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Aronica PGA, Reid LM, Desai N, Li J, Fox SJ, Yadahalli S, Essex JW, Verma CS. Computational Methods and Tools in Antimicrobial Peptide Research. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3172-3196. [PMID: 34165973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an ongoing and troubling development that has increased the number of diseases and infections that risk going untreated. There is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies and treatments to address this issue. One class of molecules that is attracting significant interest is that of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Their design and development has been aided considerably by the applications of molecular models, and we review these here. These methods include the use of tools to explore the relationships between their structures, dynamics, and functions and the increasing application of machine learning and molecular dynamics simulations. This review compiles resources such as AMP databases, AMP-related web servers, and commonly used techniques, together aimed at aiding researchers in the area toward complementing experimental studies with computational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro G A Aronica
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Lauren M Reid
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671.,School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield Southampton, Hampshire, U.K. SO17 1BJ.,MedChemica Ltd, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, U.K. SK10 4TG
| | - Nirali Desai
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671.,Division of Biological and Life Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 380009
| | - Jianguo Li
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671.,Singapore Eye Research Institute, 20 College Road Discovery Tower, Singapore 169856
| | - Stephen J Fox
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Shilpa Yadahalli
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Jonathan W Essex
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield Southampton, Hampshire, U.K. SO17 1BJ
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute at A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Drive, 637551 Singapore
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Greco I, Emborg AP, Jana B, Molchanova N, Oddo A, Damborg P, Guardabassi L, Hansen PR. Characterization, mechanism of action and optimization of activity of a novel peptide-peptoid hybrid against bacterial pathogens involved in canine skin infections. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3679. [PMID: 30842436 PMCID: PMC6403271 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39042-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Integumentary infections like pyoderma represent the main reason for antimicrobial prescription in dogs. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are frequently identified in these infections, and both bacteria are challenging to combat due to resistance. To avoid use of important human antibiotics for treatment of animal infections there is a pressing need for novel narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine. Herein, we characterize the in vitro activity of the novel peptide-peptoid hybrid B1 against canine isolates of S. pseudintermedius and P. aeruginosa. B1 showed potent minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against canine S. pseudintermedius and P. aeruginosa isolates as well rapid killing kinetics. B1 was found to disrupt the membrane integrity and affect cell-wall synthesis in methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP). We generated 28 analogues of B1, showing comparable haemolysis and MICs against MRSP and P. aeruginosa. The most active analogues (23, 26) and B1 were tested against a collection of clinical isolates from canine, of which only B1 showed potent activity. Our best compound 26, displayed activity against P. aeruginosa and S. pseudintermedius, but not the closely related S. aureus. This work shows that design of target-specific veterinary antimicrobial agents is possible, even species within a genus, and deserves further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Greco
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Agnete Plahn Emborg
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk, Brennum Park 1, 3400, Hilleroed, Denmark
| | - Bimal Jana
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Natalia Molchanova
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Roskilde University, Department of Science and Environment, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alberto Oddo
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Krogshøjvej 44, 2820, Bagsværd, Denmark
| | - Peter Damborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Luca Guardabassi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - 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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Balatti GE, Martini MF, Pickholz M. A coarse-grained approach to studying the interactions of the antimicrobial peptides aurein 1.2 and maculatin 1.1 with POPG/POPE lipid mixtures. J Mol Model 2018; 24:208. [PMID: 30019106 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-018-3747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the present work we investigated the differential interactions of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) aurein 1.2 and maculatin 1.1 with a bilayer composed of a mixture of the lipids 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE). We carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using a coarse-grained approach within the MARTINI force field. The POPE/POPG mixture was used as a simple model of a bacterial (prokaryotic cell) membrane. The results were compared with our previous findings for structures of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), a representative lipid of mammalian cells. We started the simulations of the peptide-lipid system from two different initial conditions: peptides in water and peptides inside the hydrophobic core of the membrane, employing a pre-assembled lipid bilayer in both cases. Our results show similarities and differences regarding the molecular behavior of the peptides in POPE/POPG in comparison to their behavior in a POPC membrane. For instance, aurein 1.2 molecules can adopt similar pore-like structures on both POPG/POPE and POPC membranes, but the peptides are found deeper in the hydrophobic core in the former. Maculatin 1.1 molecules, in turn, achieve very similar structures in both kinds of bilayers: they have a strong tendency to form clusters and induce curvature. Therefore, the results of this study provide insight into the mechanisms of action of these two peptides in membrane leakage, which allows organisms to protect themselves against potentially harmful bacteria. Graphical Abstract Aurein pore structure (green) in a lipid bilayer composed by POPE (blue) and POPG (red) mixture. It is possible to see water beads (light blue) inside the pore.
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Affiliation(s)
- G E Balatti
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IFIBA, C1428BFA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M F Martini
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Farmacología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA, C1113AA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Pickholz
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IFIBA, C1428BFA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Zhu S, Sani M, Separovic F. Interaction of cationic antimicrobial peptides from Australian frogs with lipid membranes. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Zhu
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
| | - Marc‐Antoine Sani
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of ChemistryBio21 Institute, University of MelbourneMelbourne VIC3010 Australia
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Differential Interaction of Antimicrobial Peptides with Lipid Structures Studied by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22101775. [PMID: 29053635 PMCID: PMC6151434 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22101775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work; we investigated the differential interaction of amphiphilic antimicrobial peptides with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid structures by means of extensive molecular dynamics simulations. By using a coarse-grained (CG) model within the MARTINI force field; we simulated the peptide-lipid system from three different initial configurations: (a) peptides in water in the presence of a pre-equilibrated lipid bilayer; (b) peptides inside the hydrophobic core of the membrane; and (c) random configurations that allow self-assembled molecular structures. This last approach allowed us to sample the structural space of the systems and consider cooperative effects. The peptides used in our simulations are aurein 1.2 and maculatin 1.1; two well-known antimicrobial peptides from the Australian tree frogs; and molecules that present different membrane-perturbing behaviors. Our results showed differential behaviors for each type of peptide seen in a different organization that could guide a molecular interpretation of the experimental data. While both peptides are capable of forming membrane aggregates; the aurein 1.2 ones have a pore-like structure and exhibit a higher level of organization than those conformed by maculatin 1.1. Furthermore; maculatin 1.1 has a strong tendency to form clusters and induce curvature at low peptide-lipid ratios. The exploration of the possible lipid-peptide structures; as the one carried out here; could be a good tool for recognizing specific configurations that should be further studied with more sophisticated methodologies.
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Wimmer R, Uggerhøj LE. Determination of Structure and Micellar Interactions of Small Antimicrobial Peptides by Solution-State NMR. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1548:73-88. [PMID: 28013498 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6737-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy is a well-established technique to determine the structure of peptides and small proteins in solution, also when bound to detergent micelles or phospholipid bicelles. The structure of the peptide alone is, however, not conveying the full picture, if the peptide is bound to a micelle, since it does not tell anything about the orientation of the peptide in the micelle. This article describes how to obtain that information together with information on peptide structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Wimmer
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Aalborg, Frederik Bajers vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Lars Erik Uggerhøj
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Aalborg, Frederik Bajers vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
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Uggerhøj LE, Poulsen TJ, Munk JK, Fredborg M, Sondergaard TE, Frimodt-Moller N, Hansen PR, Wimmer R. Rational Design of Alpha-Helical Antimicrobial Peptides: Do's and Don'ts. Chembiochem 2014; 16:242-53. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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