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Fathi F, Alizadeh B, Tabarzad MV, Tabarzad M. Important structural features of antimicrobial peptides towards specific activity: Trends in the development of efficient therapeutics. Bioorg Chem 2024; 149:107524. [PMID: 38850782 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107524] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Proteins and peptides, as polypeptide chains, have usually got unique conformational structures for effective biological activity. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of bioactive peptides, which have been increasingly studied during recent years for their promising antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as, other esteemed bioactivities. Numerous AMPs have been separated from a wide range of natural resources, or produced in vitro through chemical synthesis and recombinant protein expression. Natural AMPs have had limited clinical application due to several drawbacks, such as their short half-life due to protease degradation, lack of activity at physiological salt concentrations, toxicity to mammalian cells, and the absence of suitable methods of delivery for the AMPs that are targeted and sustained. The creation of synthetic analogs of AMPs would both avoid the drawbacks of the natural analogs and maintain or even increase the antimicrobial effectiveness. The structure-activity relationship of discovered AMPs or their derivatives facilitates the development of synthetic AMPs. This review discovered that the relationship between the activity of AMPs and their positive net charge, hydrophobicity, and amino acid sequence and the relationship between AMPs' function and other features like their topology, glycosylation, and halogenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Fathi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Alizadeh
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Vahid Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Ma J, Yan L, Yang J, He Y, Wu L. Effect of Modification Strategies on the Biological Activity of Peptides/Proteins. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300481. [PMID: 38009768 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300481] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Covalent attachment of biologically active peptides/proteins with functional moieties is an effective strategy to control their biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, enzymatic digestion, and toxicity. This review focuses on the characteristics of different modification strategies and their effects on the biological activity of peptides/proteins and illustrates their relevant applications and potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ma
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Yan
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jingkui Yang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yujian He
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li Wu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
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3
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Selvaraj SP, Chen JY. Conjugation of antimicrobial peptides to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115680. [PMID: 37515922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has brought with it a continual increase in the numbers of deaths from multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Since the current arsenal of antibiotics has become increasingly ineffective, there exists an urgent need for discovery and development of novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered to be a promising class of molecules due to their broad-spectrum activities and low resistance rates compared with other types of antibiotics. Since AMPs also often play major roles in elevating the host immune response, the molecules may also be called "host defense peptides." Despite the great promise of AMPs, the majority remain unsuitable for clinical use due to issues of structural instability, degradation by proteases, and/or toxicity to host cells. Moreover, AMP activities in vivo can be influenced by many factors, such as interaction with blood and serum biomolecules, physiological salt concentrations or different pH values. To overcome these limitations, structural modifications can be made to the AMP. Among several modifications, physical and chemical conjugation of AMP to other biomolecules is widely considered an effective strategy. In this review, we discuss structural modification strategies related to conjugation of AMPs and their possible effects on mode of action. The conjugation of fatty acids, glycans, antibiotics, photosensitizers, polymers, nucleic acids, nanoparticles, and immobilization to biomaterials are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Prasad Selvaraj
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Science Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Yih Chen
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10 Dahuen Rd, Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center and the Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.
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4
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Baek MJ, Nguyen DT, Kim D, Yoo SY, Lee SM, Lee JY, Kim DD. Tailoring renal-clearable zwitterionic cyclodextrin for colorectal cancer-selective drug delivery. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 18:945-956. [PMID: 37106052 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01381-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Although cyclodextrin-based renal-clearable nanocarriers have a high potential for clinical translation in targeted cancer therapy, their designs remain to be optimized for tumour retention. Here we report on the design of a tailored structure for renal-clearable zwitterionic cyclodextrin for colorectal cancer-selective drug delivery. Twenty cyclodextrin derivatives with different charged moieties and spacers are synthesized and screened for colloidal stability. The resulting five candidates are evaluated for biodistribution and an optimized structure is identified. The optimized cyclodextrin shows a high tumour accumulation and is used for delivery of doxorubicin and ulixertinib. Higher tumour accumulation and tumour penetration facilitates tumour elimination. The improved antitumour efficacy is demonstrated in heterotopic and orthotopic colorectal cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jun Baek
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Duy-Thuc Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahan Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Yeol Yoo
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Min Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae-Duk Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Chen N, Jiang C. Antimicrobial peptides: Structure, mechanism, and modification. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115377. [PMID: 37099837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Cheng Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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6
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Yan L, Ke Y, Wang Y, Yang J, He Y, Wu L. Effect of Mini-PEGs Modification on the Enzymatic Digestion of D-Amino Acid-Containing Peptides under the Action of PROK. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203524. [PMID: 36541269 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It was previously reported that D-amino acid-containing peptides exhibited the ability to resist enzymatic hydrolysis. This study investigated the influence of mini-PEGs modification on enzymatic hydrolysis ability of D-amino acid-containing peptides. The results showed that PEGylation promoted enzymatic hydrolysis of the D-amino acid-containing peptide, especially, the cleavage rate of the D-amino acid-containing peptide 6-w with PEG3 modification at the N-ends was up to 17 times higher in the presence of proteinase K (PROK) compared to those without PEG3 modification. Moreover, analysis of the enzymatic cleavage sites demonstrated a similar cleavage pattern of the PEGylated D-amino acid-containing peptide to that of the unmodified peptide. The computational simulations further showed that the enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis ability can be attributed to the strong interaction between PROK and the peptide after PEG3 modification and the resulting formation of a mature catalytic triad structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yan
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yongqi Ke
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jingkui Yang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yujian He
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Li Wu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
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7
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High Level Expression and Purification of Cecropin-like Antimicrobial Peptides in Escherichia coli. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061351. [PMID: 35740373 PMCID: PMC9220022 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cecropins are a family of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are widely found in the innate immune system of Cecropia moths. Cecropins exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The structures of Cecropins are composed of 34–39 amino acids with an N-terminal amphipathic α-helix, an AGP hinge and a hydrophobic C-terminal α-helix. KR12AGPWR6 was designed based on the Cecropin-like structural feature. In addition to its antimicrobial activities, KR12AGPWR6 also possesses enhanced salt resistance, antiendotoxin and anticancer properties. Herein, we have developed a strategy to produce recombinant KR12AGPWR6 through a salt-sensitive, pH and temperature dependent intein self-cleavage system. The His6-Intein-KR12AGPWR6 was expressed by E. coli and KR12AGPWR6 was released by the self-cleavage of intein under optimized ionic strength, pH and temperature conditions. The molecular weight and structural feature of the recombinant KR12AGPWR6 was determined by MALDI-TOF mass, CD, and NMR spectroscopy. The recombinant KR12AGPWR6 exhibited similar antimicrobial activities compared to the chemically synthesized KR12AGPWR6. Our results provide a potential strategy to obtain large quantities of AMPs and this method is feasible and easy to scale up for commercial production.
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8
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de Souza GS, de Jesus Sonego L, Santos Mundim AC, de Miranda Moraes J, Sales-Campos H, Lorenzón EN. Antimicrobial-wound healing peptides: Dual-function molecules for the treatment of skin injuries. Peptides 2022; 148:170707. [PMID: 34896165 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic non-healing wounds caused by microbial infections extend the necessity for hospital care and constitute a public health problem and a great financial burden. Classic therapies include a wide range of approaches, from wound debridement to vascular surgery. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a preserved trait of the innate immune response among different animal species, with known effects on the immune system and microorganisms. Thus, AMPs may represent promising candidates for the treatment of chronic wounds with dual functionality in two of the main agents that lead to this condition, proliferation of microorganisms and uncontrolled inflammation. Here, our goal is to critically review AMPs with wound healing properties. We strongly believe that these dual-function peptides alone, or in combination with other wound healing strategies, constitute an underexplored field that researchers can take advantage of.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Helioswilton Sales-Campos
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
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9
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Batista Araujo J, Sastre de Souza G, Lorenzon EN. Indolicidin revisited: biological activity, potential applications and perspectives of an antimicrobial peptide not yet fully explored. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:39. [PMID: 35018535 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03227-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, viruses and tumors is a serious threat to public health. Among natural peptides, indolicidin, a 13-residue peptide belonging to the cathelicidin family, deserves special attention. Indolicidin has a broad spectrum of biological activity and is active against a wide range of targets, such as bacteria (Gram+ and Gram-), fungi and viruses. Here, we review the most important features of the biological activity, potential applications and perspectives of indolicidin and its analogs. Although not yet approved for commercialization, this peptide has great potential to be applied in different areas, including the medical, biomedical, food industry and other unexplored areas. To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary team of researchers must work together to fine tune peptides that overall lead to novel analogs and formulations to combat existing and possibly future diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guilherme Sastre de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Prêto, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Rezende SB, Oshiro KGN, Júnior NGO, Franco OL, Cardoso MH. Advances on chemically modified antimicrobial peptides for generating peptide antibiotics. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:11578-11590. [PMID: 34652348 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc03793e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are pinpointed as promising molecules against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Nevertheless, there is a discrepancy between the AMP sequences generated and the tangible outcomes in clinical trials. AMPs' limitations include enzymatic degradation, chemical/physical instability and toxicity toward healthy human cells. These factors compromise AMPs' bioavailability, resulting in limited therapeutic potential. To overcome such obstacles, peptidomimetic approaches, including glycosylation, PEGylation, lipidation, cyclization, grafting, D-amino acid insertion, stapling and dendrimers are promising strategies to fine-tune AMPs. Here we focused on chemical modifications applied for AMP optimization and how they have helped these peptide-based antibiotic candidates' design and translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samilla B Rezende
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Karen G N Oshiro
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nelson G O Júnior
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | - Octávio L Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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11
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Liu M, Zhao P, Uddin MH, Li W, Lin F, Chandrashekar C, Nishiuchi Y, Kajihara Y, Forbes BE, Wootten D, Wade JD, Hossain MA. Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of a Nonfibrillating Glycoglucagon. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:2148-2153. [PMID: 34494823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The current commercially available glucagon formulations for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia must be reconstituted immediately prior to use, owing to the susceptibility of glucagon to fibrillation and aggregation in an aqueous solution. This results in the inconvenience of handling, misuse, and wastage of this drug. To address these issues, we synthesized a glycosylated glucagon analogue in which the 25th residue (Trp) was replaced with a cysteine (Cys) and a Br-disialyloligosaccharide was conjugated at the Cys thiol moiety. The resulting analogue, glycoglucagon, is a highly potent full agonist at the glucagon receptor. Importantly, glycoglucagon exhibits markedly reduced propensity for fibrillation and enhanced thermal and metabolic stability. This novel analogue is thus a valuable lead for producing stable liquid glucagon formulations that will improve patient compliance and minimize wastage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peishen Zhao
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Md Hemayet Uddin
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Yuji Nishiuchi
- GlyTech, Inc., 134 Chudoji Minamimachi, Kyoto, 600-8813, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kajihara
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043 Japan
| | - Briony E Forbes
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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12
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Li W, Separovic F, O'Brien-Simpson NM, Wade JD. Chemically modified and conjugated antimicrobial peptides against superbugs. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:4932-4973. [PMID: 33710195 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01026j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to human health that, by 2050, will lead to more deaths from bacterial infections than cancer. New antimicrobial agents, both broad-spectrum and selective, that do not induce AMR are urgently required. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a novel class of alternatives that possess potent activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and positive bacteria with little or no capacity to induce AMR. This has stimulated substantial chemical development of novel peptide-based antibiotics possessing improved therapeutic index. This review summarises recent synthetic efforts and their impact on analogue design as well as their various applications in AMP development. It includes modifications that have been reported to enhance antimicrobial activity including lipidation, glycosylation and multimerization through to the broad application of novel bio-orthogonal chemistry, as well as perspectives on the direction of future research. The subject area is primarily the development of next-generation antimicrobial agents through selective, rational chemical modification of AMPs. The review further serves as a guide toward the most promising directions in this field to stimulate broad scientific attention, and will lead to new, effective and selective solutions for the several biomedical challenges to which antimicrobial peptidomimetics are being applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Li
- Melbourne Dental School, Centre for Oral Health Research, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia and School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Neil M O'Brien-Simpson
- Melbourne Dental School, Centre for Oral Health Research, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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13
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Ligands and Signaling of Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor-X2 in Mast Cell Activation. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 179:139-188. [PMID: 33479839 DOI: 10.1007/112_2020_53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) is known as a novel receptor to activate mast cells (MCs). MRGPRX2 plays a dual role in promoting MC-dependent host defense and immunomodulation and contributing to the pathogenesis of pseudo-allergic drug reactions, pain, itching, and inflammatory diseases. In this article, we discuss the possible signaling pathways of MCs activation mediated by MRGPRX2 and summarize and classify agonists and inhibitors of MRGPRX2 in MCs activation. MRGPRX2 is a low-affinity and low-selectivity receptor, which allows it to interact with a diverse group of ligands. Diverse MRGPRX2 ligands utilize conserved residues in its transmembrane (TM) domains and carboxyl-terminus Ser/Thr residues to undergo ligand binding and G protein coupling. The coupling likely initiates phosphorylation cascades, induces Ca2+ mobilization, and causes degranulation and generation of cytokines and chemokines via MAPK and NF-κB pathways, resulting in MCs activation. Agonists of MRGPRX2 on MCs are divided into peptides (including antimicrobial peptides, neuropeptides, MC degranulating peptides, peptide hormones) and nonpeptides (including FDA-approved drugs). Inhibitors of MRGPRX2 include non-selective GPCR inhibitors, herbal extracts, small-molecule MRGPRX2 antagonists, and DNA aptamer drugs. Screening and classifying MRGPRX2 ligands and summarizing their signaling pathways would improve our understanding of MRGPRX2-mediated physiological and pathological effects on MCs.
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14
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Malanovic N, Marx L, Blondelle SE, Pabst G, Semeraro EF. Experimental concepts for linking the biological activities of antimicrobial peptides to their molecular modes of action. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183275. [PMID: 32173291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The search for novel compounds to combat multi-resistant bacterial infections includes exploring the potency of antimicrobial peptides and derivatives thereof. Complementary to high-throughput screening techniques, biophysical and biochemical studies of the biological activity of these compounds enable deep insight, which can be exploited in designing antimicrobial peptides with improved efficacy. This approach requires the combination of several techniques to study the effect of such peptides on both bacterial cells and simple mimics of their cell envelope, such as lipid-only vesicles. These efforts carry the challenge of bridging results across techniques and sample systems, including the proper choice of membrane mimics. This review describes some important concepts toward the development of potent antimicrobial peptides and how they translate to frequently applied experimental techniques, along with an outline of the biophysics pertaining to the killing mechanism of antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermina Malanovic
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, Graz, Austria.
| | - Lisa Marx
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Georg Pabst
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, Graz, Austria
| | - Enrico F Semeraro
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, Graz, Austria
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