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Walkowiak-Nowicka K, Chowański S, Pacholska-Bogalska J, Adamski Z, Kuczer M, Rosiński G. Effects of alloferon and its analogues on reproduction and development of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17016. [PMID: 39043811 PMCID: PMC11266558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68118-y] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As the most numerous group of animals on Earth, insects are found in almost every ecosystem. Their useful role in the environment is priceless; however, for humans, their presence may be considered negative or even harmful. For years, people have been trying to control the number of pests by using synthetic insecticides, which eventually causes an increased level of resistance to applied compounds. The effects of synthetic insecticides have encouraged researchers to search for alternatives and thus develop safe compounds with high specificity. Using knowledge about the physiology of insects and the functionality of compounds of insect origin, a new class of bioinsecticides called peptidomimetics, which are appropriately modified insect analogues, was created. One promising compound that might be successfully modified is the thirteen amino acid peptide alloferon (HGVSGHGQHGVHG), which is obtained from the hemolymph of the blue blowfly Calliphora vicinia. Our research aimed to understand the physiological properties of alloferon and the activity of its peptidomimetics, which will provide the possibility of using alloferon or its analogues in the pharmaceutical industry, as a drug or adjuvant, or in agriculture as a bioinsecticide. We used alloferon and its three peptidomimetics, which are conjugates of the native peptide with three unsaturated fatty acids with various chain lengths: caprylic, myristic, and palmitic. We tested their effects on the morphology and activity of the reproductive system and the embryogenesis of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. We found that the tested compounds influenced the growth and maturation of ovaries and the expression level of the vitellogenin gene. The tested compounds also influenced the process of egg laying, embryogenesis, and offspring hatching, showing that alloferon might be a good peptide for the synthesis of effective bioinsecticides or biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Szymon Chowański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Pacholska-Bogalska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Adamski
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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Appiah C, Chen S, Pori AI, Retyunskiy V, Tzeng C, Zhao Y. Study of alloferon, a novel immunomodulatory antimicrobial peptide (AMP), and its analogues. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1359261. [PMID: 38434708 PMCID: PMC10904621 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1359261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely distributed throughout the biosphere and represent a class of conserved peptide molecules with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low risk to induce resistance have led to increased interest in AMPs as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Among the AMPs, alloferon has been addressed due to its immunomodulatory properties that augment both innate and adaptive immune responses against various pathogens. Alloferon and its analogues have demonstrated pharmaceutical potential through their ability to enhance Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and stimulate interferon (IFN) synthesis in both mouse and human models. Additionally, they have shown promise in augmenting antiviral and antitumor activities in mice. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the biological effects of alloferon and its analogues, incorporating our own research findings as well. These insights may contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of these novel AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Appiah
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shitian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Afia Ibnat Pori
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Chimeng Tzeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
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3
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Development of Anticancer Peptides Using Artificial Intelligence and Combinational Therapy for Cancer Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050997. [PMID: 35631583 PMCID: PMC9147327 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a group of diseases causing abnormal cell growth, altering the genome, and invading or spreading to other parts of the body. Among therapeutic peptide drugs, anticancer peptides (ACPs) have been considered to target and kill cancer cells because cancer cells have unique characteristics such as a high negative charge and abundance of microvilli in the cell membrane when compared to a normal cell. ACPs have several advantages, such as high specificity, cost-effectiveness, low immunogenicity, minimal toxicity, and high tolerance under normal physiological conditions. However, the development and identification of ACPs are time-consuming and expensive in traditional wet-lab-based approaches. Thus, the application of artificial intelligence on the approaches can save time and reduce the cost to identify candidate ACPs. Recently, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and hybrid learning (ML combined DL) have emerged into the development of ACPs without experimental analysis, owing to advances in computer power and big data from the power system. Additionally, we suggest that combination therapy with classical approaches and ACPs might be one of the impactful approaches to increase the efficiency of cancer therapy.
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Schijns V, Majhen D, van der Ley P, Thakur A, Summerfield A, Berisio R, Nativi C, Fernández-Tejada A, Alvarez-Dominguez C, Gizurarson S, Zamyatina A, Molinaro A, Rosano C, Jakopin Ž, Gursel I, McClean S. Rational Vaccine Design in Times of Emerging Diseases: The Critical Choices of Immunological Correlates of Protection, Vaccine Antigen and Immunomodulation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:501. [PMID: 33917629 PMCID: PMC8067490 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are the most effective medical intervention due to their continual success in preventing infections and improving mortality worldwide. Early vaccines were developed empirically however, rational design of vaccines can allow us to optimise their efficacy, by tailoring the immune response. Establishing the immune correlates of protection greatly informs the rational design of vaccines. This facilitates the selection of the best vaccine antigens and the most appropriate vaccine adjuvant to generate optimal memory immune T cell and B cell responses. This review outlines the range of vaccine types that are currently authorised and those under development. We outline the optimal immunological correlates of protection that can be targeted. Finally we review approaches to rational antigen selection and rational vaccine adjuvant design. Harnessing current knowledge on protective immune responses in combination with critical vaccine components is imperative to the prevention of future life-threatening diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil Schijns
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology (Intravacc), Utrecht Science Park, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
- Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), 5374 RE Schaijk, The Netherlands
| | - Dragomira Majhen
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signalling, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Instiute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Peter van der Ley
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology (Intravacc), Utrecht Science Park, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Aneesh Thakur
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Artur Summerfield
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, 3147 Mittelhausern, Switzerland;
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rita Berisio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, I-80134 Naples, Italy;
| | - Cristina Nativi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Biscay Science and Technology Park, 48160 Derio-Bilbao, Spain;
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez
- Facultativo en plantilla (Research Faculty), Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain;
| | - Sveinbjörn Gizurarson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland;
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Alla Zamyatina
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, I-80126 Napoli, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Osaka University Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova-1, Italy;
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubiljana, Slovenia;
| | - Ihsan Gursel
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Science Faculty, Bilkent University, Bilkent, 06800 Ankara, Turkey;
| | - Siobhán McClean
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Ng CX, Lee SH. The Potential Use of Anticancer Peptides (ACPs) in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 20:187-196. [PMID: 31713495 DOI: 10.2174/1568009619666191111141032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have acquired increasing interest as promising therapeutics, particularly as anticancer alternatives during recent years. They have been reported to demonstrate incredible anticancer potentials due to their low manufacturing cost, ease of synthesis and great specificity and selectivity. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the leading cause of cancer death globally, and the effectiveness of current liver treatment has turned out to be a critical issue in treating the disease efficiently. Hence, new interventions are being explored for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) were first identified as part of the innate immune system of living organisms, demonstrating promising activity against infectious diseases. Differentiated beyond the traditional effort on endogenous human peptides, the discovery of peptide drugs has evolved to rely more on isolation from other natural sources or through the medicinal chemistry approach. Up to the present time, the pharmaceutical industry intends to conduct more clinical trials for the development of peptides as alternative therapy since peptides possess numerous advantages such as high selectivity and efficacy against cancers over normal tissues, as well as a broad spectrum of anticancer activity. In this review, we present an overview of the literature concerning peptide's physicochemical properties and describe the contemporary status of several anticancer peptides currently engaged in clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Xin Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Sau Har Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
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Schijns V, Fernández-Tejada A, Barjaktarović Ž, Bouzalas I, Brimnes J, Chernysh S, Gizurarson S, Gursel I, Jakopin Ž, Lawrenz M, Nativi C, Paul S, Pedersen GK, Rosano C, Ruiz-de-Angulo A, Slütter B, Thakur A, Christensen D, Lavelle EC. Modulation of immune responses using adjuvants to facilitate therapeutic vaccination. Immunol Rev 2020; 296:169-190. [PMID: 32594569 PMCID: PMC7497245 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination offers great promise as an intervention for a diversity of infectious and non-infectious conditions. Given that most chronic health conditions are thought to have an immune component, vaccination can at least in principle be proposed as a therapeutic strategy. Understanding the nature of protective immunity is of vital importance, and the progress made in recent years in defining the nature of pathological and protective immunity for a range of diseases has provided an impetus to devise strategies to promote such responses in a targeted manner. However, in many cases, limited progress has been made in clinical adoption of such approaches. This in part results from a lack of safe and effective vaccine adjuvants that can be used to promote protective immunity and/or reduce deleterious immune responses. Although somewhat simplistic, it is possible to divide therapeutic vaccine approaches into those targeting conditions where antibody responses can mediate protection and those where the principal focus is the promotion of effector and memory cellular immunity or the reduction of damaging cellular immune responses as in the case of autoimmune diseases. Clearly, in all cases of antigen-specific immunotherapy, the identification of protective antigens is a vital first step. There are many challenges to developing therapeutic vaccines beyond those associated with prophylactic diseases including the ongoing immune responses in patients, patient heterogeneity, and diversity in the type and stage of disease. If reproducible biomarkers can be defined, these could allow earlier diagnosis and intervention and likely increase therapeutic vaccine efficacy. Current immunomodulatory approaches related to adoptive cell transfers or passive antibody therapy are showing great promise, but these are outside the scope of this review which will focus on the potential for adjuvanted therapeutic active vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil Schijns
- Wageningen University, Cell Biology & Immunology and, ERC-The Netherlands, Schaijk, Landerd campus, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences, CIC bioGUNE, Biscay, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Žarko Barjaktarović
- Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Ilias Bouzalas
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER, Veterinary Research Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Sergey Chernysh
- Laboratory of Insect Biopharmacology and Immunology, Department of Entomology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | | | - Žiga Jakopin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maria Lawrenz
- Vaccine Formulation Institute (CH), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Nativi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Ane Ruiz-de-Angulo
- Chemical Immunology Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences, CIC bioGUNE, Biscay, Spain
| | - Bram Slütter
- Div. BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ed C Lavelle
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Pan X, Xu J, Jia X. Research Progress Evaluating the Function and Mechanism of Anti-Tumor Peptides. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:397-409. [PMID: 32021452 PMCID: PMC6970611 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s232708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors cause a high mortality rate worldwide, and they severely threaten human health and negatively affect the economy. Despite the advancements in tumor-related molecular genetics and effective new processes in anti-tumor drug development, the anti-tumor drugs currently used in clinical practice are inadequate due to their poor efficacy or severe side effects. Therefore, developing new safe and efficient drugs is a top priority for curing cancer. The peptide has become a suitable agent due to its exact molecular weight between whole protein and small molecule, and it has high targeting ability, high penetrability, low immunogenicity, and is convenient to synthesize and easy to modify. Because of these advantages, peptides have excellent prospect for application as anti-tumor agents. This article reviews the recent research progress evaluating anti-tumor peptides and their anti-tumor mechanisms, and may act as a reference for the future development and clinical application of anti-tumor peptides. ![]()
Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/snZy3e6sVio
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Pan
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Jia
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
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Kowalik-Jankowska T, Lesiów M, Krupa K, Kuczer M, Czarniewska E. Copper(ii) complexes with alloferon analogues containing phenylalanine H6F and H12F stability and biological activity lower stabilization of complexes compared to analogues containing tryptophan. Metallomics 2019; 11:1700-1715. [PMID: 31490528 DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00182d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Copper(ii) complex formation processes between alloferon 1 (Allo1) (H1 GVSGH6 GQH9 GVH12G) analogues where the phenylalanine residue is introduced in the place of His residue H6F and H12F have been studied by potentiometric, UV-visible, CD and EPR spectroscopic, and MS methods. For the phenylalanine analogues of alloferon 1, complex speciation has been obtained for a 1 : 1, 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 metal-to-ligand molar ratio. At physiological pH and in 1 : 1 metal-to-ligand molar ratio the phenylalanine analogues of alloferon 1 form a CuL complex similar to that of alanine analogues with the 4N{NH2,N1Im,2NIm} coordination mode. The stability of the complexes of the phenylalanine analogues is higher in comparison to those of alanine analogues, but lower in comparison to those containing tryptophan. Injection of Allo12F into insects induced prominent apoptotic changes in all hemocytes. The presence of apoptotic bodies only in the insect hemolymph testifies to the fact that Allo12F is an extremely pro-apoptotic peptide.
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Yakovlev AY, Kruglikova AA, Chernysh SI. Calliphoridae Flies in Medical Biotechnology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0013873819030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Adamski Z, Bufo SA, Chowański S, Falabella P, Lubawy J, Marciniak P, Pacholska-Bogalska J, Salvia R, Scrano L, Słocińska M, Spochacz M, Szymczak M, Urbański A, Walkowiak-Nowicka K, Rosiński G. Beetles as Model Organisms in Physiological, Biomedical and Environmental Studies - A Review. Front Physiol 2019; 10:319. [PMID: 30984018 PMCID: PMC6447812 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Model organisms are often used in biological, medical and environmental research. Among insects, Drosophila melanogaster, Galleria mellonella, Apis mellifera, Bombyx mori, Periplaneta americana, and Locusta migratoria are often used. However, new model organisms still appear. In recent years, an increasing number of insect species has been suggested as model organisms in life sciences research due to their worldwide distribution and environmental significance, the possibility of extrapolating research studies to vertebrates and the relatively low cost of rearing. Beetles are the largest insect order, with their representative - Tribolium castaneum - being the first species with a completely sequenced genome, and seem to be emerging as new potential candidates for model organisms in various studies. Apart from T. castaneum, additional species representing various Coleoptera families, such as Nicrophorus vespilloides, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Coccinella septempunctata, Poecilus cupreus, Tenebrio molitor and many others, have been used. They are increasingly often included in two major research aspects: biomedical and environmental studies. Biomedical studies focus mainly on unraveling mechanisms of basic life processes, such as feeding, neurotransmission or activity of the immune system, as well as on elucidating the mechanism of different diseases (neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, or immunological) using beetles as models. Furthermore, pharmacological bioassays for testing novel biologically active substances in beetles have also been developed. It should be emphasized that beetles are a source of compounds with potential antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Environmental-based studies focus mainly on the development and testing of new potential pesticides of both chemical and natural origin. Additionally, beetles are used as food or for their valuable supplements. Different beetle families are also used as bioindicators. Another important research area using beetles as models is behavioral ecology studies, for instance, parental care. In this paper, we review the current knowledge regarding beetles as model organisms and their practical application in various fields of life science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Adamski
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
- Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Sabino A. Bufo
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management & Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Szymon Chowański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Jan Lubawy
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Pacholska-Bogalska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Rosanna Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Laura Scrano
- Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, University of Basilicata, Matera, Italy
| | - Małgorzata Słocińska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marta Spochacz
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Monika Szymczak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Urbański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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Kadej A, Kuczer M, Czarniewska E, Urbański A, Rosiński G, Kowalik-Jankowska T. High stability and biological activity of the copper(II) complexes of alloferon 1 analogues containing tryptophan. J Inorg Biochem 2016; 163:147-161. [PMID: 27453534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Copper(II) complex formation processes between the alloferon 1 (Allo1) (HGVSGHGQHGVHG) analogues where the tryptophan residue is introducing in the place His residue H1W, H6W, H9W and H12W have been studied by potentiometric, UV-visible, CD and EPR spectroscopic, and MS methods. For all analogues of alloferon 1 complex speciation have been obtained for a 1:1 metal-to-ligand molar ratio and 2:1 of H1W because of precipitation at higher (2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) ratios. At physiological pH7.4 and a 1:1 metal-to-ligand molar ratio the tryptophan analogues of alloferon 1 form the CuH-1L and/or CuH-2L complexes with the 4N binding mode. The introduction of tryptophan in place of histidine residues changes the distribution diagram of the complexes formed with the change of pH and their stability constants compared to the respective substituted alanine analogues of alloferon 1. The CuH-1L, CuH-2L and CuH-3L complexes of the tryptophan analogues are more stable from 1 to 5 log units in comparison to those of the alanine analogues. This stabilization of the complexes may result from cation(Cu(II))-π and indole/imidazole ring interactions. The induction of apoptosis in vivo, in Tenebrio molitor cells by the ligands and their copper(II) complexes at pH7.4 was studied. The biological results show that copper(II) ions in vivo did not cause any apparent apoptotic features. The most active were the H12W peptide and Cu(II)-H12W complex formed at pH7.4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Kadej
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Czarniewska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Urbański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Wang JZ, Zhang YH, Guo XH, Zhang HY, Zhang Y. The double-edge role of B cells in mediating antitumor T-cell immunity: Pharmacological strategies for cancer immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 36:73-85. [PMID: 27111515 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence reveals the controversial role of B cells in antitumor immunity, but the underlying mechanisms have to be explored. Three latest articles published in the issue 521 of Nature in 2015 reconfirmed the puzzling topic and put forward some explanations of how B cells regulate antitumor T-cell responses both positively and negatively. This paper attempts to demonstrate that different B-cell subpopulations have distinct immunological properties and that they are involved in either antitumor responses or immunosuppression. Recent studies supporting the positive and negative roles of B cells in tumor development were summarized comprehensively. Several specific B-cell subpopulations, such as IgG(+), IgA(+), IL-10(+), and regulatory B cells, were described in detail. The mechanisms underlying the controversial B-cell effects were mainly attributed to different B-cell subpopulations, different B-cell-derived cytokines, direct B cell-T cell interaction, different cancer categories, and different malignant stages, and the immunological interaction between B cells and T cells is mediated by dendritic cells. Promising B-cell-based antitumor strategies were proposed and novel B-cell regulators were summarized to present interesting therapeutic targets. Future investigations are needed to make sure that B-cell-based pharmacological strategies benefit cancer immunotherapy substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Zhang Wang
- Department of Medical Technology, College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, PR China.
| | - Yu-Hua Zhang
- Department of Library, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, PR China
| | - Xin-Hua Guo
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, PR China
| | - Hong-Yan Zhang
- Department of Medical Technology, College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, PR China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Technology, College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, PR China
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13
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Kuczer M, Czarniewska E, Majewska A, Różanowska M, Rosiński G, Lisowski M. Novel analogs of alloferon: Synthesis, conformational studies, pro-apoptotic and antiviral activity. Bioorg Chem 2016; 66:12-20. [PMID: 26986636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report the structure-activity relationships of novel derivatives of the insect peptide alloferon (H-His-Gly-Val-Ser-Gly-His-Gly-Gln-His-Gly-Val-His-Gly-OH). The peptide structure was modified by exchanging His at position 9 or 12 for natural or non-natural amino acids. Biological properties of these peptides were determined in antiviral in vitro test against Human Herpes Virus 1 McIntrie strain (HHV-1MC) using a Vero cell line. The peptides were also evaluated for the pro-apoptotic action in vivo on hemocytes of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. Additionally, the structural properties of alloferon analogs were examined by the circular dichroism in water and methanol. It was found that most of the evaluated peptides can reduce the HHV-1 titer in Vero cells. [Ala(9)]-alloferon exhibits the strongest antiviral activity among the analyzed compounds. However, no cytotoxic activity against Vero cell line was observed for all the studied peptides. In vivo assays with hemocytes of T. molitor showed that [Lys(9)]-, [Phg(9)]-, [Lys(12)]-, and [Phe(12)]-alloferon exhibit a twofold increase in caspases activity in comparison with the native peptide. The CD conformational studies indicate that the investigated peptides seem to prefer the unordered conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 14 F. Joliot-Curie Str., 50-383 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Czarniewska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 89 Umultowska Str., 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Majewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 5 Chałubińskiego Str., 02-005 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Różanowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 14 F. Joliot-Curie Str., 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rosiński
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 89 Umultowska Str., 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marek Lisowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 14 F. Joliot-Curie Str., 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
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14
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Ratcliffe NA, Vieira CS, Mendonça PM, Caetano RL, Queiroz MMDC, Garcia ES, Mello CB, Azambuja P. Detection and preliminary physico-chemical properties of antimicrobial components in the native excretions/secretions of three species of Chrysomya (Diptera, Calliphoridae) in Brazil. Acta Trop 2015; 147:6-11. [PMID: 25817237 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals and communities increasingly threaten public health in Brazil and the rest of the World. There is an urgent need for additional antimicrobial drugs. Calliphorid blowfly larvae are a rich source of antimicrobial factors but the potential of Neotropical species has been neglected. This preliminary study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the native excretions/secretions of larvae of three species of Brazilian calliphorids, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya albiceps and Chrysomya putoria. Native excretions/secretions were collected from third instar larvae, sterile filtered and tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus 9518, Escherichia coli K12 4401 and Serratia marcescens 365. Turbidometric assays were made in micro-plates, using an ELISA reader, with readings taken up to 22 h. Bacterial suspensions at the start and end of each experiment were also serially diluted, spread on nutrient agar plates and then colony forming units counted. The physico-chemical characteristics of the native excretions/secretions were also tested by freezing/thawing, boiling, and protease digestion. The native excretions/secretions of larvae from these three Chrysomya species significantly inhibited bacterial growth. Therefore, Brazilian calliphorid flies could potentially provide new classes of antibiotics.
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Copper(II) complexes of alloferon 1 with point mutations (H1A) and (H9A) stability structure and biological activity. J Inorg Biochem 2014; 138:99-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2014.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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16
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Wu D, Gao Y, Qi Y, Chen L, Ma Y, Li Y. Peptide-based cancer therapy: opportunity and challenge. Cancer Lett 2014; 351:13-22. [PMID: 24836189 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional cancer therapies mainly focus on mass cell killing without high specificity and often cause severe side effects and toxicities. Peptides are a novel class of anticancer agents that could specifically target cancer cells with lower toxicity to normal tissues, which will offer new opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment. Anticancer peptides face several therapeutic challenges. In this review, we present the sources and mechanisms of anticancer peptides and further discuss modification strategies to improve the anticancer effects of bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Wu
- College of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yuanming Qi
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Lixiang Chen
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yuanfang Ma
- College of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Yanzhang Li
- College of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
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Recent advances in developing insect natural products as potential modern day medicines. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:904958. [PMID: 24883072 PMCID: PMC4026837 DOI: 10.1155/2014/904958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Except for honey as food, and silk for clothing and pollination of plants, people give little thought to the benefits of insects in their lives. This overview briefly describes significant recent advances in developing insect natural products as potential new medicinal drugs. This is an exciting and rapidly expanding new field since insects are hugely variable and have utilised an enormous range of natural products to survive environmental perturbations for 100s of millions of years. There is thus a treasure chest of untapped resources waiting to be discovered. Insects products, such as silk and honey, have already been utilised for thousands of years, and extracts of insects have been produced for use in Folk Medicine around the world, but only with the development of modern molecular and biochemical techniques has it become feasible to manipulate and bioengineer insect natural products into modern medicines. Utilising knowledge gleaned from Insect Folk Medicines, this review describes modern research into bioengineering honey and venom from bees, silk, cantharidin, antimicrobial peptides, and maggot secretions and anticoagulants from blood-sucking insects into medicines. Problems and solutions encountered in these endeavours are described and indicate that the future is bright for new insect derived pharmaceuticals treatments and medicines.
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