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Fong-Coronado PA, Ramirez V, Quintero-Hernández V, Balleza D. A Critical Review of Short Antimicrobial Peptides from Scorpion Venoms, Their Physicochemical Attributes, and Potential for the Development of New Drugs. J Membr Biol 2024; 257:165-205. [PMID: 38990274 PMCID: PMC11289363 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-024-00315-2] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Scorpion venoms have proven to be excellent sources of antimicrobial agents. However, although many of them have been functionally characterized, they remain underutilized as pharmacological agents, despite their evident therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss the physicochemical properties of short scorpion venom antimicrobial peptides (ssAMPs). Being generally short (13-25 aa) and amidated, their proven antimicrobial activity is generally explained by parameters such as their net charge, the hydrophobic moment, or the degree of helicity. However, for a complete understanding of their biological activities, also considering the properties of the target membranes is of great relevance. Here, with an extensive analysis of the physicochemical, structural, and thermodynamic parameters associated with these biomolecules, we propose a theoretical framework for the rational design of new antimicrobial drugs. Through a comparison of these physicochemical properties with the bioactivity of ssAMPs in pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Acinetobacter baumannii, it is evident that in addition to the net charge, the hydrophobic moment, electrostatic energy, or intrinsic flexibility are determining parameters to understand their performance. Although the correlation between these parameters is very complex, the consensus of our analysis suggests that there is a delicate balance between them and that modifying one affects the rest. Understanding the contribution of lipid composition to their bioactivities is also underestimated, which suggests that for each peptide, there is a physiological context to consider for the rational design of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Alejandro Fong-Coronado
- Ecology and Survival of Microorganisms Group (ESMG), Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Microbiana (LEMM), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas (CICM), Instituto de Ciencias (IC), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, México
| | - Verónica Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (FCQ-BUAP), Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, México
| | | | - Daniel Balleza
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Alimentos, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Veracruz, México.
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2
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Méndez LR, Rodríguez-Cornejo T, Rodríguez-Ramos T, Al-Hussinee L, Velázquez J, Campbell JH, Carpio Y, Estrada MP, Dixon B. PACAP sequence modifications modulate the peptide antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens affecting aquaculture. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 148:109512. [PMID: 38499216 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The global aquaculture industry has significant losses each year due to disease outbreaks. Antibiotics are one of the common methods to treat fish infections, but prolonged use can lead to the emergence of resistant strains. Aeromonas spp. Infections are a common and problematic disease in fish, and members of this genera can produce antibiotic resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as an alternative method to treat and prevent infections and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a prominent member of this family. The objective of this research was to study PACAP's direct antimicrobial activity and its toxicity in fish cells. Four synthetic variants of the natural PACAP from Clarias gariepinus were tested in addition to the natural variant. The experimental results show a different antimicrobial activity against A. salmonicida and A. hydrophila of each PACAP variant, and for the first time show dependence on the culture broth used. Furthermore, the results suggest that the underlying mechanism of PACAP antimicrobial activity includes a bacterial membrane permeabilizing effect, classifying PACAP as a membrane disruptive AMP. This study also demonstrated that the five PACAP variants evaluated showed low toxicity in vitro, at concentrations relevant for in vivo applications. Therefore, PACAP could be a promising alternative to antibiotics in the aquaculture sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rivera Méndez
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tania Rodríguez-Ramos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Lowia Al-Hussinee
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON, Canada; Animal Health Laboratory, OVC, Guelph University, Canada
| | - Janet Velázquez
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - James Hugh Campbell
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Yamila Carpio
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - Mario Pablo Estrada
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - Brian Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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3
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Barros ALAN, Silva VC, Ribeiro-Junior AF, Cardoso MG, Costa SR, Moraes CB, Barbosa CG, Coleone AP, Simões RP, Cabral WF, Falcão RM, Vasconcelos AG, Rocha JA, Arcanjo DDR, Batagin-Neto A, Borges TKS, Gonçalves J, Brand GD, Freitas-Junior LHG, Eaton P, Marani M, Kato MJ, Plácido A, Leite JRSA. Antiviral Action against SARS-CoV-2 of a Synthetic Peptide Based on a Novel Defensin Present in the Transcriptome of the Fire Salamander ( Salamandra salamandra). Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:190. [PMID: 38399250 PMCID: PMC10892092 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential emergence of zoonotic diseases has raised significant concerns, particularly in light of the recent pandemic, emphasizing the urgent need for scientific preparedness. The bioprospection and characterization of new molecules are strategically relevant to the research and development of innovative drugs for viral and bacterial treatment and disease management. Amphibian species possess a diverse array of compounds, including antimicrobial peptides. This study identified the first bioactive peptide from Salamandra salamandra in a transcriptome analysis. The synthetic peptide sequence, which belongs to the defensin family, was characterized through MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Molecular docking assays hypothesized the interaction between the identified peptide and the active binding site of the spike WT RBD/hACE2 complex. Although additional studies are required, the preliminary evaluation of the antiviral potential of synthetic SS-I was conducted through an in vitro cell-based SARS-CoV-2 infection assay. Additionally, the cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of the synthesized peptide were assessed. These preliminary findings highlighted the potential of SS-I as a chemical scaffold for drug development against COVID-19, hindering viral infection. The peptide demonstrated hemolytic activity while not exhibiting cytotoxicity at the antiviral concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luisa A N Barros
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical, PGMT, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Vladimir C Silva
- Laboratório de Vigilância Genômica e Biologia Molecular-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Piauí, Teresina 64001-350, PI, Brazil
| | - Atvaldo F Ribeiro-Junior
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Miguel G Cardoso
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
- imed.ULisboa-Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Samuel R Costa
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Carolina B Moraes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Cecília G Barbosa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Alex P Coleone
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais (POSMAT), School of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Bauru 17033-360, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael P Simões
- School of Agriculture, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, SP, Brazil
| | - Wanessa F Cabral
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Raul M Falcão
- Bioinformatics Postgraduate Program, Metrópole Digital Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, RN, Brazil
| | - Andreanne G Vasconcelos
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
- People&Science Pesquisa Desenvolvimento e Inovação LTDA, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (CDT), Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Jefferson A Rocha
- Campus São Bernardo, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, UFMA, São Bernardo 65550-000, MA, Brazil
| | - Daniel D R Arcanjo
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil
| | - Augusto Batagin-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais (POSMAT), School of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Bauru 17033-360, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Sciences and Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Itapeva 18409-010, SP, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Karla S Borges
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - João Gonçalves
- imed.ULisboa-Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Guilherme D Brand
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Lucio H G Freitas-Junior
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Peter Eaton
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (LAQV/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- School of Chemistry, The Bridge, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7EL, UK
| | - Mariela Marani
- IPEEC-CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn 9120, Argentina
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Plácido
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (LAQV/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - José Roberto S A Leite
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
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4
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Peña-Medina RL, Fimbres-Olivarría D, Enríquez-Ocaña LF, Martínez-Córdova LR, Del-Toro-Sánchez CL, López-Elías JA, González-Vega RI. Erythroprotective Potential of Phycobiliproteins Extracted from Porphyridium cruentum. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030366. [PMID: 36984806 PMCID: PMC10057957 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There are multiple associations between the different blood groups (ABO and RhD) and the incidence of oxidative stress-related diseases, such as certain carcinomas and COVID-19. Bioactive compounds represent an alternative to its prevention and treatment. Phycobiliproteins (PBP) are bioactive compounds present in the microalga Porphyridium cruentum and, despite its antioxidant activity, their inhibitory effect on hemolysis has not been reported. The aim of this work was to evaluate the erythroprotective potential of phycobiliproteins from P. cruentum in different blood groups. The microalga was cultured in F/2 medium under controlled laboratory conditions. Day 10 of culture was determined as the harvest point. The microalgal biomass was lyophilized and a methanolic (MetOH), Tris HCl (T-HCl), and a physiological solution (PS) ultrasound-assisted extraction were performed. Extract pigments were quantified by spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated with the ABTS+•, DPPH•, and FRAP methods, finding that the main antioxidant mechanism on the aqueous extracts was HAT (hydrogen atom transfer), while for MetOH it was SET (single electron transfer). The results of the AAPH, hypotonicity, and heat-induced hemolysis revealed a probable relationship between the different antigens (ABO and RhD) with the antihemolytic effect, highlighting the importance of bio-directed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubria Lucía Peña-Medina
- Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Reforma S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Diana Fimbres-Olivarría
- Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Reforma S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
- Correspondence: (D.F.-O.); (R.I.G.-V.)
| | - Luis Fernando Enríquez-Ocaña
- Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Reforma S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Luis Rafael Martínez-Córdova
- Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Reforma S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - José Antonio López-Elías
- Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Reforma S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Iván González-Vega
- Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Cienega University Center (CUCIÉNEGA), University of Guadalajara, Av. Universidad 1115, Lindavista, Ocotlán 47820, Mexico
- Correspondence: (D.F.-O.); (R.I.G.-V.)
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5
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Ruiz-Cruz S, González-Vega RI, Robles-Zepeda RE, Reyes-Díaz A, López-Elías JA, Álvarez-Ainza ML, Cinco-Moroyoqui FJ, Moreno-Corral RA, Wong-Corral FJ, Borboa-Flores J, Cornejo-Ramírez YI, Del-Toro-Sánchez CL. Association of Different ABO and Rh Blood Groups with the Erythroprotective Effect of Extracts from Navicula incerta and Their Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Properties. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12121203. [PMID: 36557241 PMCID: PMC9783362 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported that different blood groups are associated with the risk of chronic degenerative diseases that mainly involve inflammation and neoplastic processes. We investigate the relationship between blood groups and the erythroprotective effect of extracts from Navicula incerta against oxidative damage as a proposal to develop drugs designed for people with a specific blood type related to chronic pathology. The study was carried out through the elucidation of the erythroprotective potential, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity of Navicula incerta. Research suggests that the presence or absence of certain blood groups increases or decreases the abilities of certain phytochemicals to inhibit oxidative stress, which is related to the systemic inflammatory response involved in the development of different types of cancer. The pigment-rich extracts from Navicula incerta inhibit ROO•- induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes on the A RhD+ve antigen without compromising the structure of the cell membrane. This result is very important, since the A antigen is related to the susceptibility of contracting prostate cancer. Similarly, it was possible to inhibit the proliferation of cervical (HeLa) and prostate (PC-3) carcinoma. The combinatorial analysis of different biological activities can help design phytochemicals as new candidates for preventive drugs treating the chronic degenerative diseases associated with a specific blood group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Ruiz-Cruz
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Iván González-Vega
- Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Cienega University Center (CUCIÉNEGA), University of Guadalajara, Av. Universidad 1115, Lindavista, Ocotlán 47820, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.I.G.-V.); (C.L.D.-T.-S.)
| | - Ramón Enrique Robles-Zepeda
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Aline Reyes-Díaz
- Nursing Department, State University of Sonora, Av. Niños Héroes, San Javier, Magdalena de Kino 84160, Mexico
| | - José Antonio López-Elías
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Maritza Lizeth Álvarez-Ainza
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Francisco Javier Cinco-Moroyoqui
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Ramón Alfonso Moreno-Corral
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Francisco Javier Wong-Corral
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Jesús Borboa-Flores
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Yaeel Isbeth Cornejo-Ramírez
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
| | - Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez
- Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.I.G.-V.); (C.L.D.-T.-S.)
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6
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Bugli F, Massaro F, Buonocore F, Saraceni PR, Borocci S, Ceccacci F, Bombelli C, Di Vito M, Marchitiello R, Mariotti M, Torelli R, Sanguinetti M, Porcelli F. Design and Characterization of Myristoylated and Non-Myristoylated Peptides Effective against Candida spp. Clinical Isolates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042164. [PMID: 35216297 PMCID: PMC8875392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance of fungi to antibiotics is a severe challenge in public health, and newly effective drugs are required. Promising potential medications are lipopeptides, linear antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) conjugated to a lipid tail, usually at the N-terminus. In this paper, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of three short myristoylated and non-myristoylated peptides derived from a mutant of the AMP Chionodracine. We determined their interaction with anionic and zwitterionic membrane-mimicking vesicles and their structure during this interaction. We then investigated their cytotoxic and hemolytic activity against mammalian cells. Lipidated peptides showed a broad spectrum of activity against a relevant panel of pathogen fungi belonging to Candida spp., including the multidrug-resistant C. auris. The antifungal activity was also observed vs. biofilms of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. auris. Finally, a pilot efficacy study was conducted on the in vivo model consisting of Galleria mellonella larvae. Treatment with the most-promising myristoylated peptide was effective in counteracting the infection from C. auris and C. albicans and the death of the larvae. Therefore, this myristoylated peptide is a potential candidate to develop antifungal agents against human fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bugli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica Massaro
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Paolo Roberto Saraceni
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Area Della Ricerca di Roma 1, SP35d 9, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR—Institute For Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, c/o Università La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Cecilia Bombelli
- CNR—Institute For Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, c/o Università La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Maura Di Vito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Rosalba Marchitiello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Melinda Mariotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Riccardo Torelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (F.P.); Tel.: +39-063-015-4218 (M.S.); +39-076-135-7041 (F.P.)
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (F.P.); Tel.: +39-063-015-4218 (M.S.); +39-076-135-7041 (F.P.)
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7
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Rajapaksha DC, Jayathilaka EHTT, Edirisinghe SL, Nikapitiya C, Lee J, Whang I, De Zoysa M. Octopromycin: Antibacterial and antibiofilm functions of a novel peptide derived from Octopus minor against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 117:82-94. [PMID: 34311097 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has increased the risk of nosocomial infections, which pose a huge health threat. There is an urgent need to develop alternative therapies, including broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides. In this study, we designed, characterized, and studied the antibacterial, antibiofilm effects and possible mode of actions of a novel synthetic peptide Octopromycin, derived from the proline-rich protein 5 of Octopus minor. Octopromycin consists of 38 amino acids, (+5) net positive charge, high hydrophobic residue ratio (36%), and two α-helix secondary structures. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against A. baumannii were 50 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. Time-kill kinetics and bacterial viability assays confirmed the concentration-dependent antibacterial activity of Octopromycin. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images clearly showed ultrastructural alterations in Octopromycin-treated A. baumannii cells. Propidium iodide penetrated into Octopromycin-treated A. baumannii cells, demonstrating the loss of cell membrane integrity. Octopromycin treatment increased the production of reactive oxygen species in a concentration-dependent manner, and it inhibited the biofilm formation and showed biofilm eradication activity against A. baumannii. In vitro and in vivo safety evaluation revealed that Octopromycin was nontoxic to HEK293T and Raw 264.7 cells (<400 μg/mL), as well as mice red blood cells (<300 μg/mL), and zebrafish embryos (<4 μg/mL). An in vivo study results revealed that the A. baumannii-infected fish treated with Octopromycin exhibited a significantly higher relative percent survival (37.5%) than the infected mock-treated fish with PBS (16.6%). Furthermore, a decreased bacterial load and fewer alterations in histological analysis confirmed the successful control of A. baumannii by Octopromycin in vivo. Collectively, the results indicate that the antibacterial peptide Octopromycin may achieve rapid control of A. baumannii through multi-target interactions; it presents a desirable therapeutic option for the prevention and control of the infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Rajapaksha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - E H T Thulshan Jayathilaka
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - S L Edirisinghe
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Chamilani Nikapitiya
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Joeun Lee
- National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK), 75, Jangsan-ro 101beon-gil, Janghang-eup, Seochun-gun, Chungchungnam-do, 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilson Whang
- National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK), 75, Jangsan-ro 101beon-gil, Janghang-eup, Seochun-gun, Chungchungnam-do, 33662, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mahanama De Zoysa
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Antimicrobial Peptides from Plants: A cDNA-Library Based Isolation, Purification, Characterization Approach and Elucidating Their Modes of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168712. [PMID: 34445412 PMCID: PMC8395713 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Even in a natural ecosystem, plants are continuously threatened by various microbial diseases. To save themselves from these diverse infections, plants build a robust, multilayered immune system through their natural chemical compounds. Among the several crucial bioactive compounds possessed by plants’ immune systems, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank in the first tier. These AMPs are environmentally friendly, anti-pathogenic, and do not bring harm to humans. Antimicrobial peptides can be isolated in several ways, but recombinant protein production has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the Escherichia coli expression system being the most widely used. However, the efficacy of this expression system is compromised due to the difficulty of removing endotoxin from its system. Therefore, this review suggests a high-throughput cDNA library-based plant-derived AMP isolation technique using the Bacillus subtilis expression system. This method can be performed for large-scale screening of plant sources to classify unique or homologous AMPs for the agronomic and applied field of plant studies. Furthermore, this review also focuses on the efficacy of plant AMPs, which are dependent on their numerous modes of action and exceptional structural stability to function against a wide range of invaders. To conclude, the findings from this study will be useful in investigating how novel AMPs are distributed among plants and provide detailed guidelines for an effective screening strategy of AMPs.
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9
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Aslan M. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid and Sphingolipid Measurements by Tandem Mass Spectrometry. MINI-REV ORG CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1570193x17999200504094901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Linoleic Acid (LA) (omega-6) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) (omega-3) are essential
fatty acids and give rise to Arachidonic Acid (AA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic
Acid (DHA) that are important in metabolic homeostasis. The omega-6:omega-3 ratio can be
a prognostic consideration in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Sphingolipids are bioactive
lipids found in cell membranes that play a role in cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Electrospray
Ionization (ESI) coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) is a simple and speedy
method to identify and quantify these lipids in various biological matrices. Tandem mass spectrometric
analyses can be performed on cell lysates, tissue homogenates and serum samples to measure
quantitative changes directly in lipid extracts from these different matrices. The present review summarizes
measurement of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs),
their metabolism to eicosanoids and their role in certain disease states. Altered sphingolipid metabolism
is also associated with a number of human diseases. Therefore, understanding sphingolipid metabolism
is important to comprehend the function of sphingolipids in cellular processes. In this review,
we focus on pathways of Ceramide (CER) and Sphingomyelin (SM) synthesis and discuss altered
levels reported in disease states. Results of reported studies herein clearly show that PUFAs,
SMs and CERs carry out a large number of fundamental functions. They serve as structural elements
in cellular membranes, and they work as signaling molecules. Alterations in their amounts of expression
occurring in diabetes, obesity, inflammation and ER stress-related conditions lead to dysfunctions
contributing to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutay Aslan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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10
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Melo-Braga MN, De Marco Almeida F, Dos Santos DM, de Avelar Júnior JT, Dos Reis PVM, de Lima ME. Antimicrobial Peptides From Lycosidae (Sundevall, 1833) Spiders. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:527-541. [PMID: 31951167 DOI: 10.2174/1389203721666200116091911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found in all organism taxa and may play an essential role as a host defense system. AMPs are organized in various conformations, such as linear peptides, disulfide bond-linked peptides, backbone-linked peptides and circular peptides. AMPs apparently act primarily on the plasma membrane, although an increasing number of works have shown that they may also target various intracellular sites. Spider venoms are rich sources of biomolecules that show several activities, including modulation or blockage of ion channels, anti-insect, anti-cancer, antihypertensive and antimicrobial activities, among others. In spider venoms from the Lycosidae family there are many linear AMPs with a wide range of activities against several microorganisms. Due to these singular activities, some Lycosidae AMPs have been modified to improve or decrease desirable or undesirable effects, respectively. Such modifications, especially with the aim of increasing their antibiotic activity, have led to the filing of many patent applications. This review explores the abundance of Lycosidae venom AMPs and some of their derivatives, and their use as new drug models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Nunes Melo-Braga
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávia De Marco Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Joaquim Teixeira de Avelar Júnior
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pablo Victor Mendes Dos Reis
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Santa Casa-Belo Horizonte: Ensino e Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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11
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Correlation between hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity and systemic in vivo toxicity of synthetic antimicrobial peptides. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13206. [PMID: 32764602 PMCID: PMC7414031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69995-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of non-standard toxicity models is a hurdle in the early development of antimicrobial peptides towards clinical applications. Herein we report an extensive in vitro and in vivo toxicity study of a library of 24 peptide-based antimicrobials with narrow spectrum activity towards veterinary pathogens. The haemolytic activity of the compounds was evaluated against four different species and the relative sensitivity against the compounds was highest for canine erythrocytes, intermediate for rat and human cells and lowest for bovine cells. Selected peptides were additionally evaluated against HeLa, HaCaT and HepG2 cells which showed increased stability towards the peptides. Therapeutic indexes of 50–500 suggest significant cellular selectivity in comparison to bacterial cells. Three peptides were administered to rats in intravenous acute dose toxicity studies up to 2–8 × MIC. None of the injected compounds induced any systemic toxic effects in vivo at the concentrations employed illustrating that the correlation between the different assays is not obvious. This work sheds light on the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of this class of promising compounds and provides insights into the relationship between the different toxicity models often employed in different manners to evaluate the toxicity of novel bioactive compounds in general.
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In Vitro and In Vivo Antibiotic Capacity of Two Host Defense Peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00145-20. [PMID: 32366718 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00145-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Two nonamidated host defense peptides named Pin2[G] and FA1 were evaluated against three types of pathogenic bacteria: two (Staphylococcus aureus UPD13 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa UPD3) isolated from diabetic foot ulcer patients, and another (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium [ATCC 14028]) from a commercial collection. In vitro experiments showed that the antimicrobial performance of the synthetic peptides Pin2[G] and FA1 was modest, although FA1 was more effective than Pin2[G]. In contrast, Pin2[G] had superior in vivo anti-infective activity to FA1 in rabbit wound infections by the diabetic foot ulcer pathogens S. aureus UPD13 and P. aeruginosa UPD3. Indeed, Pin2[G] reduced bacterial colony counts of both S. aureus UPD13 and P. aeruginosa UPD3 by >100,000-fold after 48 to 72 h on skin wounds of infected rabbits, while in similar infected wounds, FA1 had no major effects at 72 to 96 h of treatment. Ceftriaxone was equally effective versus Pseudomonas but less effective versus S. aureus infections. Additionally, the two peptides were evaluated in mice against intragastrically inoculated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (ATCC 14028). Only Pin2[G] at 0.56 mg/kg was effective in reducing systemic (liver) infection by >67-fold, equivalent to the effect of treatment with levofloxacin. Pin2[G] showed superior immunomodulatory activity in increasing chemokine production by a human bronchial cell line and suppressing polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C])-induced proinflammatory IL-6 production. These data showed that the in vitro antimicrobial activity of these peptides was not correlated with their in vivo anti-infective activity and suggest that other factors such as immunomodulatory activity were more important.
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13
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Roy A, Bharadvaja N. Venom-Derived Bioactive Compounds as Potential Anticancer Agents: A Review. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10073-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Felizatti AP, Zeraik AE, Basso LG, Kumagai PS, Lopes JL, Wallace B, Araujo AP, DeMarco R. Interactions of amphipathic α-helical MEG proteins from Schistosoma mansoni with membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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15
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Della Pelle G, Perà G, Belardinelli MC, Gerdol M, Felli M, Crognale S, Scapigliati G, Ceccacci F, Buonocore F, Porcelli F. Trematocine, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Antarctic Fish Trematomus bernacchii: Identification and Biological Activity. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E66. [PMID: 32041161 PMCID: PMC7168153 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short peptides active against a wide range of pathogens and, therefore, they are considered a useful alternative to conventional antibiotics. We have identified a new AMP in a transcriptome derived from the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii. This peptide, named Trematocine, has been investigated for its expression both at the basal level and after in vivo immunization with an endemic Antarctic bacterium (Psychrobacter sp. TAD1). Results agree with the expected behavior of a fish innate immune component, therefore we decided to synthesize the putative mature sequence of Trematocine to determine the structure, the interaction with biological membranes, and the biological activity. We showed that Trematocine folds into a α-helical structure in the presence of both zwitterionic and anionic charged vesicles. We demonstrated that Trematocine has a highly specific interaction with anionic charged vesicles and that it can kill Gram-negative bacteria, possibly via a carpet like mechanism. Moreover, Trematocine showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria similar to other AMPs isolated from Antarctic fishes. The peptide is a possible candidate for a new drug as it does not show any haemolytic or cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells at the concentration needed to kill the tested bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Della Pelle
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Giulia Perà
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Maria Cristina Belardinelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34128, Italy;
| | - Martina Felli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Silvia Crognale
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
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16
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Bertrand B, Munusamy S, Espinosa-Romero JF, Corzo G, Arenas Sosa I, Galván-Hernández A, Ortega-Blake I, Hernández-Adame PL, Ruiz-García J, Velasco-Bolom JL, Garduño-Juárez R, Munoz-Garay C. Biophysical characterization of the insertion of two potent antimicrobial peptides-Pin2 and its variant Pin2[GVG] in biological model membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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17
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Buonocore F, Picchietti S, Porcelli F, Della Pelle G, Olivieri C, Poerio E, Bugli F, Menchinelli G, Sanguinetti M, Bresciani A, Gennari N, Taddei AR, Fausto AM, Scapigliati G. Fish-derived antimicrobial peptides: Activity of a chionodracine mutant against bacterial models and human bacterial pathogens. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 96:9-17. [PMID: 30790604 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics is an urgent problem that can be addressed by the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are components of innate immune system of eukaryotes and are not prone to the conventional mechanisms that are responsible of drug resistance. Fish are an important source of AMPs and, recently, we have isolated and characterized a new 22 amino acid residues peptide, the chionodracine (Cnd), from the Antarctic icefish Chionodraco hamatus. In this paper we focused on a new Cnd-derived mutant peptide, namely Cnd-m3a, designed to improve the selectivity against prokaryotic cells and the antimicrobial activity against human pathogens of the initial Cnd template. Cnd-m3a was used for immunization of rabbits, which gave rise to a polyclonal antibody able to detect the peptide. The interaction kinetic of Cnd-m3a with the Antarctic bacterium Psychrobacter sp. (TAD1) was imaged using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) immunogold method. Initially the peptide was associated with the plasma membrane, but after 180 min of incubation, it was found in the cytoplasm interacting with a DNA target inside the bacterial cells. Using fluorescent probes we showed that the newly designed mutant can create pores in the outer membrane of the bacteria E. coli and Psychrobacter sp. (TAD1), confirming the results of TEM analysis. Moreover, in vitro assays demonstrated that Cnd-m3a is able to bind lipid vesicles of different compositions with a preference toward negatively charged ones, which mimics the prokaryotic cell. The Cnd-m3a peptide showed quite low hemolytic activity and weak cytotoxic effect against human primary and tumor cell lines, but high antimicrobial activity against selected Gram - human pathogens. These results highlighted the high potential of the Cnd-m3a peptide as a starting point for developing a new human therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Giulia Della Pelle
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Cristina Olivieri
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, USA.
| | - Elia Poerio
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Bugli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Rome, Italy; Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Menchinelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Rome, Italy; Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Rome, Italy; Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Nadia Gennari
- IRBM Science Park SpA, Biology Department, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Rita Taddei
- Center of Large Equipments, Section of Electron Microscopy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
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Pore-forming spider venom peptides show cytotoxicity to hyperpolarized cancer cells expressing K+ channels: A lentiviral vector approach. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215391. [PMID: 30978253 PMCID: PMC6461346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated the upregulation of K+ channels in cancer cells. We have previously found that a pore-forming peptide LaFr26, purified from the venom of the Lachesana sp spider, was selectively incorporated into K+ channel expressing hyperpolarized cells. Therefore, it is expected that this peptide would have selective cytotoxicity to hyperpolarized cancer cells. Here we have tested whether LaFr26 and its related peptide, oxyopinin-2b, are selectively cytotoxic to K+ channel expressing cancer cells. These peptides were cytotoxic to the cells, of which resting membrane potential was hyperpolarized. The vulnerabilities of K+ channel-expressing cell lines correlated with their resting membrane potential. They were cytotoxic to lung cancer cell lines LX22 and BEN, which endogenously expressed K+ current. Contrastingly, these peptides were ineffective to glioblastoma cell lines, U87 and T98G, of which membrane potentials were depolarized. Peptides have a drawback, i.e. poor drug-delivery, that hinders their potential use as medicine. To overcome this drawback, we prepared lentiviral vectors that can express these pore-forming peptides and tested the cytotoxicity to K+ channel expressing cells. The transduction with these lentiviral vectors showed autotoxic activity to the channel expressing cells. Our study provides the basis for a new oncolytic viral therapy.
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Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: A Promising Source of New Generation Antibiotics and Other Bio-active Molecules. Int J Pept Res Ther 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-9789-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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20
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Farzanegan A, Roudbary M, Falahati M, Khoobi M, Gholibegloo E, Farahyar S, Karimi P, Khanmohammadi M. Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of a novel formulated nanocomposite containing Indolicidin and Graphene oxide against disseminated candidiasis. J Mycol Med 2018; 28:628-636. [PMID: 30126717 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Candidiasis is one of the most opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida species necessitates the development of novel antifungal agents. Seeking to the discovery of natural antifungal agents, this study aimed to synthesize a novel formulated nanocomposite containing Indolicidin (IN), antimicrobial peptide, and Graphene oxide (GO), kind of nanomaterial, against Candida growth using in vitro and in vivo experiments for the first time. METHODS The formulated nanocomposite (GO-IN) synthetized and was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray power diffraction, and fourier transform infrared method analysis. The in vitro antifungal activity of fluconazole (FLU), GO, IN, and GO-IN was determined against Candida albicans (C. albicans) compared to control groups, cell cytotoxicity assay on human intestinal epithelial cells (IEP) and hemolytic activities were performed. Moreover, in vivo experiments of nanocomposite were assessed in BALB/c mice. RESULTS Our results showed that nanocomposite had the highest inhibitory effect against C. albicans (MIC 3.12μg/mL) compared with flu (MIC 4μg/mL), IN (MIC 12.5μg/mL), and GO (MIC 6.25μg/mL). Viability of human intestinal cell line at the MIC concentration (3.12μg/mL) of nanocomposite (GO-IN) was detected as 60% (P<0.05). The results of hemolytic activity showed that nanocomposite cause 2.73% of red blood cell membrane damage. For in vivo experiments, infected mice were successfully treated with GO-IN once a day within 7 days. GO-IN treated group eliminated the Candida infection in the spleen and liver of BALB/c mice (P=0.001) similar to fluconazole. There was no significant difference in histological manifestations between flu and GO-IN groups. CONCLUSION This study suggests that synergistic combination of GO and IN provide a new option, representing a potential therapeutic efficiency against disseminated candidiasis in an animal model as well as might be used as adjunct therapy in the management of candidiasis. However, further investigation is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the nanocomposite.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Farzanegan
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran
| | - M Roudbary
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran.
| | - M Falahati
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran
| | - M Khoobi
- Nanobiomaterials group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 141761411 Tehran, Iran; Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - E Gholibegloo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - S Farahyar
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran
| | - P Karimi
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran
| | - M Khanmohammadi
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14496-14530 Tehran, Iran
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Aslan M, Kıraç E, Kaya S, Özcan F, Salim O, Küpesiz OA. Decreased Serum Levels of Sphingomyelins and Ceramides in Sickle Cell Disease Patients. Lipids 2018; 53:313-322. [PMID: 29663386 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Limited data are available on the serum levels of different sphingomyelin (CerPCho) and ceramide (CER) species in sickle-cell disease (SCD). This study was aimed at identifying the levels of C16-C24 CerPCho and C16-C24 CER in serum obtained from SCD patients and controls. Circulating levels of neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) activity, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were also determined. Blood was collected from 35 hemoglobin (Hb)A volunteers and 45 homozygous HbSS patients. Serum levels of C16-C24 CerPCho and C16-C24 CER were determined by an optimized multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method using ultrafast liquid chromatography (UFLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Serum activity of N-SMase was assayed by standard kit methods, and C1P and S1P levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significant decrease was observed in the serum levels of C18-C24 CerPCho in patients with SCD compared to controls. No significant difference was found in C16 CerPCho levels between the two groups. Very-long-chain C22-C24 CER were significantly decreased in SCD, while long-chain C16-C20 CER levels showed no significant difference between SCD patients and controls. Significant positive correlation was found between the serum total cholesterol levels and C18-C24 CerPCho and C22-C24 CER in SCD patients. Patients with SCD had significantly elevated serum activity of N-SMase as well as increased circulating levels of C1P and S1P compared to controls. The decrease in serum levels of C18-C24 CerPCho in patients with SCD was accompanied by decreased levels of C22-C24 CER. Future studies are needed to understand the role of decreased CerPCho and CER in the pathophysiology of SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutay Aslan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ebru Kıraç
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Sabriye Kaya
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Filiz Özcan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ozan Salim
- Department of Hematology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Osman Alphan Küpesiz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
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Olivieri C, Bugli F, Menchinelli G, Veglia G, Buonocore F, Scapigliati G, Stocchi V, Ceccacci F, Papi M, Sanguinetti M, Porcelli F. Design and characterization of chionodracine-derived antimicrobial peptides with enhanced activity against drug-resistant human pathogens. RSC Adv 2018; 8:41331-41346. [PMID: 35559296 PMCID: PMC9091591 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra08065h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Design of new chionodracine-derived peptides with potent activity against drug-resistant human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Olivieri
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
| | - Francesca Bugli
- Microbiology Institute
- Catholic University of Sacred Heart
- Rome
- Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Veglia
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- 55455 USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Valentina Stocchi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR – Institute of Chemical Methodologies
- Sezione Meccanismi di Reazione UOS of Rome
- Rome
- Italy
| | | | | | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
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Shevchenko OG, Plyusnina SN. The role of interspecies differences in the ratio of choline-containing phospholipid fractions of rodent erythrocytes in response of these cells to the effect of membranotropic compounds. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093017040068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity of Analogs of Scorpion Venom IsCT Peptides. Antibiotics (Basel) 2017; 6:antibiotics6030013. [PMID: 28657596 PMCID: PMC5617977 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics6030013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven analogs of the natural, α-helix peptides IsCT1 and IsCT2-found in the venom of scorpion Opithancatus Madagascariensis-have been synthesized and tested to compare their antibacterial and hemolytic activity against natural peptides. In general, results show that increasing hydrophobicity by substituting positions 5 and 9 of the sequences with alanine, valine, and leucine, enhances antibacterial activity. However, this also increases hemolytic activity. The analog with an increased net positive charge from +1 to +3 produces moderate bacterial growth inhibition but also has high hemolytic activity. On the other hand, the analog with a negative net charge (-1) has low antibacterial properties but also no cytotoxicity under the tested conditions, a similar result was found for five of the seven studied analogs.
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Insight into the mechanism of action of temporin-SHa, a new broad-spectrum antiparasitic and antibacterial agent. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174024. [PMID: 28319176 PMCID: PMC5358776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising drugs to kill resistant pathogens. In contrast to bacteria, protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, were little studied. Therefore, the antiparasitic mechanism of AMPs is still unclear. In this study, we sought to get further insight into this mechanism by focusing our attention on temporin-SHa (SHa), a small broad-spectrum AMP previously shown to be active against Leishmania infantum. To improve activity, we designed analogs of SHa and compared the antibacterial and antiparasitic mechanisms. [K3]SHa emerged as a highly potent compound active against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts/fungi, and trypanosomatids (Leishmania and Trypanosoma), with leishmanicidal intramacrophagic activity and efficiency toward antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus and antimony-resistant L. infantum. Multipassage resistance selection demonstrated that temporins-SH, particularly [K3]SHa, are not prone to induce resistance in Escherichia coli. Analysis of the mode of action revealed that bacterial and parasite killing occur through a similar membranolytic mechanism involving rapid membrane permeabilization and depolarization. This was confirmed by high-resolution imaging (atomic force microscopy and field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy). Multiple combined techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, surface plasmon resonance, differential scanning calorimetry) allowed us to detail peptide-membrane interactions. [K3]SHa was shown to interact selectively with anionic model membranes with a 4-fold higher affinity (KD = 3 x 10−8 M) than SHa. The amphipathic α-helical peptide inserts in-plane in the hydrophobic lipid bilayer and disrupts the acyl chain packing via a detergent-like effect. Interestingly, cellular events, such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization or DNA fragmentation, were observed in L. infantum promastigotes after exposure to SHa and [K3]SHa at concentrations above IC50. Our results indicate that these temporins exert leishmanicidal activity via a primary membranolytic mechanism but can also trigger apoptotis-like death. The many assets demonstrated for [K3]SHa make this small analog an attractive template to develop new antibacterial/antiparasitic drugs.
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Abstract
For antimicrobial peptides to be interesting for systemic applications, they must show low toxicity against erythrocytes. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for measuring the ability of AMPs to lyse human red blood cells, using melittin as positive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Oddo
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul R Hansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Harrison PL, Heath GR, Johnson BR, Abdel-Rahman MA, Strong PN, Evans SD, Miller K. Phospholipid dependent mechanism of smp24, an α-helical antimicrobial peptide from scorpion venom. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:2737-2744. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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El-Tantawy NL. Helminthes and insects: maladies or therapies. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:359-77. [PMID: 25547076 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4260-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
By definition, parasites cause harm to their hosts. But, considerable evidence from ancient traditional medicine has supported the theory of using parasites and their products in treating many diseases. Maggots have been used successfully to treat chronic, long-standing, infected wounds which failed to respond to conventional treatment by many beneficial effects on the wound including debridement, disinfection, and healing enhancement. Maggots are also applied in forensic medicine to estimate time between the death and discovery of a corpse and in entomotoxicology involving the potential use of insects as alternative samples for detecting drugs and toxins in death investigations. Leeches are segmented invertebrates, famous by their blood-feeding habits and used in phlebotomy to treat various ailments since ancient times. Leech therapy is experiencing resurgence nowadays in health care principally in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Earthworms provide a source of medicinally useful products with potential antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Lumbrokinases are a group of fibrinolytic enzymes isolated and purified from earthworms capable of degrading plasminogen-rich and plasminogen-free fibrin and so can be used to treat various conditions associated with thrombotic diseases. Helminth infection has been proved to have therapeutic effects in both animal and human clinical trials with promising evidence in treating many allergic diseases and can block the induction of or reduce the severity of some autoimmune disorders as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. What is more, venomous arthropods such as scorpions, bees, wasps, spiders, ants, centipedes, snail, beetles, and caterpillars. The venoms and toxins from these arthropods provide a promising source of natural bioactive compounds which can be employed in the development of new drugs to treat diseases as cancer. The possibility of using these active molecules in biotechnological processes can make these venoms and toxins a valuable and promising source of natural bioactive compounds. The therapeutic use of helminthes and insects will be of great value in biomedicine and further studies on insect toxins will contribute extensively to the development of Biomedical Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora L El-Tantawy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 2 El-Gomhouria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt,
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Dennison SR, Phoenix DA. Susceptibility of sheep, human, and pig erythrocytes to haemolysis by the antimicrobial peptide Modelin 5. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2014; 43:423-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-014-0974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Harrison PL, Abdel-Rahman MA, Miller K, Strong PN. Antimicrobial peptides from scorpion venoms. Toxicon 2014; 88:115-37. [PMID: 24951876 PMCID: PMC7111748 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The need for new antimicrobial agents is becoming one of the most urgent requirements in modern medicine. The venoms of many different species are rich sources of biologically active components and various therapeutic agents have been characterized including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Due to their potent activity, low resistance rates and unique mode of action, AMPs have recently received much attention. This review focuses on AMPs from the venoms of scorpions and examines all classes of AMPs found to date. It gives details of their biological activities with reference to peptide structure. The review examines the mechanism of action of AMPs and with this information, suggests possible mechanisms of action of less well characterised peptides. Finally, the review examines current and future trends of scorpion AMP research, by discussing recent successes obtained through proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. In-depth analysis of AMPs from scorpion venom. Focus on biological activity and structure – function relationships. Discussion of possible mechanisms of action. Future strategies for further mining of bioactive compounds from venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Harrison
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Mohamed A Abdel-Rahman
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Keith Miller
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Peter N Strong
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK.
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Castro AJG, Castro LSEW, Santos MSN, Faustino MG, Pinheiro TS, Dore CMG, Baseia IG, Leite EL. Anti-inflamatory, anti-angiogenenic and antioxidant activities of polysaccharide-rich extract from fungi Caripia montagnei. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionut.2013.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Carmona G, Rodriguez A, Juarez D, Corzo G, Villegas E. Improved protease stability of the antimicrobial peptide Pin2 substituted with D-amino acids. Protein J 2014; 32:456-66. [PMID: 23925670 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-013-9505-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted a great interest as novel class of antibiotics that might help in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. However, some AMPs with high antimicrobial activities are also highly hemolytic and subject to proteolytic degradation from human and bacterial proteases that limit their pharmaceutical uses. In this work a D-diastereomer of Pandinin 2, D-Pin2, was constructed to observe if it maintained antimicrobial activity in the same range as the parental one, but with the purpose of reducing its hemolytic activity to human erythrocytes and improving its ability to resist proteolytic cleavage. Although, the hydrophobic and secondary structure characteristics of L- and D-Pin2 were to some extent similar, an important reduction in D-Pin2 hemolytic activity (30-40 %) was achieved compared to that of L-Pin2 over human erythrocytes. Furthermore, D-Pin2 had an antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 12.5 μM towards Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in agar diffusion assays, but it was half less potent than that of L-Pin2. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial activity of D-Pin2 was equally effective as that of L-Pin2 in microdilution assays. Yet, when D- and L-Pin2 were incubated with trypsin, elastase and whole human serum, only D-Pin2 kept its antimicrobial activity towards all bacteria, but in diluted human serum, L- and D-Pin2 maintained similar peptide stability. Finally, when L- and D-Pin2 were incubated with proteases from P. aeruginosa DFU3 culture, a clinical isolated strain, D-Pin2 kept its antibiotic activity while L-Pin2 was not effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carmona
- Laboratorio de Estructura-Funcion e Ingenieria de Proteinas, Centro de Investigacion en Biotecnologia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 2001, 62609, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Langmuir–Blodgett Approach to Investigate Antimicrobial Peptide–Membrane Interactions. ADVANCES IN PLANAR LIPID BILAYERS AND LIPOSOMES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-418698-9.00003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Sokolova EV, Byankina AO, Kalitnik AA, Kim YH, Bogdanovich LN, Solov'eva TF, Yermak IM. Influence of red algal sulfated polysaccharides on blood coagulation and platelets activation in vitro. J Biomed Mater Res A 2013; 102:1431-8. [PMID: 23765560 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The influence of sulfated polysaccharides (λ-, κ-, and κ/β-carrageenan and porphyran) - on platelet activation was studied. Carrageenans were much weaker inhibitors of a coagulation process than heparin, while porphyran had not that effect. Results of the aPTT and PT assays suppose that carrageenans affected mostly intrinsic pathway of coagulation, while their effect on the extrinsic pathway is extremely low (λ and κ/β) or absent (κ, LMW derivative of κ-carrageenan). λ-Carrageenan was the most potent anticoagulant agent in TT, aPTT, PT, and anti-factor Xa activity. This sample was also the strongest inhibitor of collagen-induced platelet aggregation in PRP. Generally, the correlation of anticoagulant and antithrombotic action in PRP is preserved for carrageenans but not for heparin. Carrageenans and porphyran affected platelet adhesion to collagen by influencing glycoprotein VI. Low molecular weight κ-carrageenan had a similar effect on platelet adhesion mediated with both major collagen receptors: integrin α2 β1 and glycoprotein VI as native polysaccharide had. Carrageenans resulted in activation of platelets under platelet adhesion mediated by integrin αIIb β3 with less degree than heparin. The least sulfated κ/β-carrageenan that possessed an inhibiting effect on thrombin- and collagen-induced aggregation of washed platelets and on the PT test but it had no significant effect on TT was the weakest promoter of integrin αIIb β3 mediated platelet activation. In summary, our study showed that the polysaccharide action was complex, since it depended on its molecular mass, sulfation degree, and monosaccharide contents (3,6-anhydrogalactose).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina V Sokolova
- Department of Molecular Immunology, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect 100-let Vladivostoku, 159, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
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Sánchez-Vásquez L, Silva-Sanchez J, Jiménez-Vargas JM, Rodríguez-Romero A, Muñoz-Garay C, Rodríguez MC, Gurrola GB, Possani LD. Enhanced antimicrobial activity of novel synthetic peptides derived from vejovine and hadrurin. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1830:3427-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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36
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Dore CMPG, das C Faustino Alves MG, Will LSEP, Costa TG, Sabry DA, de Souza Rêgo LAR, Accardo CM, Rocha HAO, Filgueira LGA, Leite EL. A sulfated polysaccharide, fucans, isolated from brown algae Sargassum vulgare with anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Carbohydr Polym 2013; 91:467-75. [PMID: 23044157 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.07.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fucan (SV1) sulfated polysaccharides from the brown algae Sargassum vulgare were extracted, fractionated in acetone and examined with respect to chemical composition, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic effects and cellular proliferation. These polysaccharides contain low levels of protein, high level of carbohydrate and sulfate. Monosaccharides analysis revealed that SV1 was composed of fucose, galactose, xylose, glucuronic acid and mannose. SV1 polysaccharide prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and exhibited high antithrombotic action in vivo, with a concentration ten times higher than heparin activity. PSV1, a purified form in gel filtration showed very low biological activities. SV1 stimulated the enzymatic activity of FXa. Its action on DPPH radical scavenging activity was 22%. This polymer has no cytotoxic action (hemolytic) on ABO and Rh blood types in different erythrocyte groups. It displays strong anti-inflammatory action at all concentrations tested in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, demonstrated by reduced edema and cellular infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina Maria P Guerra Dore
- Laboratory of Glycobiology, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Av. Sen Salgado Filho, No. 3000, Natal, RN, Brazil
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Buonocore F, Randelli E, Casani D, Picchietti S, Belardinelli MC, de Pascale D, De Santi C, Scapigliati G. A piscidin-like antimicrobial peptide from the icefish Chionodraco hamatus (Perciformes: Channichthyidae): molecular characterization, localization and bactericidal activity. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 33:1183-1191. [PMID: 22982327 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Revised: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered one of the most ancient components of the innate immune system. They are able to exert their protection activity against a variety of microorganisms, and are widely distributed in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In this paper we focused on an AMP identified in the Antarctic teleost Chionodraco hamatus, an icefish species. The cDNA sequence of the AMP, named chionodracine, is comprised of 515 bp and translates for a putative protein precursor of 80 amino acids, with a signal peptide of 22 amino acids. The structural features evidenced in the primary sequence of chionodracine lead to the inclusion of the peptide in the antimicrobial family of piscidins. The analysis by real-time PCR of the basal gene transcripts of chionodracine in different icefish tissues showed that the highest expression was found in gills, followed by head kidney. The chionodracine expression levels in head kidney leukocytes were up-regulated in vitro both by LPS and poly I:C, and in vivo by LPS. A putative chionodracine mature peptide was synthesized and employed to obtain a polyclonal antiserum, which was used in immunohistochemistry of gills sections and revealed a significant positivity associated with mast cells. The bactericidal activity of the peptide was investigated and found significant against Antarctic psychrophilic bacteria strains (Psychrobacter sp. TAD1 and TA144), the Gram-positive Bacillus cereus, and at a lesser extent against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Interestingly, the haemolytic activity of chionodracine was tested in vitro on human erythrocytes and no significant lysis occurred until peptide concentration of 50 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
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Antimicrobial peptides from arachnid venoms and their microbicidal activity in the presence of commercial antibiotics. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2012; 66:3-10. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2012.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Galactans from the red seaweed Amansia multifida and their effects on inflammation, angiogenesis, coagulation and cell viability. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionut.2012.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Trachsel C, Siegemund D, Kämpfer U, Kopp LS, Bühr C, Grossmann J, Lüthi C, Cunningham M, Nentwig W, Kuhn-Nentwig L, Schürch S, Schaller J. Multicomponent venom of the spider Cupiennius salei: a bioanalytical investigation applying different strategies. FEBS J 2012; 279:2683-94. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2012.08650.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Teixeira V, Feio MJ, Bastos M. Role of lipids in the interaction of antimicrobial peptides with membranes. Prog Lipid Res 2012; 51:149-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Zeng XC, Wang S, Nie Y, Zhang L, Luo X. Characterization of BmKbpp, a multifunctional peptide from the Chinese scorpion Mesobuthus martensii Karsch: gaining insight into a new mechanism for the functional diversification of scorpion venom peptides. Peptides 2012; 33:44-51. [PMID: 22115565 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BmKbpp is a novel cationic and α-helical peptide from the Chinese scorpion Mesobuthus martensii Karsch, of which function or biological activity has not been characterized so far. Here we showed that BmKbpp possesses strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a MIC range from 2.3 μM to 68.2 μM for the majority of tested bacteria. BmKbpp also inhibits the growth of tested fungi with an IC50 range from 0.2 μM to 3.1 μM. Because BmKbpp potently inhibits the growth of some antibiotics-resistant pathogens, and shows very weak hemolytic activity, it has considerable potentials for therapeutic applications. Moreover, we found that BmKbpp markedly inhibits the superoxide production in granulocytes or HL-60 cells at the concentrations of submicromolar level; this suggests that BmKbpp can act as a signaling molecule involving innate immune regulation at low concentrations. The C-terminal region of BmKbpp (BmKbpp-C) shows 72% similarity to the peptide K-12, a bradykinin-potentiating peptide. We found that both BmKbpp and BmKbpp-C possess bradykinin-potentiating activity, and the activity of BmKbpp-C is stronger than that of BmKbpp. PCR amplification for the genomic gene of BmBpp showed that it is not a continuous sequence in the genome; it suggests that BmKbpp could come from a recombination event in transcript level. Taken together, our data suggest that multi-functionalization of a single peptide, which is probably mediated by trans-splicing, could be a new mechanism for the functional diversification of scorpion venom peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Chun Zeng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
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Dennison SR, Phoenix DA. Effect of cholesterol on the membrane interaction of Modelin-5 isoforms. Biochemistry 2011; 50:10898-909. [PMID: 22082130 DOI: 10.1021/bi201267v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Modelin-5 isoforms were used to gain an insight into the effects of amidation on antimicrobial selectivity. When tested against Escherichia coli, amidation increased toxicity 10-fold (MIC = 31.25 μM) while showing limited increased hemolytic activity (2% lysis). Our results show that both the amidated and non-amidated peptides had a disordered structure in aqueous solution (<18% helical) and folded to form helices at the membrane interface (for example, >43% in the presence of DMPC). The stabilization of the helical structure by amidation has previously been shown to play a key role in increasing antibacterial efficacy. The presence of cholesterol in the membrane increases the packing density (C(s)(-1) values 25-33 mN m(-1)) and so prevents the peptide from forming stable association with the membrane, which is evidenced by the higher binding coefficient (K(d)) in the presence of cholesterol: 57.70 μM for Modelin-5-COOH and 35.64 μM for Modelin-5-CONH(2) compared to the presence of E. coli lipid extract (10 μM), which would prevent local concentration of the peptide at the bilayer interface as seen by reduction in monolayer interaction. This in turn would be predicted to inhibit activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Dennison
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
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Ferlazzo AM, Bruschetta G, Di Pietro P, Medica P, Notti A, Rotondo E. Phospholipid composition of plasma and erythrocyte membranes in animal species by 31P NMR. Vet Res Commun 2011; 35:521-30. [PMID: 21881904 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-011-9496-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide basal values of phospholipid (PL) composition in different animal species by 31P NMR analysis using detergents. This fast and accurate method allowed a quantitative analysis of PLs without any previous separation. Plasma and erythrocyte membrane PLs were investigated in mammals (pig, cow, horse). Moreover, for the first time, the composition of plasma PLs in avian (chicken and ostrich) was performed by 31P NMR. Significant qualitative and quantitative interspecies differences in plasma PL levels were found. Phosphatidilcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SPH) levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in chicken plasma than all the other species tested. In erythrocytes, cow PC and phosphatidylcholine diarachidoyl were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than for pigs and horses, whereas pig PC presented intermediate values among cows and horses. Inorganic phosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels were also significantly different between the species under investigation. The [SPH/total PLs] molar ratios in erythrocytes confirmed interspecies differences in phospholipid composition while the PC/SPH molar ratios could be related to a distinct erythrocyte flexibility and aggregability. Diet and nutrition may contribute primarily to the interspecies differences in plasma PL amounts detected. Significant differences between chicken plasma PC and SPH levels and those of the other animal species could be ascribed to a fat metabolism specific to egg production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Maria Ferlazzo
- Dipartimento di Morfologia, Biochimica, Fisiologia e Produzioni Animali, Sezione di Biochimica, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Shevchenko OG, Shishkina LN. Comparative analysis of phospholipid composition in blood erythrocytes of various species of mouse-like rodents. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093011020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Heinen TE, Gorini da Veiga AB. Arthropod venoms and cancer. Toxicon 2011; 57:497-511. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Ebner A, Schillers H, Hinterdorfer P. Normal and pathological erythrocytes studied by atomic force microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 736:223-241. [PMID: 21660731 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-105-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) are the most common type of blood cells in vertebrates. Many diseases and dysfunctions directly affect their structure and function. Employing the atomic force microscope (AFM) physical, chemical, and biological/physiological properties of RBCs can be studied even under near-physiological conditions. In this chapter, we present the application of different AFM techniques to investigate and compare normal and pathological RBCs. We give a detailed description for nondestructive immobilization of whole intact RBCs and explain preparation techniques for isolated native RBC membranes. High-resolution imaging of morphological details and pathological differences are demonstrated with healthy and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) erythrocytes revealing substructural changes due to SLE. We also present the technique of simultaneous topography and recognition imaging, which was used to map the distribution of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator sites on erythrocyte membranes in healthy and cystic fibrosis-positive RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ebner
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Linz, Linz, Austria
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Vassilevski AA, Kozlov SA, Grishin EV. Molecular diversity of spider venom. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2010; 74:1505-34. [PMID: 20210706 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297909130069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spider venom, a factor that has played a decisive role in the evolution of one of the most successful groups of living organisms, is reviewed. Unique molecular diversity of venom components including substances of variable structure (from simple low molecular weight compounds to large multidomain proteins) with different functions is considered. Special attention is given to the structure, properties, and biosynthesis of toxins of polypeptide nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Robert S, Baccelli C, Devel P, Dogné JM, Quetin-Leclercq J. Effects of leaf extracts from Croton zambesicus Müell. Arg. on hemostasis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2010; 128:641-648. [PMID: 20219668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2009] [Accepted: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The leaf decoction of Croton zambesicus Müell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae; syn. Croton amabilis Müell. Arg., Croton gratissimus Burch) is traditionally used in Benin to treat hypertension. AIM OF THE STUDY As hypertension and thromboembolism are often associated in several cardiovascular diseases, we studied the potential effects of leaf extracts from Croton zambesicus on hemostasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prepared the dichloromethane and aqueous extracts from the air-dried leaves of Croton zambesicus and separated the aqueous extract in its aqueous and dichloromethane fractions. The potential effects of these four extracts/fractions were investigated on red blood cells integrity using spectrophotometric lysis assays, on primary hemostasis using platelet aggregation studies and on secondary hemostasis using calibrated automated thrombin generation assays and coagulation factors inhibition tests. RESULTS In the in vitro testing, we found that none of the tested extracts/fractions exhibit hemolytic or antiplatelet activity. However, they display a moderate but significant anticoagulant activity which would be mediated through the direct inhibition of thrombin, FXa and TF/FVIIa. The active anticoagulant compound(s) seem to be mainly in the aqueous extract and especially in its aqueous fraction. CONCLUSIONS This experimental work reported for the first time the anticoagulant effect of leaf extracts from Croton zambesicus. These findings are of particular interest as the leaves from Croton zambesicus are commonly used in infusion by local population and may provide a new natural source for the development of original anticoagulant agents. Furthermore, this activity, associated with the vasorelaxant properties of some of its diterpenes may prove to be interesting for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in traditional medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Robert
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Design and Discovery Center, University of Namur, FUNDP, Rue de Bruxelles, 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium.
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