revealed that W2-FL10 targets the cell membrane of S. aureus, causing depolarization and permeabilization because of transmembrane lesions/pores, resulting in the leakage of intracellular components, possible cytosolic uptake of W2-FL10, and ultimately cell death. This study provides the first insight into the mode of action of a non-ionic lipopeptide. The low to moderate cytotoxicity of W2-FL10 also highlights its application as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Decker
- Water Health Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Marina Rautenbach
- BioPep Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sehaam Khan
- Water Health Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Wesaal Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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2
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Liang S, Chen H, Chen Y, Ali A, Yao S. Multi-dynamic-bond cross-linked antibacterial and adhesive hydrogel based on boronated chitosan derivative and loaded with peptides from Periplaneta americana with on-demand removability. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:133094. [PMID: 38878926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The design and development of a bio-adhesive hydrogel with on-demand removability and excellent antibacterial activities are meaningful to achieve high wound closure effectiveness and post-wound-closure care, which is desirable in clinical applications. In this work, a series of adhesive antioxidant antibacterial hydrogels containing peptides from Periplaneta americana (PAP) were prepared through multi-dynamic-bond cross-linking among 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DBA) containing catechol and aldehyde groups and chitosan grafted with 3-carboxy-4-fluorophenylboronic acid (CS-FPBA) to enable the effective adhesion of skin tissues and prevention of bacterial infection of wound. PAP was derived from alcohol-extracted residues generated during the pharmaceutical process, aiming to minimize resource wastage and achieve the high-value development of such a medicinal insect. The hydrogel was prepared by freezing-thawing with no toxic crosslinkers. The multi-dynamic-bond cross-linking of dynamic borate ester bonds and dynamic Schiff base bonds can achieve reversible breakage and re-formation and the adhesive strength of CS-FPBA-DBA-P-gel treated with a 20 % glucose solution dramatically decreased from 3.79 kPa to 0.35 kPa within 10 s. Additionally, the newly developed hydrogel presents ideal biocompatibility, hemostasis and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli compared to commercial chitosan gel (approximately 50 % higher inhibition rate), demonstrating its great potential in dealing with infected full-thickness skin wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Liang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Hangping Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Yu Chen
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ahamd Ali
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Shun Yao
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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3
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Dini S, Bekhit AEDA, Roohinejad S, Vale JM, Agyei D. The Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Biosurfactants: A Review. Molecules 2024; 29:2544. [PMID: 38893420 PMCID: PMC11173842 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, have emerged as an important class of compounds with a wide range of applications. However, the use of chemical-derived surfactants must be restricted due to their potential adverse impact on the ecosystem and the health of human and other living organisms. In the past few years, there has been a growing inclination towards natural-derived alternatives, particularly microbial surfactants, as substitutes for synthetic or chemical-based counterparts. Microbial biosurfactants are abundantly found in bacterial species, predominantly Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. The chemical structures of biosurfactants involve the complexation of lipids with carbohydrates (glycolipoproteins and glycolipids), peptides (lipopeptides), and phosphates (phospholipids). Lipopeptides, in particular, have been the subject of extensive research due to their versatile properties, including emulsifying, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review provides an update on research progress in the classification of surfactants. Furthermore, it explores various bacterial biosurfactants and their functionalities, along with their advantages over synthetic surfactants. Finally, the potential applications of these biosurfactants in many industries and insights into future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Dini
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.D.); (A.E.-D.A.B.)
| | - Alaa El-Din A. Bekhit
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.D.); (A.E.-D.A.B.)
| | - Shahin Roohinejad
- Research and Development Division, Zoom Essence Inc., 1131 Victory Place, Hebron, KY 41048, USA (J.M.V.)
| | - Jim M. Vale
- Research and Development Division, Zoom Essence Inc., 1131 Victory Place, Hebron, KY 41048, USA (J.M.V.)
| | - Dominic Agyei
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (S.D.); (A.E.-D.A.B.)
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Hu J, Liu N, Fan Q, Gu Y, Chen S, Zhu F, Cheng Y. A Fluorous Peptide Amphiphile with Potent Antimicrobial Activity for the Treatment of MRSA-induced Sepsis and Chronic Wound Infection. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403140. [PMID: 38393614 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The rising prevalence of global antibiotic resistance evokes the urgent need for novel antimicrobial candidates. Cationic lipopeptides have attracted much attention due to their strong antimicrobial activity, broad-spectrum and low resistance tendency. Herein, a library of fluoro-lipopeptide amphiphiles was synthesized by tagging a series of cationic oligopeptides with a fluoroalkyl tail via a disulfide spacer. Among the lipopeptide candidates, R6F bearing six arginine moieties and a fluorous tag shows the highest antibacterial activity, and it exhibits an interesting fluorine effect as compared to the non-fluorinated lipopeptides. The high antibacterial activity of R6F is attributed to its excellent bacterial membrane permeability, which further disrupts the respiratory chain redox stress and cell wall biosynthesis of the bacteria. By co-assembling with lipid nanoparticles, R6F showed high therapeutic efficacy and minimal adverse effects in the treatment of MRSA-induced sepsis and chronic wound infection. This work provides a novel strategy to design highly potent antibacterial peptide amphiphiles for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Hu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Nan Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Qianqian Fan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Yunqing Gu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Sijia Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Fang Zhu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China, Dongchuan Road, No. 500
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Wang Y, Vizely K, Li CY, Shen K, Shakeri A, Khosravi R, Smith JR, Alteza EAII, Zhao Y, Radisic M. Biomaterials for immunomodulation in wound healing. Regen Biomater 2024; 11:rbae032. [PMID: 38779347 PMCID: PMC11110865 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The substantial economic impact of non-healing wounds, scarring, and burns stemming from skin injuries is evident, resulting in a financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system. This review paper provides an overview of the skin's vital role in guarding against various environmental challenges as the body's largest protective organ and associated developments in biomaterials for wound healing. We first introduce the composition of skin tissue and the intricate processes of wound healing, with special attention to the crucial role of immunomodulation in both acute and chronic wounds. This highlights how the imbalance in the immune response, particularly in chronic wounds associated with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and immunosuppression, hinders normal healing stages. Then, this review distinguishes between traditional wound-healing strategies that create an optimal microenvironment and recent peptide-based biomaterials that modulate cellular processes and immune responses to facilitate wound closure. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering the stages of wounds in the healing process. By integrating advanced materials engineering with an in-depth understanding of wound biology, this approach holds promise for reshaping the field of wound management and ultimately offering improved outcomes for patients with acute and chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
| | - Katrina Vizely
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Chen Yu Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Karen Shen
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
| | - Amid Shakeri
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
| | - Ramak Khosravi
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James Ryan Smith
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
| | | | - Yimu Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
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Bachurska-Szpala P, Burdach K, Lasek R, Tymecka D, Juhaniewicz-Dębińska J, Bartosik D, Pułka-Ziach K, Sęk S. De novo designed self-assembling helicomimetic lipooligoureas with antibacterial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115700. [PMID: 37542988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics has led to a rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, resulting in a need for new antibacterial compounds with different modes of action. In this paper, we describe a new class of compounds called lipooligoureas, which are foldamer-based mimetics of antimicrobial lipopeptides. The lipooligoureas consist of an acyl chain connected to the N-terminus of an oligourea head group that exhibits a well-defined 2.5-helix secondary structure, which is further stabilized by the attachment of the lipophilic chain to the oligourea moiety. These compounds meet the established criteria for membranolytic compounds by possessing an amphiphilic structure that promotes the internalization and partitioning of the molecules into the lipid membrane. The presence of positively charged urea residues promotes electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged bacterial membrane. The subtle structural differences in oligourea head group influence the compounds' aggregation behavior, with the number and position of positively charged urea residues correlating with their aggregation ability. The biological activity of these compounds in inhibiting bacterial growth is correlated with their ability to aggregate, with stronger antibacterial properties exhibited by those that aggregate more easily. However, the concentration inhibiting bacterial growth is significantly lower than the critical aggregation concentration values, suggesting that the mechanism of action involves the monomeric forms of lipooligoureas. Nonetheless, a mechanism based on membrane-induced aggregation cannot be ruled out. The lipooligoureas exhibit higher activity towards Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria, which is indicative of certain selectivity of these compounds. It is also demonstrated that lipooligoureas exhibit increased stability against proteolytic degradation in human blood serum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kinga Burdach
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Lasek
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, University of Warsaw, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Tymecka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Juhaniewicz-Dębińska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Bartosik
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, University of Warsaw, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Sławomir Sęk
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland.
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7
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Pilz M, Cavelius P, Qoura F, Awad D, Brück T. Lipopeptides development in cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications: A comprehensive review. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108210. [PMID: 37460047 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Lipopeptides are surface active, natural products of bacteria, fungi and green-blue algae origin, having diverse structures and functionalities. In analogy, a number of chemical synthesis techniques generated new designer lipopeptides with desirable features and functions. Lipopetides are self-assembly guided, supramolecular compounds which have the capacity of high-density presentation of the functional epitopes at the surface of the nanostructures. This feature contributes to their successful application in several industry sectors, including food, feed, personal care, and pharmaceutics. In this comprehensive review, the novel class of ribosomally synthesized lipopeptides is introduced alongside the more commonly occuring non-ribosomal lipopeptides. We highlight key representatives of the most researched as well as recently described lipopeptide families, with emphasis on structural features, self-assembly and associated functions. The common biological, chemical and hybrid production routes of lipopeptides, including prominent analogues and derivatives are also discussed. Furthermore, genetic engineering strategies aimed at increasing lipopeptide yields, diversity and biological activity are summarized and exemplified. With respect to application, this work mainly details the potential of lipopeptides in personal care and cosmetics industry as cleansing agents, moisturizer, anti-aging/anti-wrinkling, skin whitening and preservative agents as well as the pharmaceutical industry as anitimicrobial agents, vaccines, immunotherapy, and cancer drugs. Given that this review addresses human applications, we conclude on the topic of safety of lipopeptide formulations and their sustainable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Pilz
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Philipp Cavelius
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Farah Qoura
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dania Awad
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany.
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens-Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Liu H, Wang L, Yao C. Optimization of Antibacterial Activity and Biosafety through Ultrashort Peptide/Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14801. [PMID: 37834247 PMCID: PMC10573328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineered ultrashort peptides, serving as an alternative to natural antimicrobial peptides, offer benefits of simple and modifiable structures, as well as ease of assembly. Achieving excellent antibacterial performance and favorable biocompatibility through structural optimization remains essential for further applications. In this study, we assembled lipoic acid (LA)-modified tripeptide RWR (LA-RWR) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to form nano-inclusion complexes. The free cationic tripeptide region in the nano-inclusion complex provided high antibacterial activity, while β-CD enhanced its biocompatibility. Compared with peptides (LA-RWR, LA-RWR-phenethylamine) alone, inclusion complexes exhibited lower minimum inhibitory concentrations/minimum bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) against typical Gram-negative/Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, along with improved planktonic killing kinetics and antibiofilm efficiency. The antibacterial mechanism of the nano-inclusion complexes was confirmed through depolarization experiments, outer membrane permeability experiments, and confocal laser scanning microscopy observations. Furthermore, biological evaluations indicated that the hemolysis rate of the inclusion complexes decreased to half or even lower at high concentrations, and cell viability was superior to that of the non-included peptides. Preliminary in vivo studies suggested that the inclusion complexes, optimized for antibacterial activity and biosafety, could be used as promising antibacterial agents for potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chen Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; (H.L.); (L.W.)
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Jörgensen AM, Wibel R, Bernkop-Schnürch A. Biodegradable Cationic and Ionizable Cationic Lipids: A Roadmap for Safer Pharmaceutical Excipients. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206968. [PMID: 36610004 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cationic and ionizable cationic lipids are broadly applied as auxiliary agents, but their use is associated with adverse effects. If these excipients are rapidly degraded to endogenously occurring metabolites such as amino acids and fatty acids, their toxic potential can be minimized. So far, synthesized and evaluated biodegradable cationic and ionizable cationic lipids already showed promising results in terms of functionality and safety. Within this review, an overview about the different types of such biodegradable lipids, the available building blocks, their synthesis and cleavage by endogenous enzymes is provided. Moreover, the relationship between the structure of the lipids and their toxicity is described. Their application in drug delivery systems is critically discussed and placed in context with the lead compounds used in mRNA vaccines. Moreover, their use as preservatives is reviewed, guidance for their design is provided, and an outlook on future developments is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Matteo Jörgensen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Innsbruck, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Richard Wibel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Innsbruck, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Andreas Bernkop-Schnürch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Innsbruck, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
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Decker AP, Su Y, Mishra B, Verma A, Lushnikova T, Xie J, Wang G. Peptide Stability Is Important but Not a General Requirement for Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:738-749. [PMID: 36485036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Peptide stability to proteases has been a major requirement for developing peptide therapeutics. This study investigates the effects of peptide stability on antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity under various conditions. For this purpose, two human cathelicidin-derived peptides differing in stability to proteases were utilized. While GF-17, a peptide derived from the major antimicrobial region of human LL-37, can be rapidly cleaved by proteases, the engineered peptide 17BIPHE2 is resistant to multiple proteases. In the standard antimicrobial susceptibility, killing kinetics, and membrane permeabilization assays conducted in vitro using planktonic bacteria, these two peptides displayed similar potency. The two peptides were also similarly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 prior to biofilm formation. However, 17BIPHE2 was superior to GF-17 in disrupting preformed biofilms probably due to both enhanced stability and slightly higher DNA binding capacity. In a wax moth model, 17BIPHE2 better protected insects from MRSA infection-caused death than GF-17, consistent with the slower degradation of 17BIPHE2 than GF-17. Here, peptide antimicrobial activity was found to be critical for in vivo efficacy. When incorporated in the nanofiber/microneedle delivery device, GF-17 and 17BIPHE2 displayed a similar effect in eliminating MRSA in murine chronic wounds, underscoring the advantage of nanofibers in protecting the peptide from degradation. Since nanoformulation can ease the requirement of peptide stability, it opens the door to a direct use of natural peptides or their cocktails for antimicrobial treatment, accelerating the search of effective antibiofilm peptides to treat chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Decker
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Yajuan Su
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Atul Verma
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Tamara Lushnikova
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
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11
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Activity of Novel Ultrashort Cyclic Lipopeptides against Biofilm of Candida albicans Isolated from VVC in the Ex Vivo Animal Vaginal Model and BioFlux Biofilm Model-A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214453. [PMID: 36430935 PMCID: PMC9694474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, clinicians and doctors have become increasingly interested in fungal infections, including those affecting the mucous membranes. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is no exception. The etiology of this infection remains unexplained to this day, as well as the role and significance of asymptomatic vaginal Candida colonization. There are also indications that in the case of VVC, standard methods of determining drug susceptibility to antifungal drugs may not have a real impact on their clinical effectiveness-which would explain, among other things, treatment failures and relapse rates. The aim of the study was to verify the promising results obtained previously in vitro using standard methods, in a newly developed ex vivo model, using tissue fragments of the mouse vagina. The main goal of the study was to determine whether the selected ultrashort cyclic lipopeptides (USCLs) and their combinations with fluconazole at specific concentrations are equally effective against Candida forming a biofilm directly on the surface of the vaginal epithelium. In addition, the verification was also performed with the use of another model for the study of microorganisms (biofilms) in vitro-the BioFlux system, under microfluidic conditions. The obtained results indicate the ineffectiveness of the tested substances ex vivo at concentrations eradicating biofilm in vitro. Nevertheless, the relatively most favorable and promising results were still obtained in the case of combination therapy-a combination of low concentrations of lipopeptides (mainly linear analogs) with mycostatic fluconazole. Additionally, using BioFlux, it was not possible to confirm the previously obtained results. However, an inhibiting effect of the tested lipopeptides on the development of biofilm under microfluidic conditions was demonstrated. There is an incompatibility between the classic in vitro methods, the newer BioFlux method of biofilm testing, offering many advantages postulated elsewhere, and the ex vivo method. This incompatibility is another argument for the need, on the one hand, to intensify research on the pathomechanism of VVC, and, on the other hand, to verify and maybe modify the standard methods used in the determination of Candida susceptibility.
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Meir O, Zaknoon F, Mor A. An efflux-susceptible antibiotic-adjuvant with systemic efficacy against mouse infections. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17673. [PMID: 36271103 PMCID: PMC9586926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21526-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Scarcity of effective treatments against sepsis is daunting, especially under the contemporary standpoints on antibiotics resistance, entailing the development of alternative treatment strategies. Here, we describe the design and antibiotic adjuvant properties of a new lipopeptide-like pentamer, decanoyl-bis.diaminobutyrate-aminododecanoyl-diaminobutyrate-amide (C10BBc12B), whose sub-maximal tolerated doses combinations with inefficient antibiotics demonstrated systemic efficacies in murine models of peritonitis-sepsis and urinary-tract infections. Attempts to shed light into the mechanism of action using membrane-active fluorescent probes, suggest outer-membrane interactions to dominate the pentamer's adjuvant properties, which were not associated with typical inner-membrane damages or with delayed bacterial growth. Yet, checkerboard titrations with low micromolar concentrations of C10BBc12B exhibited unprecedented capacities in potentiation of hydrophobic antibiotics towards Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens, with an apparent low propensity for prompting resistance to the antibiotics. Assessment of the pentamer's potentiating activities upon efflux inhibition incites submission of a hitherto unreported, probable action mechanism implicating the pentamer's de-facto capacity to hijack bacterial efflux pumps for boosting its adjuvant activity through repetitive steps including outer-membrane adhesion, translocation and subsequent expulsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohad Meir
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Fadia Zaknoon
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Amram Mor
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
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Hunting for Novel Routes in Anticancer Drug Discovery: Peptides against Sam-Sam Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810397. [PMID: 36142306 PMCID: PMC9499636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the diverse protein binding modules, Sam (Sterile alpha motif) domains attract attention due to their versatility. They are present in different organisms and play many functions in physiological and pathological processes by binding multiple partners. The EphA2 receptor contains a Sam domain at the C-terminus (EphA2-Sam) that is able to engage protein regulators of receptor stability (including the lipid phosphatase Ship2 and the adaptor Odin). Ship2 and Odin are recruited by EphA2-Sam through heterotypic Sam-Sam interactions. Ship2 decreases EphA2 endocytosis and consequent degradation, producing chiefly pro-oncogenic outcomes in a cellular milieu. Odin, through its Sam domains, contributes to receptor stability by possibly interfering with ubiquitination. As EphA2 is upregulated in many types of tumors, peptide inhibitors of Sam-Sam interactions by hindering receptor stability could function as anticancer therapeutics. This review describes EphA2-Sam and its interactome from a structural and functional perspective. The diverse design strategies that have thus far been employed to obtain peptides targeting EphA2-mediated Sam-Sam interactions are summarized as well. The generated peptides represent good initial lead compounds, but surely many efforts need to be devoted in the close future to improve interaction affinities towards Sam domains and consequently validate their anticancer properties.
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Wu Q, Mishra B, Wang G. Linearized teixobactin is inactive and after sequence enhancement, kills methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via a different mechanism. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2022; 114:e24269. [PMID: 36249542 PMCID: PMC9564113 DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a highly adaptable pathogen that can rapidly develop resistance to conventional antibiotics such as penicillin. Recently, teixobactin was discovered from uncultivated soil bacteria by using the i-chip technology. This depsipeptide forms an ester bond between the backbone C-terminal isoleucine carboxylic acid and the hydroxyl group of threonine at position 8. Also, it contains multiple nonstandard amino acids, making it costly to synthesize. This study reports new peptides designed by linearizing teixobactin. After linearization and conversion to normal amino acids, teixobactin lost its antibacterial activity. Using this inactive template, a series of peptides were designed via hydrophobic patching and residue replacements. Three out of the five peptides were active. YZ105, only active against Gram-positive bacteria, however, showed the highest cell selectivity index. Different from teixobactin, which inhibits cell wall synthesis, YZ105 targeted the membranes of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) based on kinetic killing, membrane permeation, depolarization, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Moreover, YZ105 could kill nafcillin-resistant MRSA, Staphylococcal clinical strains, and disrupted preformed biofilms. Taken together, YZ105, with a simpler sequence, is a promising lead for developing novel anti-MRSA agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Wu
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
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Mescola A, Ragazzini G, Facci P, Alessandrini A. The potential of AFM in studying the role of the nanoscale amphipathic nature of (lipo)-peptides interacting with lipid bilayers. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:432001. [PMID: 35830770 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac80c9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and lipopeptides (LPs) represent very promising molecules to fight resistant bacterial infections due to their broad-spectrum of activity, their first target, i.e. the bacterial membrane, and the rapid bactericidal action. For both types of molecules, the action mechanism starts from the membrane of the pathogen agents, producing a disorganization of their phase structure or the formation of pores of different size altering their permeability. This mechanism of action is based on physical interactions more than on a lock-and-key recognition event and it is difficult for the pathogens to rapidly develop an effective resistance. Very small differences in the sequence of both AMPs and LPs might lead to very different effects on the target membrane. Therefore, a correct understanding of their mechanism of action is required with the aim of developing new synthetic peptides, analogues of the natural ones, with specific and more powerful bactericidal activity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), with its high resolution and the associated force spectroscopy resource, provides a valuable technique to investigate the reorganization of lipid bilayers exposed to antimicrobial or lipopeptides. Here, we present AFM results obtained by ours and other groups on the action of AMPs and LPs on supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of different composition. We also consider data obtained by fluorescence microscopy to compare the AFM data with another technique which can be used on different lipid bilayer model systems such as SLBs and giant unilamellar vesicles. The outcomes here presented highlight the powerful of AFM-based techniques in detecting nanoscale peptide-membrane interactions and strengthen their use as an exceptional complementary tool toin vivoinvestigations. Indeed, the combination of these approaches can help decipher the mechanisms of action of different antimicrobials and lipopeptides at both the micro and nanoscale levels, and to design new and more efficient antimicrobial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mescola
- CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Via Campi 213/A, I-41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Gregorio Ragazzini
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, I-41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Facci
- CNR-Ibf, Via De Marini 6, I-16149, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Alessandrini
- CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Via Campi 213/A, I-41125, Modena, Italy
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, I-41125, Modena, Italy
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Extraction and Characterization of β-Viginin Protein Hydrolysates from Cowpea Flour as a New Manufacturing Active Ingredient. TECHNOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/technologies10040089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The increased mortality rates associated with antibiotic resistance has become a significant public health problem worldwide. Living beings produce a variety of endogenous compounds to defend themselves against exogenous pathogens. The knowledge of these endogenous compounds may contribute to the development of improved bioactive ingredients with antimicrobial properties, useful against conventional antibiotic resistance. Cowpea is an herbaceous legume of great interest due to its high protein content and high productivity rates. The study of genetic homology of vicillin (7S) from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with vicilins from soybean and other beans, such as adzuki, in addition to the need for further studies about potential biological activities of this vegetable, led us to seek the isolation of the vicilin fraction from cowpea and to evaluate the potential in vitro inhibitory action of pathogenic microorganisms. The cowpea beta viginin protein was isolated, characterized, and hydrolyzed in silico and in vitro by two enzymes, namely, pepsin and chymotrypsin. The antimicrobial activity of the protein hydrolysate fractions of cowpea flour was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, confirming the potential use of the peptides as innovative antimicrobial agents.
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Lin Y, Jiang Y, Zhao Z, Lu Y, Xi X, Ma C, Chen X, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. Discovery of a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide, Temporin-PKE, from the Skin Secretion of Pelophylax kl. esculentus, and Evaluation of Its Structure-Activity Relationships. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060759. [PMID: 35740884 PMCID: PMC9221509 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance against antibiotics has led to increasing numbers of treatment failures, and AMPs are widely accepted as becoming potential alternatives due to their advantages. Temporin-PKE is a novel peptide extracted from the skin secretion of Pelophylax kl. esculentus and it displays a strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with an extreme cytotoxicity. Incorporating positively charged residues and introducing D-amino acids were the two main strategies adopted for the modifications. The transformation of the chirality of Ile could reduce haemolytic activity, and an analogue with appropriate D-isoforms could maintain antimicrobial activity and stability. The substitution of hydrophobic residues could bring about more potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. The analogues with Lys were less harmful to the normal cells and their stabilities remained at similarly high levels compared to temporin-PKE. The optimal number of charges was three, and the replacement on the polar face was a better choice. Temporin-PKE-3K exerted dually efficient functions includingstrong antimicrobial and anticancer activity. This analogue showed a reduced possibility for inducing resistance in MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae, a rather strong antimicrobial activity in vivo, and it exhibited the highest therapeutic index such that temporin-PKE-3K has the potential to be developed as a clinical drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxian Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Yangyang Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Ziwei Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yueyang Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Xinping Xi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Chris Shaw
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.X.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (T.C.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (L.W.)
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Svenson J, Molchanova N, Schroeder CI. Antimicrobial Peptide Mimics for Clinical Use: Does Size Matter? Front Immunol 2022; 13:915368. [PMID: 35720375 PMCID: PMC9204644 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.915368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for efficient antimicrobial therapies that can alleviate suffering caused by infections from resistant bacteria is more urgent than ever before. Infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens represent a significant and increasing burden to healthcare and society and researcher are investigating new classes of bioactive compounds to slow down this development. Antimicrobial peptides from the innate immune system represent one promising class that offers a potential solution to the antibiotic resistance problem due to their mode of action on the microbial membranes. However, challenges associated with pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and off-target toxicity are slowing down the advancement and use of innate defensive peptides. Improving the therapeutic properties of these peptides is a strategy for reducing the clinical limitations and synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides are emerging as a promising class of molecules for a variety of antimicrobial applications. These compounds can be made significantly shorter while maintaining, or even improving antimicrobial properties, and several downsized synthetic mimics are now in clinical development for a range of infectious diseases. A variety of strategies can be employed to prepare these small compounds and this review describes the different compounds developed to date by adhering to a minimum pharmacophore based on an amphiphilic balance between cationic charge and hydrophobicity. These compounds can be made as small as dipeptides, circumventing the need for large compounds with elaborate three-dimensional structures to generate simplified and potent antimicrobial mimics for a range of medical applications. This review highlight key and recent development in the field of small antimicrobial peptide mimics as a promising class of antimicrobials, illustrating just how small you can go.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia Molchanova
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
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Dewangan RP, Verma DP, Verma NK, Gupta A, Pant G, Mitra K, Habib S, Ghosh JK. Spermine-Conjugated Short Proline-Rich Lipopeptides as Broad-Spectrum Intracellular Targeting Antibacterial Agents. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5433-5448. [PMID: 35297625 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Toward the design of new proline-rich peptidomimetics, a short peptide segment, present in several proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), was selected. Fatty acids of varying lengths and spermine were conjugated at the N- and C-terminals of the peptide, respectively. Spermine-conjugated lipopeptides, C10-PR-Spn and C12-PR-Spn, exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations within 1.5-6.2 μM against the tested pathogens including resistant bacteria and insignificant hemolytic activity against human red blood cells up to 100 μM concentrations and demonstrated resistance against trypsin digestion. C10-PR-Spn and C12-PR-Spn showed synergistic antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with several tested antibiotics. These lipopeptides did not permeabilize bacterial membrane-mimetic lipid vesicles or damage the Escherichia coli membrane like the nonmembrane-lytic AMP, buforin-II. The results suggested that C10-PR-Spn and C12-PR-Spn could interact with the 70S ribosome of E. coli and inhibit its protein synthesis. C10-PR-Spn and C12-PR-Spn demonstrated superior clearance of bacteria from the spleen, liver, and kidneys of mice, infected with S. aureus ATCC 25923 compared to levofloxacin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikeshwer Prasad Dewangan
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
| | - Devesh Pratap Verma
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
| | - Neeraj Kumar Verma
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
| | - Ankit Gupta
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
| | - Garima Pant
- Electron Microscopy Unit, SAIF Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy Unit, SAIF Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Saman Habib
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
| | - Jimut Kanti Ghosh
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
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Serum Stable and Low Hemolytic Temporin-SHa Peptide Analogs Disrupt Cell Membrane of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2022; 14:391-405. [PMID: 35092568 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-022-09915-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) have attracted major attention due to their potential bio-activities against some multidrug resistant pathogens. The present study evaluated the mechanism of actions of highly potent AMP temporin-SHa analogs, i.e., [G4a]-SHa, [G7a]-SHa, and [G10a]-SHa, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) NCTC (13277) with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 14.35, 7.16, and 3.58 µM, respectively. These analogs exhibited significant anti-MRSA activity at physiological salt concentration, 30% fetal bovine serum, and 30% human serum. [G4a]-SHa and [G7a]-SHa were non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic to normal mouse fibroblast 3T3 cell and human Caco-2 cell line. Atomic force microscopy revealed that these analogs have profound effect on the morphological changes in MRSA surface with significant leakage of cell cytoplasmic content. Propidium iodide uptake kinetic assay and (bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol) DiBAC4(3) membrane depolarization assay demonstrated that these analogs display a membrane disrupting property, characterized by elevation of plasma membrane permeability and rapid transmembrane potential depolarization. [G10a]-SHa showed a significant anti-biofilm activity against biofilm forming S. aureus (ATCC 6538). Acute in vivo toxicity studies revealed that [G10a]-SHa possesses some toxic effect at 100-mg/kg dose. While [G4a]-SHa at 100 mg/kg, i.p. has no toxic effect even after 48 h, [G7a]-SHa also did not show any toxic effect at the dose of 100 mg/kg, i.p. during 24-h observation of animals. In conclusion, [G4a]-SHa, [G7a]-SHa, and [G10a]-SHa show improved activity against MRSA and stability compared to SHa peptide. Although highly potent, [G10a]-SHa, due to its hemolytic activity, might be more suitable for topical application, whereas [G4a]-SHa and [G7a]-SHa have potential to be used for systemic application.
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Tong X, Li J, Wei R, Gong L, Ji X, He T, Wang R. RW-BP100-4D, a Promising Antimicrobial Candidate With Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Activity. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:815980. [PMID: 35145500 PMCID: PMC8822125 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.815980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in bacteria from animal, animal-derived food and human clinic, it is of great significance to develop new approaches to combat the multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study presented a short linear antimicrobial peptide RW-BP100-4D, which was derived from RW-BP100 (RRLFRRILRWL-NH2) by transforming the N-terminal 4th amino acid from L- to D-enantiomer. This modification remarkably reduced the peptide cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, as indicated by hemolytic and cytotoxicity assays. Meanwhile, the antimicrobial activity of RW-BP100-4D was improved against a more variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (sensitive and resistant) as well as fungi. Also, RW-BP100-4D showed strong in vitro anti-biofilm activity in a concentration-dependent manner, including inhibition of the biofilm-formation and dispersion of the mature biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus. RW-BP100-4D could be efficiently uptaken by bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) cells to eliminate the intracellular S. aureus ATCC29213 and Salmonella enterica ATCC13076. Moreover, RW-BP100-4D was highly effective in food disinfection of multiple bacterial contamination (including S. aureus, Listeria monocytogenesis, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Campylobacter jejuni, S. enterica, and Shewanella putrefaction, 3.61 ± 0.063 log reduction) on chicken meat, and could kill 99.99% of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain in the mouse skin infection model. In summary, RW-BP100-4D is a promising antimicrobial candidate for application on food disinfection and local infection treatment. However, the protease-sensitivity of RW-BP100-4D and toxic effect at higher doses reduced the therapeutic effect of the candidate peptide in vivo and should be improved in the future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingqi Tong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruicheng Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Lan Gong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao He
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Tao He,
| | - Ran Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Ran Wang,
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Lohan S, Mandal D, Choi W, Konshina AG, Tiwari RK, Efremov RG, Maslennikov I, Parang K. Small Amphiphilic Peptides: Activity Against a Broad Range of Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Structural Insight into Membranolytic Properties. J Med Chem 2022; 65:665-687. [PMID: 34978443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the synthesis and antibacterial activities of a series of amphiphilic membrane-active peptides composed, in part, of various nongenetically coded hydrophobic amino acids. The lead cyclic peptides, 8C and 9C, showed broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant Gram-positive (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 1.5-6.2 μg/mL) and Gram-negative (MIC = 12.5-25 μg/mL) bacteria. The cytotoxicity study showed the predominant lethal action of the peptides against bacteria as compared with mammalian cells. A plasma stability study revealed approximately 2-fold higher stability of lead cyclic peptides as compared to their linear counterparts after 24 h of incubation. A calcein dye leakage experiment revealed the membranolytic effect of the cyclic peptides. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation studies of the interaction of the peptides with the phospholipid bilayer provided a solid structural basis to explain the membranolytic action of the peptides with atomistic details. These results highlight the potential of newly designed amphiphilic peptides as the next generation of peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Lohan
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States.,AJK Biopharmaceutical, 5270 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, United States
| | - Dindyal Mandal
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States.,AJK Biopharmaceutical, 5270 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, United States.,School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
| | - Wonsuk Choi
- Structural Biology Research Center, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Anastasia G Konshina
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Rakesh K Tiwari
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Roman G Efremov
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia.,National Research University Higher School of Economics, Myasnitskaya ul. 20, Moscow 101000, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, 141701 Moscow, Oblast, Russia
| | - Innokentiy Maslennikov
- Structural Biology Research Center, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Keykavous Parang
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618, United States
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23
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Czechowicz P, Neubauer D, Nowicka J, Kamysz W, Gościniak G. Antifungal Activity of Linear and Disulfide-Cyclized Ultrashort Cationic Lipopeptides Alone and in Combination with Fluconazole against Vulvovaginal Candida spp. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101589. [PMID: 34683882 PMCID: PMC8537571 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) occurs in over 75% of women at least once during their lifetime and is an infection that significantly affects their health. Candida strains resistant to standard azole antifungal therapy and relapses of VVC are more and more common. Hypothetically, biofilm is one of the main reasons of relapses and failure of the therapy. Ultrashort cationic lipopeptides (USCLs) exhibit high antimicrobial activities. Our previous study on USCLs revealed that disulfide cyclization can result in selective antifungal compounds. Therefore, four USCL were selected and their antifungal activity were studied on 62 clinical strains isolated from VVC. The results confirmed previous premises that cyclic analogs have increased selectivity between fungal cells and keratinocytes and improved anticandidal activity compared to their linear analogs against both planktonic and biofilm cultures. On the other hand, linear lipopeptides in combination with fluconazole showed a synergistic effect. It was found that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the tested compounds in combination with fluconazole were at least four times lower than when used separately. Our results indicate that combination therapy of VVC with USCLs and fluconazole at low non-toxic concentrations can be beneficial owing to the synergistic effect. However, further in vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Czechowicz
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, 51-368 Wrocław, Poland; (J.N.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-71-784-13-01
| | - Damian Neubauer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (D.N.); (W.K.)
| | - Joanna Nowicka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, 51-368 Wrocław, Poland; (J.N.); (G.G.)
| | - Wojciech Kamysz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (D.N.); (W.K.)
| | - Grażyna Gościniak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, 51-368 Wrocław, Poland; (J.N.); (G.G.)
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24
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Liu H, Yang N, Teng D, Mao R, Hao Y, Ma X, Wang X, Wang J. Fatty acid modified-antimicrobial peptide analogues with potent antimicrobial activity and topical therapeutic efficacy against Staphylococcus hyicus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:5845-5859. [PMID: 34319418 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to explore new antimicrobial agents due to the looming threat of bacteria resistance. Bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB), as a multifunctional peptide, has the potential to be a new active drug in the future. In this study, it aims to investigate the effect of fatty acid conjugation on antimicrobial peptide activity and topical therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model infected with Staphylococcus hyicus. Both Lfcin4 and Lfcin5 were conjugated with the unsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid (18-C) at their N-terminus and modified by acylation at the C-terminus. The derived peptides of Lin-Lf4NH2 and Lin-Lf5NH2 showed better antibacterial activity (MICs of 3.27 to 6.64 μM) than their parent peptides (MICs of 1.83 to 59.57 μM). Lin-Lf4NH2 (63.2%, 5 min) and Lin-Lf5NH2 (35.8%, 5 min) could more rapidly penetrate bacterial membrane than Lf4NH2 (2.34%, 5 min) and Lf5NH2 (1.94%, 5 min), which further confirmed by the laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Electron microscopy observations showed Lin-Lf4NH2 and Lin-Lf5NH2 disrupted S. hyicus cell membranes and led to the leakage of contents. Furthermore, after treatment with Lin-Lf4NH2 and Lin-Lf5NH2, the abscess symptoms of mice were significantly alleviated; the recovery rate of abscesses scope of Lin-Lf4NH2 (73.25%) and Lin-Lf5NH2 (71.71%) were 38.8 and 37.9-fold higher than that of untreated group (1.89%), respectively, and superior to Lf4NH2 (46.87%) and Lf5NH2 (58.75%). They significantly reduced the bacterial load and the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and chemokine (MCP-1) in S. hyicus skin lesions. This study provides evidence that conjugation of a fatty acid to antimicrobial peptides can improve the activity and have potential for topical therapeutic of S. hyicus skin infections. KEY POINTS: • Lin-Lfcin4NH2/Lfcin5NH2 showed stronger antimicrobial activity than parent peptides. • Lin-Lfcin4NH2/Lfcin5NH2 had a more effective ability to destroy bacterial membranes. • Lin-Lfcin4NH2/Lfcin5NH2 showed a topically higher efficacy than parent peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanxuan Ma
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Nasompag S, Siritongsuk P, Thammawithan S, Srichaiyapol O, Prangkio P, Camesano TA, Sinthuvanich C, Patramanon R. AFM Study of Nanoscale Membrane Perturbation Induced by Antimicrobial Lipopeptide C 14 KYR. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11070495. [PMID: 34208993 PMCID: PMC8307486 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11070495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lipopeptides have been extensively studied as potential antimicrobial agents. In this study, we focused on the C14-KYR lipopeptide, a modified version of the KYR tripeptide with myristic acid at the N-terminus. Here, membrane perturbation of live E. coli treated with the parent KYR and C14-KYR peptides was compared at the nanoscale level using AFM imaging. AFM analyses, including average cellular roughness and force spectroscopy, revealed the severe surface disruption mechanism of C14-KYR. A loss of surface roughness and changes in topographic features included membrane shrinkage, periplasmic membrane separation from the cell wall, and cytosolic leakage. Additional evidence from synchrotron radiation FTIR microspectroscopy (SR-FTIR) revealed a marked structural change in the membrane component after lipopeptide attack. The average roughness of the E. coli cell before and after treatment with C14-KYR was 129.2 ± 51.4 and 223.5 ± 14.1 nm, respectively. The average rupture force of the cell treated with C14-KYR was 0.16 nN, four times higher than that of the untreated cell. Our study demonstrates that the mechanistic effect of the lipopeptide against bacterial cells can be quantified through surface imaging and adhesion force using AFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawinee Nasompag
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetic Engineering, The Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (S.N.); (C.S.)
| | - Pawinee Siritongsuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Saengrawee Thammawithan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Oranee Srichaiyapol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Panchika Prangkio
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Terri A. Camesano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA;
| | - Chomdao Sinthuvanich
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetic Engineering, The Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (S.N.); (C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Rina Patramanon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (P.S.); (S.T.); (O.S.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Oliveras À, Moll L, Riesco-Llach G, Tolosa-Canudas A, Gil-Caballero S, Badosa E, Bonaterra A, Montesinos E, Planas M, Feliu L. D-Amino Acid-Containing Lipopeptides Derived from the Lead Peptide BP100 with Activity against Plant Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126631. [PMID: 34205705 PMCID: PMC8233901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
From a previous collection of lipopeptides derived from BP100, we selected 18 sequences in order to improve their biological profile. In particular, analogues containing a D-amino acid at position 4 were designed, prepared, and tested against plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The biological activity of these sequences was compared with that of the corresponding parent lipopeptides with all L-amino acids. In addition, the influence of the length of the hydrophobic chain on the biological activity was evaluated. Interestingly, the incorporation of a D-amino acid into lipopeptides bearing a butanoyl or a hexanoyl chain led to less hemolytic sequences and, in general, that were as active or more active than the corresponding all L-lipopeptides. The best lipopeptides were BP475 and BP485, both incorporating a D-Phe at position 4 and a butanoyl group, with MIC values between 0.8 and 6.2 µM, low hemolysis (0 and 24% at 250 µM, respectively), and low phytotoxicity. Characterization by NMR of the secondary structure of BP475 revealed that the D-Phe at position 4 disrupts the α-helix and that residues 6 to 10 are able to fold in an α-helix. This secondary structure would be responsible for the high antimicrobial activity and low hemolysis of this lipopeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Àngel Oliveras
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (À.O.); (G.R.-L.); (A.T.-C.)
| | - Luís Moll
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (L.M.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Gerard Riesco-Llach
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (À.O.); (G.R.-L.); (A.T.-C.)
| | - Arnau Tolosa-Canudas
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (À.O.); (G.R.-L.); (A.T.-C.)
| | - Sergio Gil-Caballero
- Serveis Tècnics de Recerca (NMR), Universitat de Girona, Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la UdG, Pic de Peguera 15, 17004 Girona, Spain;
| | - Esther Badosa
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (L.M.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Anna Bonaterra
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (L.M.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Emilio Montesinos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (L.M.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Marta Planas
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (À.O.); (G.R.-L.); (A.T.-C.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Lidia Feliu
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain; (À.O.); (G.R.-L.); (A.T.-C.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (L.F.)
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27
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Kakar A, Holzknecht J, Dubrac S, Gelmi ML, Romanelli A, Marx F. New Perspectives in the Antimicrobial Activity of the Amphibian Temporin B: Peptide Analogs Are Effective Inhibitors of Candida albicans Growth. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:457. [PMID: 34200504 PMCID: PMC8226839 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin B (TB) is a short, positively charged peptide secreted by the granular glands of the European frog Rana temporaria. While the antibacterial and antiviral efficacy of TB and some of its improved analogs are well documented, nothing is known about their antifungal potency so far. We dedicated this study to characterize the antifungal potential of the TB analog TB_KKG6K and the newly designed D-Lys_TB_KKG6K, the latter having the L-lysines replaced by the chiral counterpart D-lysines to improve its proteolytic stability. Both peptides inhibited the growth of opportunistic human pathogenic yeasts and killed planktonic and sessile cells of the most prevalent human pathogen, Candida albicans. The anti-yeast efficacy of the peptides coincided with the induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Their thermal, cation, pH and serum tolerance were similar, while the proteolytic stability of D-Lys_TB_KKG6K was superior to that of its template peptide. Importantly, both peptides lacked hemolytic activity and showed minimal in vitro cytotoxicity in primary human keratinocytes. The tolerance of both peptides in a reconstructed human epidermis model further supports their potential for topical application. Our results open up an exciting field of research for new anti-Candida therapeutic options based on amphibian TB analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Kakar
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Jeanett Holzknecht
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Sandrine Dubrac
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergy, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Maria Luisa Gelmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Romanelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
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28
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Zai Y, Xi X, Ye Z, Ma C, Zhou M, Chen X, Siu SWI, Chen T, Wang L, Kwok HF. Aggregation and Its Influence on the Bioactivities of a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide, Temporin-PF, and Its Analogues. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4509. [PMID: 33925935 PMCID: PMC8123395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporin is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) family discovered in the skin secretion of ranid frog that has become a promising alternative for conventional antibiotic therapy. Herein, a novel temporin peptide, Temporin-PF (TPF), was successfully identified from Pelophylax fukienensis. It exhibited potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but no effect on Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, TPF exhibited aggregation effects in different solutions. Three analogs were further designed to study the relationship between the aggregation patterns and bioactivities, and the MD simulation was performed for revealing the pattern of the peptide assembly. As the results showed, all peptides were able to aggregate in the standard culture media and salt solutions, especially CaCl2 and MgCl2 buffers, where the aggregation was affected by the concentration of the salts. MD simulation reported that all peptides were able to form oligomers. The parent peptide assembly depended on the hydrophobic interaction via the residues in the middle domain of the sequence. However, the substitution of Trp/D-Trp resulted in an enhanced inter-peptide interaction in the zipper-like domain and eliminated overall biological activities. Our study suggested that introducing aromaticity at the zipper-like domain for temporin may not improve the bioactivities, which might be related to the formation of aggregates via the inter-peptide contacts at the zipper-like motif domain, and it could reduce the binding affinity to the lipid membrane of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Univesidade, Taipa, Macau, China;
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Molecule, College of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jiangsu Second Normal University, Nanjing 210013, China
| | - Xinping Xi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Zhuming Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Shirley W. I. Siu
- Department of Computer and Information Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China;
| | - Tianbao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Z.Y.); (C.M.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (T.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Univesidade, Taipa, Macau, China;
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29
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Interactions of Linear Analogues of Battacin with Negatively Charged Lipid Membranes. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11030192. [PMID: 33801980 PMCID: PMC8001853 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11030192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The increasing resistance of bacteria to available antibiotics has stimulated the search for new antimicrobial compounds with less specific mechanisms of action. These include the ability to disrupt the structure of the cell membrane, which in turn leads to its damage. In this context, amphiphilic lipopeptides belong to the class of the compounds which may fulfill this requirement. In this paper, we describe two linear analogues of battacin with modified acyl chains to tune the balance between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portion of lipopeptides. We demonstrate that both compounds display antimicrobial activity with the lowest values of minimum inhibitory concentrations found for Gram-positive pathogens. Therefore, their mechanism of action was evaluated on a molecular level using model lipid films mimicking the membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. The surface pressure measurements revealed that both lipopeptides show ability to bind and incorporate into the lipid monolayers, resulting in decreased ordering of lipids and membrane fluidization. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging demonstrated that the exposure of the model bilayers to lipopeptides leads to a transition from the ordered gel phase to disordered liquid crystalline phase. This observation was confirmed by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) results, which revealed that lipopeptide action causes a substantial increase in the average tilt angle of lipid acyl chains with respect to the surface normal to compensate for lipopeptide insertion into the membrane. Moreover, the peptide moieties in both molecules do not adopt any well-defined secondary structure upon binding with the lipid membrane. It was also observed that a small difference in the structure of a lipophilic chain, altering the balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic portion of the molecules, results in different insertion depth of the active compounds.
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30
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Therapy of infected wounds: overcoming clinical challenges by advanced drug delivery systems. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:1545-1567. [PMID: 33611768 PMCID: PMC8236057 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of infected wounds is steadily increasing, and so is the clinical as well as economic interest in effective therapies. These combine reduction of pathogen load in the wound with general wound management to facilitate the healing process. The success of current therapies is challenged by harsh conditions in the wound microenvironment, chronicity, and biofilm formation, thus impeding adequate concentrations of active antimicrobials at the site of infection. Inadequate dosing accuracy of systemically and topically applied antibiotics is prone to promote development of antibiotic resistance, while in the case of antiseptics, cytotoxicity is a major problem. Advanced drug delivery systems have the potential to enable the tailor-made application of antimicrobials to the side of action, resulting in an effective treatment with negligible side effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of treatment options for the therapy of infected wounds. In this context, a special focus is set on delivery systems for antimicrobials ranging from semi-solid and liquid formulations over wound dressings to more advanced carriers such as nano-sized particulate systems, vesicular systems, electrospun fibers, and microneedles, which are discussed regarding their potential for effective therapy of wound infections. Further, established and novel models and analytical techniques for preclinical testing are introduced and a future perspective is provided. ![]()
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Koeninger L, Osbelt L, Berscheid A, Wendler J, Berger J, Hipp K, Lesker TR, Pils MC, Malek NP, Jensen BAH, Brötz-Oesterhelt H, Strowig T, Jan Wehkamp. Curbing gastrointestinal infections by defensin fragment modifications without harming commensal microbiota. Commun Biol 2021; 4:47. [PMID: 33420317 PMCID: PMC7794397 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence and spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens, especially bacteria from the ESKAPE panel, increases the risk to succumb to untreatable infections. We developed a novel antimicrobial peptide, Pam-3, with antibacterial and antibiofilm properties to counter this threat. The peptide is based on an eight-amino acid carboxyl-terminal fragment of human β-defensin 1. Pam-3 exhibited prominent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens and additionally eradicated already established biofilms in vitro, primarily by disrupting membrane integrity of its target cell. Importantly, prolonged exposure did not result in drug-resistance to Pam-3. In mouse models, Pam-3 selectively reduced acute intestinal Salmonella and established Citrobacter infections, without compromising the core microbiota, hence displaying an added benefit to traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics. In conclusion, our data support the development of defensin-derived antimicrobial agents as a novel approach to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria, where Pam-3 appears as a particularly promising microbiota-preserving candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Koeninger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Lisa Osbelt
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- ESF International Graduate School on Analysis, Imaging and Modelling of Neuronal and Inflammatory Processes, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anne Berscheid
- Department for Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Judith Wendler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Berger
- Max-Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Electron Microscopy, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Hipp
- Max-Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Electron Microscopy, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Till R Lesker
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marina C Pils
- Mouse Pathology and Histology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin A H Jensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Human Genomics and Metagenomics in Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heike Brötz-Oesterhelt
- Department for Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence - Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Till Strowig
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence - Resolving Infection Susceptibility, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Wehkamp
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence - Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany
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Zhong C, Zhang F, Zhu N, Zhu Y, Yao J, Gou S, Xie J, Ni J. Ultra-short lipopeptides against gram-positive bacteria while alleviating antimicrobial resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 212:113138. [PMID: 33422980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Facing the continuously urgent demands for novel antimicrobial agents since the growing emergence of bacterial resistance, a series of new ultra-short lipopeptides, composed of tryptophan and arginine and fatty acids, were de novo designed and synthesized in this study. Most of the new lipopeptides exhibited preferable antimicrobial potential against gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA clinical isolates. Among them, the new lipopeptides C14-R1 (C14-RWW-NH2) and C12-R2 (C12-RRW-NH2) presented higher selectivity to bacterial membranes over mammalian membranes and low cytotoxicity, which also maintained better antimicrobial activity in the presence of physiological salts or serum. Most importantly, C14-R1 and C12-R2 not only expressed low tendency of bacterial resistance, but also displayed synergistic antimicrobial activity against antibiotics-resistant bacteria when be used in combination with antibiotics. Especially, they could alleviate or reverse the ciprofloxacin resistance, implying an ideal anti-resistance function. Moreover, the new lipopeptides showed rapid killing kinetics, obvious effectiveness for persistent cells that escaped from antibiotics, and strong anti-biofilm ability, which further indicated a preferable anti-resistance ability. The typical non-receptor-mediated membrane mechanisms were characterized by LPS/LTA competitive inhibition, cytoplasmic membrane depolarization, PI uptake assay and scanning electron microscopy analyses systematically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays supplemented their intracellular targets in the meanwhile. In addition to the remarkable antimicrobial activity in vivo, the new lipopeptides also displayed significant anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. To sum up, the new lipopeptides C14-R1 and C12-R2 viewed as novel antimicrobial alternatives for tackling the impending crisis of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ningyi Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuewen Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jia Yao
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macao 999078, China.
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Benfield AH, Henriques ST. Mode-of-Action of Antimicrobial Peptides: Membrane Disruption vs. Intracellular Mechanisms. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:610997. [PMID: 35047892 PMCID: PMC8757789 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.610997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are an attractive alternative to traditional antibiotics, due to their physicochemical properties, activity toward a broad spectrum of bacteria, and mode-of-actions distinct from those used by current antibiotics. In general, antimicrobial peptides kill bacteria by either disrupting their membrane, or by entering inside bacterial cells to interact with intracellular components. Characterization of their mode-of-action is essential to improve their activity, avoid resistance in bacterial pathogens, and accelerate their use as therapeutics. Here we review experimental biophysical tools that can be employed with model membranes and bacterial cells to characterize the mode-of-action of antimicrobial peptides.
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Neubauer D, Jaśkiewicz M, Sikorska E, Bartoszewska S, Bauer M, Kapusta M, Narajczyk M, Kamysz W. Effect of Disulfide Cyclization of Ultrashort Cationic Lipopeptides on Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7208. [PMID: 33003569 PMCID: PMC7582905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrashort cationic lipopeptides (USCLs) are considered to be a promising class of antimicrobials with high activity against a broad-spectrum of microorganisms. However, the majority of these compounds are characterized by significant toxicity toward human cells, which hinders their potential application. To overcome those limitations, several approaches have been advanced. One of these is disulfide cyclization that has been shown to improve drug-like characteristics of peptides. In this article the effect of disulfide cyclization of the polar head of N-palmitoylated USCLs on in vitro biological activity has been studied. Lipopeptides used in this study consisted of three or four basic amino acids (lysine and arginine) and cystine in a cyclic peptide. In general, disulfide cyclization of the lipopeptides resulted in peptides with reduced cytotoxicity. Disulfide-cyclized USCLs exhibited improved selectivity between Candida sp., Gram-positive strains and normal cells in contrast to their linear counterparts. Interactions between selected USCLs and membranes were studied by molecular dynamics simulations using a coarse-grained force field. Moreover, membrane permeabilization properties and kinetics were examined. Fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to Candida cell membrane and organelles. Concluding, USCLs are strong membrane disruptors and disulfide cyclization of polar head can have a beneficial effect on its in vitro selectivity between Candida sp. and normal human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Neubauer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.J.); (S.B.); (M.B.); (W.K.)
| | - Maciej Jaśkiewicz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.J.); (S.B.); (M.B.); (W.K.)
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Bartoszewska
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.J.); (S.B.); (M.B.); (W.K.)
| | - Marta Bauer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.J.); (S.B.); (M.B.); (W.K.)
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Kamysz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.J.); (S.B.); (M.B.); (W.K.)
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Functional Characterization of Temporin-SHe, a New Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial and Leishmanicidal Temporin-SH Paralog from the Sahara Frog ( Pelophylax saharicus). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186713. [PMID: 32933215 PMCID: PMC7555312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin is a promising natural resource for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), key effectors of innate immunity with attractive therapeutic potential to fight antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Our previous studies showed that the skin of the Sahara Frog (Pelophylax saharicus) contains broad-spectrum AMPs of the temporin family, named temporins-SH. Here, we focused our study on temporin-SHe, a temporin-SHd paralog that we have previously identified in this frog but was never structurally and functionally characterized. We synthesized and determined the structure of temporin-SHe. This non-amphipathic α-helical peptide was demonstrated to strongly destabilize the lipid chain packing of anionic multilamellar vesicles mimicking bacterial membranes. Investigation of the antimicrobial activity revealed that temporin-SHe targets Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including clinical isolates of multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Temporin-SHe exhibited also antiparasitic activity toward different Leishmania species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, as well as cutaneous and mucocutaneous forms. Functional assays revealed that temporin-SHe exerts bactericidal effects with membrane depolarization and permeabilization, via a membranolytic mechanism observed by scanning electron microscopy. Temporin-SHe represents a new member of the very limited group of antiparasitic temporins/AMPs. Despite its cytotoxicity, it is nevertheless an interesting tool to study the AMP antiparasitic mechanism and design new antibacterial/antiparasitic agents.
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Topman-Rakover S, Malach E, Burdman S, Hayouka Z. Antibacterial lipo-random peptide mixtures exhibit high selectivity and synergistic interactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:12053-12056. [PMID: 32902531 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc04493h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Random peptide mixtures (RPMs) have been recently proposed as powerful antimicrobial compounds. These are unique mixtures of peptides synthesized by random combination of a cationic and a hydrophobic amino acid. Here, we introduce a new type of antimicrobial compounds, short lipo-RPMs, which result from N-palmitoylation of RPMs. We report the characterization of 5-mer lipo-RPMs containing l-phenylalanine and d-lysine, named p-FdK5. p-FdK5 had high antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains and was able to reduce disease severity caused by a plant pathogen. We further synthesized and studied all 32 (25) possible lipopeptides that compose the p-FdK5 mixture. We showed that the antibacterial activity of specific lipopeptides depends on the peptide hydrophobicity and on the location of the hydrophobic amino acids relative to the palmitic acid. Interestingly, synergism assays revealed positive interactions between different sequence-specific lipopeptides in terms of antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiri Topman-Rakover
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
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Bhattacharjya S, Straus SK. Design, Engineering and Discovery of Novel α-Helical and β-Boomerang Antimicrobial Peptides against Drug Resistant Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165773. [PMID: 32796755 PMCID: PMC7460851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In an era where the pipeline of new antibiotic development is drying up, the continuous rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) bacteria are genuine threats to human health. Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may serve as promising leads against drug resistant bacteria, only a few AMPs are in advanced clinical trials. The limitations of AMPs, namely their low in vivo activity, toxicity, and poor bioavailability, need to be addressed. Here, we review engineering of frog derived short α-helical AMPs (aurein, temporins) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding designed β-boomerang AMPs for further development. The discovery of novel cell selective AMPs from the human proprotein convertase furin is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surajit Bhattacharjya
- School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Suzana K. Straus
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.K.S.)
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Sharma D, Singh SS, Baindara P, Sharma S, Khatri N, Grover V, Patil PB, Korpole S. Surfactin Like Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Lipopeptide Co-produced With Sublancin From Bacillus subtilis Strain A52: Dual Reservoir of Bioactives. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1167. [PMID: 32595619 PMCID: PMC7300217 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
An antimicrobial substance producing strain designated as A52 was isolated from a marine sediment sample and identified as Bacillus sp., based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The ANI and dDDH analysis of the genome sequence displayed high identity with two strains of B. subtilis sub sp. subtilis. Strain A52 yielded two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that differed in activity spectrum. MALDI mass spectrometry analysis of HPLC purified fractions revealed mass of peptides as 3881.6 and 1061.9 Da. The antiSMASH analysis of genome sequence unraveled presence of identical biosynthetic cluster involved in production of sublancin from B. subtilis sub sp. subtilis strain 168, which yielded peptide with identical mass. The low molecular weight peptide is found to be a cyclic lipopeptide containing C16 β-hydroxy fatty acid that resembled surfactin-like group of biosurfactants. However, it differed in fatty acid composition and antimicrobial spectrum in comparison to other surfactins produced by strains of B. subtilis. It exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity, inhibited growth of pathogenic strains of Candida and filamentous fungi. Further, it exhibited hemolytic activity, but did not show phytotoxic effect in seed germination experiment. The emulgel formulation of surfactin-like lipopeptide showed antimicrobial activity in vitro and did not show any irritation effects in animal studies using BALB/c mice. Moreover, surfactin-like lipopeptide displayed synergistic activity with fluconazole against Candida, indicating its potential for external therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shelley Sardul Singh
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Piyush Baindara
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shikha Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neeraj Khatri
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vishakha Grover
- Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Prabhu B Patil
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Suresh Korpole
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
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Qi R, Zhang N, Zhang P, Zhao H, Liu J, Cui J, Xiang J, Han Y, Wang S, Wang Y. Gemini Peptide Amphiphiles with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity and Potent Antibiofilm Capacity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:17220-17229. [PMID: 32193931 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c01167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To address the challenge from microbial resistance and biofilm, this work develops three gemini peptide amphiphiles with basic tetrapeptide spacers 12-(Arg)4-12, 12-(Lys)4-12, and 12-(His)4-12 and finds that they exhibit varied antimicrobial/antibiofilm activities. 12-(Arg)4-12 shows the best performance, possessing the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and excellent antibiofilm capacity. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities strongly depend on the membrane permeation and self-assembling structure of these peptide amphiphiles. Gemini peptide amphiphile with highly polar arginine as the spacer, 12-(Arg)4-12, self-assembles into short rods that are prone to dissociate into monomers for permeating and lysing membrane , leading to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high efficiency in eradicating biofilm. Long rods formed by relatively weaker polar 12-(Lys)4-12 are less prone to disassemble into monomers for further membrane permeation, which makes it selectively kill more negatively charged bacteria and endow it medium antibiofilm activity. Low polar 12-(His)4-12 aggregates into long fibers, which are very difficult to dissociate and they mainly electrostatically bind on the negative microbial surface, resulting in its weakest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. This study reveals the effect of the antimicrobial peptide structure and aggregation on the antimicrobial activities and would be helpful for developing high-efficient antimicrobial peptides with antibiofilm activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilian Qi
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Pengbo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jie Cui
- Center for Analysis and Testing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Junfeng Xiang
- Center for Analysis and Testing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yuchun Han
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yilin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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40
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Crépin A, Jégou JF, André S, Ecale F, Croitoru A, Cantereau A, Berjeaud JM, Ladram A, Verdon J. In vitro and intracellular activities of frog skin temporins against Legionella pneumophila and its eukaryotic hosts. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3978. [PMID: 32132569 PMCID: PMC7055270 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60829-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin-SHa (SHa) is a small cationic host defence peptide (HDP) produced in skin secretions of the Sahara frog Pelophylax saharicus. This peptide has a broad-spectrum activity, efficiently targeting bacteria, parasites and viruses. Noticeably, SHa has demonstrated an ability to kill Leishmania infantum parasites (amastigotes) within macrophages. Recently, an analog of SHa with an increased net positive charge, named [K3]SHa, has been designed to improve those activities. SHa and [K3]SHa were both shown to exhibit leishmanicidal activity mainly by permeabilization of cell membranes but could also induce apoptotis-like death. Temporins are usually poorly active against Gram-negative bacteria whereas many of these species are of public health interest. Among them, Legionella pneumophila, the etiological agent of Legionnaire’s disease, is of major concern. Indeed, this bacterium adopts an intracellular lifestyle and replicate inside alveolar macrophages likewise inside its numerous protozoan hosts. Despite several authors have studied the antimicrobial activity of many compounds on L. pneumophila released from host cells, nothing is known about activity on intracellular L. pneumophila within their hosts, and subsequently mechanisms of action that could be involved. Here, we showed for the first time that SHa and [K3]SHa were active towards several species of Legionella. Both peptides displayed bactericidal activity and caused a loss of the bacterial envelope integrity leading to a rapid drop in cell viability. Regarding amoebae and THP-1-derived macrophages, SHa was less toxic than [K3]SHa and exhibited low half maximal lethal concentrations (LC50). When used at non-toxic concentration (6.25 µM), SHa killed more than 90% L. pneumophila within amoebae and around 50% within macrophages. Using SHa labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5, we showed an evenly diffusion within cells except in vacuoles. Moreover, SHa was able to enter the nucleus of amoebae and accumulate in the nucleolus. This subcellular localization seemed specific as macrophages nucleoli remained unlabeled. Finally, no modifications in the expression of cytokines and HDPs were recorded when macrophages were treated with 6.25 µM SHa. By combining all data, we showed that temporin-SHa decreases the intracellular L. pneumophila load within amoebae and macrophages without being toxic for eukaryotic cells. This peptide was also able to reach the nucleolus of amoebae but was not capable to penetrate inside vacuoles. These data are in favor of an indirect action of SHa towards intracellular Legionella and make this peptide a promising template for further developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Crépin
- Laboratoire Ecologie & Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France
| | - Jean-François Jégou
- Laboratoire Inflammation, Tissus Epithéliaux et Cytokines, UPRES EA4331, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France
| | - Sonia André
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, BIOSIPE, F-75252, Paris, France
| | - Florine Ecale
- Laboratoire Ecologie & Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France
| | - Anastasia Croitoru
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, INSERM U1182 - CNRS UMR7645, Ecole polytechnique, 91128, PALAISEAU, Cedex, France
| | - Anne Cantereau
- Laboratoire Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France
| | - Jean-Marc Berjeaud
- Laboratoire Ecologie & Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France
| | - Ali Ladram
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, BIOSIPE, F-75252, Paris, France
| | - Julien Verdon
- Laboratoire Ecologie & Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 1 Rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, 86073, POITIERS, Cedex 9, France.
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Lesson from Ecotoxicity: Revisiting the Microbial Lipopeptides for the Management of Emerging Diseases for Crop Protection. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041434. [PMID: 32102264 PMCID: PMC7068399 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms area treasure in terms of theproduction of various bioactive compounds which are being explored in different arenas of applied sciences. In agriculture, microbes and their bioactive compounds are being utilized in growth promotion and health promotion withnutrient fortification and its acquisition. Exhaustive explorations are unraveling the vast diversity of microbialcompounds with their potential usage in solving multiferous problems incrop production. Lipopeptides are one of such microbial compounds which havestrong antimicrobial properties against different plant pathogens. These compounds are reported to be produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and few other microorganisms; however, genus Bacillus alone produces a majority of diverse lipopeptides. Lipopeptides are low molecular weight compounds which havemultiple industrial roles apart from being usedas biosurfactants and antimicrobials. In plant protection, lipopeptides have wide prospects owing totheirpore-forming ability in pathogens, siderophore activity, biofilm inhibition, and dislodging activity, preventing colonization bypathogens, antiviral activity, etc. Microbes with lipopeptides that haveall these actions are good biocontrol agents. Exploring these antimicrobial compounds could widen the vistasof biological pest control for existing and emerging plant pathogens. The broader diversity and strong antimicrobial behavior of lipopeptides could be a boon for dealing withcomplex pathosystems and controlling diseases of greater economic importance. Understanding which and how these compounds modulate the synthesis and production of defense-related biomolecules in the plants is a key question—the answer of whichneeds in-depth investigation. The present reviewprovides a comprehensive picture of important lipopeptides produced by plant microbiome, their isolation, characterization, mechanisms of disease control, behavior against phytopathogens to understand different aspects of antagonism, and potential prospects for future explorations as antimicrobial agents. Understanding and exploring the antimicrobial lipopeptides from bacteria and fungi could also open upan entire new arena of biopesticides for effective control of devastating plant diseases.
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Topical antimicrobial peptide formulations for wound healing: Current developments and future prospects. Acta Biomater 2020; 103:52-67. [PMID: 31874224 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the natural antibiotics recognized for their potent antibacterial and wound healing properties. Bare AMPs have limited activity following topical application attributable to their susceptibility to environment (hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis), and wound (alkaline pH, proteolysis) related factors as well as minimal residence time. Therefore, the formulation of AMPs is essential to enhance stability, prolong delivery, and optimize effectiveness at the wound site. Different topical formulations of AMPs have been developed so far including nanoparticles, hydrogels, creams, ointments, and wafers to aid in controlling bacterial infection and enhance wound healing process in vivo. Herein, an overview is provided of the AMPs and current understanding of their formulations for topical wound healing applications along with suitable examples. Furthermore, future prospects for the development of effective combination AMP formulations are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic wound infection and subsequent development of antibiotic resistance are serious clinical problems affecting millions of people worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess great potential in effectively killing the bacteria with minimal risk of resistance development. However, AMPs susceptibility to degradation following topical application limits their antimicrobial and wound healing effects. Therefore, development of an optimized topical formulation with high peptide stability and sustained AMP delivery is necessary to maximize the antimicrobial and wound healing effects. The present review provides an overview of the state-of-art in the field of topical AMP formulations for wound healing. Current developments in the field of topical AMP formulations are reviewed and future prospects for the development of effective combination AMP formulations are discussed.
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Ultrashort Cationic Lipopeptides-Effect of N-Terminal Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Type on Antimicrobial Activity and Hemolysis. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25020257. [PMID: 31936341 PMCID: PMC7024302 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrashort cationic lipopeptides (USCLs) are promising antimicrobial agents that hypothetically may be alternatively used to combat pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. In general, USCLs consist of fatty acid chains and a few basic amino acid residues. The main shortcoming of USCLs is their relatively high cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. This study focuses on the impact of the hydrophobic fatty acid chain, on both antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. To learn more about this region, a series of USCLs with different straight-chain fatty acids (C8, C10, C12, C14) attached to the tripeptide with two arginine residues were synthesized. The amino acid at the N-terminal position was exchanged for proteinogenic and non-proteinogenic amino acid residues (24 in total). Moreover, the branched fatty acid residues were conjugated to N-terminus of a dipeptide with two arginine residues. All USCLs had C-terminal amides. USCLs were tested against reference bacterial strains (including ESKAPE group) and Candida albicans. The hemolytic potential was tested on human erythrocytes. Hydrophobicity of the compounds was evaluated by RP-HPLC. Shortening of the fatty acid chain and simultaneous addition of amino acid residue at N-terminus were expected to result in more selective and active compounds than those of the reference lipopeptides with similar lipophilicity. Hypothetically, this approach would also be beneficial to other antimicrobial peptides where N-lipidation strategy was used to improve their biological characteristics.
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Islam MO, Palit P, Shawon J, Hasan MK, Mahmud A, Mahfuz M, Ahmed T, Mondal D. Exploring novel therapeutic strategies against vivax malaria through an integrated computational investigation to inhibit the merozoite surface protein−1 of Plasmodium vivax. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2020.100471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Wu PS, Lai SJ, Fung KM, Tseng TS. Characterization of the structure–function relationship of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12. RSC Adv 2020; 10:23624-23631. [PMID: 35517355 PMCID: PMC9054785 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04299d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates in designing new anti-infective agents. However, many AMPs show poor bactericidal activities in physical salt and serum solutions. Here, we disclosed the structure–function relationships of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12, which could further explain its mode of action and show its applicability in developing new antibacterial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates in designing new anti-infective agents.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Sheng Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics
- Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
- New Taipei
| | - Shu-Jung Lai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 115
- Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Kit-Man Fung
- Institute of Biological Chemistry
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 115
- Taiwan
| | - Tien-Sheng Tseng
- Institute of Molecular Biology
- National Chung Hsing University
- Taichung
- Taiwan
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Paduszynska MA, Maciejewska M, Neubauer D, Golacki K, Szymukowicz M, Bauer M, Kamysz W. Influence of Short Cationic Lipopeptides with Fatty Acids of Different Chain Lengths on Bacterial Biofilms Formed on Polystyrene and Hydrogel Surfaces. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E506. [PMID: 31581500 PMCID: PMC6835763 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11100506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, biomaterials are applied in many different branches of medicine. They significantly improve the patients' comfort and quality of life, but also constitute a significant risk factor for biofilm-associated infections. Currently, intensive research on the development of novel materials resistant to microbial colonization as well as new compounds that are active against biofilms is being carried out. Within this research, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their analogues are being intensively investigated due to their promising antimicrobial activities. The main goal of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of short cationic lipopeptides that were designed to imitate the features of AMPs responsible for antimicrobial activities: positive net charge and amphipacity. The positive charge of the molecules results from the presence of basic amino acid residues: arginine and lysine. Amphipacity is provided by the introduction of decanoic, dodecanoic, tetradecanoic, and hexadecanoic acid chains to the molecules. Lipopeptides (C16-KR-NH2, C16-KKK-NH2, C16-KKC-NH2, C16-KGK-NH2, C14-KR-NH2, C14-KKC-NH2, C12-KR-NH2, C12-KKC-NH2, and (C10)2-KKKK-NH2) were synthesized using a novel solid-phase temperature-assisted methodology. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs), and minimum biofilm formation inhibitory concentrations (MBFICs) were determined for the following bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, and Proteus mirabilis PCM 543. The biofilms were cultured on two types of surfaces: polystyrene plates (PS) and contact lenses (CL). The lipopeptides exhibited the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria in a liquid medium as well as on the PS and CL. The compounds also eliminated the bacterial biofilm from the surface of both materials. In general, the activity against gram-positive bacteria was stronger in comparison to that against gram-negative strains. There were certain discrepancies between the activity of compounds against the biofilm cultured on PS and CL. This was especially noticeable for staphylococci-the lipopeptides presented much higher activity against biofilm formed on the PS surface. It is worth noting that the obtained MBEC values for lipopeptides were usually only a few times higher than the MICs. The results of the performed experiments suggest that further studies on lipopeptides and their potential application in the treatment and prophylaxis of biofilm-associated infections should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Anna Paduszynska
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Maciejewska
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
- Pharmaceutical Laboratory Avena Sp. z.o.o., 86-031 Osielsko, Poland.
| | - Damian Neubauer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Golacki
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Szymukowicz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Marta Bauer
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Kamysz
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland.
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Doyle N, Mbandlwa P, Kelly WJ, Attwood G, Li Y, Ross RP, Stanton C, Leahy S. Use of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Reduce Methane Production in Ruminants, a Critical Review. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2207. [PMID: 31632365 PMCID: PMC6781651 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric fermentation in ruminants is the single largest anthropogenic source of agricultural methane and has a significant role in global warming. Consequently, innovative solutions to reduce methane emissions from livestock farming are required to ensure future sustainable food production. One possible approach is the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Gram positive bacteria that produce lactic acid as a major end product of carbohydrate fermentation. LAB are natural inhabitants of the intestinal tract of mammals and are among the most important groups of microorganisms used in food fermentations. LAB can be readily isolated from ruminant animals and are currently used on-farm as direct-fed microbials (DFMs) and as silage inoculants. While it has been proposed that LAB can be used to reduce methane production in ruminant livestock, so far research has been limited, and convincing animal data to support the concept are lacking. This review has critically evaluated the current literature and provided a comprehensive analysis and summary of the potential use and mechanisms of LAB as a methane mitigation strategy. It is clear that although there are some promising results, more research is needed to identify whether the use of LAB can be an effective methane mitigation option for ruminant livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Doyle
- Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Graeme Attwood
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Yang Li
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - R. Paul Ross
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sinead Leahy
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Lee H, Lim SI, Shin SH, Lim Y, Koh JW, Yang S. Conjugation of Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Antimicrobial Peptides Enhances Antibacterial Activity. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:15694-15701. [PMID: 31572872 PMCID: PMC6761801 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), essential elements in host innate immune defenses against numerous pathogens, have received considerable attention as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Most AMPs exert broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity through depolarization and permeabilization of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Here, we introduce a new approach for enhancing the antibiotic activity of AMPs by conjugation of a cationic cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). Interestingly, CPP-conjugated AMPs elicited only a 2- to 4-fold increase in antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but showed a 4- to 16-fold increase in antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Although CPP-AMP conjugates did not significantly increase membrane permeability, they efficiently translocated across a lipid bilayer. Indeed, confocal microscopy showed that, while AMPs were localized mainly in the membrane of Escherichia coli, the conjugates readily penetrated bacterial cells. In addition, the conjugates exhibited a higher affinity for DNA than unconjugated AMPs. Collectively, we demonstrate that CPP-AMP conjugates possess multiple functional properties, including membrane permeabilization, membrane translocation, and DNA binding, which are involved in their enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. We propose that conjugation of CPPs to AMPs may present an effective approach for the development of novel antimicrobials against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunhee Lee
- Department
of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National
University, Busan 48513, South Korea
| | - Sung-Heui Shin
- Department
of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Immunology, and Department of
Ophthalmology, Chosun University College
of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
| | - Yong Lim
- Department
of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Immunology, and Department of
Ophthalmology, Chosun University College
of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
| | - Jae Woong Koh
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Immunology, and Department of
Ophthalmology, Chosun University College
of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
| | - Sungtae Yang
- Department
of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Immunology, and Department of
Ophthalmology, Chosun University College
of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
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49
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Fischer D, Gessner G, Fill TP, Barnett R, Tron K, Dornblut K, Kloss F, Stallforth P, Hube B, Heinemann SH, Hertweck C, Scherlach K, Brunke S. Disruption of Membrane Integrity by the Bacterium-Derived Antifungal Jagaricin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:e00707-19. [PMID: 31235622 PMCID: PMC6709453 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00707-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Jagaricin is a lipopeptide produced by the bacterial mushroom pathogen Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosum, the causative agent of mushroom soft rot disease. Apart from causing lesions in mushrooms, jagaricin is a potent antifungal active against human-pathogenic fungi. We show that jagaricin acts by impairing membrane integrity, resulting in a rapid flux of ions, including Ca2+, into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, the calcineurin pathway is required for jagaricin tolerance in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans Transcriptional profiling of pathogenic yeasts further revealed that jagaricin triggers cell wall strengthening, general shutdown of membrane potential-driven transport, and the upregulation of lipid transporters, linking cell envelope integrity to jagaricin action and resistance. Whereas jagaricin shows hemolytic effects, it exhibited either no or low plant toxicity at concentrations at which the growth of prevalent phytopathogenic fungi is inhibited. Therefore, jagaricin may have potential for agricultural applications. The action of jagaricin as a membrane-disrupting antifungal is promising but would require modifications for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fischer
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Guido Gessner
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Taicia Pacheco Fill
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Robert Barnett
- Junior Research Group Chemistry of Microbial Communication, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Kyrylo Tron
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Katharina Dornblut
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Florian Kloss
- Transfer Group Antiinfectives, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Pierre Stallforth
- Junior Research Group Chemistry of Microbial Communication, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan H Heinemann
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
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50
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Nguyen VP, Dixson AC, Barrera FN. The Effect of Phosphatidylserine on a pH-Responsive Peptide Is Defined by Its Noninserting End. Biophys J 2019; 117:659-667. [PMID: 31400916 PMCID: PMC6712489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The acidity-triggered rational membrane (ATRAM) peptide was designed to target acidic diseases such as cancer. An acidic extracellular medium, such as that found in aggressive tumors, drives the protonation of the glutamic acids in ATRAM, leading to the membrane translocation of its C-terminus and the formation of a transmembrane helix. Compared to healthy cells, cancerous cells often increase exposure of the negatively charged phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Here we use a reconstituted vesicle system to explore how PS influences the interaction of ATRAM with membranes. To explore this, we used two new variants of ATRAM, termed K2-ATRAM and Y-ATRAM, with small modifications at the noninserting N-terminus. We observed that the effect of PS on the membrane insertion pK and lipid partitioning hinged on the sequence of the noninserting end. Our data additionally indicate that the effect of PS on the insertion pK does not merely depend on electrostatics, but it is multifactorial. Here we show how small sequence changes can impact the interaction of a peptide with membranes of mixed lipid composition. These data illustrate how model studies using neutral bilayers, which do not mimic the negative charge found in the plasma membrane of cancer cells, may fail to capture important aspects of the interaction of anticancer peptides with tumor cells. This information can guide the design of therapeutic peptides that target the acidic environments of different diseased tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa P Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Andrew C Dixson
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
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