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Grangeiro YA, Santos ALE, Barbosa FEV, Roma RR, Souza ROS, Silva CGL, Teixeira CS. A Review of the Leishmanicidal Properties of Lectins. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2024; 25:443-453. [PMID: 38284715 DOI: 10.2174/0113892037275751231221053730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Lectins are proteins widely distributed among plants, animals and microorganisms that have the ability to recognize and interact with specific carbohydrates. They have varied biological activities, such as the inhibition of the progression of infections caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa, which is related to the interaction of these proteins with the carbohydrates present in the cell walls of these microorganisms. Leishmaniasis are a group of endemic infectious diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In vitro and in vivo tests with promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania demonstrated that lectins have the ability to interact with glycoconjugates present on the cell surface of the parasite, it prevents their development through various mechanisms of action, such as the production of ROS and alteration of membrane integrity, and can also interact with defense cells present in the human body, thus showing that these molecules can be considered alternative pharmacological targets for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The objective of the present work is to carry out a bibliographic review on lectins with leishmanicidal activity, emphasizing the advances and perspectives of research in this theme. Through the analysis of the selected studies, we were able to conclude that lectins have great potential for inhibiting the development of leishmaniasis. However, there are still few studies on this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmim A Grangeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ana L E Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Barbalha, CE, Brazil
| | - Flávia E V Barbosa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Barbalha, CE, Brazil
| | - Renato R Roma
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Racquel O S Souza
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Barbalha, CE, Brazil
| | - Cláudio G L Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Barbalha, CE, Brazil
| | - Claudener S Teixeira
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e da biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
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Jayasinghe JNC, Whang I, De Zoysa M. Antifungal Efficacy of Antimicrobial Peptide Octominin II against Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14053. [PMID: 37762357 PMCID: PMC10531694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Most clinically isolated Candida albicans strains are drug-resistant, emphasizing the urgent need to discover alternative therapies. In this study, the previously characterized Octominin was modified into a shorter peptide with an 18 amino acid sequence (1GWLIRGAIHAGKAIHGLI18) and named Octominin II. The secondary structure of Octominin II is a random coil with a helical turn and a positive charge (+2.46) with a hydrophobic ratio of 0.46. Octominin II inhibited C. albicans, C. auris, and C. glabrata with minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations against C. albicans of 80 and 120 µg/mL, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed that Octominin II treatment caused ultra-structural changes in C. albicans cells. Furthermore, membrane permeability results for the fluorescent indicator propidium iodide revealed modifications in cell wall integrity in Octominin II-treated C. albicans. Octominin II treatment increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C. albicans. Gene expression studies revealed that Octominin II suppresses virulence genes of C. albicans such as CDR1, TUP1, AGE3, GSC1, SAP2, and SAP9. In addition, a nucleic acid binding assay revealed that Octominin II degraded genomic DNA and total RNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, Octominin II inhibited and eradicated C. albicans biofilm formation. Octominin II showed relatively less cytotoxicity on raw 264.7 cells (0-200 µg/mL) and hemolysis activity on murine erythrocytes (6.25-100 µg/mL). In vivo studies confirmed that Octominin II reduced the pathogenicity of C. albicans. Overall, the data suggests that Octominin II inhibits C. albicans by employing different modes of action and can be a promising candidate for controlling multidrug-resistant Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. N. C. Jayasinghe
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ilson Whang
- National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK), Janghang-eup 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Mahanama De Zoysa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea;
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Silva RRS, Malveira EA, Aguiar TKB, Neto NAS, Roma RR, Santos MHC, Santos ALE, Silva AFB, Freitas CDT, Rocha BAM, Souza PFN, Teixeira CS. DVL, lectin from Dioclea violacea seeds, has multiples mechanisms of action against Candida spp via carbohydrate recognition domain. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110639. [PMID: 37468117 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110639] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are proteins of non-immunological origin with the ability to bind to carbohydrates reversibly. They emerge as an alternative to conventional antifungals, given the ability to interact with carbohydrates in the fungal cell wall inhibiting fungal growth. The lectin from D. violacea (DVL) already has its activity described as anti-candida in some species. Here, we observed the anti-candida effect of DVL on C. albicans, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis and its multiple mechanisms of action toward the yeasts. Additionally, it was observed that DVL induces membrane and cell wall damage and ROS overproduction. DVL was also able to cause an imbalance in the redox system of the cells, interact with ergosterol, inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis, and induce cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial membrane. These results endorse the potential application of DVL in developing a new antifungal drug to fight back against fungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romério R S Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Ellen A Malveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Tawanny K B Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Nilton A S Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Renato R Roma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Maria H C Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Ana L E Santos
- Medical School, Federal University of Cariri, Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ayrles F B Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Cleverson D T Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Bruno A M Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil
| | - Pedro F N Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60451-970, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60430-275, CE, Brazil.
| | - Claudener S Teixeira
- Center for Agricultural Sciences and Biodiversity, Federal University of Cariri, Crato, 63130-025, Brazil.
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de Carvalho MH, de Araújo HDA, da Silva RP, Dos Santos Correia MT, de Freitas KCS, de Souza SR, Barroso Coelho LCB. Biosensor Characterization from Cratylia mollis Seed Lectin (Cramoll)-MOF and Specific Carbohydrate Interactions in an Electrochemical Model. Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202200515. [PMID: 36250754 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors are small devices known for their selectivity, high specificity and sensitivity to the respective analyte, at low concentrations. We developed an electrochemical biosensor using the crystalline polymer MOF-[Cu3 (BTC)2 (H2 O)2 ]n to characterize Cratylia mollis seed lectin (Cramoll) and its interaction with free carbohydrate (glucose) and carbohydrates on the surface of rabbit erythrocytes. The electrochemical potentials presented by the exponential curves that vary from 96 to 142 mV in relation to concentrations of 10 to 20 mM of glucose are decisive for the use of the system containing gold electrode/MOF/Cramoll for the characterization of biological models due to its high sensitivity. As well as the kinetic behavior presented in the cyclic voltammograms, with a cathodic current response of 0.000 3 A for a glucose concentration of 15 mM. These results were due to the high specificity of Cramoll under these conditions, promoting stability of surface charges at the Cramoll/electrode interface. This phenomenon facilitates the monitoring of the interaction with free glucose present in the electrolyte medium by potentiometric and amperometric methods and with carbohydrates present on the surface of rabbit erythrocytes through the potentiometric method. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) it was possible to observe Cramoll immobilized on the MOF surface, proving the specificity of the ligand (glucose-lectin) through the morphological lectin changes in this process. This electrochemical model, Cramoll/MOF biosensor, is effective for evaluating free lectin/carbohydrate or in the erythrocyte membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryana Hermínio de Carvalho
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, CB, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, UFRPE, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, Recife-PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Hallysson Douglas Andrade de Araújo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, CB, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | - Renata Pereira da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, UFRPE, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, Recife-PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Tereza Dos Santos Correia
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, CB, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | - Katia Cristina Silva de Freitas
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, UFRPE, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, Recife-PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Sandra Rodrigues de Souza
- Departamento de Educação, UFRPE, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, Recife-PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, CB, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife-PE, Brazil
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Costa ACM, Malveira EA, Mendonça LP, Maia MES, Silva RRS, Roma RR, Aguiar TKB, Grangeiro YA, Souza PFN. Plant Lectins: A Review on their Biotechnological Potential Toward Human Pathogens. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:851-861. [PMID: 36239726 DOI: 10.2174/1389203724666221014142740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The indiscriminate use of antibiotics is associated with the appearance of bacterial resistance. In light of this, plant-based products treating infections are considered potential alternatives. Lectins are a group of proteins widely distributed in nature, capable of reversibly binding carbohydrates. Lectins can bind to the surface of pathogens and cause damage to their structure, thus preventing host infection. The antimicrobial activity of plant lectins results from their interaction with carbohydrates present in the bacterial cell wall and fungal membrane. The data about lectins as modulating agents of antibiotic activity, potentiates the effect of antibiotics without triggering microbial resistance. In addition, lectins play an essential role in the defense against fungi, reducing their infectivity and pathogenicity. Little is known about the antiviral activity of plant lectins. However, their effectiveness against retroviruses and parainfluenza is reported in the literature. Some authors still consider mannose/ glucose/N-Acetylglucosamine binding lectins as potent antiviral agents against coronavirus, suggesting that these lectins may have inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, it was found that plant lectins are an alternative for producing new antimicrobial drugs, but further studies still need to decipher some mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C M Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ellen A Malveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lidiane P Mendonça
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Maria E S Maia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Romério R S Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Renato R Roma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Tawanny K B Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Yasmim A Grangeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pedro F N Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Caixa 60430-275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Caixa 60430- 275 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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6
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da Silva Neto JX, Dias LP, Lopes de Souza LA, Silva da Costa HP, Vasconcelos IM, Pereira ML, de Oliveira JTA, Cardozo CJP, Gonçalves Moura LFW, de Sousa JS, Carneiro RF, Lopes TDP, Bezerra de Sousa DDO. Insights into the structure and mechanism of action of the anti-candidal lectin Mo-CBP2 and evaluation of its synergistic effect and antibiofilm activity. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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7
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Konozy EHE, Osman MEFM, Dirar AI, Ghartey-Kwansah G. Plant lectins: A new antimicrobial frontier. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113735. [PMID: 36152414 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other microbes constantly change to ensure survival. Several pathogens have adopted strict and intricate strategies to fight medical treatments. Many drugs, frequently prescribed to treat these pathogens, are becoming obsolete and ineffective. Because pathogens have gained the capacity to tolerate or resist medications targeted at them, hence the term antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in that regard, many natural compounds have been routinely used as new antimicrobial agents to treat infections. Thus, plant lectins, the carbohydrate-binding proteins, have been targeted as promising drug candidates. This article reviewed more than 150 published papers on plant lectins with promising antibacterial and antifungal properties. We have also demonstrated how some plant lectins could express a synergistic action as adjuvants to boost the efficacy of obsolete or abandoned antimicrobial drugs. Emphasis has also been given to their plausible mechanism of action. The study further reports on the immunomodulatory effect of plant lectins and how they boost the immune system to curb or prevent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amina I Dirar
- Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Traditional Medicine Research Institute (MAPTRI), National Center for Research, Mek Nimr Street, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
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Sun CQ, Peng J, Yang LB, Jiao ZL, Zhou LX, Tao RY, Zhu LJ, Tian ZQ, Huang MJ, Guo G. A Cecropin-4 Derived Peptide C18 Inhibits Candida albicans by Disturbing Mitochondrial Function. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:872322. [PMID: 35531288 PMCID: PMC9075107 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.872322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Global burden of fungal infections and related health risk has accelerated at an incredible pace, and multidrug resistance emergency aggravates the need for the development of new effective strategies. Candida albicans is clinically the most ubiquitous pathogenic fungus that leads to high incidence and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), in this context, represent promising alternatives having potential to be exploited for improving human health. In our previous studies, a Cecropin-4-derived peptide named C18 was found to possess a broader antibacterial spectrum after modification and exhibit significant antifungal activity against C. albicans. In this study, C18 shows antifungal activity against C. albicans or non-albicans Candida species with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 4∼32 μg/ml, and clinical isolates of fluconazole (FLZ)-resistance C. tropicalis were highly susceptible to C18 with MIC value of 8 or 16 μg/ml. Additionally, C18 is superior to FLZ for killing planktonic C. albicans from inhibitory and killing kinetic curves. Moreover, C18 could attenuate the virulence of C. albicans, which includes damaging the cell structure, retarding hyphae transition, and inhibiting biofilm formation. Intriguingly, in the Galleria mellonella model with C. albicans infection, C18 could improve the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae to 70% and reduce C. albicans load from 5.01 × 107 to 5.62 × 104 CFU. For mechanistic action of C18, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cytosolic Ca2 + increased in the presence of C18, which is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) loss and ATP depletion of C. albicans occurred with the treatment of C18. We hypothesized that C18 might inhibit C. albicans via triggering mitochondrial dysfunction driven by ROS generation and Ca2 + accumulation. Our observation provides a basis for future research to explore the antifungal strategies and presents C18 as an attractive therapeutic candidate to be developed to treat candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Qin Sun
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jian Peng
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, China
| | - Long-Bing Yang
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zheng-Long Jiao
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Luo-Xiong Zhou
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, China
| | - Ru-Yu Tao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Kaili, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhu
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhu-Qing Tian
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ming-Jiao Huang
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guo Guo
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Guo Guo,
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Fonseca VJA, Braga AL, Filho JR, Teixeira CS, da Hora GCA, Morais-Braga MFB. A review on the antimicrobial properties of lectins. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 195:163-178. [PMID: 34896466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Lectins are biologically versatile biomolecules with remarkable antimicrobial effects, notably against bacteria, fungi and protozoa, in addition to modulating host immunity. For this, the lectins bind to carbohydrates on the surface of the pathogen, which can cause damage to the cell wall and prevent the attachment of microorganisms to host cells. Thus, this study intends to review the biological activities of lectins, with an emphasis on antimicrobial activity. Lectins of plant stood out for its antimicrobial effects, demonstrating that they act against a variety of strains, where in vitro were able to inhibit their development and affect their morphology. In vivo, they modulated host immunity, signaling and activating defense cells. Some of these lectins were capable to modulate the action of antibiotics, indicating their potential to minimize the antibiotic resistance. The results suggest that lectins have antimicrobial activity with potential to be used in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Juno Alencar Fonseca
- Laboratório de Micologia Aplicada do Cariri - LMAC, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Ana Lays Braga
- Laboratório de Micologia Aplicada do Cariri - LMAC, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Jaime Ribeiro Filho
- Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz (IGM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Claudener Souza Teixeira
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Gabriel C A da Hora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0850, USA
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