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Badivi S, Kazemi S, Eskandarisani M, Moghaddam NA, Mesbahian G, Karimifard S, Afzali E. Targeted delivery of bee venom to A549 lung cancer cells by PEGylate liposomal formulation: an apoptotic investigation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17302. [PMID: 39068207 PMCID: PMC11283506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68156-6] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study focused on developing an optimal formulation of liposomes loaded with bee venom (BV) and coated with PEG (BV-Lipo-PEG). The liposomes were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Among the liposomal formulations, F3 exhibited the narrowest size distribution with a low PDI value of 193.72 ± 7.35, indicating minimal agglomeration-related issues and a more uniform size distribution. BV-Lipo-PEG demonstrated remarkable stability over 3 months when stored at 4 °C. Furthermore, the release of the drug from the liposomal formulations was found to be pH-dependent. Moreover, BV-Lipo-PEG exhibited favorable entrapment efficiencies, with values reaching 96.74 ± 1.49. The anticancer potential of the liposomal nanocarriers was evaluated through MTT assay, flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis, and real-time experiments. The functionalization of the liposomal system enhanced endocytosis. The IC50 value of BV-Lipo-PEG showed a notable decrease compared to both the free drug and BV-Lipo alone, signifying that BV-Lipo-PEG is more effective in inducing cell death in A549 cell lines. BV-Lipo-PEG exhibited a higher apoptotic rate in A549 cell lines compared to other samples. In A549 cell lines treated with BV-Lipo-PEG, the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and Cyclin E genes decreased, whereas the expression levels of Caspase3 and Caspase9 increased. These findings suggest that delivering BV via PEGylated liposomes holds significant promise for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samireh Badivi
- Department of Physics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Kazemi
- Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Mohammadmahdi Eskandarisani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ghazal Mesbahian
- School of Pharmacy, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Karimifard
- Stem Cells Research Center, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Afzali
- Department of Chemistry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Brahma R, Raghuraman H. Characterization of a novel MgtE homolog and its structural dynamics in membrane mimetics. Biophys J 2024; 123:1968-1983. [PMID: 38042987 PMCID: PMC11309985 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.11.3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnesium (Mg2+) is the most abundant divalent cation in the cell and is critical for numerous cellular processes. Despite its importance, the mechanisms of intracellular Mg2+ transport and its regulation are poorly understood. MgtE is the main Mg2+ transport system in almost half of bacterial species and is an ortholog of mammalian SLC41A1 transporters, which are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. To date, only MgtE from Thermus thermophilus (MgtETT) has been extensively characterized, mostly in detergent micelles, and gating-related structural dynamics in biologically relevant membranes are scarce. The MgtE homolog from Bacillus firmus (MgtEBF) is unique since it lacks the entire Mg2+-sensing N-domain but has conserved structural motifs in the TM-domain for Mg2+ transport. In this work, we have successfully purified this novel homolog in a stable and functional form, and ColabFold structure prediction analysis suggests a homodimer. Further, microscale thermophoresis experiments show that MgtEBF binds Mg2+ and ATP, similar to MgtETT. Importantly, we show that, despite lacking the N-domain, MgtEBF mediates Mg2+ transport function in the presence of an inwardly directed Mg2+ gradient in reconstituted proteoliposomes. Furthermore, comparison of the organization and dynamics of Trp residues in the TM-domain of MgtEBF in membrane mimetics, in apo- and Mg2+-bound forms, suggests that the cytoplasmic binding of Mg2+ might involve modest gating-related conformational changes at the TM-domain. Overall, our results show that the gating-related structural dynamics (hydration dynamics, conformational heterogeneity) of the full-length MgtEBF is significantly changed in functionally pertinent membrane environment, emphasizing the importance of lipid-protein interactions in MgtE gating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupasree Brahma
- Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Mumbai, India
| | - H Raghuraman
- Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Mumbai, India.
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3
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Xiao Y, Zhou H, Shi P, Zhao X, Liu H, Li X. Clickable tryptophan modification for late-stage diversification of native peptides. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadp9958. [PMID: 38985871 PMCID: PMC11235173 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp9958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
As the least abundant residue in proteins, tryptophan widely exists in peptide drugs and bioactive natural products and contributes to drug-target interactions in multiple ways. We report here a clickable tryptophan modification for late-stage diversification of native peptides, via catalyst-free C2-sulfenylation with 8-quinoline thiosulfonate reagents in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). A wide range of groups including trifluoromethylthio (SCF3), difluoromethylthio (SCF2H), (ethoxycarbonyl)difluoromethylthio (SCF2CO2Et), alkylthio, and arylthio were readily incorporated. The rapid reaction kinetics of Trp modification and full tolerance with other 19 proteinogenic amino acids, as well as the super dissolving capability of TFA, render this method suitable for all kinds of Trp-containing peptides without limitations from sequences, hydrophobicity, and aggregation propensity. The late-stage modification of 15 therapeutic peptides (1.0 to 7.6 kilodaltons) and the improved bioactivity and serum stability of SCF3- and SCF2H-modified melittin analogs illustrated the effectiveness of this method and its potential in pharmacokinetic property improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisa Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515063, P. R. China
| | - Pengfei Shi
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Xueqian Zhao
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Xuechen Li
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
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4
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Rouhi A, Falah F, Azghandi M, Alizadeh Behbahani B, Tabatabaei-Yazdi F, Ibrahim SA, Dertli E, Vasiee A. Investigating the Effect of Melittin Peptide in Preventing Biofilm Formation, Adhesion and Expression of Virulence Genes in Listeria monocytogenes. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10318-z. [PMID: 38963508 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10318-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a notable food-borne pathogen that has the ability to create biofilms on different food processing surfaces, making it more resilient to disinfectants and posing a greater risk to human health. This study assessed melittin peptide's anti-biofilm and anti-pathogenicity effects on L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115. Melittin showed minimum inhibitory concenteration (MIC) of 100 μg/mL against this strain and scanning electron microscopy images confirmed its antimicrobial efficacy. The OD measurement demonstrated that melittin exhibited a strong proficiency in inhibiting biofilms and disrupting pre-formed biofilms at concentrations ranging from 1/8MIC to 2MIC and this amount was 92.59 ± 1.01% to 7.17 ± 0.31% and 100% to 11.50 ± 0.53%, respectively. Peptide also reduced hydrophobicity and self-aggregation of L. monocytogenes by 35.25% and 14.38% at MIC. Melittin also significantly reduced adhesion to HT-29 and Caco-2 cells by 61.33% and 59%, and inhibited invasion of HT-29 and Caco-2 cells by 49.33% and 40.66% for L. monocytogenes at the MIC value. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) revealed melittin's impact on gene expression, notably decreasing inlB (44%) and agrA (45%) gene expression in L. monocytogenes. flaA and hly genes also exhibited reduced expression. Also, significant changes were observed in sigB and prfA gene expression. These results underscore melittin's potential in combating bacterial infections and biofilm-related challenges in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezou Rouhi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Falah
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marjan Azghandi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behrooz Alizadeh Behbahani
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Technology, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran
| | - Farideh Tabatabaei-Yazdi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Salam A Ibrahim
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, E. Market Street, 1601, Greensboro, NC, 24711, USA
| | - Enes Dertli
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Davutpasa Campüs, Istanbul, 34210, Türkiye
| | - Alireza Vasiee
- Department of Food Safety and Quality Control, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST), Mashhad, Iran.
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Hejníková M, Tomčala A, Černý J, Kodrík D. Melittin-The principal toxin of honeybee venom-Is also produced in the honeybee fat body. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 281:109928. [PMID: 38649084 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Melittin is a powerful toxin present in honeybee venom that is active in a wide range of animals, from insects to humans. Melittin exerts numerous biological, toxicological, and pharmacological effects, the most important of which is destruction of the cell membrane. The phospholipase activity of melittin and its ability to activate phospholipases in the venom contribute to these actions. Using analytical methods, we discovered that the honeybee Apis mellifera produces melittin not only in the venom gland but also in its fat body cells, which remain resistant to this toxin's effects. We suggest that melittin acts as an anti-bacterial agent, since its gene expression is significantly upregulated when honeybees are infected with Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria; additionally, melittin effectively kills these bacteria in the disc diffusion test. We hypothesize that the chemical and physicochemical properties of the melittin molecule (hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, and capacity to form tetramers) in combination with reactive conditions (melittin concentration, salt concentration, pH, and temperature) are responsible for the targeted destruction of bacterial cells and apparent tolerance towards own tissue cells. Considering that melittin is an important current and, importantly, potential broad-spectrum medication, a thorough understanding of the observed phenomena may significantly increase its use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markéta Hejníková
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Tomčala
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Water, CENAKVA, Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, Na Sádkách 1780, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Černý
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Kodrík
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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6
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Werner M, Brinkhofer J, Hammermüller L, Heim T, Pham TL, Huber J, Klein C, Thomas F. Peptide Boronic Acids by Late-Stage Hydroboration on the Solid Phase. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2400640. [PMID: 38810019 PMCID: PMC11267286 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Organoboron compounds have a wide range of applications in numerous research fields, and methods to incorporate them in biomolecules are much sought after. Here, on-resin chemical syntheses of aliphatic and vinylogous peptide boronic acids are presented by transition metal-catalyzed late-stage hydroboration of alkene and alkyne groups in peptides and peptoids, for example on allyl- and propargylglycine residues, using readily available chemicals. These methods yield peptide boronic acids with much shorter linkers than previously reported on-resin methods. Furthermore, the methods are regio- and stereoselective, compatible with all canonical amino acid residues and can be applied to short, long, and in part even "difficult" peptide sequences. In a feasibility study, the protected peptide vinylboronic acids are further derivatized by the Petasis reaction using salicylaldehyde derivatives. The ability of the obtained peptide boronic acids to reversibly bind to carbohydrates is demonstrated in a catch-release model experiment using a fluorescently labeled peptide boronic acid on cross-linked dextran beads. In summary, this highlights the potential of the target compounds for drug discovery, glycan-specific target recognition, controlled release, and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Werner
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
- Medicinal ChemistryInstitute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB)Heidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 36469120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Julian Brinkhofer
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Leon Hammermüller
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Thomas Heim
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Truc Lam Pham
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Jonas Huber
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Christian Klein
- Medicinal ChemistryInstitute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB)Heidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 36469120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Franziska Thomas
- Institute of Organic ChemistryHeidelberg UniversityIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
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7
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Zheng Y, Wei Q, Han X, Tao X, Cao T, Chen T, Cao P, Zhan Q. Homologous polydopamine ameliorates haemolysis of melittin for enhancing its anticancer efficacy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:5431-5438. [PMID: 38726737 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00002a] [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: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Despite exhibiting potent anticancer activity, the strong hemolytic properties of melittin (MEL) significantly restrict its delivery efficiency and clinical applications. To address this issue, we have devised a strategy wherein homologous dopamine (DA), an essential component of bee venom, is harnessed as a vehicle for the synthesis of MEL-polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles (MP NPs). The ingenious approach lies in the fact that MEL is a basic polypeptide, and the polymerization of DA is also conducted under alkaline conditions, indicating the distinctive advantages of PDA in MEL encapsulation. Furthermore, MP NPs are modified with folic acid to fabricate tumor-targeted nanomedicine (MPF NPs). MPF NPs can ameliorate the hemolysis of MEL in drug delivery and undergo degradation triggered by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within solid tumors, thereby facilitating MEL release and subsequent restoration of anticancer activity. After cellular uptake, MPF NPs induce cell apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt-mediated p53 signaling pathway. The tumor growth inhibitory rate of MPF NPs in FA receptor-positive 4T1 and CT26 xenograft mice reached 78.04% and 81.66%, which was significantly higher compared to that in FA receptor-negative HepG2 xenograft mice (45.79%). Homologous vehicles provide a new perspective for nanomedicine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zheng
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Qingyun Wei
- Jiangsu Provincial Medicinal Innovation Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
| | - Xuan Han
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Xiangmin Tao
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Tao Cao
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Peng Cao
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Medicinal Innovation Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, China
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou Peoples Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Qichen Zhan
- Animal-Derived Chinese Medicine and Functional Peptides International Collaboration Joint Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Bava R, Castagna F, Lupia C, Poerio G, Liguori G, Lombardi R, Naturale MD, Bulotta RM, Biondi V, Passantino A, Britti D, Statti G, Palma E. Hive Products: Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Therapeutic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:646. [PMID: 38794216 PMCID: PMC11124102 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Beekeeping provides products with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical characteristics. These products are characterized by abundance of bioactive compounds. For different reasons, honey, royal jelly, propolis, venom, and pollen are beneficial to humans and animals and could be used as therapeutics. The pharmacological action of these products is related to many of their constituents. The main bioactive components of honey include oligosaccharides, methylglyoxal, royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and phenolics compounds. Royal jelly contains jelleins, royalisin peptides, MRJPs, and derivatives of hydroxy-decenoic acid, particularly 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, metabolic syndrome-preventing, and anti-aging properties. Propolis has a plethora of activities that are referable to compounds such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Peptides found in bee venom include phospholipase A2, apamin, and melittin. In addition to being vitamin-rich, bee pollen also includes unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and phenolics compounds that express antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the constituents of hive products are particular and different. All of these constituents have been investigated for their properties in numerous research studies. This review aims to provide a thorough screening of the bioactive chemicals found in honeybee products and their beneficial biological effects. The manuscript may provide impetus to the branch of unconventional medicine that goes by the name of apitherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Sersale (CZ), 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Sersale (CZ), 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giusi Poerio
- ATS Val Padana, Via dei Toscani, 46100 Mantova, Italy;
| | | | - Renato Lombardi
- IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), 71013 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Maria Diana Naturale
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General for Health Programming, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rosa Maria Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Vito Biondi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (V.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Annamaria Passantino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (V.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy;
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (R.M.B.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Center for Pharmacological Research, Food Safety, High Tech and Health (IRC-FSH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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9
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Andersen IV, Bidesi NSR, Shalgunov V, Jørgensen JT, Gustavsson T, Strømgaard K, Ingemann Jensen AT, Kjær A, Herth MM. Investigation of imaging the somatostatin receptor by opening the blood-brain barrier with melittin - A feasibility study using positron emission tomography and [ 64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE. Nucl Med Biol 2024; 132-133:108905. [PMID: 38555651 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2024.108905] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
DOTATATE is a somatostatin peptide analog used in the clinic to detect somatostatin receptors which are highly expressed on neuroendocrine tumors. Somatostatin receptors are found naturally in the intestines, pancreas, lungs, and brain (mainly cortex). In vivo measurement of the somatostatin receptors in the cortex has been challenging because available tracers cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to their intrinsic polarity. A peptide called melittin, a main component of honeybee venom, has been shown to disrupt plasma membranes and increase the permeability of biological membranes. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of using melittin to facilitate the passage of [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE through the BBB and its binding to somatostatin receptors in the cortex. Evaluation included in vitro autoradiography on Long Evans rat brains to estimate the binding affinity of [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE to the somatostatin receptors in the cortex and an in vivo evaluation of [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE binding in NMRI mice after injection of melittin. This study found an in vitro Bmax = 89 ± 4 nM and KD = 4.5 ± 0.6 nM in the cortex, resulting in a theoretical binding potential (BP) calculated as Bmax/KD ≈ 20, which is believed suitable for in vivo brain PET imaging. However, the in vivo results showed no significant difference between the control and melittin injected mice, indicating that the honeybee venom failed to open the BBB. Additional experiments, potentially involving faster injection rates are required to verify that melittin can increase brain uptake of non-BBB permeable PET tracers. Furthermore, an evaluation of whether a venom with a narrow therapeutic range can be used for clinical purposes needs to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Vang Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Natasha Shalina Rajani Bidesi
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vladimir Shalgunov
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Tranekjær Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas T Ingemann Jensen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, DTU Health Technology Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Ørsteds Plads 345C, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjær
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias M Herth
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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10
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Ahmed MBM, El-ssayad MF, Yousef SY, Salem SH. Bee venom: A potential natural alternative to conventional preservatives for prolonging the shelf-life of soft cheese 'Talaga'. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28968. [PMID: 38601605 PMCID: PMC11004823 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The study aims to explore bee venom (honey-BV) as a potential natural preservative for "Tallaga" soft cheese. Characterization of the active compounds in honey-BV was conducted via chromatographic analyses. Antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria and fungi was evaluated, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Subsequently, honey-BV was applied to Tallaga cheese at 15 mg/g concentrations. The main active ingredients identified in bee venom were apamin (2%) and melittin (48.7%). Both concentrations of bee venom (100 and 200 mg/mL) exhibited significant antifungal and antibacterial properties against tested organisms, with MIC values varied from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/mL for bacteria to 3-13 mg/mL for fungi. Application of honey-BV in Tallaga cheese resulted in complete elimination of Staphylococcal populations after 2 weeks of cold storage, with no detectable growth of molds or yeasts throughout the storage period. Additionally, a steady decrease in aerobic plate count was observed over time. In summary, honey-BV holds promise as a natural preservative for soft cheese, however, more investigation is required to optimize the concentration for economic viability, taking into account health benefits and safety considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bedair M. Ahmed
- Department of Food Toxicology and Contaminants, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., P.O. Box: 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Fathy El-ssayad
- Dairy Sciences Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., P.O. Box: 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Salah H. Salem
- Department of Food Toxicology and Contaminants, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., P.O. Box: 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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11
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Min S, Picou C, Jeong HJ, Bower A, Jeong K, Chung JK. Melittin-Phospholipase A 2 Synergism Is Mediated by Liquid-Liquid Miscibility Phase Transition in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:7456-7462. [PMID: 38546877 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The primary constituents of honeybee venom, melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), display toxin synergism in which the PLA2 activity is significantly enhanced by the presence of melittin. It has been shown previously that this is accomplished by the disruption in lipid packing, which allows PLA2 to become processive on the membrane surface. In this work, we show that melittin is capable of driving miscibility phase transition in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and that it raises the miscibility transition temperature (Tmisc) in a concentration-dependent manner. The induced phase separation enhances the processivity of PLA2, particularly at its boundaries, where a substantial difference in domain thickness creates a membrane discontinuity. The catalytic action of PLA2, in response, induces changes in the membrane, rendering it more conducive to melittin binding. This, in turn, facilitates further lipid phase separation and eventual vesicle lysis. Overall, our results show that melittin has powerful membrane-altering capabilities that activate PLA2 in various membrane contexts. More broadly, they exemplify how this biochemical system actively modulates and capitalizes on the spatial distribution of membrane lipids to efficiently achieve its objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sein Min
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
| | - Cyrus Picou
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
| | - Hye Jin Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
| | - Adam Bower
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
| | - Keunhong Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
| | - Jean K Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 United States
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12
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Jang S, Kim HI, Jung JW, Boo M, Sung SH, Park J, Kim S. Bee venom acupuncture and herbal medicine for hand eczema: Two case reports and an in vivo study. Explore (NY) 2024; 20:102994. [PMID: 38637265 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eczema and contact dermatitis are relatively common, non-life-threatening disease, but can reduce the patient's quality-of-life when it becomes chronic. This study describes two cases of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) and herbal medicine (San Wu Huangqin decoction; SWH) co-treatment for hand eczema and contact dermatitis, then confirms the effect of the combination therapy in an in vivo model of eczema. CASE PRESENTATION A 56-year-old female (case 1) and a 33-year-old male (case 2) presented to the clinic with symptoms of itching and erythema (case 1), and scaliness (case 2) on both hands. Both were diagnosed with hand eczema and contact dermatitis based on examination of the erythema and scaliness. They were treated with BVA and SWH for three months. The lesions were healed and had not recurred after 1 and 3 years of follow-up. A mouse study was conducted by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce eczema-like contact dermatitis in Balb/c mice. In a DNCB-induced eczema-like contact dermatitis model, BVA and SWH co-administration synergistically improved clinical symptoms seen in eczema. Also, they improved histological changes of the skin, suppressed immune cell infiltration, and decreased inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin E in the serum. CONCLUSION This study suggests BVA and SWH could be an alternative treatment for eczema and contact dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soobin Jang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsan, 38054, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo In Kim
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jae Woo Jung
- Wonjae Korean Medical Clinic, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Chilgok, 39895, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Boo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Sung
- Department of Korean Medicine Policy, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Seoul, 04516, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinbong Park
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sungha Kim
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Korani S, Khalesi N, Korani M, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. Applications of honeybee-derived products in bone tissue engineering. Bone Rep 2024; 20:101740. [PMID: 38304620 PMCID: PMC10831168 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2024.101740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, there is an increasing prevalence of bone diseases and defects caused by trauma, cancers, infections, and degenerative and inflammatory conditions. The restoration of bone tissue lost due to trauma, fractures, or surgical removal resulting from locally invasive pathologies requires bone regeneration. As an alternative to conventional treatments, sustainable materials based on natural products, such as honeybee-derived products (honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, beeswax, and bee venom), could be considered. Honeybee-derived products, particularly honey, have long been recognized for their healing properties. There are a mixture of phytochemicals that offer bone protection through their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the effects of honeybee-derived products on bone regeneration. In conclusion, honey, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee venom can potentially serve as natural products for promoting bone health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Korani
- Research Center of Oils and Fats, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Naeemeh Khalesi
- Biotechnology Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Korani
- Research Center of Oils and Fats, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Tender T, Rahangdale RR, Nampoothiri M, Raychaudhuri R, Mutalik S, Sharma K, Chandrashekar H R. Revamped mini-αA-crystallin showed improved skin permeation and therapeutic activity against melittin-induced toxicity. Toxicon 2024; 239:107611. [PMID: 38211805 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107611] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Melittin is honey bee venom's primary and most toxic pharmacologically active component. Melittin causes haemolysis, lymphocyte lysis, long-term pain, localised inflammation followed by rhabdomyolysis, and severe renal failure. Renal failure or cardiovascular complications could lead to the victim's death. Severe honey bee bites are treated with general medication involving antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic drugs, as a specific treatment option is unavailable. An earlier study showed the anti-hemolysis and anti-lymphocyte lysis activity of mini- αA-crystallin (MAC), a peptide derived from human eye lens alpha-crystallin. MAC's use has often been restricted despite its high therapeutic potential due to its poor skin permeability. This study compared the skin permeation, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of natural peptide MAC and its modified version (MAC-GRD) formed by attaching cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) and GRD amino residues into MAC. Gel formulations were prepared for MAC and MAC-GRD peptides using carbopol (1% w/w), Tween 80 (1%), and ethanol (10%). An ex-vivo skin permeation study was performed using a vertical-type Franz diffusion apparatus. Preclinical in-vivo experiments were conducted to compare the native and modified peptide formulations against melittin-induced toxicity in Wistar rats. MAC gel, MAC-GRD gel and 1% hydrocortisone cream significantly reduced the melittin-induced writhing (20.16 ± 0.792) response in rats with 15.16 ± 0.47, 11.16 ± 0.477 and 12.66 ± 0.66 wriths, respectively. There was a significant reduction in melittin-induced inflammation when MAC-GRD gel was applied immediately after melittin administration. At 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 h, the MAC-GRD-treated rat paws were 0.9 ± 0.043 mm, 0.750 ± 0.037 mm, 0.167 ± 0.0070 mm, and 0.133 ± 0.031 mm thick. Administration of melittin resulted in reduced GSH (antioxidant) levels (47.33 ± 0.760 μg/mg). However, treatment with MAC-GRD gel (71.167 ± 0.601 μg/mg), MAC gel (65.167 ± 1.138 μg/mg), and 1% hydrocortisone (68.33 ± 0.667 μg/mg) significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme levels. MAC-GRD gel significantly reduced the elevated MDA levels (6.933 ± 0.049 nmol/mg) compared to the melittin group (12.533 ± 0.126 nmol/mg), followed by the 1% hydrocortisone (7.367 ± 0.049 nmol/mg) and MAC gel (7.917 ± 0.048 nmol/mg). MAC-GRD demonstrated more skin permeability and superior anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities when compared to MAC gel. When compared to standard 1% hydrocortisone cream, MAC-GRD had better anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and comparable action in anti-oxidant restoration against melittin. These findings suggest that the developed MAC-GRD gel formulation could help to treat severe cases of honey bee stings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenzin Tender
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Rakesh Ravishankar Rahangdale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Ruchira Raychaudhuri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Srinivas Mutalik
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Krishna Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, United States
| | - Raghu Chandrashekar H
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
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15
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Praphawilai P, Kaewkod T, Suriyaprom S, Panya A, Disayathanoowat T, Tragoolpua Y. Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Melittin Peptides Derived from Apis mellifera and Apis florea Venom. INSECTS 2024; 15:109. [PMID: 38392528 PMCID: PMC10888738 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to cause cold sores and various diseases in humans. Importantly, HSV infection can develop latent and recurrent infections, and it is also known to cause inflammation. These infections are difficult to control, and effective treatment of the disease remains a challenge. Thus, the search for new antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents is a necessity. Melittin is a major peptide that is present in the venom of the honeybee. It possesses a number of pharmacological properties. In this study, the effects of the melittin peptides from A. mellifera (MEL-AM) and A. florea (MEL-AF) against HSV-1 and HSV-2 were evaluated at different stages during the viral multiplication cycle in an attempt to define the mode of antiviral action using plaque reduction and virucidal assays. The results revealed a new finding that melittin at 5 µg/mL demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect on HSV through the direct inactivation of viral particles, and MEL-AF displayed a greater virucidal activity. Moreover, melittin was also observed to interfere with the process of HSV attachment to the host cells. MEL-AM exhibited anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 effects with EC50 values of 4.90 ± 0.15 and 4.39 ± 0.20 µg/mL, while MEL-AF demonstrated EC50 values of 4.47 ± 0.21 and 3.95 ± 0.61 µg/mL against HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. However, non-cytotoxic concentrations of both types of melittin produced only slight degrees of HSV-1 and HSV-2 inhibition after viral attachment, but melittin at 5 µg/mL was able to reduce the plaque size of HSV-2 when compared to the untreated group. In addition, MEL-AM and MEL-AF also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity via the inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and they were also found to down-regulate the expressions of the iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 genes. The highest inhibition of IL-6 mRNA expression was found after treatment with 10 µg/mL of MEL-AM and MEL-AF. Therefore, melittin peptides have displayed strong potential to be used as an alternative treatment for HSV infection and inflammatory diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pichet Praphawilai
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thida Kaewkod
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sureeporn Suriyaprom
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Aussara Panya
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Yingmanee Tragoolpua
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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16
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Yang H, Ma R, Chen J, Xie Q, Luo W, Sun P, Liu Z, Guo J. Discovery of Melittin as Triple-Action Agent: Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial, Anti-Biofilm, and Potential Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities. Molecules 2024; 29:558. [PMID: 38338303 PMCID: PMC10856726 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030558] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms is a major global health concern. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in antimicrobial peptides as a therapeutic option. This study aimed to evaluate the triple-action (broad-spectrum antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activities) of melittin, a membrane-active peptide present in bee venom. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the melittin were determined using the microdilution method and agar plate counting. Growth curve analysis revealed that melittin showed a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that melittin treatment altered the morphology. Confocal laser scanning microscope revealed that melittin increased the membrane permeability and intracellular ROS generation in bacteria, all of which contribute to bacterial cell death. In addition, the crystal violet (CV) assay was used to test the anti-biofilm activity. The CV assay demonstrated that melittin inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated mature biofilms. Biofilm formation mediated by quorum sensing (QS) plays a major role in this regard, so molecular docking and molecular dynamics analysis confirmed that melittin interacts with LasR receptors through hydrogen bonds, and further evaluates the anti-QS activity of melittin through the production of virulence factors (pyocyanin, elastase, and rhamnolipid), exopolysaccharides secretion, and bacterial motility, that may be the key to inhibiting the biofilm formation mechanism. The present findings highlight the promising role of melittin as a broad-spectrum antibacterial, anti-biofilm agent, and potential QS inhibitor, providing a new perspective and theoretical basis for the development of alternative antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Yang
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Rong Ma
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Jiarou Chen
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Qian Xie
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Wenhui Luo
- Guangdong Yifang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foshan 528244, China;
| | - Pinghua Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Zheng Liu
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Jialiang Guo
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China (J.C.); (Q.X.)
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
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17
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Purohit K, Reddy N, Sunna A. Exploring the Potential of Bioactive Peptides: From Natural Sources to Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1391. [PMID: 38338676 PMCID: PMC10855437 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031391] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides, specific protein fragments with positive health effects, are gaining traction in drug development for advantages like enhanced penetration, low toxicity, and rapid clearance. This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of peptide science, covering discovery to functional characterization. Beginning with a peptidomic exploration of natural sources, the review emphasizes the search for novel peptides. Extraction approaches, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and specialized methods for disulfide-linked peptides, are extensively covered. Mass spectrometric analysis techniques for data acquisition and identification, such as liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, untargeted peptide analysis, and bioinformatics, are thoroughly outlined. The exploration of peptide bioactivity incorporates various methodologies, from in vitro assays to in silico techniques, including advanced approaches like phage display and cell-based assays. The review also discusses the structure-activity relationship in the context of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), ACE-inhibitory peptides (ACEs), and antioxidative peptides (AOPs). Concluding with key findings and future research directions, this interdisciplinary review serves as a comprehensive reference, offering a holistic understanding of peptides and their potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kruttika Purohit
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
- Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB), Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
| | - Narsimha Reddy
- Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB), Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
- School of Science, Parramatta Campus, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Anwar Sunna
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
- Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB), Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
- Biomolecular Discovery Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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18
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Zhang HQ, Sun C, Xu N, Liu W. The current landscape of the antimicrobial peptide melittin and its therapeutic potential. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1326033. [PMID: 38318188 PMCID: PMC10838977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1326033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Melittin, a main component of bee venom, is a cationic amphiphilic peptide with a linear α-helix structure. It has been reported that melittin can exert pharmacological effects, such as antitumor, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. In particular, melittin may be beneficial for the treatment of diseases for which no specific clinical therapeutic agents exist. Melittin can effectively enhance the therapeutic properties of some first-line drugs. Elucidating the mechanism underlying melittin-mediated biological function can provide valuable insights for the application of melittin in disease intervention. However, in melittin, the positively charged amino acids enables it to directly punching holes in cell membranes. The hemolysis in red cells and the cytotoxicity triggered by melittin limit its applications. Melittin-based nanomodification, immuno-conjugation, structural regulation and gene technology strategies have been demonstrated to enhance the specificity, reduce the cytotoxicity and limit the off-target cytolysis of melittin, which suggests the potential of melittin to be used clinically. This article summarizes research progress on antiviral, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties of melittin, and discusses the strategies of melittin-modification for its future potential clinical applications in preventing drug resistance, enhancing the selectivity to target cells and alleviating cytotoxic effects to normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Qian Zhang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chengbiao Sun
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Na Xu
- Academic Affairs Office, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China
| | - Wensen Liu
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Changchun, Jilin, China
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19
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Huang S, Su G, Jiang S, Chen L, Huang J, Yang F. New N-Terminal Fatty-Acid-Modified Melittin Analogs with Potent Biological Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:867. [PMID: 38255940 PMCID: PMC10815238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020867] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Melittin, a natural antimicrobial peptide, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This has resulted in it gaining increasing attention as a potential antibiotic alternative; however, its practical use has been limited by its weak antimicrobial activity, high hemolytic activity, and low proteolytic stability. In this study, N-terminal fatty acid conjugation was used to develop new melittin-derived lipopeptides (MDLs) to improve the characteristics of melittin. Our results showed that compared with native melittin, the antimicrobial activity of MDLs was increased by 2 to 16 times, and the stability of these MDLs against trypsin and pepsin degradation was increased by 50 to 80%. However, the hemolytic activity of the MDLs decreased when the length of the carbon chain of fatty acids exceeded 10. Among the MDLs, the newly designed analog Mel-C8 showed optimal antimicrobial activity and protease stability. The antimicrobial mechanism studied revealed that the MDLs showed a rapid bactericidal effect by interacting with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and penetrating the bacterial cell membrane. In conclusion, we designed and synthesized a new class of MDLs with potent antimicrobial activity, high proteolytic stability, and low hemolytic activity through N-terminal fatty acid conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Huang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
| | - Guoqi Su
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
| | - Shan Jiang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
| | - Li Chen
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
| | - Jinxiu Huang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Pig Industry Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Feiyun Yang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing 402460, China; (S.H.); (L.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Pig Industry Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing 402460, China
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20
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Wang Z, Xu J, Zeng X, Du Q, Lan H, Zhang J, Pan D, Tu M. Recent Advances on Antimicrobial Peptides from Milk: Molecular Properties, Mechanisms, and Applications. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:80-93. [PMID: 38152984 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Traditional antibiotics are facing a tremendous challenge due to increased antimicrobial resistance; hence, there is an urgent need to find novel antibiotic alternatives. Milk protein-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are currently attracting substantial attention considering that they showcase an extensive spectrum of antimicrobial activities, with slower development of antimicrobial resistance and safety of raw materials. This review summarizes the molecular properties, and activity mechanisms and highlights the applications and limitations of AMPs derived from milk proteins comprehensively. Also the analytical technologies, especially bioinformatics methodologies, applied in the process of screening, identification, and mechanism illustration of AMPs were underlined. This review will give some ideas for further research and broadening of the applications of milk protein-derived AMPs in the food field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Jue Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Xiaoqun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Qiwei Du
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Hangzhen Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Food Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
| | - Daodong Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Maolin Tu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China
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21
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Delgado JAC, Tian YM, Marcon M, König B, Paixão MW. Side-Selective Solid-Phase Metallaphotoredox N(in)-Arylation of Peptides. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26452-26462. [PMID: 37976043 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10792] [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: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Postsynthetic diversification of peptides through selective modification of endogenous amino acid side chains has enabled significant advances in peptide drug discovery while expanding the biological and medical chemistry space. However, current tools have been focused on the modification of reactive polar and ionizable side chains, whereas the decoration of aromatic systems (e.g., the N(in) of the tryptophan) has been a long-standing challenge. Here, we introduce metallaphotocatalysis in solid-phase peptide synthesis for the on-resin orthogonal N-arylation of relevant tryptophan-containing peptides. The protocol allows the chemoselective introduction of a new C(sp2)-N bond at the N(in) of tryptophan in biologically active protected peptide sequences in the presence of native redox-sensitive side chains. The fusion of metallaphotocatalysis with solid-phase peptide synthesis opens new perspectives in diversifying native amino acid side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A C Delgado
- Laboratory for Sustainable Organic Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos─UFSCar, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235, SP-310, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ya-Ming Tian
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michela Marcon
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard König
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Márcio W Paixão
- Laboratory for Sustainable Organic Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos─UFSCar, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235, SP-310, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
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22
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Haque S, Hussain A, Joshi H, Sharma U, Sharma B, Aggarwal D, Rani I, Ramniwas S, Gupta M, Tuli HS. Melittin: a possible regulator of cancer proliferation in preclinical cell culture and animal models. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:17709-17726. [PMID: 37919474 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05458-8] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melittin is a water-soluble cationic peptide derived from bee venom that has been thoroughly studied for the cure of different cancers. However, the unwanted interactions of melittin produce hemolytic and cytotoxic effects that hinder their therapeutic applications. To overcome the shortcomings, numerous research groups have adopted different approaches, including conjugation with tumor-targeting proteins, gene therapy, and encapsulation in nanoparticles, to reduce the non-specific cytotoxic effects and potentiate their anti-cancerous activity. PURPOSE This article aims to provide mechanistic insights into the chemopreventive activity of melittin and its nanoversion in combination with standard anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of cancer. METHODS We looked over the pertinent research on melittin's chemopreventive properties in online databases such as PubMed and Scopus. CONCLUSION In the present article, the anti-cancerous effects of melittin on different cancers have been discussed very nicely, as have their possible mechanisms of action to act against different tumors. Besides, it interacts with different signal molecules that regulate the diverse pathways of cancerous cells, such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. We also discussed the recent progress in the synergistic combination of melittin with standard anti-cancer drugs and a nano-formulated version of melittin for targeted delivery to improve its anticancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, 45142, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, 11022801, Lebanon
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, 13306, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, P.O. Box 345050, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hemant Joshi
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Ujjawal Sharma
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151401, India
| | - Bunty Sharma
- Department of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India
| | - Diwakar Aggarwal
- Department of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India
| | - Isha Rani
- Department of Biochemistry, Maharishi Markendashwar College of Medical Sciences and Research (MMCMSR), Sadopur, Ambala, 134007, India
| | - Seema Ramniwas
- University Centre for Research and Development, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Madhu Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, 110017, India
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India.
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23
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Yaacoub C, Wehbe R, Roufayel R, Fajloun Z, Coutard B. Bee Venom and Its Two Main Components-Melittin and Phospholipase A2-As Promising Antiviral Drug Candidates. Pathogens 2023; 12:1354. [PMID: 38003818 PMCID: PMC10674158 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are known to infect most types of organisms. In humans, they can cause several diseases that range from mild to severe. Although many antiviral therapies have been developed, viral infections continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the discovery of new and effective antiviral agents is desperately needed. Animal venoms are a rich source of bioactive molecules found in natural goods that have been used since ancient times in alternative medicine to treat a variety of human diseases. Recently, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have regained their interest in the possible use of natural products, such as bee venom (BV), as a potential antiviral agent to treat viral infections. BV is known to exert many therapeutic activities such as anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is limited discussion of the antiviral activity of BV in the literature. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the antiviral properties of BV and its two primary constituents, melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), against a variety of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Finally, the innovative strategies used to reduce the toxicity of BV and its two compounds for the development of new antiviral treatments are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Yaacoub
- Unité des Virus Emergents, Aix-Marseille University, IRD 190-Inserm 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France;
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Doctoral School for Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon;
| | - Rim Wehbe
- Biology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Rabih Roufayel
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait;
| | - Ziad Fajloun
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Doctoral School for Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon;
- Faculty of Sciences III, Department of Biology, Michel Slayman Tripoli Campus, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1352, Lebanon
| | - Bruno Coutard
- Unité des Virus Emergents, Aix-Marseille University, IRD 190-Inserm 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France;
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24
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Sahsuvar S, Guner R, Gok O, Can O. Development and pharmaceutical investigation of novel cervical cancer-targeting and redox-responsive melittin conjugates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18225. [PMID: 37880286 PMCID: PMC10600185 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45537-x] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer has recently become one of the most prevalent cancers among women throughout the world. Traditional cancer therapies generate side effects due to off-target toxicity. Thus, novel cancer medications coupled with suitable drug delivery systems are required to improve cancer therapies. Melittin peptide has a high affinity to disrupt cancer cells. In this study, we designed targeted and redox-responsive Melittin conjugates for cervical cancer and then tested them in vitro. Folic acid and squamous cell carcinoma-specific peptide (CKQNLAEG) were used as targeting agents to design various conjugates. Our findings indicate that both anticancer conjugates were effective against different cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, C33A, and HeLa. Moreover, these conjugates were found to have antioxidant and antibacterial effects as well as reduced hemolytic activity. The CM-Target (N-terminus cysteine modified-Melittin-targeting peptide-functionalized conjugate) has become more stable and acted specifically against squamous cell carcinoma, whereas folic acid (FA)-containing conjugates acted efficiently against all cancer types studied, especially for breast cancer. According to our results, these anticancer conjugates may be possible anticancer drug candidates that have fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seray Sahsuvar
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rabia Guner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgul Gok
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Icerenkoy, Kayisdagi Cd., Atasehir, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ozge Can
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Icerenkoy, Kayisdagi Cd., Atasehir, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
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25
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Wu J, Xu C, Ye Z, Chen H, Wang Y, Yang K, Yuan B. Transition between Different Diffusion Modes of Individual Lipids during the Membrane-Specific Action of As-CATH4 Peptides. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2301713. [PMID: 37093200 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The cell membrane permeabilization ability of immune defense antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is widely applied in biomedicine. Although the mechanisms of peptide-membrane interactions have been widely investigated, analyses at the molecular level are still lacking. Herein, the membrane-specific action of a native AMP, As-CATH4, is investigated using a single-lipid tracking method in combination with live cell and model membrane assays conducted at different scales. The peptide-membrane interaction process is characterized by analyzing single-lipid diffusion behaviors. As-CATH4 exhibits potent antimicrobial activity through bacterial membrane permeabilization, with moderate cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. In-plane diffusion analyses of individual lipids show that the lipid molecules exhibit non-Gaussian and heterogeneous diffusion behaviors in both pristine and peptide-treated membranes, which can be decomposed into two Gaussian subgroups corresponding to normal- and slow-diffusive lipids. Assessment of the temporal evolution of these two diffusion modes of lipids reveal that the peptide action states of As-CATH4 include surface binding, transmembrane defect formation, and dynamic equilibrium. The action mechanisms of As-CATH4 at varying concentrations and against different membranes are distinguished. This work resolves the simultaneous mixed diffusion mechanisms of single lipids in biomimetic cell membranes, especially during dynamic membrane permeabilization by AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Wu
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, P. R. China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, P. R. China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Zifan Ye
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Haibo Chen
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Kai Yang
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, P. R. China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China
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Hilpert K, Rumancev C, Gani J, Collis DWP, Lopez-Perez PM, Garamus VM, Mikut R, Rosenhahn A. Can BioSAXS detect ultrastructural changes of antifungal compounds in Candida albicans?-an exploratory study. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1141785. [PMID: 37533629 PMCID: PMC10393279 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1141785] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic yeast Candida albicans is the most common cause of candidiasis. With only four classes of antifungal drugs on the market, resistance is becoming a problem in the treatment of fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. The development of novel antifungal drugs with different modes of action is urgent. In 2016, we developed a groundbreaking new medium-throughput method to distinguish the effects of antibacterial agents. Using small-angle X-ray scattering for biological samples (BioSAXS), it is now possible to screen hundreds of new antibacterial compounds and select those with the highest probability for a novel mode of action. However, yeast (eukaryotic) cells are highly structured compared to bacteria. The fundamental question to answer was if the ultrastructural changes induced by the action of an antifungal drug can be detected even when most structures in the cell stay unchanged. In this exploratory work, BioSAXS was used to measure the ultrastructural changes of C. albicans that were directly or indirectly induced by antifungal compounds. For this, the well-characterized antifungal drug Flucytosine was used. BioSAXS measurements were performed on the synchrotron P12 BioSAXS beamline, EMBL (DESY, Hamburg) on treated and untreated yeast C. albicans. BioSAXS curves were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA showed that Flucytosine-treated and untreated yeast were separated. Based on that success further measurements were performed on five antifungal peptides {1. Cecropin A-melittin hybrid [CA (1-7) M (2-9)], KWKLFKKIGAVLKVL; 2. Lasioglossin LL-III, VNWKKILGKIIKVVK; 3. Mastoparan M, INLKAIAALAKKLL; 4. Bmkn2, FIGAIARLLSKIFGKR; and 5. optP7, KRRVRWIIW}. The ultrastructural changes of C. albicans indicate that the peptides may have different modes of action compared to Flucytosine as well as to each other, except for the Cecropin A-melittin hybrid [CA (1-7) M (2-9)] and optP7, showing very similar effects on C. albicans. This very first study demonstrates that BioSAXS shows promise to be used for antifungal drug development. However, this first study has limitations and further experiments are necessary to establish this application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Hilpert
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, St. George’s, University of London (SGUL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph Rumancev
- Laboratory Analytical Chemistry—Biointerfaces, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jurnorain Gani
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, St. George’s, University of London (SGUL), London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Ralf Mikut
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics (IAI), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Axel Rosenhahn
- Laboratory Analytical Chemistry—Biointerfaces, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Daniluk K, Lange A, Wójcik B, Zawadzka K, Bałaban J, Kutwin M, Jaworski S. Effect of Melittin Complexes with Graphene and Graphene Oxide on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumors Grown on Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098388. [PMID: 37176095 PMCID: PMC10179033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the components of bee venom is melittin (M), which has strong lysing properties on membranes. M has high toxicity to cancer cells, but it also affects healthy cells, making it necessary to use methods for targeted delivery to ensure treatment. This research is a continuation of previous studies using graphene nanomaterials as M carriers to breast cancer cells. The studies described below are conducted on a more organized biological structure than what is found in vitro cells, namely, cancerous tumors grown on a chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Caspase 3 and 8 levels are analyzed, and the level of oxidative stress markers and changes in protein expression for cytokines are examined. The results show that M complexes with nanomaterials reduce the level of oxidative stress more than M alone does, but the use of graphene (GN) as a carrier increases the level of DNA damage to a greater extent than the increase caused by M alone. An analysis of cytokine levels shows that the use of the M and GN complex increases the level of proteins responsible for inhibiting tumor progression to a greater extent than the increase occasioned by a complex with graphene oxide (GO). The results suggest that the use of GN as an M carrier may increase the toxic effect of M on structures located inside a cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Daniluk
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Lange
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Wójcik
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zawadzka
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jaśmina Bałaban
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Kutwin
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Jaworski
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
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28
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Nandi S, Nair KS, Bajaj H. Bacterial Outer-Membrane-Mimicking Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Model for Detecting Antimicrobial Permeability. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5891-5900. [PMID: 37036429 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The construction of bacterial outer membrane models with native lipids like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a barrier to understanding antimicrobial permeability at the membrane interface. Here, we engineer bacterial outer membrane (OM)-mimicking giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) by constituting LPS under different pH conditions and assembled GUVs with controlled dimensions. We quantify the LPS reconstituted in GUV membranes and reveal their arrangement in the leaflets of the vesicles. Importantly, we demonstrate the applications of OM vesicles by exploring antimicrobial permeability activity across membranes. Model peptides, melittin and magainin-2, are examined where both peptides exhibit lower membrane activity in OM vesicles than vesicles devoid of LPS. Our findings reveal the mode of action of antimicrobial peptides in bacterial-membrane-mimicking models. Notably, the critical peptide concentration required to elicit activity on model membranes correlates with the cell inhibitory concentrations that revalidate our models closely mimic bacterial membranes. In conclusion, we provide an OM-mimicking model capable of quantifying antimicrobial permeability across membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Nandi
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India
| | - Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
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29
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Yang K, Zhou Y, Huang B, Zhao G, Geng Y, Wan C, Jiang F, Jin H, Ye C, Chen J. Sustained release of tumor cell lysate and CpG from an injectable, cytotoxic hydrogel for melanoma immunotherapy. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:2071-2084. [PMID: 36998647 PMCID: PMC10044724 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00911k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Many basic research studies have shown the potential of autologous cancer vaccines in the treatment of melanoma. However, some clinical trials showed that simplex whole tumor cell vaccines can only elicit weak CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor responses which were not enough for effective tumor elimination. So efficient cancer vaccine delivery strategies with improved immunogenicity are needed. Herein, we described a novel hybrid vaccine "MCL" (Melittin-RADA32-CpG-Lysate) which was composed of melittin, RADA32, CpG and tumor lysate. In this hybrid vaccine, antitumor peptide melittin and self-assembling fusion peptide RADA32 were assembled to form the hydrogel framework melittin-RADA32(MR). Then, whole tumor cell lysate and immune adjuvant CpG-ODN were loaded into MR to develop an injectable and cytotoxic hydrogel MCL. MCL showed excellent ability for sustained drug release, to activate dendritic cells and directly kill melanoma cells in vitro. In vivo, MCL not only exerted direct antitumor activity, but also had robust immune initiation effects including the activation of dendritic cells in draining lymph nodes and the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in tumor microenvironment. In addition, MCL can efficiently inhibit melanoma growth in B16-F10 tumor bearing mice, which suggested that MCL is a potential cancer vaccine strategy for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of The Yang Tze River Shipping, Wuhan Brain Hospital Wuhan China
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Biwang Huang
- Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA Wuhan China
| | - Guifang Zhao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College Nanchang China
| | - Yuan Geng
- College of Biomedicine and Health and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan China
| | - Chao Wan
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Fagang Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Honglin Jin
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- College of Biomedicine and Health and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan China
| | - Chengzhi Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Jing Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
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30
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Rojas-Pirela M, Kemmerling U, Quiñones W, Michels PAM, Rojas V. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Potential Therapeutic Strategy against Trypanosomiases? Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040599. [PMID: 37189347 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomiases are a group of tropical diseases that have devastating health and socio-economic effects worldwide. In humans, these diseases are caused by the pathogenic kinetoplastids Trypanosoma brucei, causing African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, and Trypanosoma cruzi, causing American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. Currently, these diseases lack effective treatment. This is attributed to the high toxicity and limited trypanocidal activity of registered drugs, as well as resistance development and difficulties in their administration. All this has prompted the search for new compounds that can serve as the basis for the development of treatment of these diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides synthesized by both prokaryotes and (unicellular and multicellular) eukaryotes, where they fulfill functions related to competition strategy with other organisms and immune defense. These AMPs can bind and induce perturbation in cell membranes, leading to permeation of molecules, alteration of morphology, disruption of cellular homeostasis, and activation of cell death. These peptides have activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including parasitic protists. Therefore, they are being considered for new therapeutic strategies to treat some parasitic diseases. In this review, we analyze AMPs as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of trypanosomiases, emphasizing their possible application as possible candidates for the development of future natural anti-trypanosome drugs.
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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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Antimicrobial peptides for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100954. [PMID: 36905712 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The problem of drug resistance due to long-term use of antibiotics has been a concern for years. As this problem grows worse, infections caused by multiple bacteria are expanding rapidly and are extremely detrimental to human health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a good alternative to current antimicrobials with potent antimicrobial activity and unique antimicrobial mechanisms, which have advantages over traditional antibiotics in fighting against drug-resistant bacterial infections. Currently, researchers have conducted clinical investigations on AMPs for drug-resistant bacterial infections while integrating new technologies in the development of AMPs, such as changing amino acid structure of AMPs and using different delivery methods for AMPs. This article introduces the basic properties of AMPs, deliberates the mechanism of drug resistance in bacteria and the therapeutic mechanism of AMPs. The current disadvantages and advances of AMPs in combating drug-resistant bacterial infections are also discussed. This article provides important insights into the research and clinical application of new AMPs for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Jayawardena BM, Menon R, Jones MR, Jones CE. Spectral Phasor Analysis of Nile Red Identifies Membrane Microenvironment Changes in the Presence of Amyloid Peptides. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:19-27. [PMID: 36203076 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-022-01105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of protein and peptide amyloid oligomers with membranes is thought to be one of the mechanisms contributing to cellular toxicity. However, techniques to study these interactions in the complex membrane environment of live cells are lacking. Spectral phasor analysis is a recently developed biophysical technique that can enable visualisation and analysis of membrane-associated fluorescent dyes. When the spectral profile of these dyes changes as a result of changes to the membrane microenvironment, spectral phasor analysis can localise those changes to discrete membrane regions. In this study, we investigated whether spectral phasor analysis could detect changes in the membrane microenvironment of live cells in the presence of fibrillar aggregates of the disease-related Aβ42 peptide or the functional amyloid neurokinin B. Our results show that the fibrils cause distinct changes to the microenvironment of nile red associated with both the plasma and the nuclear membrane. We attribute these shifts in nile red spectral properties to changes in membrane fluidity. Results from this work suggest that cells have mechanisms to avoid or control membrane interactions arising from functional amyloids which have implications for how these peptides are stored in dense core vesicles. Furthermore, the work highlights the utility of spectral phasor analysis to monitor microenvironment changes to fluorescent probes in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawantha M Jayawardena
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, NSW, Australia
| | - Resmi Menon
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, NSW, Australia.,PYC Therapeutics, QEII Medical Centre, 6 Verdun St, Nedlands, 6009, WA, Australia
| | - Mark R Jones
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher E Jones
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, NSW, Australia.
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Qiu J, Anas Tomeh M, Jin Y, Zhang B, Zhao X. Microfluidic fabrication of anticancer peptide loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles for the treatment of breast cancer. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 642:810-819. [PMID: 37043939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are promising antitumor drugs owning to their great cancer cell targeting and anticancer effects as well as low drug resistance. However, many of the ACPs have non-specific toxicity and can be easily degraded by the enzymes after administration. Therefore, drug delivery systems (DDSs) are required to shield these peptides from degradation and induce targeted delivery. In this paper, a high performance microfluidic device was used to fabricate the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) encapsulating an ACP (At3) recently developed by our group. The microfluidic device allowed for efficient and rapid mixing to generate ACP loaded nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable properties at high production rate (120 mL/min) and high encapsulation efficiency. The ZIF-8 NPs synthesised by microfluidic processing showed lower polydispersity index (PDI) than the conventional method, demonstrating an improved size uniformity. Encapsulating At3 into the ZIF-8 (At3@ZIF-8) significantly reduced the hemolytic effect and provided a pH-controlled release of At3 peptide. At3@ZIF-8 showed higher anticancer effect than the unloaded peptide at the same concentration due to the enhanced cell uptake by the ZIF-8 NPs. The NPs were able to inhibit the growth of the multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTSs) and damage the mitochondrial membrane of the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the At3@ZIF-8 NPs inhibited the growth of MCF-7 tumours in nude mice without changing the biochemical properties of the blood or the histopathological properties of vital organs. Therefore, the development of At3 loaded NPs provides an alternative approach in ACP delivery which can broaden the application of ACP-based cancer therapy.
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Therapeutic Use of Bee Venom and Potential Applications in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020119. [PMID: 36851423 PMCID: PMC9965945 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Apitherapy is a branch of alternative medicine that consists of the treatment of diseases through products collected, processed, and secreted by bees, specifically pollen, propolis, honey, royal jelly, and bee venom. In traditional medicine, the virtues of honey and propolis have been well-known for centuries. The same, however, cannot be said for venom. The use of bee venom is particularly relevant for many therapeutic aspects. In recent decades, scientific studies have confirmed and enabled us to understand its properties. Bee venom has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, central nervous system inhibiting, radioprotective, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, among others. Numerous studies have often been summarised in reviews of the scientific literature that have focused on the results obtained with mouse models and their subsequent transposition to the human patient. In contrast, few reviews of scientific work on the use of bee venom in veterinary medicine exist. This review aims to take stock of the research achievements in this particular discipline, with a view to a recapitulation and stabilisation in the different research fields.
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36
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Yun YB, Cho KH, Kim YK. Inhibition of Tolaasin Cytotoxicity Causing Brown Blotch Disease in Cultivated Mushrooms Using Tolaasin Inhibitory Factors. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:66. [PMID: 36668885 PMCID: PMC9867037 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tolaasin, a pore-forming bacterial peptide toxin secreted by Pseudomonas tolaasii, causes brown blotch disease in cultivated mushrooms by forming membrane pores and collapsing the membrane structures. Tolaasin is a lipodepsipeptide, MW 1985, and pore formation by tolaasin molecules is accomplished by hydrophobic interactions and multimerizations. Compounds that inhibit tolaasin toxicity have been isolated from various food additives. Food detergents, sucrose esters of fatty acids, and polyglycerol esters of fatty acids can effectively inhibit tolaasin cytotoxicity. These chemicals, named tolaasin-inhibitory factors (TIF), were effective at concentrations ranging from 10-4 to 10-5 M. The most effective compound, TIF 16, inhibited tolaasin-induced hemolysis independent of temperature and pH, while tolaasin toxicity increased at higher temperatures. When TIF 16 was added to tolaasin-pretreated erythrocytes, the cytotoxic activity of tolaasin immediately stopped, and no further hemolysis was observed. In the artificial lipid bilayer, the single-channel activity of the tolaasin channel was completely and irreversibly blocked by TIF 16. When TIF 16 was sprayed onto pathogen-treated oyster mushrooms growing on the shelves of cultivation houses, the development of disease was completely suppressed, and normal growth of oyster mushrooms was observed. Furthermore, the treatment with TIF 16 did not show any adverse effect on the growth of oyster mushrooms. These results indicate that TIF 16 is a good candidate for the biochemical control of brown blotch disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong-Bae Yun
- Department of Environmental and Biological Chemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
- Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Yeongju 36040, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Cho
- Department of Environmental and Biological Chemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kee Kim
- Department of Environmental and Biological Chemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Li QZ, Zhou ZR, Hu CY, Li XB, Chang YZ, Liu Y, Wang YL, Zhou XW. Recent advances of bioactive proteins/polypeptides in the treatment of breast cancer. Food Sci Biotechnol 2023; 32:265-282. [PMID: 36619215 PMCID: PMC9808697 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-022-01233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins do not only serve as nutrients to fulfill the demand for food, but also are used as a source of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for regulating physical functions and promoting physical health. Female breast cancer has the highest incidence in the world and is a serious threat to women's health. Bioactive proteins/polypeptides exert strong anti-tumor effects and exhibit inhibition of multiple breast cancer cells. This review discussed the suppressing effects of bioactive proteins/polypeptides on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, and their mechanisms of migration and invasion inhibition, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest. This may contribute to providing a basis for the development of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for the treatment of breast cancer. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Zhang Li
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, No.28, Nanli Road, Wuhan, 430068 Hubei People’s Republic of China
- School of Agriculture and Biology, and Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ze-Rong Zhou
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, No.28, Nanli Road, Wuhan, 430068 Hubei People’s Republic of China
| | - Cui-Yu Hu
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, No.28, Nanli Road, Wuhan, 430068 Hubei People’s Republic of China
| | - Xian-Bin Li
- Institute of Computational Science and Technology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Zhou Chang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Agriculture and Biology, and Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Liang Wang
- School of Agriculture and Biology, and Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuan-Wei Zhou
- School of Agriculture and Biology, and Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 People’s Republic of China
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Dubovskii PV, Ignatova AA, Alekseeva AS, Starkov VG, Boldyrev IA, Feofanov AV, Utkin YN. Membrane-Disrupting Activity of Cobra Cytotoxins Is Determined by Configuration of the N-Terminal Loop. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:6. [PMID: 36668826 PMCID: PMC9866941 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In aqueous solutions, cobra cytotoxins (CTX), three-finger folded proteins, exhibit conformational equilibrium between conformers with either cis or trans peptide bonds in the N-terminal loop (loop-I). The equilibrium is shifted to the cis form in toxins with a pair of adjacent Pro residues in this loop. It is known that CTX with a single Pro residue in loop-I and a cis peptide bond do not interact with lipid membranes. Thus, if a cis peptide bond is present in loop-I, as in a Pro-Pro containing CTX, this should weaken its lipid interactions and likely cytotoxic activities. To test this, we have isolated seven CTX from Naja naja and N. haje cobra venoms. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of these CTX, as well as their capability to induce calcein leakage from phospholipid liposomes, were evaluated. We have found that CTX with a Pro-Pro peptide bond indeed exhibit attenuated membrane-perturbing activity in model membranes and lower cytotoxic/antibacterial activity compared to their counterparts with a single Pro residue in loop-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Ignatova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna S. Alekseeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladislav G. Starkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan A. Boldyrev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey V. Feofanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Chang MC. Persistent severe muscle pain following mistakenly injected high-dose bee venom: A care-compliant case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32180. [PMID: 36626534 PMCID: PMC9750539 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE In clinical practice, bee venom injection into acupuncture points is used to relieve various types of musculoskeletal pain. In the current study, we describe a patient who had persistent severe muscle pain caused by mistakenly injected high-dose bee venom. PATIENT CONCERNS A 63-year-old woman mistakenly received an injection of high-dose (2 mL; standard dose, 0.1 mL) bee venom (diluted in saline at a 1:2000 ratio). Immediately after the injection, extreme burning pain developed at the injection site, which persisted for 1 month with a mean pain score of 9 on the numeric rating scale. T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced axial lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased intensity in the medial part of the left psoas muscle around the L4-5 intervertebral disc level. DIAGNOSIS This finding indicated the presence of inflammation in the left psoas muscle, which was thought to be associated with pain. INTERVENTIONS A buprenorphine transdermal patch (releasing 5 mcg/hours) was applied to alleviate the pain. OUTCOMES Six months after the bee venom injection, the pain completely resolved. LESSONS Bee venom has a strong toxic effect; therefore, only a minimal dose of diluted bee venom should be administered for musculoskeletal pain control. Special caution is required during bee venom injection to avoid excessive doses of bee venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cheol Chang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- * Correspondence: Min Cheol Chang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 317-1, Daemyungdong, Namku, Daegu 705-717, Republic of Korea (e-mail: )
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40
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Daniluk K, Lange A, Pruchniewski M, Małolepszy A, Sawosz E, Jaworski S. Delivery of Melittin as a Lytic Agent via Graphene Nanoparticles as Carriers to Breast Cancer Cells. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13040278. [PMID: 36547538 PMCID: PMC9787603 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13040278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melittin, as an agent to lyse biological membranes, may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer. However, because of its nonspecific actions, there is a need to use a delivery method. The conducted research determined whether carbon nanoparticles, such as graphene and graphene oxide, could be carriers for melittin to breast cancer cells. The studies included the analysis of intracellular pH, the potential of cell membranes, the type of cellular transport, and the expression of receptor proteins. By measuring the particle size, zeta potential, and FT-IT analysis, we found that the investigated nanoparticles are connected by electrostatic interactions. The level of melittin encapsulation with graphene was 86%, while with graphene oxide it was 78%. A decrease in pHi was observed for all cell lines after administration of melittin and its complex with graphene. The decrease in membrane polarization was demonstrated for all lines treated with melittin and its complex with graphene and after exposure to the complex of melittin with graphene oxide for the MDA-MB-231 and HFFF2 lines. The results showed that the investigated melittin complexes and the melittin itself act differently on different cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). It has been shown that in MDA-MD-231 cells, melittin in a complex with graphene is transported to cells via caveolin-dependent endocytosis. On the other hand, the melittin-graphene oxide complex can reach breast cancer cells through various types of transport. Other differences in protein expression changes were also observed for tumor lines after exposure to melittin and complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Daniluk
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Lange
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Pruchniewski
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Małolepszy
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-654 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Sawosz
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Jaworski
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-225936675
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Differentiating interactions of antimicrobials with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial cell walls using molecular dynamics simulations. Biointerphases 2022; 17:061008. [PMID: 36511523 DOI: 10.1116/6.0002087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing molecular models to capture the complex physicochemical architecture of the bacterial cell wall and to study the interaction with antibacterial molecules is an important aspect of assessing and developing novel antimicrobial molecules. We carried out molecular dynamics simulations using an atomistic model of peptidoglycan to represent the architecture for Gram-positive S. aureus. The model is developed to capture various structural features of the Staphylococcal cell wall, such as the peptide orientation, area per disaccharide, glycan length distribution, cross-linking, and pore size. A comparison of the cell wall density and electrostatic potentials is made with a previously developed cell wall model of Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, and properties for both single and multilayered structures of the Staphylococcal cell wall are studied. We investigated the interactions of the antimicrobial peptide melittin with peptidoglycan structures. The depth of melittin binding to peptidoglycan is more pronounced in E. coli than in S. aureus, and consequently, melittin has greater contacts with glycan units of E. coli. Contacts of melittin with the amino acids of peptidoglycan are comparable across both the strains, and the D-Ala residues, which are sites for transpeptidation, show enhanced interactions with melittin. A low energetic barrier is observed for translocation of a naturally occurring antimicrobial thymol with the four-layered peptidoglycan model. The molecular model developed for Gram-positive peptidoglycan allows us to compare and contrast the cell wall penetrating properties with Gram-negative strains and assess for the first time binding and translocation of antimicrobial molecules for Gram-positive cell walls.
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42
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Liu Q, Guan C, Liu C, Li H, Wu J, Sun C. Targeting hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha: A new strategy for triple-negative breast cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113861. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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43
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Acehan S, Satar S, Gulen M, Yucel C, Segmen MS. Angina and Arrhythmia Symptoms Following Multiple Bee Stings: Kounis Syndrome. Wilderness Environ Med 2022; 33:417-421. [PMID: 36109267 DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2022.06.003] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary syndrome including coronary spasm, acute myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis preceded by an anaphylactic, anaphylactoid, allergic, or hypersensitivity injury. In this case presentation, we discussed Type I and Type II KS. Case 1 was a 72-y-old man who presented to the emergency department with allergic symptoms and chest pain that developed after multiple bee stings. Electrocardiography showed ST depression in the lateral leads. Case 2 was a 42-y-old woman who presented to the emergency department with complaints of chest pain, dizziness, and presyncope that developed after multiple bee stings. Mobitz Type II Block with right bundle branch block was observed in 42 beats·min-1 in the electrocardiography. Both patients were first treated for allergic reaction. Although early percutaneous coronary intervention was performed for graft thrombosis in Case 1, a permanent pacemaker was inserted in Case 2. The patients were discharged without any complications. Increasing physician awareness towards the existence of KS can prevent fatal outcomes with early diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ceyhun Yucel
- Department of Cardiology, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
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44
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Erkoc P, von Reumont BM, Lüddecke T, Henke M, Ulshöfer T, Vilcinskas A, Fürst R, Schiffmann S. The Pharmacological Potential of Novel Melittin Variants from the Honeybee and Solitary Bees against Inflammation and Cancer. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120818. [PMID: 36548715 PMCID: PMC9786170 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The venom of honeybees is composed of numerous peptides and proteins and has been used for decades as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent in traditional medicine. However, the bioactivity of specific biomolecular components has been evaluated for the predominant constituent, melittin. So far, only a few melittin-like peptides from solitary bee species have been investigated, and the molecular mechanisms of bee venoms as therapeutic agents remain largely unknown. Here, the preclinical pharmacological activities of known and proteo-transcriptomically discovered new melittin variants from the honeybee and more ancestral variants from phylogenetically older solitary bees were explored in the context of cancer and inflammation. We studied the effects of melittin peptides on cytotoxicity, second messenger release, and inflammatory markers using primary human cells, non-cancer, and cancerous cell lines. Melittin and some of its variants showed cytotoxic effects, induced Ca2+ signaling and inhibited cAMP production, and prevented LPS-induced NO synthesis but did not affect the IP3 signaling and pro-inflammatory activation of endothelial cells. Compared to the originally-described melittin, some phylogenetically more ancestral variants from solitary bees offer potential therapeutic modalities in modulating the in vitro inflammatory processes, and hindering cancer cell viability/proliferation, including aggressive breast cancers, and are worth further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Erkoc
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (B.M.v.R.)
| | - Björn Marcus von Reumont
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Applied Bioinformatics Group, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (B.M.v.R.)
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME-BR), 235394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marina Henke
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Ulshöfer
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME-BR), 235394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Robert Fürst
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
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Li Z, Liu R, Wang X, Wu H, Yi X, Huang L, Qin Q. Effects of melittin on laying performance and intestinal barrier function of quails. Poult Sci 2022; 102:102355. [PMID: 36502563 PMCID: PMC9763859 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the effects of melittin on egg-laying performance and intestinal barrier of quails, 240 quails (aged 70 d) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates (10 quails per replicate). They were fed with basal diet (group B), basal diet + 0.08 g/kg melittin (group BA1), basal diet + 0.12 g/kg melittin (group BA2) and basal diet + 0.16 g/kg melittin (group BA3). The experiment lasted for 21 days. The eggs were collected every day. At the end of the experiment, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tissues were collected, and the cecal contents were sampled. Intestinal antioxidant index, barrier function, and intestinal flora were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of melittin significantly increased the laying rate and average egg weight. Addition of melittin significantly increased the antioxidant function, mechanical barrier, immune barrier, and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of small intestine. Addition of melittin had no significant effect on the α and β diversity of cecal flora, but significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidales at family level and genus level. Bioinformatics analysis of cecal content showed significant increase in COG functional category of cytoskeleton, and significant decrease in RNA processing and modification in group BA2. KEGG functional analysis showed significant decrease in steroid biosynthesis, caffeine metabolism, and cytochrome P450 pathways in group BA2. In conclusion, addition of 0.12 g/kg melittin to feed improved the laying performance and the intestinal antioxidant capacity and barrier function of quails but had no significant effect on the composition and structure of cecal microbial community. This study provides experimental data and theoretical basis for the application of melittin as a new quail feed additive.
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Liu X, Du X, Huang Y, Pang B, Zhang M, Ma Y, Wang X, Song X, Li J, Li J. Rapid detection of four pathogens in bloodstream infection by antimicrobial peptide capture combined with multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.108199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Shi P, Xie S, Yang J, Zhang Y, Han S, Su S, Yao H. Pharmacological effects and mechanisms of bee venom and its main components: Recent progress and perspective. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1001553. [PMID: 36238572 PMCID: PMC9553197 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1001553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bee venom (BV), a type of defensive venom, has been confirmed to have favorable activities, such as anti-tumor, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-infectivity effects, etc. This study reviewed the recent progress on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of BV and its main components against cancer, neurological disorders, inflammatory diseases, pain, microbial diseases, liver, kidney, lung and muscle injury, and other diseases in literature during the years 2018–2021. The related target proteins of BV and its main components against the diseases include Akt, mTOR, JNK, Wnt-5α, HIF-1α, NF-κB, JAK2, Nrf2, BDNF, Smad2/3, AMPK, and so on, which are referring to PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, HIF-1α, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, Nrf2/HO-1, TrkB/CREB/BDNF, TGF-β/Smad2/3, and AMPK signaling pathways, etc. Further, with the reported targets, the potential effects and mechanisms on diseases were bioinformatically predicted via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, disease ontology semantic and enrichment (DOSE) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses. This review provides new insights into the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of BV and its main components on diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiying Shi
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxins, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Peiying Shi, ; Hong Yao,
| | - Shihui Xie
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuo Han
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Songkun Su
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource and Bee Products, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Peiying Shi, ; Hong Yao,
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Kuzmenkov AI, Peigneur S, Nasburg JA, Mineev KS, Nikolaev MV, Pinheiro-Junior EL, Arseniev AS, Wulff H, Tytgat J, Vassilevski AA. Apamin structure and pharmacology revisited. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:977440. [PMID: 36188602 PMCID: PMC9523135 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.977440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Apamin is often cited as one of the few substances selectively acting on small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (KCa2). However, published pharmacological and structural data remain controversial. Here, we investigated the molecular pharmacology of apamin by two-electrode voltage-clamp in Xenopus laevis oocytes and patch-clamp in HEK293, COS7, and CHO cells expressing the studied ion channels, as well as in isolated rat brain neurons. The microtitre broth dilution method was used for antimicrobial activity screening. The spatial structure of apamin in aqueous solution was determined by NMR spectroscopy. We tested apamin against 42 ion channels (KCa, KV, NaV, nAChR, ASIC, and others) and confirmed its unique selectivity to KCa2 channels. No antimicrobial activity was detected for apamin against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The NMR solution structure of apamin was deposited in the Protein Data Bank. The results presented here demonstrate that apamin is a selective nanomolar or even subnanomolar-affinity KCa2 inhibitor with no significant effects on other molecular targets. The spatial structure as well as ample functional data provided here support the use of apamin as a KCa2-selective pharmacological tool and as a template for drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey I. Kuzmenkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Joshua A. Nasburg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Konstantin S. Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Maxim V. Nikolaev
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Alexander S. Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander A. Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- *Correspondence: Alexander A. Vassilevski,
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Saghi H, Mirzavi F, Afshari AR, Jalili-Nik M, Mashkani B, Soukhtanloo M. Bee venom induces anti-tumor effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells through regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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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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