1
|
Liao M, Gong H, Shen K, Wang Z, Li R, Campana M, Hu X, Lu JR. Unlocking roles of cationic and aromatic residues in peptide amphiphiles in treating drug-resistant gram-positive pathogens. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 672:209-223. [PMID: 38838629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.188] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a rising threat to global health because the number of essential antibiotics used for treating MDR infections is increasingly compromised. In this work we report a group of new amphiphilic peptides (AMPs) derived from the well-studied G3 (G(IIKK)3I-NH2) to fight infections from Gram-positive bacteria including susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), focusing on membrane interactions. Time-dependent killing experiments revealed that substitutions of II by WW (GWK), II by FF (GFK) and KK by RR (GIR) resulted in improved bactericidal efficiencies compared to G3 (GIK) on both S. aureus and MRSA, with the order of GWK > GIR > GFK > GIK. Electronic microscopy imaging revealed structural disruptions of AMP binding to bacterial cell walls. Fluorescence assays including AMP binding to anionic lipoteichoic acids (LTA) in cell-free and cell systems indicated concentration and time-dependent membrane destabilization associated with bacterial killing. Furthermore, AMP's binding to anionic plasma membrane via similar fluorescence assays revealed a different extent of membrane depolarization and leakage. These observations were supported by the penetration of AMPs into the LTA barrier and the subsequent structural compromise to the cytoplasmic membrane as revealed from SANS (small angle neutron scattering). Both experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that GWK and GIR could make the membrane more rigid but less effective in diffusive efficiency than GIK and GFK through forming intramembrane peptide nanoaggregates associated with hydrophobic mismatch and formation of fluidic and rigid patches. The reported peptide-aggregate-induced phase-separation emerged as a crucial factor in accelerated membrane disintegration and fast bacterial killing. This work has demonstrated the importance of membrane interactions to the development of more effective AMPs and the relevance of the approaches as reported in assisting this area of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Liao
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Haoning Gong
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kangcheng Shen
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ziwei Wang
- National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Renzhi Li
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mario Campana
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Xuzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Jian R Lu
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liao M, Gong H, Liu H, Shen K, Ge T, King S, Schweins R, McBain AJ, Hu X, Lu JR. Combination of a pH-responsive peptide amphiphile and a conventional antibiotic in treating Gram-negative bacteria. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 659:397-412. [PMID: 38183806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.12.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical treatments ofgastric infections using antibiotics suffer from the undesired killing of commensal bacteria and emergence of antibiotic resistance. It is desirable to develop pH-responsive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that kill pathogenic bacteria such as H. pyloriand resistant E. coli under acidic environment with minimal impact to commensal bacteria whilst not causing antibiotic resistance. EXPERIMENTS Using a combined approach of cell assays, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and membrane models facilitating biophysical and biochemical measurements including small angle neutron scattering (SANS), we have characterized the pH-responsive physiochemical properties and antimicrobial performance of two amphiphilic AMPs, GIIKDIIKDIIKDI-NH2 and GIIKKIIDDIIKKI-NH2 (denoted as 3D and 2D, respectively), that were designed by selective substitutions of cationic residues of Lys (K) in the extensively studied AMP G(IIKK)3I-NH2 with anionic residue Asp (D). FINDINGS Whilst 2D kept non-ordered coils across the entire pH range studied, 3D displayed a range of secondary structures when pH was shifted from basic to acidic, with distinct self-assembly into nanofibers in aqueous environment. Further experimental and modeling studies revealed that the AMPs interacted differently with the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria in a pH-responsive manner and that the structural features characterized by membrane leakage and intramembrane nanoaggregates revealed from fluorescence spectroscopy and SANS were well linked to antimicrobial actions. Different antimicrobial efficacies of 2D and 3D were underlined by the interplay between their ability to bind to the outer membrane lipid LPS (lipopolysaccharide), outer membrane permeability change and inner membrane depolarization and leakage. Furthermore, AMP's binding with the inner membrane under acidic condition caused both the dissipation of membrane potential (Δψ) and the continuous dissipation of transmembrane ΔpH, with Δψ and ΔpH being the key components of the proton motive force. Combinations of antibiotic (Minocycline) with the pH-responsive AMP generated the synergistic effects against Gram-negative bacteria only under acidic condition. These features are crucial to target applications to gastric infections, anti-acne and wound healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Liao
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Haoning Gong
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Huayang Liu
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kangcheng Shen
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Tianhao Ge
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Stephen King
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | | | - Andrew J McBain
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Xuzhi Hu
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jian R Lu
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hu X, Liao M, Ding K, Wang J, Xu H, Tao K, Zhou F, Lu JR. Neutron reflection and scattering in characterising peptide assemblies. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 322:103033. [PMID: 37931380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.103033] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Self-assemblies of de novo designed short peptides at interface and in bulk solution provide potential platforms for developing applications in many medical and technological areas. However, characterising how bioinspired supramolecular nanostructures evolve with dynamic self-assembling processes and respond to different stimuli remains challenging. Neutron scattering technologies including small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflection (NR) can be advantageous and complementary to other state-of-the-art techniques in tracing structural changes under different conditions. With more neutron sources now available, SANS and NR are becoming increasingly popular in studying self-assembling processes of diverse peptide and protein systems, but the difficulty in experimental manipulation and data analysis can deter beginners. This review will introduce the basic theory, general experimental setup and data analysis of SANS and NR, followed by provision of their applications in characterising interfacial and solution self-assemblies of representative peptides and proteins. SANS and NR are remarkably effective in determining the morphological features self-assembled short peptides, especially size and shape transitions as a result of either sequence changes or in response to environmental stimuli, demonstrating the unique capability of NR and SANS in unravelling the interactive processes. These examples highlight the potential of NR and SANS in supporting the development of novel short peptides and proteins as biopharmaceutical candidates in the fight against many diseases and infections that share common features of membrane interactive processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuzhi Hu
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.; Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Tianshui Middle Road, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Mingrui Liao
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ke Ding
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jiqian Wang
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Hai Xu
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Kai Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Centre, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Tianshui Middle Road, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jian R Lu
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK..
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lath A, Santal AR, Kaur N, Kumari P, Singh NP. Anti-cancer peptides: their current trends in the development of peptide-based therapy and anti-tumor drugs. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2022; 39:45-84. [PMID: 35699384 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2082157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human cancer remains a cause of high mortality throughout the world. The conventional methods and therapies currently employed for treatment are followed by moderate-to-severe side effects. They have not generated curative results due to the ineffectiveness of treatments. Besides, the associated high costs, technical requirements, and cytotoxicity further characterize their limitations. Due to relatively higher presidencies, bioactive peptides with anti-cancer attributes have recently become treatment choices within the therapeutic arsenal. The peptides act as potential anti-cancer agents explicitly targeting tumor cells while being less toxic to normal cells. The anti-cancer peptides are isolated from various natural sources, exhibit high selectivity and high penetration efficiency, and could be quickly restructured. The therapeutic benefits of compatible anti-cancer peptides have contributed to the significant expansion of cancer treatment; albeit, the mechanisms by which bioactive peptides inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells remain unclear. This review will provide a framework for assessing anti-cancer peptides' structural and functional aspects. It shall provide appropriate information on their mode of action to support and strengthen efforts to improve cancer prevention. The article will mention the therapeutic health benefits of anti-cancer peptides. Their importance in clinical studies is elaborated for reducing cancer incidences and developing sustainable treatment models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Lath
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Anita Rani Santal
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Nameet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Poonam Kumari
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, CIL and UCIM, Punjab University, Chandigarh, Inida
| | - Nater Pal Singh
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| |
Collapse
|