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Liu L, Wang D. Four antimicrobial peptides of Asian gypsy moth respond to infection of its viral pathogen, nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 190:105335. [PMID: 36740343 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105335] [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: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play essential roles in defending against various invading pathogens. Although antibacterial or antifungal properties of AMPs have been well characterized, the contribution of AMPs to immune defenses against viruses especially baculoviruses is still unclear. In this study, four full-length AMP genes (Ldcec, Ldatt, Ldglo and Ldmor) that encode the cecropin, attacin, gloverin and moricin, respectively, were characterized in Lymantria dispar (Asian gypsy moth). All four AMPs were cationic peptides and exhibited hydrophilicity. Structural analysis showed that the Ldcec and Ldmor were α-helical peptides. Tissue-specific Ldcec expression was the highest in fat body, while expression of Ldatt, Ldglo and Ldmor was the highest in epidermis. All four AMP genes were expressed during all developmental stages with the highest expression in the pupa and adult. Compared to mock infection, expression of these four AMP genes were significantly induced following Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) challenge and sharply increased at 72 h post infection. After Ldglo gene silencing, the DNA replication levels of LdMNPV in L. dispar larvae significantly increased at 48 and 72 h post infection, indicating that the Ldglo could suppress the DNA replication of LdMNPV. Our results suggest that four AMPs of L. dispar may play important roles in antiviral immunity against LdMNPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Dun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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Wang M, Zhou Z, Li S, Zhu W, Hu X. Identification and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides From Butterflies: An Integrated Bioinformatics and Experimental Study. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:720381. [PMID: 34512599 PMCID: PMC8427292 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.720381] [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: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Butterflies represent one of the largest animal groups on Earth, yet antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of this group are less studied in comparison with their moth counterparts. This study employed an integrated bioinformatics approach to survey natural AMPs from publicly available genomic datasets. Numerous AMPs, including cecropins, defensins, and moricins, were identified and subsequently used as templates for the design of a series of synthetic AMPs that mimicked the naturally occurring sequences. Despite differing biological effects among the various sequences, the synthetic AMPs exhibited potent antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo, without inducing hemolysis, which implied their therapeutic potential in infectious diseases. Electron and confocal fluorescence microscopies revealed that the AMPs induced distinct morphological and biophysical changes on microbial cell membranes and nuclei, suggesting that the antimicrobial effects were related to a mechanism of membrane penetration and nucleic acid binding by the peptides. In conclusion, this study not only offers insights into butterfly AMPs but also provides a practical strategy for high-throughput natural AMP discoveries that will have implications for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China.,Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyue Zhou
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Simin Li
- Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianda Hu
- Beijing Tibetan Hospital, China Tibetology Research Center, Beijing, China
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Abstract
The composition of insect hemolymph can change depending on many factors, e.g. access to nutrients, stress conditions, and current needs of the insect. In this chapter, insect immune-related polypeptides, which can be permanently or occasionally present in the hemolymph, are described. Their division into peptides or low-molecular weight proteins is not always determined by the length or secondary structure of a given molecule but also depends on the mode of action in insect immunity and, therefore, it is rather arbitrary. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with their role in immunity, modes of action, and classification are presented in the chapter, followed by a short description of some examples: cecropins, moricins, defensins, proline- and glycine-rich peptides. Further, we will describe selected immune-related proteins that may participate in immune recognition, may possess direct antimicrobial properties, or can be involved in the modulation of insect immunity by both abiotic and biotic factors. We briefly cover Fibrinogen-Related Proteins (FREPs), Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecules (Dscam), Hemolin, Lipophorins, Lysozyme, Insect Metalloproteinase Inhibitor (IMPI), and Heat Shock Proteins. The reader will obtain a partial picture presenting molecules participating in one of the most efficient immune strategies found in the animal world, which allow insects to inhabit all ecological land niches in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Wojda
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Cytryńska
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Kordaczuk
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
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Xu X, Zhong A, Wang Y, Lin B, Li P, Ju W, Zhu X, Yu J, De Mandal S, Jin F. Molecular Identification of a Moricin Family Antimicrobial Peptide (Px-Mor) From Plutella xylostella With Activities Against the Opportunistic Human Pathogen Aureobasidium pullulans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2211. [PMID: 31681182 PMCID: PMC6797621 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent the largest group of endogenous compounds and serves as a novel alternative to traditional antibiotics for the treatment of pathogenic microorganisms. Moricin is an important α-helical AMP plays a crucial role in insect humoral defense reactions. The present study was designed to identify and characterize novel AMP moricin (Px-Mor) from diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and tested its activity against bacterial and fungal infection including the opportunistic human pathogen Aureobasidium pullulans. Molecular cloning of Px-Mor using rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed a 482 bp full length cDNA with 198 bp coding region. The deduced protein sequence contained 65 amino acids, and the mature peptides contained 42 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 4.393 kDa. Expression analysis revealed that Px-Mor was expressed throughout the life cycle of P. xylostella with the highest level detectable in the fourth instar and prepupa stage. Tissue specific distribution showed that Px-Mor was highly expressed in fat body and hemocyte. In vitro, antimicrobial assays indicated that Px-Mor exhibited a broad antimicrobial spectrum against Gram positive bacteria (GPB), Gram negative bacteria (GNB) and fungi. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Px-Mor can cause obvious morphological alterations in A. pullulans, which demonstrated its powerful effect on the mycelia growth inhibition. Taken together, these results indicate that Px-Mor plays an important role in the immune responses of P. xylostella and can be further exploited as an antimicrobial agent against various diseases including for the treatment of A. pullulans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Xu
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anqiao Zhong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Yansheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Boda Lin
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyan Ju
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojia Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Surajit De Mandal
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengliang Jin
- Department of Entomology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Li KL, Zhang YH, Xing R, Zhou YF, Chen XD, Wang H, Song B, Sima YH, He Y, Xu SQ. Different toxicity of cadmium telluride, silicon, and carbon nanomaterials against hemocytes in silkworm, Bombyx mori. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09622d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to CdTe QDs, SiNPs, or C–NCDs exerted different toxic effects on silkworm hemocytes via the induction of different PCD processes.
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Du H, Samuel RL, Massiah MA, Gillmor SD. The structure and behavior of the NA-CATH antimicrobial peptide with liposomes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Crava CM, Jakubowska AK, Escriche B, Herrero S, Bel Y. Dissimilar Regulation of Antimicrobial Proteins in the Midgut of Spodoptera exigua Larvae Challenged with Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins or Baculovirus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125991. [PMID: 25993013 PMCID: PMC4436361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and lysozymes are the main effectors of the insect immune system, and they are involved in both local and systemic responses. Among local responses, midgut immune reaction plays an important role in fighting pathogens that reach the insect body through the oral route, as do many microorganisms used in pest control. Under this point of view, understanding how insects defend themselves locally during the first phases of infections caused by food-borne pathogens is important to further improve microbial control strategies. In the present study, we analyzed the transcriptional response of AMPs and lysozymes in the midgut of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a polyphagous pest that is commonly controlled by products based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or baculovirus. First, we comprehensively characterized the transcripts encoding AMPs and lysozymes expressed in S. exigua larval midgut, identifying 35 transcripts that represent the S. exigua arsenal against microbial infection. Secondly, we analyzed their expression in the midgut after ingestion of sub-lethal doses of two different pore-forming B. thuringiensis toxins, Cry1Ca and Vip3Aa, and the S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV). We observed that both Bt toxins triggered a similar, wide and in some cases high transcriptional activation of genes encoding AMPs and lysozymes, which was not reflected in the activation of the classical systemic immune-marker phenoloxidase in hemolymph. Baculovirus ingestion resulted in the opposed reaction: Almost all transcripts coding for AMPs and lysozymes were down-regulated or not induced 96 hours post infection. Our results shed light on midgut response to different virulence factors or pathogens used nowadays as microbial control agents and point out the importance of the midgut immune response contribution to the larval immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M. Crava
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Agata K. Jakubowska
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Herrero
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Yang J, Wang X, Tang S, Shen Z, Wu J. Peptidoglycan recognition protein S2 from silkworm integument: characterization, microbe-induced expression, and involvement in the immune-deficiency pathway. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2015; 15:iev007. [PMID: 25797797 PMCID: PMC4535147 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iev007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) binds specifically to peptidoglycan and plays an important role as a pattern recognition receptor in the innate immunity of insects. The cDNA of a short-type PGRP, an open reading frame of 588 bp encoding a polypeptide of 196 amino acids, was cloned from Bombyx mori. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, and the results showed that BmPGRP-S2 was most similar to Drosophila melanogaster PGRP (DmPGRP-SA). The induced expression profile of BmPGRP-S2 in healthy Escherichia coli- and Bacillus subtilis-challenged B. mori was measured using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. The expression of BmPGRP-S2 was upregulated at 24 h by E. coli and Ba. subtilis challenge. In addition, in the integument of B. mori, RNAi knockdown of BmPGRP-S2 caused an obvious reduction in the transcription expression of the transcription factor Relish and in antibacterial effector genes Attacin, Gloverin, and Moricin. The results indicated that BmPGRP-S2 participates in the signal transduction pathway of B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, China
| | - Shunming Tang
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang 212018, China
| | - Zhongyuan Shen
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang 212018, China
| | - Jinmei Wu
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, China The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang 212018, China
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Yi HY, Chowdhury M, Huang YD, Yu XQ. Insect antimicrobial peptides and their applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:5807-22. [PMID: 24811407 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Insects are one of the major sources of antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs). Since observation of antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph of pupae from the giant silk moths Samia Cynthia and Hyalophora cecropia in 1974 and purification of first insect AMP (cecropin) from H. cecropia pupae in 1980, over 150 insect AMPs have been purified or identified. Most insect AMPs are small and cationic, and they show activities against bacteria and/or fungi, as well as some parasites and viruses. Insect AMPs can be classified into four families based on their structures or unique sequences: the α-helical peptides (cecropin and moricin), cysteine-rich peptides (insect defensin and drosomycin), proline-rich peptides (apidaecin, drosocin, and lebocin), and glycine-rich peptides/proteins (attacin and gloverin). Among insect AMPs, defensins, cecropins, proline-rich peptides, and attacins are common, while gloverins and moricins have been identified only in Lepidoptera. Most active AMPs are small peptides of 20-50 residues, which are generated from larger inactive precursor proteins or pro-proteins, but gloverins (~14 kDa) and attacins (~20 kDa) are large antimicrobial proteins. In this mini-review, we will discuss current knowledge and recent progress in several classes of insect AMPs, including insect defensins, cecropins, attacins, lebocins and other proline-rich peptides, gloverins, and moricins, with a focus on structural-functional relationships and their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yu Yi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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Hussain A, Li YF, Cheng Y, Liu Y, Chen CC, Wen SY. Immune-related transcriptome of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki workers: the defense mechanism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69543. [PMID: 23874972 PMCID: PMC3712931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, live socially in microbial-rich habitats. To understand the molecular mechanism by which termites combat pathogenic microbes, a full-length normalized cDNA library and four Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) libraries were constructed from termite workers infected with entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana), Gram-positive Bacillus thuringiensis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and the libraries were analyzed. From the high quality normalized cDNA library, 439 immune-related sequences were identified. These sequences were categorized as pattern recognition receptors (47 sequences), signal modulators (52 sequences), signal transducers (137 sequences), effectors (39 sequences) and others (164 sequences). From the SSH libraries, 27, 17, 22 and 15 immune-related genes were identified from each SSH library treated with M. anisopliae, B. bassiana, B. thuringiensis and E. coli, respectively. When the normalized cDNA library was compared with the SSH libraries, 37 immune-related clusters were found in common; 56 clusters were identified in the SSH libraries, and 259 were identified in the normalized cDNA library. The immune-related gene expression pattern was further investigated using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Important immune-related genes were characterized, and their potential functions were discussed based on the integrated analysis of the results. We suggest that normalized cDNA and SSH libraries enable us to discover functional genes transcriptome. The results remarkably expand our knowledge about immune-inducible genes in C. formosanus Shiraki and enable the future development of novel control strategies for the management of Formosan subterranean termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Hussain
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Feng Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chuan-Cheng Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shuo-Yang Wen
- Department of Entomology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
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Hu H, Wang C, Guo X, Li W, Wang Y, He Q. Broad activity against porcine bacterial pathogens displayed by two insect antimicrobial peptides moricin and cecropin B. Mol Cells 2013; 35:106-14. [PMID: 23456332 PMCID: PMC3887904 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-013-2132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to infection, insects produce a variety of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to kill the invading pathogens. To study their physicochemical properties and bioactivities for clinical and commercial use in the porcine industry, we chemically synthesized the mature peptides Bombyx mori moricin and Hyalophora cecropia cecropin B. In this paper, we described the antimicrobial activity of the two AMPs. Moricin exhibited antimicrobial activity on eight strains tested with minimal inhibitory concentration values (MICs) ranging between 8 and 128 μg/ml, while cecropin B mainly showed antimicrobial activity against the Gramnegative strains with MICs ranging from 0.5 to 16 μg/ml. Compared to the potent antimicrobial activity these two AMPs displayed against most of the bacterial pathogens tested, they exhibited limited hemolytic activity against porcine red blood cells. The activities of moricin and cecropin B against Haemophilus parasuis SH 0165 were studied in further detail. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of moricin and cecropin B treated H. parasuis SH 0165 indicated extensive damage to the membranes of the bacteria. Insights into the probable mechanism utilized by moricin and cecropin B to eliminate pathogens are also presented. The observations from this study are important for the future application of AMPs in the porcine industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
| | - Xiaozhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
| | - Wentao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
| | - Qigai He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Division of Animal Infectious Disease, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei,
China
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Li Y, Xiang Q, Zhang Q, Huang Y, Su Z. Overview on the recent study of antimicrobial peptides: origins, functions, relative mechanisms and application. Peptides 2012; 37:207-15. [PMID: 22800692 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2012] [Revised: 06/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are produced by several species including insects, other animals, micro-organisms and synthesis, are a critical component of the natural defense system. With the growing problem of pathogenic organisms resistant to conventional antibiotics, especially with the emergence of NDM-1, there is increased interest in the pharmacological application of AMPs. They can protect against a broad array of infectious agents, such as bacteria, fungi, parasite, virus and cancer cells. AMPs have a very good future in the application in pharmaceuticals industry and food additive. This review focuses on the AMPs from different origins in these recent years, and discusses their various functions and relative mechanisms of action. It will provide some detailed files for clinical research of pharmaceuticals industry and food additive in application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Li
- Biopharmaceutical Research and Development Center, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
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Identification and analysis of genes differentially expressed in the Spodoptera litura fat body in response to the biocontrol fungus, Nomuraea rileyi. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 163:203-10. [PMID: 22659052 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2012.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nomuraea rileyi is an important pathogenic fungus that can successfully control Spodoptera litura. However, little is known on how S. litura responds to N. rileyi infection. A forward suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA library was constructed from the S. litura fat body and the up-regulated genes were identified to isolate differentially expressed genes in response to N. rileyi. A total of 345/1175 random clones screened by cDNA array dot blotting were sequenced, resulting in 117 uniquely expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Potential functional genes were identified by BLAST searches and were categorized into seven groups associated with different biological processes based on the literature and gene ontologies. Among 117 genes, 74 had matches in the non-redundant (NR) protein database and were found to be involved in different biological processes, while 43 of the screened genes were classified to the "unknown function" gene group. Notably, only two genes had previously been reported in S. litura and most of the screened genes showed less similarity to known sequences based on BLASTn results, suggesting that 115 genes were found for the first time in S. litura. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of seven randomly selected genes revealed that most were differentially expressed after N. rileyi infection. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that four genes (Hsp70, Hsp90, gallerimycin, and cysteine proteinase) were significantly up-regulated after N. rileyi infection. Taken together, the present study identified up-regulated S. litura genes in response to N. rileyi infection. Further investigations are needed to unravel the molecular mechanisms of the genes or proteins potentially involved in the S. litura innate immune defense against N. rileyi infection.
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Rao XJ, Xu XX, Yu XQ. Manduca sexta moricin promoter elements can increase promoter activities of Drosophila melanogaster antimicrobial peptide genes. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:982-92. [PMID: 22005212 PMCID: PMC3210862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Revised: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Insects produce a variety of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Induction of insect AMP genes is regulated by the Toll and IMD (immune deficiency) pathways via NF-κB and GATA factors. Little is known about species-specific regulation of AMP genes. In this report, we showed that activities of most Manduca sexta and Drosophila melanogaster AMP gene promoters were regulated in a species-specific manner in Drosophila (Dipteran) S2 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidopteran) Sf9 cells. A κB-GATA element (22 bp) from M. sexta moricin (MsMoricin) promoter could significantly increase activities of Drosophila AMP gene promoters in S2 cells, and an MsMoricin promoter activating element (MPAE) (140 bp) could increase activity of drosomycin promoter specifically in Sf9 cells. However, κB and GATA factors alone were not sufficient for MsMoricin gene activation, suggesting that other co-regulators may be required to fully activate AMP genes. Our results suggest that induction of insect AMP genes may require a transcription complex composed of common nuclear factors (such as NF-κB and GATA factors) and species-related co-regulators, and it is the co-regulators that may confer species-specific regulation of AMP genes. In addition, we showed that activity of Drosophila drosomycin promoter could be activated cooperatively by the inserted exogenous κB-GATA element and the endogenous κB element. These findings revealed an approach of engineering AMP genes with enhanced activities, which may lead to broad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- Send correspondence to: Xiao-Qiang Yu, PhD, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5007 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, Telephone: (816)-235-6379, Fax: (816)-235-1503,
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Yang W, Cheng T, Ye M, Deng X, Yi H, Huang Y, Tan X, Han D, Wang B, Xiang Z, Cao Y, Xia Q. Functional divergence among silkworm antimicrobial peptide paralogs by the activities of recombinant proteins and the induced expression profiles. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18109. [PMID: 21479226 PMCID: PMC3066212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are small-molecule proteins that are usually encoded by multiple-gene families. They play crucial roles in the innate immune response, but reports on the functional divergence of antimicrobial peptide gene families are rare. In this study, 14 paralogs of antimicrobial peptides belonging to cecropin, moricin and gloverin families were recombinantly expressed in pET expression systems. By antimicrobial activity tests, peptides representing paralogs in the same family of cecropin and moricin families, displayed remarkable differences against 10 tested bacteria. The evolutionary rates were relatively fast in the two families, which presented obvious functional divergence among paralogs of each family. Four peptides of gloverin family had similar antimicrobial spectrum and activity against tested bacteria. The gloverin family showed similar antimicrobial function and slow evolutionary rates. By induced transcriptional activity, genes encoding active antimicrobial peptides were upregulated at obviously different levels when silkworm pupae were infected by three types of microbes. Association analysis of antimicrobial activities and induced transcriptional activities indicated that the antimicrobial activities might be positively correlated with induced transcriptional activities in the cecropin and moricin families. These results suggest that representative BmcecB6, BmcecD and Bmmor as the major effector genes have broad antimicrobial spectrum, strong antimicrobial activity and high microbe-induced expression among each family and maybe play crucial roles in eliminating microbial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Yang
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingqiang Ye
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- The Sericulture & Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Deng
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiyu Yi
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yadong Huang
- Biopharmaceutical Research and Development Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Tan
- Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Han
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhonghuai Xiang
- Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Laboratory of Insect Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (YC); (QX)
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (YC); (QX)
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The dlt operon of Bacillus cereus is required for resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides and for virulence in insects. J Bacteriol 2009; 191:7063-73. [PMID: 19767427 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00892-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The dlt operon encodes proteins that alanylate teichoic acids, the major components of cell walls of gram-positive bacteria. This generates a net positive charge on bacterial cell walls, repulsing positively charged molecules and conferring resistance to animal and human cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. AMPs damage the bacterial membrane and are the most effective components of the humoral immune response against bacteria. We investigated the role of the dlt operon in insect virulence by inactivating this operon in Bacillus cereus, which is both an opportunistic human pathogen and an insect pathogen. The Delta dlt(Bc) mutant displayed several morphological alterations but grew at a rate similar to that for the wild-type strain. This mutant was less resistant to protamine and several bacterial cationic AMPs, such as nisin, polymyxin B, and colistin, in vitro. It was also less resistant to molecules from the insect humoral immune system, lysozyme, and cationic AMP cecropin B from Spodoptera frugiperda. Delta dlt(Bc) was as pathogenic as the wild-type strain in oral infections of Galleria mellonella but much less virulent when injected into the hemocoels of G. mellonella and Spodoptera littoralis. We detected the dlt operon in three gram-negative genera: Erwinia (Erwinia carotovora), Bordetella (Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica), and Photorhabdus (the entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens TT01, the dlt operon of which did not restore cationic AMP resistance in Delta dlt(Bc)). We suggest that the dlt operon protects B. cereus against insect humoral immune mediators, including hemolymph cationic AMPs, and may be critical for the establishment of lethal septicemia in insects and in nosocomial infections in humans.
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Dai H, Rayaprolu S, Gong Y, Huang R, Prakash O, Jiang H. Solution structure, antibacterial activity, and expression profile of Manduca sexta moricin. J Pept Sci 2008; 14:855-63. [PMID: 18265434 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In response to wounding or infection, insects produce a battery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and other defense molecules to kill the invading pathogens. To study their structures, functions, and transcriptional regulation, we synthesized Manduca sexta moricin, a 42-residue peptide (GKIPVKAIKQAGKVIGKGLRAINIAGTTHDVVSFFRPKKKKH, 4539 Da). The compound exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.4 microM. The mRNA levels of M. sexta moricin increased substantially in fat body and hemocytes after the larvae were challenged with bacterial cells. We determined the solution structure of this AMP by two-dimensional 1H-1H -nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The tertiary structure is composed of an eight-turn alpha-helix spanning almost the entire peptide. Insights of relationships between the structure and function are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaien Dai
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, USA
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Ao JQ, Ling E, Rao XJ, Yu XQ. A novel ML protein from Manduca sexta may function as a key accessory protein for lipopolysaccharide signaling. Mol Immunol 2008; 45:2772-81. [PMID: 18343500 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2008] [Revised: 02/04/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) present on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is one of the most important pathogen-associated molecular patterns and a potent elicitor in innate immunity. In human, TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) and MD-2 (myeloid differiation-2) form a receptor complex to transduce the LPS signal into cells. However, in invertebrates, receptors that recognize LPS have not been determined. Here we report the purification, characterization and cDNA cloning of an ML (MD-2-related lipid-recognition) protein from the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. The full-length cDNA of this M. sexta ML protein, named MsML-1, is 532bp with an open reading frame of 456bp that encodes a polypeptide of 151 amino acids containing an ML domain. MsML-1 is a secreted glycoprotein and its mRNA is expressed in fat body and hemocytes. The expression level of MsML-1 mRNA in fat body and hemocytes as well as MsML-1 protein in hemolymph are not induced by immune challenge. Recombinant MsML-1 protein specifically binds to LPS from several Gram-negative bacteria and LPS Re mutant, as well as to lipid A, but not to KDO (2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate). Our results suggest that MsML-1 may function as a key accessory protein for LPS signaling in M. sexta against Gram-negative bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-qun Ao
- Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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Brown SE, Howard A, Kasprzak AB, Gordon KH, East PD. The discovery and analysis of a diverged family of novel antifungal moricin-like peptides in the wax moth Galleria mellonella. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 38:201-212. [PMID: 18207081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2007] [Revised: 10/18/2007] [Accepted: 10/30/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Screening for components with antifungal activity in the hemolymph of immune-stimulated Galleria mellonella larvae led to the identification of four novel moricin-like peptides (A, B, C3 and D). Subsequently, eight moricin-like peptide genes (A, B, C1-5 and D) were isolated and shown to code for seven unique peptides (mature C4 and C5 are identical). These genes contained single introns which varied from 180 to 1090bp. The moricin-like peptides were particularly active against filamentous fungi, preventing the growth of Fusarium graminearum at 3 microg/ml, and were also active against yeasts, gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. Searches of the databases identified 30 moricin-like peptide genes which code for 23 unique mature peptides, all belonging to the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). The first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the moricin-like peptides suggested that they fall into two basic classes which diverged a long time ago. The peptides have since diversified extensively through a high level of gene duplication within species, as seen in G. mellonella and Bombyx mori. The restriction of moricin-like peptides to the Lepidoptera combined with their potent antifungal activity suggests that this diverse peptide family may play a role in the defence response of moths and butterflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Brown
- CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
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Abdel-latief M, Hilker M. Innate immunity: eggs of Manduca sexta are able to respond to parasitism by Trichogramma evanescens. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 38:136-45. [PMID: 18207075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2007] [Revised: 10/01/2007] [Accepted: 10/04/2007] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
So far, it was unknown whether immune responses of insect eggs are inducible or suppressed by parasitism. We investigated whether transcription of immune related genes in eggs of Manduca sexta changed in response to parasitism by Trichogramma evanescens. First, using DDRT-PCR, several cDNA elements known to represent immune related M. sexta genes inducible by bacterial challenge were isolated from eggs. In addition, two novel cDNAs were found: (a) immulectin-V (IML-V) suggested to be involved in recognition of foreign bodies, and (b) a new like-moricin protein with possible antimicrobial effects (L-Mor). Quantitative real time RT-PCR analyses revealed enhanced transcription in parasitized eggs compared to unparasitized ones for IML-V, prophenoloxidase (ProPO), prophenoloxidase activating protease I (PAP I), and proparalytic peptide (ProPP). No significant differences between parasitized and unparasitized eggs were detected for sequences encoding the antimicrobial peptides L-Mor, leureptin Leu, and attacin II Att II. Transcript levels of other antibacterial peptides were suppressed after parasitization for 3d (cecropin 6, Cec 6) and 2d (gloverin, Glov). While nearly 100% of the Manduca eggs contained Trichogramma specimens 1d after exposure to parasitoids, only 64% of the host eggs harbored parasitoid larvae 4d after parasitization. Our data demonstrate that the immune system of Manduca eggs shows differentiated responses to parasitization and suggest that insect eggs can defend against parasitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abdel-latief
- Department of Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 12163 Berlin, Germany
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