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Radhakrishnan N, Kumar SD, Shin SY, Yang S. Enhancing Selective Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Melittin through 6-Aminohexanoic Acid Substitution. Biomolecules 2024; 14:699. [PMID: 38927102 PMCID: PMC11201590 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060699] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leucine residues are commonly found in the hydrophobic face of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and are crucial for membrane permeabilization, leading to the cell death of invading pathogens. Melittin, which contains four leucine residues, demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties but also significant cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. To enhance the cell selectivity of melittin, this study synthesized five analogs by replacing leucine with its structural isomer, 6-aminohexanoic acid. Among these analogs, Mel-LX3 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Importantly, Mel-LX3 displayed significantly reduced hemolytic and cytotoxic effects compared to melittin. Mechanistic studies, including membrane depolarization, SYTOX green uptake, FACScan analysis, and inner/outer membrane permeation assays, demonstrated that Mel-LX3 effectively permeabilized bacterial membranes similar to melittin. Notably, Mel-LX3 showed robust antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA). Furthermore, Mel-LX3 effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated existing biofilms of MDRPA. With its improved selective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, Mel-LX3 emerges as a promising candidate for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. We propose that the substitution of leucine with 6-aminohexanoic acid in AMPs represents a significant strategy for combating resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveenkumar Radhakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea; (N.R.); (S.D.K.)
| | - Sukumar Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea; (N.R.); (S.D.K.)
| | - Song-Yub Shin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sungtae Yang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
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Mini-αA-Crystallin Stifled Melittin-Induced Haemolysis and Lymphocyte Lysis. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-023-10502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
AbstractMelittin, the most potent pharmacological ingredient of honey bee venom, induces haemolysis, lymphocyte lysis, long-term pain, localised inflammation, and hyperalgesia. In this study, efforts were made to subdue the melittin’s ill effects using a chaperone peptide called ‘mini-αA-crystallin’ (MAC) derived from eye lens αA-crystallin. Haemolytic test on human red blood cells, percentage viability, and DNA diffusion assay on Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) were performed with melittin in the presence or absence of MAC. Propidium iodide and Annexin V-FITC dual staining were performed to analyse quantitative levels of necrotic and apoptotic induction by melittin in the presence or absence of MAC on HPBLs using a flow cytometer. A computational study to find out the interactions between MAC and melittin was undertaken by modelling the structure of MAC using a PEP-FOLD server. The result showed that MAC inhibited melittin-induced lysis in nucleated (lymphocytes) and enucleated (RBC) cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a substantial increase in the necrotic and late apoptotic cells after treating HPBLs with melittin (4 µg/ml) for 24 h. Treatment with MAC at a 2:1 molar ratio prevented HPBLs from developing melittin-induced necrosis and late apoptosis. In the docking study, hydrogen, van der Waals, π-π stacking, and salt bridges were observed between the MAC and melittin complex, confirming a strong interaction between them. The MAC-melittin complex was stable during molecular dynamics simulation. These findings may be beneficial in developing a medication for treating severe cases of honeybee stings.
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Kanemitsu S, Morita K, Tominaga Y, Nishimura K, Yashiro T, Sakurai H, Yamamoto Y, Kurisaki I, Tanaka S, Matsui M, Ooya T, Tamura A, Maruyama T. Inhibition of Melittin Activity Using a Small Molecule with an Indole Ring. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:5793-5802. [PMID: 35913127 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c03595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We investigated d-amino acids as potential inhibitors targeting l-peptide toxins. Among the l- and d-amino acids tested, we found that d-tryptophan (d-Trp) acted as an inhibitor of melittin-induced hemolysis. We then evaluated various Trp derivatives and found that 5-chlorotryptamine (5CT) had the largest inhibitory effect on melittin. The indole ring, amino group, and steric hindrance of an inhibitor played important roles in the inhibition of melittin activity. Despite the small size and simple molecular structure of 5CT, its IC50 was approximately 13 μg/mL. Fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism measurements, and size-exclusion chromatography revealed that 5CT interacted with Trp19 in melittin and affected the formation of the melittin tetramer involved in hemolysis. Molecular dynamics simulation of melittin also indicated that the interaction of 5CT with Trp19 in melittin affected the formation of the tetramer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuki Kanemitsu
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Kenta Morita
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yudai Tominaga
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Kanon Nishimura
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yashiro
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Haruka Sakurai
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yumemi Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kurisaki
- Department of Computational Science, Graduate School of System Informatics, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Shigenori Tanaka
- Department of Computational Science, Graduate School of System Informatics, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Masaki Matsui
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tooru Ooya
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Atsuo Tamura
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Maruyama
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.,Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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Jamasbi E, Ciccotosto GD, Tailhades J, Robins-Browne RM, Ugalde CL, Sharples RA, Patil N, Wade JD, Hossain MA, Separovic F. Site of fluorescent label modifies interaction of melittin with live cells and model membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:2031-9. [PMID: 26051124 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of membrane disruption by melittin (MLT) of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and live cells was studied using fluorescence microscopy and two fluorescent synthetic analogues of MLT. The N-terminus of one of these was acylated with thiopropionic acid to enable labeling with maleimido-AlexaFluor 430 to study the interaction of MLT with live cells. It was compared with a second analogue labeled at P14C. The results indicated that the fluorescent peptides adhered to the membrane bilayer of phosphatidylcholine GUVs and inserted into the plasma membrane of HeLa cells. Fluorescence and light microscopy revealed changes in cell morphology after exposure to MLT peptides and showed bleb formation in the plasma membrane of HeLa cells. However, the membrane disruptive effect was dependent upon the location of the fluorescent label on the peptide and was greater when MLT was labeled at the N-terminus. Proline at position 14 appeared to be important for antimicrobial activity, hemolysis and cytotoxicity, but not essential for cell membrane disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Jamasbi
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Julien Tailhades
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Roy M Robins-Browne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cathryn L Ugalde
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Robyn A Sharples
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nitin Patil
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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Jamasbi E, Batinovic S, Sharples RA, Sani MA, Robins-Browne RM, Wade JD, Separovic F, Hossain MA. Melittin peptides exhibit different activity on different cells and model membranes. Amino Acids 2014; 46:2759-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1833-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ningsih Z, Hossain MA, Wade JD, Clayton AHA, Gee ML. Slow insertion kinetics during interaction of a model antimicrobial peptide with unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012; 28:2217-2224. [PMID: 22148887 DOI: 10.1021/la203770j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of interaction between a model antimicrobial peptide and phospholipid unilamellar vesicle membranes was studied using fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime measurements, and light scattering. The peptide, a mellitin mutant, was labeled at position K14 with the polarity-sensitive probe AlexaFluor 430. The kinetics of the interaction of this derivative with various concentrations of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles was examined. Our work unveiled two novel aspects of peptide-lipid interactions. First, the AB plot or phasor analysis of the fluorescence lifetime studies revealed at least three different peptide states, the population of which depended on the lipid to peptide (L:P) concentration ratio. Second, complex fluorescence kinetics were observed over extended time-scales from 30 s to 2 h. The extended kinetics was only observed at particular lipid concentrations (L:P ratios 20:1 and 10:1) and not at others (30, 40, 50 and 100:1 L:P ratio). Analysis of the complex kinetics revealed several intermediates. We assign these to distinct states of the peptide formed during helix insertion into the vesicle membrane that are intermediate to lytic pore formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubaidah Ningsih
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Bechinger B, Aisenbrey C, Bertani P. The alignment, structure and dynamics of membrane-associated polypeptides by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2005; 1666:190-204. [PMID: 15519315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2004.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2004] [Accepted: 08/06/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is being developed at a fast pace for the structural investigation of immobilized and non-crystalline biomolecules. These include proteins and peptides associated with phospholipid bilayers. In contrast to solution NMR spectroscopy, where complete or almost complete averaging leads to isotropic values, the anisotropic character of nuclear interactions is apparent in solid-state NMR spectra. In static samples the orientation dependence of chemical shift, dipolar or quadrupolar interactions, therefore, provides angular constraints when the polypeptides have been reconstituted into oriented membranes. Furthermore, solid-state NMR spectroscopy of aligned samples offers distinct advantages in allowing access to dynamic processes such as topological equilibria or rotational diffusion in membrane environments. Alternatively, magic angle sample spinning (MAS) results in highly resolved NMR spectra, provided that the sample is sufficiently homogenous. MAS spinning solid-state NMR spectra allow to measure distances and dihedral angles with high accuracy. The technique has recently been developed to selectively establish through-space and through-bond correlations between nuclei, similar to the approaches well-established in solution-NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burkhard Bechinger
- Faculté de chimie, Institut le Bel, 4, rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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