1
|
Nazarova A, Padnya P, Kharlamova A, Petrov K, Yusupov G, Zelenikhin P, Bukharov M, Hua B, Huang F, Stoikov I. Peptidomimetics based on ammonium decasubstituted pillar[5]arenes: Influence of the alpha-amino acid residue nature on cholinesterase inhibition. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106927. [PMID: 37866207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106927] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors are a group of medicines that are widely used for the treatment of cognitive impairments accompanying Alzheimer's disease as well as for the treatment of pathological muscle weaknesses syndromes such as myasthenia gravis. The search for novel non-toxic and effective cholinesterase inhibitors for creating neuroprotective and neurotransmitter agents is an urgent interdisciplinary problem. For the first time, the application of water-soluble pillar[5]arenes containing amino acid residues as effective cholinesterase inhibitors was shown. The influence of the nature of aliphatic and aromatic alpha-amino acid residues (glycine, l-alanine, l-phenylalanine and l-tryptophan) on self-assembly, aggregate's stability, cytotoxicity on A549 and LEK cells and cholinesterase inhibition was studied. It was found that the studied compounds with aliphatic amino acid residues showed a low inhibitory ability against cholinesterases. It was established that the pillar[5]arene containing fragments of l-phenylalanine is the most promising inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase (IC50 = 0.32 ± 0.01 μM), the pillar[5]arene with l-tryptophan residues is the most promising inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 0.32 ± 0.01 μM). This study has shown a possible application of peptidomimetics based on pillar[5]arenes to inhibit cholinesterase, as well as control the binding affinity to a particular enzyme in a structure-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Nazarova
- A. M. Butlerov Chemistry Institute, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia.
| | - Pavel Padnya
- A. M. Butlerov Chemistry Institute, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Alexandra Kharlamova
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov str., Kazan 420088, Russia
| | - Konstantin Petrov
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov str., Kazan 420088, Russia
| | - George Yusupov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Pavel Zelenikhin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Mikhail Bukharov
- A. M. Butlerov Chemistry Institute, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Bin Hua
- Stoddart Institute of Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, PR China; Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, 311215 Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Feihe Huang
- Stoddart Institute of Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, PR China; Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, 311215 Hangzhou, PR China; Green Catalysis Center and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, 450001 Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Ivan Stoikov
- A. M. Butlerov Chemistry Institute, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., 420008 Kazan, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yin H, Fu XY, Gao HY, Ma YN, Yao JF, Du SS, Qi YK, Wang KW. Design, synthesis and anticancer evaluation of novel oncolytic peptide-chlorambucil conjugates. Bioorg Chem 2023; 138:106674. [PMID: 37331169 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen mustards (NMs) are an important class of chemotherapeutic drugs and have been widely employed for the treatment of various cancers. However, due to the high reactivity of nitrogen mustard, most NMs react with proteins and phospholipids within the cell membrane. Therefore, only a very small fraction of NMs can reach the reach nucleus, alkylating and cross-linking DNA. To efficiently penetrate the cell membrane barrier, the hybridization of NMs with a membranolytic agent may be an effective strategy. Herein, the chlorambucil (CLB, a kind of NM) hybrids were first designed by conjugation with membranolytic peptide LTX-315. However, although LTX-315 could help large amounts of CLB penetrate the cytomembrane and enter the cytoplasm, CLB still did not readily reach the nucleus. Our previous work demonstrated that the hybrid peptide NTP-385 obtained by covalent conjugation of rhodamine B with LTX-315 could accumulate in the nucleus. Hence, the NTP-385-CLB conjugate, named FXY-3, was then designed and systematically evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. FXY-3 displayed prominent localization in the cancer cell nucleus and induced severe DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to trigger cell apoptosis. Especially, compared with CLB and LTX-315, FXY-3 exhibited significantly increased in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines. Moreover, FXY-3 showed superior in vivo anticancer efficiency in the mouse cancer model. Collectively, this study established an effective strategy to increase the anticancer activity and the nuclear accumulation of NMs, which will provide a valuable reference for future nucleus-targeting modification of nitrogen mustards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China; Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, #38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Xing-Yan Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Han-Yu Gao
- School of Stomatology, Jining Medical University, #133 Hehua Road, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yan-Nan Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Jing-Fang Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Shan-Shan Du
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China; College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Yun-Kun Qi
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China; Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, #38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China.
| | - Ke-Wei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao University, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China; Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, #38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smola-Dmochowska A, Lewicka K, Macyk A, Rychter P, Pamuła E, Dobrzyński P. Biodegradable Polymers and Polymer Composites with Antibacterial Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087473. [PMID: 37108637 PMCID: PMC10138923 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health and food security today. It becomes increasingly difficult to treat infectious disorders because antibiotics, even the newest ones, are becoming less and less effective. One of the ways taken in the Global Plan of Action announced at the World Health Assembly in May 2015 is to ensure the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In order to do so, attempts are made to develop new antimicrobial therapeutics, including biomaterials with antibacterial activity, such as polycationic polymers, polypeptides, and polymeric systems, to provide non-antibiotic therapeutic agents, such as selected biologically active nanoparticles and chemical compounds. Another key issue is preventing food from contamination by developing antibacterial packaging materials, particularly based on degradable polymers and biocomposites. This review, in a cross-sectional way, describes the most significant research activities conducted in recent years in the field of the development of polymeric materials and polymer composites with antibacterial properties. We particularly focus on natural polymers, i.e., polysaccharides and polypeptides, which present a mechanism for combating many highly pathogenic microorganisms. We also attempt to use this knowledge to obtain synthetic polymers with similar antibacterial activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Smola-Dmochowska
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Kamila Lewicka
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Av., 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Alicja Macyk
- Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Rychter
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Av., 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pamuła
- Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Dobrzyński
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Av., 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chi QN, Jia SX, Yin H, Wang LE, Fu XY, Ma YN, Sun MP, Qi YK, Li Z, Du SS. Efficient synthesis and anticancer evaluation of spider toxin peptide LVTX-8-based analogues with enhanced stability. Bioorg Chem 2023; 134:106451. [PMID: 36907048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic peptides derived from spider venoms have been considered as promising candidates for anticancer treatment. The novel cell penetrating peptide LVTX-8, which is a 25-residue amphipathic α-helical peptide isolated from spider Lycosa vittata, exhibited potent cytotoxicity and is a potential precursor for further anticancer drug development. Nevertheless, LVTX-8 may be easily degraded by multiple proteases, inducing the proteolytic stability problem and short half-life. In this study, ten LVTX-8-based analogs were rationally designed and the efficient manual synthetic method was established by the DIC/Oxyma based condensation system. The cytotoxicity of synthetic peptides was systematically evaluated against seven cancer cell lines. Seven of the derived peptides exhibited high cytotoxicity towards tested cancer in vitro, which was better than or comparable to that of natural LVTX-8. In particular, both N-acetyl and C-hydrazide modified LVTX-8 (825) and the conjugate methotrexate (MTX)-GFLG-LVTX-8 (827) possessed more durable anticancer efficiency, higher proteolytic stability, as well as lower hemolysis. Finally, we confirmed that LVTX-8 could disrupt the integrity of cell membrane, target the mitochondria and reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential to induce the cell death. Taken together, the structural modifications were conducted on LVTX-8 for the first time and the stability significantly improved derivatives 825 and 827 may provide useful references for the modifications of cytotoxic peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Na Chi
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Shi-Xi Jia
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Li-E Wang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Reproductive Center, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao 266004, China
| | - Xing-Yan Fu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Yan-Nan Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ming-Pu Sun
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Yun-Kun Qi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China.
| | - Zhibo Li
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Shan-Shan Du
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Efficacy of natural antimicrobial peptides versus peptidomimetic analogues: a systematic review. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1899-1921. [PMID: 36421051 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: This systematic review was carried out to determine whether synthetic peptidomimetics exhibit significant advantages over antimicrobial peptides in terms of in vitro potency. Structural features - molecular weight, charge and length - were examined for correlations with activity. Methods: Original research articles reporting minimum inhibitory concentration values against Escherichia coli, indexed until 31 December 2020, were searched in PubMed/ScienceDirect/Google Scholar and evaluated using mixed-effects models. Results: In vitro antimicrobial activity of peptidomimetics resembled that of antimicrobial peptides. Net charge significantly affected minimum inhibitory concentration values (p < 0.001) with a trend of 4.6% decrease for increments in charge by +1. Conclusion: AMPs and antibacterial peptidomimetics exhibit similar potencies, providing an opportunity to exploit the advantageous stability and bioavailability typically associated with peptidomimetics.
Collapse
|
6
|
Li H, Li Y, Wang Y, Liu L, Dong H, Zhang C, Satoh T. Physically crosslinked PAA/Lys-BPEA hydrogel with rapid self-healing and long-term antibacterial activities. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
7
|
Xiang W, Clemenza P, Klousnitzer J, Chen J, Qin W, Tristram-Nagle S, Doi Y, Di YP, Deslouches B. Rational Framework for the Design of Trp- and Arg-Rich Peptide Antibiotics Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:889791. [PMID: 35694289 PMCID: PMC9186412 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.889791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat of antibiotic resistance warrants the discovery of agents with novel antimicrobial mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) directly disrupting bacterial membranes may overcome resistance to traditional antibiotics. AMP development for clinical use has been mostly limited to topical application to date. We developed a rational framework for systematically addressing this challenge using libraries composed of 86 novel Trp- and Arg-rich engineered peptides tested against clinical strains of the most common multidrug-resistant bacteria known as ESKAPE pathogens. Structure-function correlations revealed minimum lengths (as low as 16 residues) and Trp positioning for maximum antibacterial potency with mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2–4 μM and corresponding negligible toxicity to mammalian cells. Twelve peptides were selected based on broad-spectrum activity against both gram-negative and -positive bacteria and <25% toxicity to mammalian cells at maximum test concentrations. Most of the selected PAX remained active against the colistin-resistant clinical strains. Of the selected peptides, the shortest (the 16-residue E35) was further investigated for antibacterial mechanism and proof-of-concept in vivo efficacy. E35 killed an extensively-resistant isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA239 from the CDC, also resistant to colistin) by irreversibly disrupting the cell membranes as shown by propidium iodide incorporation, using flow cytometry and live cell imaging. As proof of concept, in vivo toxicity studies showed that mice tolerated a systemic dose of up to 30 mg/kg peptide and were protected with a single 5 mg/kg intravenous (IV) dose against an otherwise lethal intraperitoneal injection of PA239. Efficacy was also demonstrated in an immune-compromised Klebsiella pneumoniae infection model using a daily dose of 4mg/kg E35 systemically for 2 days. This framework defines the determinants of efficacy of helical AMPs composed of only cationic and hydrophobic amino acids and provides a path for a potential departure from the restriction to topical use of AMPs toward systemic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Xiang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Patrice Clemenza
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jessie Klousnitzer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jespar Chen
- Biological Physics Group, Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Weiheng Qin
- Biological Physics Group, Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Stephanie Tristram-Nagle
- Biological Physics Group, Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yohei Doi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Y Peter Di
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Berthony Deslouches
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Petri G, Di Martino S, De Rosa M. Peptidomimetics: An Overview of Recent Medicinal Chemistry Efforts toward the Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7438-7475. [PMID: 35604326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The use of peptides as therapeutics has often been associated with several drawbacks such as poor absorption, low stability to proteolytic digestion, and fast clearance. Peptidomimetics are developed by modifications of native peptides with the aim of obtaining molecules that are more suitable for clinical development and, for this reason, are widely used as tools in medicinal chemistry programs. The effort to disclose innovative peptidomimetic therapies is recurrent and constantly evolving as demonstrated by the new lead compounds in clinical trials. Synthetic strategies for the development of peptidomimetics have also been implemented with time. This perspective highlights some of the most recent efforts for the design and synthesis of peptidomimetic agents together with their biological evaluation toward a panel of targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria De Rosa
- Drug Discovery Unit, Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo 90133, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jin L, Dong H, Sun D, Wang L, Qu L, Lin S, Yang Q, Zhang X. Biological Functions and Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:226-247. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203723666220519155942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Despite antimicrobial resistance, which is attributed to the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics,
antibiotics can indiscriminately kill pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms. These events
disrupt the delicate microbial balance in both humans and animals, leading to secondary infections
and other negative effects. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are functional natural biopolymers in
plants and animals. Due to their excellent antimicrobial activities and absence of microbial resistance,
AMPs have attracted enormous research attention. We reviewed the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral,
antiparasitic, as well as antitumor properties of AMPs and research progress on AMPs. In addition,
we highlighted various recommendations and potential research areas for their progress and
challenges in practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libo Jin
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hao Dong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,
China
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Linkai Qu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,
China
| | - Sue Lin
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Qinsi Yang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology
and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Natural and Synthetic Halogenated Amino Acids-Structural and Bioactive Features in Antimicrobial Peptides and Peptidomimetics. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237401. [PMID: 34885985 PMCID: PMC8659048 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The 3D structure and surface characteristics of proteins and peptides are crucial for interactions with receptors or ligands and can be modified to some extent to modulate their biological roles and pharmacological activities. The introduction of halogen atoms on the side-chains of amino acids is a powerful tool for effecting this type of tuning, influencing both the physico-chemical and structural properties of the modified polypeptides, helping to first dissect and then rationally modify features that affect their mode of action. This review provides examples of the influence of different types of halogenation in amino acids that replace native residues in proteins and peptides. Examples of synthetic strategies for obtaining halogenated amino acids are also provided, focusing on some representative compounds and their biological effects. The role of halogenation in native and designed antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their mimetics is then discussed. These are in the spotlight for the development of new antimicrobial drugs to counter the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. AMPs represent an interesting model to study the role that natural halogenation has on their mode of action and also to understand how artificially halogenated residues can be used to rationally modify and optimize AMPs for pharmaceutical purposes.
Collapse
|