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Mazurkiewicz-Pisarek A, Baran J, Ciach T. Antimicrobial Peptides: Challenging Journey to the Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Cosmeceutical Use. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109031. [PMID: 37240379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109031] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), or host defence peptides, are short proteins in various life forms. Here we discuss AMPs, which may become a promising substitute or adjuvant in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmeceutical uses. Their pharmacological potential has been investigated intensively, especially as antibacterial and antifungal drugs and as promising antiviral and anticancer agents. AMPs exhibit many properties, and some of these have attracted the attention of the cosmetic industry. AMPs are being developed as novel antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens and as potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, and viral infections. In biomedicine, AMPs are being developed as wound-healing agents because they promote cell growth and tissue repair. The immunomodulatory effects of AMPs could be helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the cosmeceutical industry, AMPs are being investigated as potential ingredients in skincare products due to their antioxidant properties (anti-ageing effects) and antibacterial activity, which allows the killing of bacteria that contribute to acne and other skin conditions. The promising benefits of AMPs make them a thrilling area of research, and studies are underway to overcome obstacles and fully harness their therapeutic potential. This review presents the structure, mechanisms of action, possible applications, production methods, and market for AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mazurkiewicz-Pisarek
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Baran
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warynskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
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2
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Aulitto M, Martinez-Alvarez L, Fusco S, She Q, Bartolucci S, Peng X, Contursi P. Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Proteomics of SSV1 and Related Fusellovirus: A Minireview. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102082. [PMID: 36298638 PMCID: PMC9608457 DOI: 10.3390/v14102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Saccharolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1) was one of the first viruses identified in the archaeal kingdom. Originally isolated from a Japanese species of Saccharolobus back in 1984, it has been extensively used as a model system for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies, as well as to unveil the molecular mechanisms governing the host–virus interaction. The purpose of this mini review is to supply a compendium of four decades of research on the SSV1 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Aulitto
- Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Laura Martinez-Alvarez
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Biochemistry and Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Qunxin She
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 250100, China
| | | | - Xu Peng
- Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (X.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (X.P.); (P.C.)
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3
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Cesaro A, Torres MDT, Gaglione R, Dell'Olmo E, Di Girolamo R, Bosso A, Pizzo E, Haagsman HP, Veldhuizen EJA, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Arciello A. Synthetic Antibiotic Derived from Sequences Encrypted in a Protein from Human Plasma. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1880-1895. [PMID: 35112568 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Encrypted peptides have been recently found in the human proteome and represent a potential class of antibiotics. Here we report three peptides derived from the human apolipoprotein B (residues 887-922) that exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococci both in vitro and in an animal model. The peptides had excellent cytotoxicity profiles, targeted bacteria by depolarizing and permeabilizing their cytoplasmic membrane, inhibited biofilms, and displayed anti-inflammatory properties. Importantly, the peptides, when used in combination, potentiated the activity of conventional antibiotics against bacteria and did not select for bacterial resistance. To ensure translatability of these molecules, a protease resistant retro-inverso variant of the lead encrypted peptide was synthesized and demonstrated anti-infective activity in a preclinical mouse model. Our results provide a link between human plasma and innate immunity and point to the blood as a source of much-needed antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cesaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Section Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CL, The Netherlands
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Marcelo D T Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome 00136, Italy
| | - Eliana Dell'Olmo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Henk P Haagsman
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Section Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CL, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin J A Veldhuizen
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Section Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CL, The Netherlands
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples I-80126, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome 00136, Italy
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4
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Rani A, Saini KC, Bast F, Varjani S, Mehariya S, Bhatia SK, Sharma N, Funk C. A Review on Microbial Products and Their Perspective Application as Antimicrobial Agents. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121860. [PMID: 34944505 PMCID: PMC8699383 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and microalgae are an auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. In this review, the existing research regarding antimicrobial molecules from microorganisms is summarized. The potential antimicrobial compounds from actinomycetes, particularly Streptomyces spp.; archaea; fungi including endophytic, filamentous, and marine-derived fungi, mushroom; and microalgae are briefly described. Furthermore, this review briefly summarizes bacteriocins, halocins, sulfolobicin, etc., that target multiple-drug resistant pathogens and considers next-generation antibiotics. This review highlights the possibility of using microorganisms as an antimicrobial resource for biotechnological, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. However, more investigations are required to isolate, separate, purify, and characterize these bioactive compounds and transfer these primary drugs into clinically approved antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alka Rani
- Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India; (A.R.); (K.C.S.)
| | - Khem Chand Saini
- Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India; (A.R.); (K.C.S.)
| | - Felix Bast
- Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India; (A.R.); (K.C.S.)
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (S.M.); (S.K.B.)
| | - Sunita Varjani
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382010, India;
| | - Sanjeet Mehariya
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (S.M.); (S.K.B.)
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (S.M.); (S.K.B.)
| | - Neeta Sharma
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Department of Sustainability-CR Trisaia, SS Jonica 106, km 419 + 500, 75026 Rotondella, Italy;
| | - Christiane Funk
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden;
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DNA Binding Mode Analysis of a Core-Extended Naphthalene Diimide as a Conformation-Sensitive Fluorescent Probe of G-Quadruplex Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910624. [PMID: 34638964 PMCID: PMC8508963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex existence was proved in cells by using both antibodies and small molecule fluorescent probes. However, the G-quadruplex probes designed thus far are structure- but not conformation-specific. Recently, a core-extended naphthalene diimide (cex-NDI) was designed and found to provide fluorescent signals of markedly different intensities when bound to G-quadruplexes of different conformations or duplexes. Aiming at evaluating how the fluorescence behaviour of this compound is associated with specific binding modes to the different DNA targets, cex-NDI was here studied in its interaction with hybrid G-quadruplex, parallel G-quadruplex, and B-DNA duplex models by biophysical techniques, molecular docking, and biological assays. cex-NDI showed different binding modes associated with different amounts of stacking interactions with the three DNA targets. The preferential binding sites were the groove, outer quartet, or intercalative site of the hybrid G-quadruplex, parallel G-quadruplex, and B-DNA duplex, respectively. Interestingly, our data show that the fluorescence intensity of DNA-bound cex-NDI correlates with the amount of stacking interactions formed by the ligand with each DNA target, thus providing the rationale behind the conformation-sensitive properties of cex-NDI and supporting its use as a fluorescent probe of G-quadruplex structures. Notably, biological assays proved that cex-NDI mainly localizes in the G-quadruplex-rich nuclei of cancer cells.
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6
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Sultana A, Luo H, Ramakrishna S. Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Applications in Biomedical Sector. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1094. [PMID: 34572676 PMCID: PMC8465024 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10091094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In a report by WHO (2014), it was stated that antimicrobial resistance is an arising challenge that needs to be resolved. This resistance is a critical issue in terms of disease or infection treatment and is usually caused due to mutation, gene transfer, long-term usage or inadequate use of antimicrobials, survival of microbes after consumption of antimicrobials, and the presence of antimicrobials in agricultural feeds. One of the solutions to this problem is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are ubiquitously present in the environment. These peptides are of concern due to their special mode of action against a wide spectrum of infections and health-related problems. The biomedical field has the highest need of AMPs as it possesses prominent desirable activity against HIV-1, skin cancer, breast cancer, in Behcet's disease treatment, as well as in reducing the release of inflammatory cells such as TNFα, IL-8, and IL-1β, enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and GM-CSF, and in wound healing properties. This review has highlighted all the major functions and applications of AMPs in the biomedical field and concludes the future potential of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afreen Sultana
- Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore;
| | - Hongrong Luo
- Engineering Research Center in Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China;
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore;
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7
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Moghimipour E, Abedishirehjin S, Baghbadorani MA, Handali S. Bacteria and Archaea: A new era of cancer therapy. J Control Release 2021; 338:1-7. [PMID: 34391833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most important mortality in the world. The major drawbacks of chemotherapy are the poor absorption of drugs into tumor tissues and development of resistance against anti-cancer agents. To overcome these limitations, the use of microorganisms has been extensively considered in the treatment of cancer. Microorganisms (bacteria/Archaea) secrete different bioactive compounds that can efficiently inhibit cancer cells growth. Biological nanocarriers derived from microorganisms including outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), bacterial ghosts (BGs) and archaeosomes have also been considered as drug delivery systems. Conjugation of drug loaded nanocarriers to bacteria strongly kills the cancer cells after internalization through the bacteria. Merging of microbiology and nanotechnology may provide versatile microbial nano-hybrids for promising treatment of cancer. This strategy causes more amount of drug to enter into cancer cells. In this review, we present evidence that microorganism, their derivatives as well as their intervention with nanotechnology can be a powerful vehicle for eradication cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eskandar Moghimipour
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Samaneh Abedishirehjin
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Somayeh Handali
- Medical Biomaterial Research Center (MBRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Gaglione R, Smaldone G, Cesaro A, Rumolo M, De Luca M, Di Girolamo R, Petraccone L, Del Vecchio P, Oliva R, Notomista E, Pedone E, Arciello A. Impact of a Single Point Mutation on the Antimicrobial and Fibrillogenic Properties of Cryptides from Human Apolipoprotein B. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070631. [PMID: 34209895 PMCID: PMC8308739 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are gaining increasing interest, since they are endowed with multiple activities, are often effective on multidrug resistant bacteria and do not generally lead to the development of resistance phenotypes. Cryptic HDPs have been recently identified in human apolipoprotein B and found to be endowed with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, with anti-biofilm, wound healing and immunomodulatory properties, and with the ability to synergistically act in combination with conventional antibiotics, while being not toxic for eukaryotic cells. Here, a multidisciplinary approach was used, including time killing curves, differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, ThT binding assays, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. The effects of a single point mutation (Pro → Ala in position 7) on the biological properties of ApoB-derived peptide r(P)ApoBLPro have been evaluated. Although the two versions of the peptide share similar antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties, only r(P)ApoBLAla peptide was found to exert bactericidal effects. Interestingly, antimicrobial activity of both peptide versions appears to be dependent from their interaction with specific components of bacterial surfaces, such as LPS or LTA, which induce peptides to form β-sheet-rich amyloid-like structures. Altogether, obtained data indicate a correlation between ApoB-derived peptides self-assembling state and their antibacterial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angela Cesaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Mariano Rumolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Maria De Luca
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Luigi Petraccone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Physical Chemistry I—Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany;
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy;
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.G.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (M.D.L.); (R.D.G.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-679147
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9
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Sun ZG, Zhao LH, Yeh SM, Li ZN, Ming X. Research Development, Optimization and Modifications of Anti-cancer Peptides. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:58-68. [PMID: 32767954 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666200729163146] [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: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Anti-cancer peptides play an important role in the area of cancer inhibition. A variety of anti- cancer peptides have emerged through the extraction and structural modification of peptides from biological tissues. This review provides the research background of anti-cancer peptides, the introduction of the mechanism of anti-cancer peptides for inhibition of cancers, the discovery and development along with optimization and modifications of these peptides in the clinical application. In conclusion, it can be said that anti-cancer peptides will play a major role in the future oncologic clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Sun
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No. 17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China
| | - Liang-Hui Zhao
- Weifang Medical University, No. 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Stacy Mary Yeh
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston- Salem, NC 27101, United States
| | - Zhi-Na Li
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No. 17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China
| | - Xin Ming
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston- Salem, NC 27101, United States
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10
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Lampitella E, Landi N, Oliva R, Gaglione R, Bosso A, De Lise F, Ragucci S, Arciello A, Petraccone L, Pizzo E, Del Vecchio P, Di Maro A. Toxicity and membrane perturbation properties of the ribotoxin-like protein Ageritin. J Biochem 2021; 170:473-482. [PMID: 33993266 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageritin is the prototype of a new ribotoxin-like protein family, which has been recently identified also in basidiomycetes. The protein exhibits specific RNase activity through the cleavage of a single phosphodiester bond located at sarcin/ricin loop of the large rRNA, thus inhibiting protein biosynthesis at early stages. Conversely to other ribotoxins, its activity requires the presence of divalent cations. In the present study, we report the activity of Ageritin on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells showing that the protein has a prominent effect on cancer cells viability and no effects on eukaryotic and bacterial cells. In order to rationalize these findings, the ability of the protein to interact with various liposomes mimicking normal, cancer and bacterial cell membranes was explored. The collected results indicate that Ageritin can interact with DPPC/DPPS/Chol vesicles, used as a model of cancer cell membranes, and with DPPC/DPPG vesicles, used as a model of bacterial cell membranes, suggesting a selective interaction with anionic lipids. However, a different perturbation of the two model membranes, mediated by cholesterol redistribution, was observed and this might be at the basis of Ageritin selective toxicity towards cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erosantonio Lampitella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy.,Physical Chemistry I-Biophysical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Federica De Lise
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigi Petraccone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
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11
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Host defense peptides identified in human apolipoprotein B as novel food biopreservatives and active coating components. Food Microbiol 2021; 99:103804. [PMID: 34119097 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of three novel "host defence peptides" identified in human Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) as novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents to be employed in food industry is reported. ApoB-derived peptides have been found to exert significant antimicrobial effects towards Salmonella typhimurium ATCC® 14028 and Salmonella enteritidis 706 RIVM strains. Furthermore, they have been found to retain antimicrobial activity under experimental conditions selected to simulate those occurring during food storage, transportation and heat treatment, and have been found to be endowed with antibiofilm properties. Based on these findings, to evaluate the applicability of ApoB-derived peptides as food biopreservatives, coating solutions composed by chitosan (CH) and an ApoB-derived peptide have been prepared and found to be able to prevent Salmonella cells attachment to different kinds of surfaces employed in food industry. Finally, obtained coating solution has been demonstrated to hinder microbial proliferation in chicken meat samples. Altogether, obtained findings indicate that ApoB-derived peptides are promising candidates as novel biopreservatives for food packaging.
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12
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Aulitto M, Strazzulli A, Sansone F, Cozzolino F, Monti M, Moracci M, Fiorentino G, Limauro D, Bartolucci S, Contursi P. Prebiotic properties of Bacillus coagulans MA-13: production of galactoside hydrolyzing enzymes and characterization of the transglycosylation properties of a GH42 β-galactosidase. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:71. [PMID: 33736637 PMCID: PMC7977261 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The spore-forming lactic acid bacterium Bacillus coagulans MA-13 has been isolated from canned beans manufacturing and successfully employed for the sustainable production of lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass. Among lactic acid bacteria, B. coagulans strains are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption. Low-cost microbial production of industrially valuable products such as lactic acid and various enzymes devoted to the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides and lactose, is of great importance to the food industry. Specifically, α- and β-galactosidases are attractive for their ability to hydrolyze not-digestible galactosides present in the food matrix as well as in the human gastrointestinal tract. Results In this work we have explored the potential of B. coagulans MA-13 as a source of metabolites and enzymes to improve the digestibility and the nutritional value of food. A combination of mass spectrometry analysis with conventional biochemical approaches has been employed to unveil the intra- and extra- cellular glycosyl hydrolase (GH) repertoire of B. coagulans MA-13 under diverse growth conditions. The highest enzymatic activity was detected on β-1,4 and α-1,6-glycosidic linkages and the enzymes responsible for these activities were unambiguously identified as β-galactosidase (GH42) and α-galactosidase (GH36), respectively. Whilst the former has been found only in the cytosol, the latter is localized also extracellularly. The export of this enzyme may occur through a not yet identified secretion mechanism, since a typical signal peptide is missing in the α-galactosidase sequence. A full biochemical characterization of the recombinant β-galactosidase has been carried out and the ability of this enzyme to perform homo- and hetero-condensation reactions to produce galacto-oligosaccharides, has been demonstrated. Conclusions Probiotics which are safe for human use and are capable of producing high levels of both α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase are of great importance to the food industry. In this work we have proven the ability of B. coagulans MA-13 to over-produce these two enzymes thus paving the way for its potential use in treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01553-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Aulitto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Andrea Strazzulli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,Task Force On Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Sansone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Flora Cozzolino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Moracci
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,Task Force On Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biosciences and BioResources-National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fiorentino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies On Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Danila Limauro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies On Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy. .,Task Force On Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies On Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy.
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13
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Chauhan S, Dhawan DK, Saini A, Preet S. Antimicrobial peptides against colorectal cancer-a focused review. Pharmacol Res 2021; 167:105529. [PMID: 33675962 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), low patient survival rate due to emergence of drug resistant cancer cells, metastasis and multiple deleterious side effects of chemotherapy, is a cause of public concern globally. To negate these clinical conundrums, search for effective and harmless novel molecular entities for the treatment of CRC is an urgent necessity. Since antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of innate immunity of living beings, it is quite imperative to look for essential attributes of these peptides which may contribute to their effectiveness against carcinogenesis. Once identified, those characteristics can be suitably modified using several synthetic and computational techniques to further enhance their selectivity and pharmacokinetic profiles. Hence, this review analyses scientific reports describing the antiproliferative action of AMPs derived from several sources, particularly focusing on various colon cancer in vitro/in vivo investigations. On perusal of the literature, it appears that AMPs based therapeutics would definitely find special place in CRC therapy in future either alone or as an adjunct to chemotherapy provided some necessary alterations are made in their natural structures to make them more compatible with modern clinical practice. In this context, further in-depth research is warranted in adequate in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Chauhan
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Block-II, South Campus, Sector-25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Devinder K Dhawan
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Block-II, South Campus, Sector-25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Avneet Saini
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Block-II, South Campus, Sector-25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Simran Preet
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Block-II, South Campus, Sector-25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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14
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A novel melanin complex displayed the affinity to HepG2 cell membrane and nucleus. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 122:111923. [PMID: 33641916 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.111923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Chitosan-melanin complex from Catharsius molossus L. has proven to possess superior pharmaceutical excipient performance and may be the new source of water-soluble protein-free natural melanin. Herein, it was enzymatically hydrolyzed into the chitooligosaccharide-melanin complex (CMC) whose main chemical units were composed of eumelanin and chitooligosaccharides and showed three-layer structures. Additionally, this biomacromolecule could self-assemble into 40 nm nanoparticles (CMC Nps) in a weakly acidic aqueous solution. Interestingly, CMC displayed strong affinity for cell membrane by binding the phosphatidylserine, glycoprotein, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans accumulated on the surface of tumor cells, notably, CMC Nps could enter cells and mainly target the nucleus by interacting with DNA and/or RNA substrates located around the nucleus to disrupt the proliferation and apoptosis processes. The findings suggest CMC may be the novel material for subcellular organelle targeting of cancer cells.
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15
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Bosso A, Di Maro A, Cafaro V, Di Donato A, Notomista E, Pizzo E. Enzymes as a Reservoir of Host Defence Peptides. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1310-1323. [PMID: 32223733 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200327173815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Host defence peptides (HDPs) are powerful modulators of cellular responses to various types of insults caused by pathogen agents. To date, a wide range of HDPs, from species of different kingdoms including bacteria, plant and animal with extreme diversity in structure and biological activity, have been described. Apart from a limited number of peptides ribosomally synthesized, a large number of promising and multifunctional HDPs have been identified within protein precursors, with properties not necessarily related to innate immunity, consolidating the fascinating hypothesis that proteins have a second or even multiple biological mission in the form of one or more bio-active peptides. Among these precursors, enzymes constitute certainly an interesting group, because most of them are mainly globular and characterized by a fine specific internal structure closely related to their catalytic properties and also because they are yet little considered as potential HDP releasing proteins. In this regard, the main aim of the present review is to describe a panel of HDPs, identified in all canonical classes of enzymes, and to provide a detailed description on hydrolases and their corresponding HDPs, as there seems to exist a striking link between these structurally sophisticated catalysts and their high content in cationic and amphipathic cryptic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Caserta, Italy
| | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Donato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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16
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Chen C, Li G, Cui X, Chen J, Yu Q, Zong C, Zhao Y, Xu M, Zhou S, Xu H. Mechanistic Investigation of a Self-Assembling Peptide against Escherichia coli. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:9800-9809. [PMID: 32787117 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Because of their distinctive mode of action in targeting bacterial cell membranes, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are increasingly regarded as a potential candidate for the development of novel antibiotics to combat the wide spread of bacterial resistance. To date, understanding of the exact molecular process by which AMPs act on the real bacterial envelope remains challenging. Simultaneously, the aggregated state of AMPs upon interaction with bacterial envelopes is still elusive. Previously, we have demonstrated that the potent antibacterial activity of a designed surfactant-like peptide Ac-A9K-NH2 benefited greatly from its high self-assembling ability and appropriate self-assembled morphologies and sizes. By using high-resolution atomic force microscopy, we here not only follow the variations of the Escherichia coli cell envelope in the presence of Ac-A9K-NH2 but also characterize the peptide aggregates on the bacterial surface as well as on the substrate surface. The results, together with those from fluorescence, zeta potential, circular dichroism, and scanning electron microscopy measurements, indicate that both the positively charged peptide monomers and self-assembled nanostructures can directly act on the negatively charged bacterial surface, followed by their insertion into the bacterial membrane, the formation of surface nanopores, and membrane lysis. The mechanism of Ac-A9K-NH2 against E. coli is thus consistent with the detergent-like mode of action. This work enhances our mechanistic understanding of the antibacterial behaviors of self-assembling peptides that will be valuable in exploring their biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuixia Chen
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Gongrang Li
- Drilling Technology Research Institute, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Service Corporation, Dongying 257000, China
| | - Xuejing Cui
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Jiaxi Chen
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Qizhi Yu
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Cheng Zong
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Yurong Zhao
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Minglu Xu
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Shasha Zhou
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Hai Xu
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
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17
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Roscetto E, Masi M, Esposito M, Di Lecce R, Delicato A, Maddau L, Calabrò V, Evidente A, Catania MR. Anti-Biofilm Activity of the Fungal Phytotoxin Sphaeropsidin A Against Clinical Isolates of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E444. [PMID: 32650496 PMCID: PMC7404997 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens involved in human infection have rapidly increased their antibiotic resistance, reducing the effectiveness of therapies in recent decades. Most of them can form biofilms and effective drugs are not available to treat these formations. Natural products could represent an efficient solution in discovering and developing new drugs to overcome antimicrobial resistance and treat biofilm-related infections. In this study, 20 secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi of forest plants and belonging to diverse classes of naturally occurring compounds were evaluated for the first time against clinical isolates of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. epi-Epoformin, sphaeropsidone, and sphaeropsidin A showed antimicrobial activity on all test strains. In particular, sphaeropsidin A was effective at low concentrations with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values ranging from 6.25 μg/mL to 12.5 μg/mL against all reference and clinical test strains. Furthermore, sphaeropsidin A at sub-inhibitory concentrations decreased methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, as quantified by crystal violet staining. Interestingly, mixtures of sphaeropsidin A and epi-epoformin have shown antimicrobial synergistic effects with a concomitant reduction of cytotoxicity against human immortalized keratinocytes. Our data show that sphaeropsidin A and epi-epoformin possess promising antimicrobial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Roscetto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.E.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Marco Masi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (R.D.L.); (A.E.)
| | - Matilde Esposito
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.E.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Roberta Di Lecce
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (R.D.L.); (A.E.)
| | - Antonella Delicato
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.D.); (V.C.)
| | - Lucia Maddau
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Viola Calabrò
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.D.); (V.C.)
| | - Antonio Evidente
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (R.D.L.); (A.E.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Catania
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.E.); (M.R.C.)
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18
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Cryptides Identified in Human Apolipoprotein B as New Weapons to Fight Antibiotic Resistance in Cystic Fibrosis Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062049. [PMID: 32192076 PMCID: PMC7139702 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic respiratory infections are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and are characterized by the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype and biofilm formation, generally recalcitrant to treatment with conventional antibiotics. Hence, novel effective strategies are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides represent new promising therapeutic agents. Here, we analyze for the first time the efficacy of three versions of a cryptide identified in human apolipoprotein B (ApoB, residues 887-922) towards bacterial strains clinically isolated from CF patients. Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of ApoB-derived cryptides have been analyzed by broth microdilution assays, crystal violet assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Cell proliferation assays have been performed to test cryptide effects on human host cells. ApoB-derived cryptides have been found to be endowed with significant antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties towards Pseudomonas and Burkholderia strains clinically isolated from CF patients. Peptides have been also found to be able to act in combination with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, and they are harmless when tested on human bronchial epithelial mesothelial cells. These findings open interesting perspectives to cryptide applicability in the treatment of chronic lung infections associated with CF disease.
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19
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Fusco S, Aulitto M, Iacobucci I, Crocamo G, Pucci P, Bartolucci S, Monti M, Contursi P. The interaction between the F55 virus-encoded transcription regulator and the RadA host recombinase reveals a common strategy in Archaea and Bacteria to sense the UV-induced damage to the host DNA. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194493. [PMID: 32014611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 is the only UV-inducible member of the virus family Fuselloviridae. Originally isolated from Saccharolobus shibatae B12, it can also infect Saccharolobus solfataricus. Like the CI repressor of the bacteriophage λ, the SSV1-encoded F55 transcription repressor acts as a key regulator for the maintenance of the SSV1 carrier state. In particular, F55 binds to tandem repeat sequences located within the promoters of the early and UV-inducible transcripts. Upon exposure to UV light, a temporally coordinated pattern of gene expression is triggered. In the case of the better characterized bacteriophage λ, the switch from lysogenic to lytic development is regulated by a crosstalk between the virus encoded CI repressor and the host RecA, which regulates also the SOS response. For SSV1, instead, the regulatory mechanisms governing the switch from the carrier to the induced state have not been completely unravelled. In this study we have applied an integrated biochemical approach based on a variant of the EMSA assay coupled to mass spectrometry analyses to identify the proteins associated with F55 when bound to its specific DNA promoter sequences. Among the putative F55 interactors, we identified RadA and showed that the archaeal molecular components F55 and RadA are functional homologs of bacteriophage λ (factor CI) and Escherichia coli (RecA) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Aulitto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Crocamo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Pucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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20
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Gallo G, Antonucci I, Pirone L, Amoresano A, Contursi P, Limauro D, Pedone E, Bartolucci S, Fiorentino G. A physicochemical investigation on the metal binding properties of TtSmtB, a thermophilic member of the ArsR/SmtB transcription factor family. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 138:1056-1063. [PMID: 31356933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factors of the ArsR/SmtB family are widespread within the bacterial and archaeal kingdoms. They are transcriptional repressors able to sense a variety of metals and undergo allosteric conformational changes upon metal binding, resulting in derepression of genes involved in detoxification. So far, the molecular determinants of specificity, selectivity, and metal binding mechanism have been scarcely investigated in thermophilic microorganisms. TtSmtB, the only ArsR/SmtB member present in the genome of Thermus thermophilus HB27, was chosen as a model to shed light into such molecular mechanisms at high temperature. In the present study, using a multidisciplinary approach, a structural and functional characterization of the protein was performed focusing on its metal interaction and chemical-physical stability. Our data demonstrate that TtSmtB has two distinct metal binding sites per monomer and interacts with di-tri-penta-valent ions with different affinity. Detailed knowledge at molecular level of protein-metal interaction is remarkable to design metal binding domains as scaffolds in metal-based therapies as well as in metal biorecovery or biosensing in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Gallo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Danila Limauro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Napoli, Italy
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21
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Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus coagulans MA-13, a Thermophilic Lactic Acid Producer from Lignocellulose. Microbiol Resour Announc 2019; 8:8/23/e00341-19. [PMID: 31171617 PMCID: PMC6554604 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00341-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus coagulans MA-13 is an efficient lactic acid producer which withstands high concentrations of the growth inhibitors formed during the pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstock. This draft genome sequence is expected to pave the way toward the understanding of mechanisms responsible for the robustness of MA-13 during simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. Bacillus coagulans MA-13 is an efficient lactic acid producer which withstands high concentrations of the growth inhibitors formed during the pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstock. This draft genome sequence is expected to pave the way toward the understanding of mechanisms responsible for the robustness of MA-13 during simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.
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22
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Gaglione R, Cesaro A, Dell'Olmo E, Della Ventura B, Casillo A, Di Girolamo R, Velotta R, Notomista E, Veldhuizen EJA, Corsaro MM, De Rosa C, Arciello A. Effects of human antimicrobial cryptides identified in apolipoprotein B depend on specific features of bacterial strains. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6728. [PMID: 31040323 PMCID: PMC6491590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) are endowed with a broad variety of activities, including direct antimicrobial properties and modulatory roles in the innate immune response. Even if it has been widely demonstrated that bacterial membrane represents the main target of peptide antimicrobial activity, the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane perturbation by HDPs have not been fully clarified yet. Recently, two cryptic HDPs have been identified in human apolipoprotein B and found to be endowed with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and with anti-biofilm, wound healing and immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, ApoB derived HDPs are able to synergistically act in combination with conventional antibiotics, while being not toxic for eukaryotic cells. Here, by using a multidisciplinary approach, including time killing curves, Zeta potential measurements, membrane permeabilization assays, electron microscopy analyses, and isothermal titration calorimetry studies, the antimicrobial effects of ApoB cryptides have been analysed on bacterial strains either susceptible or resistant to peptide toxicity. Intriguingly, it emerged that even if electrostatic interactions between negatively charged bacterial membranes and positively charged HDPs play a key role in mediating peptide toxicity, they are strongly influenced by the composition of negatively charged bacterial surfaces and by defined extracellular microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Cesaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eliana Dell'Olmo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Angela Casillo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Velotta
- Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Edwin J A Veldhuizen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Michela Corsaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio De Rosa
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy. .,Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome, Italy.
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23
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Aulitto M, Fusco S, Nickel DB, Bartolucci S, Contursi P, Franzén CJ. Seed culture pre-adaptation of Bacillus coagulans MA-13 improves lactic acid production in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:45. [PMID: 30858882 PMCID: PMC6394018 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1382-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant and sustainable feedstock, which represents a promising raw material for the production of lactic acid via microbial fermentation. However, toxic compounds that affect microbial growth and metabolism are released from the biomass upon thermochemical pre-treatment. So far, susceptibility of bacterial strains to biomass-derived inhibitors still represents a major barrier to lactic acid production from lignocellulose. Detoxification of the pre-treated lignocellulosic material by water washing is commonly performed to alleviate growth inhibition of the production microorganism and achieve higher production rates. RESULTS In this study, we assessed the feasibility of replacing the washing step with integrated cellular adaptation during pre-culture of Bacillus coagulans MA-13 prior to simultaneous saccharification and lactic acid fermentation of steam exploded wheat straw. Using a seed culture pre-exposed to 30% hydrolysate led to 50% shorter process time, 50% higher average volumetric and 115% higher average specific productivity than when using cells from a hydrolysate-free seed culture. CONCLUSIONS Pre-exposure of B. coagulans MA-13 to hydrolysate supports adaptation to the actual production medium. This strategy leads to lower process water requirements and combines cost-effective seed cultivation with physiological pre-adaptation of the production strain, resulting in reduced lactic acid production costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Aulitto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Division of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Division of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Benjamin Nickel
- Division of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Carl Johan Franzén
- Division of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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24
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Aulitto M, Fusco S, Limauro D, Fiorentino G, Bartolucci S, Contursi P. Galactomannan degradation by thermophilic enzymes: a hot topic for biotechnological applications. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:32. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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25
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Straub CT, Counts JA, Nguyen DMN, Wu CH, Zeldes BM, Crosby JR, Conway JM, Otten JK, Lipscomb GL, Schut GJ, Adams MWW, Kelly RM. Biotechnology of extremely thermophilic archaea. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:543-578. [PMID: 29945179 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the extremely thermophilic archaea (Topt ≥ 70°C) may be the most primitive extant forms of life, they have been studied to a limited extent relative to mesophilic microorganisms. Many of these organisms have unique biochemical and physiological characteristics with important biotechnological implications. These include methanogens that generate methane, fermentative anaerobes that produce hydrogen gas with high efficiency, and acidophiles that can mobilize base, precious and strategic metals from mineral ores. Extremely thermophilic archaea have also been a valuable source of thermoactive, thermostable biocatalysts, but their use as cellular systems has been limited because of the general lack of facile genetics tools. This situation has changed recently, however, thereby providing an important avenue for understanding their metabolic and physiological details and also opening up opportunities for metabolic engineering efforts. Along these lines, extremely thermophilic archaea have recently been engineered to produce a variety of alcohols and industrial chemicals, in some cases incorporating CO2 into the final product. There are barriers and challenges to these organisms reaching their full potential as industrial microorganisms but, if these can be overcome, a new dimension for biotechnology will be forthcoming that strategically exploits biology at high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Straub
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - James A Counts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - Diep M N Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Chang-Hao Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Benjamin M Zeldes
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - James R Crosby
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - Jonathan M Conway
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - Jonathan K Otten
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
| | - Gina L Lipscomb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Gerrit J Schut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael W W Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Robert M Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
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26
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Roscetto E, Contursi P, Vollaro A, Fusco S, Notomista E, Catania MR. Antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of the first cryptic antimicrobial peptide from an archaeal protein against Candida spp. clinical isolates. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17570. [PMID: 30514888 PMCID: PMC6279838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species cause cutaneous and systemic infections with a high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of resistance to the most common antifungal drugs, also due to biofilm formation, requires the development of alternative antifungal agents. The antimicrobial peptide VLL-28, isolated from an archaeal transcription factor, shows comparable antifungal activity against 10 clinical isolates of Candida spp. Using a fluoresceinated derivative of this peptide, we found that VLL-28 binds to the surface of planktonic cells. This observation suggested that it could exert its antifungal activity by damaging the cell wall. In addition, analyses performed on biofilms via confocal microscopy revealed that VLL-28 is differentially active on all the strains tested, with C. albicans and C. parapsilosis being the most sensitive ones. Notably, VLL-28 is the first example of an archaeal antimicrobial peptide that is active towards Candida spp. Thus, this points to archaeal microorganisms as a possible reservoir of novel antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Roscetto
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Vollaro
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Campus of Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Catania
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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27
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Gaglione R, Smaldone G, Di Girolamo R, Piccoli R, Pedone E, Arciello A. Cell milieu significantly affects the fate of AApoAI amyloidogenic variants: predestination or serendipity? Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1862:377-384. [PMID: 29174954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific apolipoprotein A-I variants are associated to severe hereditary amyloidoses. The organ distribution of AApoAI amyloidosis seems to depend on the position of the mutation, since mutations in residues from 1 to 75 are mainly associated to hepatic and renal amyloidosis, while mutations in residues from 173 to 178 are mostly responsible for cardiac, laryngeal, and cutaneous amyloidosis. Molecular bases of this tissue specificity are still poorly understood, but it is increasingly emerging that protein destabilization induced by amyloidogenic mutations is neither necessary nor sufficient for amyloidosis development. METHODS By using a multidisciplinary approach, including circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, spectrofluorometric and atomic force microscopy analyses, the effect of target cells on the conformation and fibrillogenic pathway of the two AApoAI amyloidogenic variants AApoAIL75P and AApoAIL174S has been monitored. RESULTS Our data show that specific cell milieus selectively affect conformation, aggregation propensity and fibrillogenesis of the two AApoAI amyloidogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS An intriguing picture emerged indicating that defined cell contexts selectively induce fibrillogenesis of specific AApoAI variants. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE An innovative methodological approach, based on the use of whole intact cells to monitor the effects of cell context on AApoAI variants fibrillogenic pathway, has been set up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Renata Piccoli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Naples, Italy; Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Italy.
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28
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Figueira TN, Oliveira FD, Almeida I, Mello ÉO, Gomes VM, Castanho MARB, Gaspar D. Challenging metastatic breast cancer with the natural defensin PvD 1. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:16887-16899. [PMID: 29076508 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05872a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is a very serious life threatening condition that poses many challenges for the pharmaceutical development of effective chemotherapeutics. As the therapeutics targeted to the localized masses in breast improve, metastatic lesions in the brain slowly increase in their incidence compromising successful treatment outcomes overall. The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is one important obstacle for the management of breast cancer brain metastases. New therapeutic approaches are in demand for overcoming the BBB's breaching by breast tumor cells. In this work we demonstrate the potential dual role of a natural antimicrobial plant defensin, PvD1: it interferes with the formation of solid tumors in the breast and concomitantly controls adhesion of breast cancer cells to human brain endothelial cells. We have used a combination of techniques that probe PvD1's effect at the single cell level and reveal that this peptide can effectively damage breast tumor cells, leaving healthy breast and brain cells unaffected. Results suggest that PvD1 quickly internalizes in cancer cells but remains located in the membrane of normal cells with no significant damage to its structure and biomechanical properties. These interactions in turn modulate cell adhesiveness between tumor and BBB cells. PvD1 is a potential template for the design of innovative pharmacological approaches for metastatic breast cancer treatment: the manipulation of the biomechanical properties of tumor cells that ultimately prevent their attachment to the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago N Figueira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Filipa D Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Inês Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
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