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Gutierrez CDO, Almeida LHDO, Sardi JDCO, Almeida CV, de Oliveira CFR, Marchetto R, Crusca E, Buccini DF, Franco OL, Cardoso MH, Macedo MLR. Boosting the antibacterial potential of a linear encrypted peptide in a Kunitz-type inhibitor (ApTI) through physicochemical-guided approaches. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00168-8. [PMID: 39029576 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.07.009] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance has become a serious public health problem in recent years, thus encouraging the search for new antimicrobial agents. Here, we report an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), called PEPAD, which was designed based on an encrypted peptide from a Kunitz-type plant peptidase inhibitor. PEPAD was capable of rapidly inhibiting and eliminating numerous bacterial species at micromolar concentrations (from 4 μM to 10 μM), with direct membrane activity. It was also observed that the peptide can act synergistically with ciprofloxacin and showed no toxicity in the G. mellonella in vivo assay. Circular dichroism assays revealed that the peptide's secondary structure adopts different scaffolds depending on the environment in which it is inserted. In lipids mimicking bacterial cell membranes, PEPAD adopts a more stable α-helical structure, which is consistent with its membrane-associated mechanism of action. When in contact with lipids mimicking mammalian cells, PEPAD adopts a disordered structure, losing its function and suggesting cellular selectivity. Therefore, these findings make PEPAD a promising candidate for future antimicrobial therapies with low toxicity to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Oliveira Gutierrez
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Luís Henrique de Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Janaina de Cássia Orlandi Sardi
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Claudiane Vilharroel Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Marchetto
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Química, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson Crusca
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Química, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria Lígia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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2
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Silva MSD, Taveira GB, Silva Gebara RD, Azevedo Dos Santos LD, Cherene MB, Souza TAM, Moreira FF, Rodrigues PS, Motta OV, Seabra SH, Oliveira Carvalho AD, Rodrigues R, Gomes VM. Understanding the mechanism of action of protease inhibitors in controlling the growth of the Candida Genus: potential candidates for development of new antifungal molecules. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:257. [PMID: 38734773 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03993-7] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing imperative for research into alternative compounds for the treatment of the fungal infections. Thus, many studies have focused on the analysis of antifungal proteins and peptides from different plant sources. Among these molecules are protease inhibitors (PIs). Previously, PIs present in the peptide-rich fractions called PEF1, PEF2 and PEF3 were identified from Capsicum chinense seeds, which have strong activity against phytopathogenic fungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of action and antimicrobial activity of PIs from PEF2 and PEF3 on the growth of yeasts of the genus Candida. In this work, analyses of their antimicrobial activity and cell viability were carried out. Subsequently, the mechanism of action by which the PIs cause the death of the yeasts was evaluated. Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro by erythrocytes lysis and in vivo in Galleria mellonella larvae. PEF2 and PEF3 caused 100% of the growth inhibition of C. tropicalis and C. buinensis. For C. albicans inhibition was approximately 60% for both fractions. The PEF2 and PEF3 caused a reduction in mitochondrial functionality of 54% and 46% for C. albicans, 26% and 30% for C. tropicalis, and 71% and 68% for C. buinensis, respectively. These fractions induced morphological alterations, led to membrane permeabilization, elevated ROS levels, and resulted in necrotic cell death in C. tropicalis, whilst demonstrating low toxicity toward host cells. From the results obtained here, we intend to contribute to the understanding of the action of PIs in the control of fungal diseases of medical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marciele Souza da Silva
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Bonan Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo da Silva Gebara
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Layrana de Azevedo Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Milena Bellei Cherene
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaynã Amanda Melo Souza
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe Figueirôa Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pedro Souto Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Olney Vieira Motta
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sergio Henrique Seabra
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosana Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Melhoramento e Genética Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
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Almeida CV, de Oliveira CFR, Almeida LHDO, Ramalho SR, Gutierrez CDO, Sardi JDCO, Franco OL, Cardoso MH, Macedo MLR. Computer-made peptide RQ18 acts as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm peptide though membrane-associated mechanisms of action. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 753:109884. [PMID: 38218361 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The spread of fungi resistant to conventional drugs has become a threatening problem. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as one of the main alternatives for controlling fungal infections. Here, we report the antifungal and antibiofilm activity and some clues about peptide RQ18's mechanism of action against Candida and Cryptococcus. This peptide inhibited yeast growth from 2.5 μM and killed all Candida tropicalis cells within 2 h incubation. Moreover, it showed a synergistic effect with antifungal agent the amphotericin b. RQ18 reduced biofilm formation and promoted C. tropicalis mature biofilms eradication. RQ18's mechanism of action involves fungal cell membrane damage, which was confirmed by the results of RQ18 in the presence of free ergosterol in the medium and fluorescence microscopy by Sytox green. No toxic effects were observed in murine macrophage cell lines and Galleria mellonella larvae, suggesting fungal target selectivity. Therefore, peptide RQ18 represents a promising strategy as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm agent that contributes to infection control without damaging mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiane Vilharroel Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luís Henrique de Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Suellen Rodrigues Ramalho
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila de Oliveira Gutierrez
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Janaina de Cassia Orlandi Sardi
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
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