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Cancelarich NL, Arrulo M, Gugliotti ST, Barbosa EA, Moreira DC, Basso NG, Pérez LO, Teixeira C, Gomes P, de la Torre BG, Albericio F, Eaton P, Leite JRSA, Marani MM. First Bioprospecting Study of Skin Host-Defense Peptides in Odontophrynus americanus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024. [PMID: 38900961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The adaptation of amphibians to diverse environments is closely related to the characteristics of their skin. The complex glandular system of frog skin plays a pivotal role in enabling these animals to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and consists of crucial functions such as respiration and water balance as well as serving as a defensive barrier due to the secretion of bioactive compounds. We herein report the first investigation on the skin secretion of Odontophrynus americanus, as a potential source of bioactive peptides and also as an indicator of its evolutionary adaptations to changing environments. Americanin-1 was isolated and identified as a neutral peptide exhibiting moderate antibacterial activity against E. coli. Its amphipathic sequence including 19 amino acids and showing a propensity for α-helix structure is discussed. Comparisons of the histomorphology of the skin of O. americanus with other previously documented species within the same genus revealed distinctive features in the Patagonian specimen, differing from conspecifics from other Argentine provinces. The presence of the Eberth-Katschenko layer, a prevalence of iridophores, and the existence of glycoconjugates in its serous glands suggest that the integument is adapted to retain skin moisture. This adaptation is consistent with the prevailing aridity of its native habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia L Cancelarich
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Argentina U9120ACD
| | - Miriam Arrulo
- School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Eder A Barbosa
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Síntese e Análise de Biomoléculas, LSAB, Instituto de Química-UnB, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Néstor G Basso
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus), CONICET, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Argentina U9120ACD
| | - Luis Orlando Pérez
- Instituto Patagónico de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas (IPCSH), CONICET, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Argentina U9120ACD
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Gyros Protein Technologies, Inc., Tucson, Arizona 85714, United States
| | - Paula Gomes
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz G de la Torre
- Kwazulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Fernando Albericio
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Eaton
- Bridge, School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7EL, United Kingdom
| | - José R S A Leite
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, UnB, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Mariela M Marani
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Argentina U9120ACD
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Exploration of the Structure-Function Relationships of a Novel Frog Skin Secretion-Derived Bioactive Peptide, t-DPH1, through Use of Rational Design, Cationicity Enhancement and In Vitro Studies. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10121529. [PMID: 34943741 PMCID: PMC8698721 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted increasing attention from scientists because of their excellent bioactivity and low drug resistance. In addition to being the alternative choice of antibiotics or anticancer agents, natural AMPs can also be modified as templates to optimise their bioactivities further. Here, a novel dermaseptin peptide, t-DPH1, with extensive antimicrobial activity and antiproliferative activity, was isolated from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis through 'shotgun' cloning. A series of cationicity-enhanced analogues of t-DPH1 were designed to further improve its bioactivities and explore the charge threshold of enhancing the bioactivity of t-DPH1. The present data suggest that improving the net charge can enhance the bioactivities to some extent. However, when the charge exceeds a specific limit, the bioactivities decrease or remain the same. When the net charge achieves the limit, improving the hydrophobicity makes no sense to enhance bioactivity. For t-DPH1, the upper limit of the net charge was +7. All the designed cationicity-enhanced analogues produced no drug resistance in the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli. These findings provide creative insights into the role of natural drug discovery in providing templates for structural modification for activity enhancement.
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A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide (Kassinatuerin-3) Isolated from the Skin Secretion of the African Frog, Kassina senegalensis. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9070148. [PMID: 32630734 PMCID: PMC7408539 DOI: 10.3390/biology9070148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretions are remarkable sources of novel bioactive peptides. Among these, antimicrobial peptides have demonstrated an outstanding efficacy in killing microorganisms via a general membranolytic mechanism, which may offer the prospect of solving specific target-driven antibiotic resistance. Here, the discovery of a novel defensive peptide is described from the skin secretion of the African frog, Kassina senegalensis. Named kassinatuerin-3, it was identified through a combination of “shot-gun” cloning and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing. Subsequently, a synthetic replicate was subjected to biofunctional evaluation. The results indicated that kassinatuerin-3 possessed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria but no effect against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, it was active in biofilm eradication on S. aureus and MRSA and in the antiproliferation of selected cancer cell lines. Moreover, it had a very mild hemolytic effect, which demonstrated a high therapeutic index for kassinatuerin-3. Collectively, although kassinatuerin-3 did not demonstrate remarkable bioactivities compared with other natural or synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), it offered a new insight into the design of antimicrobial derivatives.
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Song X, Pan H, Wang H, Liao X, Sun D, Xu K, Chen T, Zhang X, Wu M, Wu D, Gao Y. Identification of new dermaseptins with self-assembly tendency: membrane disruption, biofilm eradication, and infected wound healing efficacy. Acta Biomater 2020; 109:208-219. [PMID: 32276085 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Severe infections associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and biofilms have attracted increasing interest as these diseases are difficult to treat with current antibiotics. Typical cationic antimicrobial peptides dermaseptins are considered to be the most promising next-generation antibiotics because of their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and minor side effects. Two new dermaseptin peptides, DMS-PS1 and DMS-PS2, have been identified by "shotgun" molecular cloning of encoding cDNAs in the crude skin secretions of the waxy monkey tree frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagei. The mature peptide sequences predicted from the cloned cDNAs were separated from crude skin secretions and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Chemically synthetic replicates were assessed for various biological activities. Both dermaseptins were potently effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and displayed significant potency against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial biofilms with low toxicity towards mammalian red blood cells. Remarkably, DMS-PS2 was effective against infections in murine skin caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a result of an induced wound. The actions of DMS-PS2 were with a membrane permeabilization mode. Overall, the data provided convincing evidence for the development of anti-infectious agents and/or biomaterials as a new therapeutic approach against bacterial infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials remains a major problem. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are well-known components of the innate immune system that can be applied to overcome biofilm-associated infections. Cationic dermaseptin peptides showed significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and activities against bacterial biofilms of persistent infections in association with weak toxicity for mammalian red blood cells. The membrane permeabilizing ability of DMS-PS2 was confirmed, and importantly, it demonstrated potent efficiency of the treatment of MRSA infected murine skin model. Furthermore, beyond our expectation, DMS-PS2 showed a self-aggregating parameter, indicating a promising potential for the use of immobilized AMPs in clinical applications., which makes it also a promising suggestion for infection-proof biomaterial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Song
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hanling Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hanfei Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoying Liao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Institute of Life Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Xu Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Mingjiang Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Di Wu
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Yitian Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Bartels EJH, Dekker D, Amiche M. Dermaseptins, Multifunctional Antimicrobial Peptides: A Review of Their Pharmacology, Effectivity, Mechanism of Action, and Possible Future Directions. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1421. [PMID: 31849670 PMCID: PMC6901996 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermaseptins are a group of α-helical shaped polycationic peptides isolated from the Hylid frogs, with antimicrobial effects against bacteria, parasites, protozoa, viruses in vitro. Besides, anti-tumor effects have been demonstrated. However, few animal experiments and no clinical trials have been conducted thus far. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the pharmacology, ethno pharmacology, effectivity against infectious pathogens and tumors cells and the mechanism of action of the Dermaseptins. Future research should focus on further clarification of the mechanisms of action, the effectivity of Dermaseptins against several cancer cell lines and their applicability in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Douwe Dekker
- Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mohamed Amiche
- Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research, INSERM U955 Team 7, School of Medicine, University Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
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Proaño-Bolaños C, Blasco-Zúñiga A, Almeida JR, Wang L, Llumiquinga MA, Rivera M, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C. Unravelling the Skin Secretion Peptides of the Gliding Leaf Frog, Agalychnis spurrelli (Hylidae). Biomolecules 2019; 9:E667. [PMID: 31671555 PMCID: PMC6920962 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Frog skin secretions contain medically-valuable molecules, which are useful for the discovery of new biopharmaceuticals. The peptide profile of the skin secretion of Agalychnis spurrelli has not been investigated; therefore, the structural and biological characterization of its compounds signify an inestimable opportunity to acquire new biologically-active chemical scaffolds. In this work, skin secretion from this amphibian was analysed by molecular cloning and tandem mass spectrometry. Although the extent of this work was not exhaustive, eleven skin secretion peptides belonging to five peptide families were identified. Among these, we report the occurrence of two phyllokinins, and one medusin-SP which were previously reported in other related species. In addition, eight novel peptides were identified, including four dermaseptins, DRS-SP2 to DRS-SP5, one phylloseptin-SP1, and three orphan peptides. Phylloseptin-SP1 and dermaseptins-SP2 were identified in HPLC fractions based on their molecular masses determined by MALDI-TOF MS. Among the antimicrobial peptides, dermaseptin-SP2 was the most potent, inhibiting Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and ORSA with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.68 μM, and Candida albicans with an MIC of 10.71 μM, without haemolytic effects. The peptides described in this study represent but a superficial glance at the considerable structural diversity of bioactive peptides produced in the skin secretion of A. spurrelli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Ailín Blasco-Zúñiga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - José Rafael Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Miguel Angel Llumiquinga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - Miryan Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
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Gao B, Zhu S. Mesobuthus Venom-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides Possess Intrinsic Multifunctionality and Differential Potential as Drugs. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:320. [PMID: 29599756 PMCID: PMC5863496 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are a mixture of peptides and proteins that serve two basic biological functions: predation and defense against both predators and microbes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a common component extensively present in various scorpion venoms (herein abbreviated as svAMPs). However, their roles in predation and defense against predators and potential as drugs are poorly understood. Here, we report five new venom peptides with antimicrobial activity from two Mesobuthus scorpion species. These α-helical linear peptides displayed highly bactericidal activity toward all the Gram-positive bacteria used here but differential activity against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. In addition to the antibiotic activity, these AMPs displayed lethality to houseflies and hemotoxin-like toxicity on mice by causing hemolysis, tissue damage and inducing inflammatory pain. Unlike AMPs from other origins, these venom-derived AMPs seem to be unsuitable as anti-infective drugs due to their high hemolysis and low serum stability. However, MeuTXKβ1, a known two-domain Mesobuthus AMP, is an exception since it exhibits high activity toward antibiotic resistant Staphylococci clinical isolates with low hemolysis and high serum stability. The findings that the classical AMPs play predatory and defensive roles indicate that the multifunctionality of scorpion venom components is an intrinsic feature likely evolved by natural selection from microbes, prey and predators of scorpions. This definitely provides an excellent system in which one can study how a protein adaptively evolves novel functions in a new environment. Meantimes, new strategies are needed to remove the toxicity of svAMPs on eukaryotic cells when they are used as leads for anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Two novel cationic antifungal peptides isolated from Bacillus pumilus HN-10 and their inhibitory activity against Trichothecium roseum. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:21. [PMID: 29302801 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Public concern for food safety and environmental issues and the increase in fungicide-resistant pathogen have enhanced the interest in developing alternative methods to fungicides to control postharvest fruit decay. In this study, a bacterial strain isolated from stale potato vermicelli was identified as Bacillus pumilus HN-10 based on morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Furthermore, two novel cationic antifungal peptides named P-1 and P-2 were purified from B. pumilus HN-10 using macroporous adsorbent resin AB-8, Sephadex G-100 chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The primary structure of P-1 and P-2, which were proved to be novel antifungal peptides by BLAST search in NCBI database, was PLSSPATLNSR and GGSGGGSSGGSIGGR with a molecular weight of 1142.28 and 1149.14 Da, respectively, as indicated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Both P-1 and P-2 exhibited strong antifungal activity against Trichothecium roseum with minimum inhibitory concentrations starting from 1 μg/mL. The two novel antifungal peptides were stable below 80 °C for 2 h, but lost their activity in 15 min at 121 °C. In addition, they were resistant to the proteolytic action of pepsin, trypsin, and papain, and stable within a wide range of pH (2.0-12.0). These results showed that P-1 and P-2 are novel cationic antifungal peptides with specific activity against T. roseum.
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Gao Y, Wu D, Wang L, Lin C, Ma C, Xi X, Zhou M, Duan J, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Chen T, Shaw C. Targeted Modification of a Novel Amphibian Antimicrobial Peptide from Phyllomedusa tarsius to Enhance Its Activity against MRSA and Microbial Biofilm. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:628. [PMID: 28469603 PMCID: PMC5395648 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the skin secretions of amphibians are fundamental components of a unique defense system that has evolved to protect these hosts from microbial invasion. Medusins constitute a recently-discovered AMP family from phyllomedusine leaf frog skin and exhibit highly-conserved structural characteristics. Here, we report a novel medusin, medusin-PT, from the skin secretion of the Tarsier Leaf Frog, Phyllomedusa tarsius. The mature peptide was initially identified from its cloned biosynthetic precursor-encoding cDNA as obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. Reverse-phase HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry confirmed both the presence of medusin-PT in the skin secretion and its primary structure. In a range of bioassays, medusin-PT exhibited antimicrobial activity against only the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus at 64 μg/ml. However, after directed changes to enhance the cationicity and amphipathicity of the peptide structure, three analog showed more potent antimicrobial activity against several additional bacteria including the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA. In addition, these analog exhibited activity against microbial biofilm (minimum biofilm inhibitory and eradication concentrations of 32 μg/ml and over 64 μg/ml, respectively). These data provide evidence that medusins might be promising candidates as novel antibiotic leads and that the targeted modification of a natural AMP can both improve its efficacy so as to provide new insights into antibiotic design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Gao
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Di Wu
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Chen Lin
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK.,College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medial UniversityHangzhou, China
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Xinping Xi
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Jinao Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae Research, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Olaf R P Bininda-Emonds
- AG Systematik und Evolutionsbiologie, IBU-Faculty V, Carl von Ossietzky University OldenburgOldenburg, Germany
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, UK
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Novel Kazal-type proteinase inhibitors from the skin secretion of the Splendid leaf frog, Cruziohyla calcarifer. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2017; 15:1-13. [PMID: 29900120 PMCID: PMC5965718 DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
18 novel Kazal proteins were identified in skin secretions of Cruziohyla calcarifer. CCKPs share the C-X(7)-C-X(6,7)-C-X(6,7)-Y-X(3)-C-X(2)-C-X(15-21)-C pattern. Trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity was proposed for 5 types of CCKPs. CCKP-1 has trypsin inhibitory activity and molecular mass of [M+H]+ = 5926.43 Da.
Peptidase inhibitors have an important role controlling a variety of biological processes. Here, we employed a peptidomic approach including molecular cloning, tandem mass spectrometry and enzymatic assays to reveal 7 Kazal-type proteinase inhibitors (CCKPs) (18 variants) in the skin secretion of the unexplored frog, Cruziohyla calcarifer. All 18 proteins shared the Kazal pattern C-X(7)-C-X(6,7)-C-X(6,7)-Y-X(3)-C-X(2)-C-X(15-21)-C and 3 disulphide bridges. Based on structural comparative analysis, we deemed trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity in CCKP-1, 4 and CCKP 2, 5, 7, respectively. These peptidase inhibitors presumably play a role to control the balance between other functional peptides produced in the amphibian skin secretions.
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Identification and Characterisation of the Antimicrobial Peptide, Phylloseptin-PT, from the Skin Secretion of Phyllomedusa tarsius, and Comparison of Activity with Designed, Cationicity-Enhanced Analogues and Diastereomers. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21121667. [PMID: 27918477 PMCID: PMC6273899 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21121667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides belonging to the phylloseptin family are mainly found in phyllomedusine frogs. These peptides not only possess potent antimicrobial activity but exhibit low toxicity against eukaryotic cells. Therefore, they are considered as promising drug candidates for a number of diseases. In a recent study, potent antimicrobial activity was correlated with the conserved structures and cationic amphiphilic characteristics of members of this peptide family. A phylloseptin peptide precursor was discovered here in the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa tarsius and the mature peptide was validated by MS/MS sequencing, and was subsequently named phylloseptin-PT. The chemically-synthesized and purified phylloseptin-PT displayed activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Nevertheless, a range of cationicity-enhanced peptide analogues of phylloseptin-PT, which contained amino acid substitutions at specific sites, exhibited significant increases in antimicrobial activity compared to native phylloseptin-PT. In addition, alternative conformers which were designed and chemically-synthesized with d-lysine, showed potent antimicrobial activity and enhanced bioavailability. These data indicate that phylloseptins may represent potential candidates for next-generation antibiotics. Thus, rational design through modification of natural antimicrobial peptide templates could provide an accelerated path to overcoming obstacles en-route to their possible clinical applications.
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Discovery of Novel Bacterial Cell-Penetrating Phylloseptins in Defensive Skin Secretions of the South American Hylid Frogs, Phyllomedusa duellmani and Phyllomedusa coelestis. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8090255. [PMID: 27589802 PMCID: PMC5037481 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8090255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Phylloseptin (PS) peptides, derived from South American hylid frogs (subfamily Phyllomedusinae), have been found to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and relatively low haemolytic activities. Although PS peptides have been identified from several well-known and widely-distributed species of the Phyllomedusinae, there remains merit in their study in additional, more obscure and specialised members of this taxon. Here, we report the discovery of two novel PS peptides, named PS-Du and PS-Co, which were respectively identified for the first time and isolated from the skin secretions of Phyllomedusa duellmani and Phyllomedusa coelestis. Their encoding cDNAs were cloned, from which it was possible to deduce the entire primary structures of their biosynthetic precursors. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses were employed to isolate and structurally-characterise respective encoded PS peptides from skin secretions. The peptides had molecular masses of 2049.7 Da (PS-Du) and 1972.8 Da (PS-Co). They shared typical N-terminal sequences and C-terminal amidation with other known phylloseptins. The two peptides exhibited growth inhibitory activity against E. coli (NCTC 10418), as a standard Gram-negative bacterium, S. aureus (NCTC 10788), as a standard Gram-positive bacterium and C. albicans (NCPF 1467), as a standard pathogenic yeast, all as planktonic cultures. Moreover, both peptides demonstrated the capability of eliminating S. aureus biofilm.
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Proaño-Bolaños C, Zhou M, Wang L, Coloma LA, Chen T, Shaw C. Peptidomic approach identifies cruzioseptins, a new family of potent antimicrobial peptides in the splendid leaf frog, Cruziohyla calcarifer. J Proteomics 2016; 146:1-13. [PMID: 27321580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Phyllomedusine frogs are an extraordinary source of biologically active peptides. At least 8 families of antimicrobial peptides have been reported in this frog clade, the dermaseptins being the most diverse. By a peptidomic approach, integrating molecular cloning, Edman degradation sequencing and tandem mass spectrometry, a new family of antimicrobial peptides has been identified in Cruziohyla calcarifer. These 15 novel antimicrobial peptides of 20-32 residues in length are named cruzioseptins. They are characterized by having a unique shared N-terminal sequence GFLD- and the sequence motifs -VALGAVSK- or -GKAAL(N/G/S) (V/A)V- in the middle of the peptide. Cruzioseptins have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and low haemolytic effect. The most potent cruzioseptin was CZS-1 that had a MIC of 3.77μM against the Gram positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus and the yeast Candida albicans. In contrast, CZS-1 was 3-fold less potent against the Gram negative bacterium, Escherichia coli (MIC 15.11μM). CZS-1 reached 100% haemolysis at 120.87μM. Skin secretions from unexplored species such as C. calcarifer continue to demonstrate the enormous molecular diversity hidden in the amphibian skin. Some of these novel peptides may provide lead structures for the development of a new class of antibiotics and antifungals of therapeutic use. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Through the combination of molecular cloning, Edman degradation sequencing, tandem mass spectrometry and MALDI-TOF MS we have identified a new family of 15 antimicrobial peptides in the skin secretion of Cruziohyla calcarifer. The novel family is named "Cruzioseptins" and contains cationic amphipathic peptides of 20-32 residues. They have a broad range of antimicrobial activity that also includes effective antifungals with low haemolytic activity. Therefore, C. calcarifer has proven to be a rich source of novel peptides, which could become leading structures for the development of novel antibiotics and antifungals of clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Luis A Coloma
- Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, Fundación Otonga, Geovanni Farina 566 y Baltra, San Rafael, Quito, Ecuador; Ikiam, Universidad Regional Amazónica, Muyuna, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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A novel short anionic antibacterial peptide isolated from the skin of Xenopus laevis with broad antibacterial activity and inhibitory activity against breast cancer cell. Arch Microbiol 2016; 198:473-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-016-1206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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15
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Xi X, Li B, Chen T, Kwok HF. A review on bradykinin-related peptides isolated from amphibian skin secretion. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:951-70. [PMID: 25793726 PMCID: PMC4379535 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7030951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretion has great potential for drug discovery and contributes hundreds of bioactive peptides including bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs). More than 50 BRPs have been reported in the last two decades arising from the skin secretion of amphibian species. They belong to the families Ascaphidae (1 species), Bombinatoridae (3 species), Hylidae (9 speices) and Ranidae (25 species). This paper presents the diversity of structural characteristics of BRPs with N-terminal, C-terminal extension and amino acid substitution. The further comparison of cDNA-encoded prepropeptides between the different species and families demonstrated that there are various forms of kininogen precursors to release BRPs and they constitute important evidence in amphibian evolution. The pharmacological activities of isolated BRPs exhibited unclear structure–function relationships, and therefore the scope for drug discovery and development is limited. However, their diversity shows new insights into biotechnological applications and, as a result, comprehensive and systematic studies of the physiological and pharmacological activities of BRPs from amphibian skin secretion are needed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Xi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
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16
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Identification and characterization of an antimicrobial peptide of Hypsiboas semilineatus (Spix, 1824) (Amphibia, Hylidae). Toxicon 2015; 99:16-22. [PMID: 25772860 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a serious problem to public health. In this scenery the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from animals and plants emerge as a novel therapeutic modality, substituting or in addition to the conventional antimicrobial. The anurans are one of the richest natural sources of AMPs. In this work several cycles of cDNA cloning of the skin of the Brazilian treefrog Hypsiboas semilineatus led to isolation of a precursor sequence that encodes a new AMP. The sequence comprises a 27 residue signal peptide, followed by an acidic intervening sequence that ends in the mature peptide at the carboxy terminal. The AMP, named Hs-1, has 20 amino acids residues, mostly arranged in an alpha helix and with a molecular weight of 2144.6 Da. The chemically synthesized Hs-1 showed an antimicrobial activity against all Gram-positive bacteria tested, with a range of 11-46 μM, but it did not show any effect against Gram-negative bacteria, which suggest that Hs-1 may have a selective action for Gram-positive bacteria. The effects of Hs-1 on bacterial cells were also demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Hs-1 is the first AMP to be described from H. semilineatus.
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17
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Xu X, Lai R. The chemistry and biological activities of peptides from amphibian skin secretions. Chem Rev 2015; 115:1760-846. [PMID: 25594509 DOI: 10.1021/cr4006704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology , Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
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18
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Leung PTY, Park TJ, Wang Y, Che C, Leung KM. Isoform-specific responses of metallothioneins in a marine pollution biomonitor, the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis
, towards different stress stimulations. Proteomics 2014; 14:1796-807. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla T. Y. Leung
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences; The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam; Hong Kong P. R. China
| | - T. J. Park
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences; The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam; Hong Kong P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacy; The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam; Hong Kong P. R. China
| | - C.M. Che
- Department of Chemistry; The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam; Hong Kong P. R. China
| | - Kenneth M.Y. Leung
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences; The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam; Hong Kong P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution; City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon; Hong Kong P. R. China
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19
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Haslam IS, Roubos EW, Mangoni ML, Yoshizato K, Vaudry H, Kloepper JE, Pattwell DM, Maderson PFA, Paus R. From frog integument to human skin: dermatological perspectives from frog skin biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2013; 89:618-55. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iain S. Haslam
- The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Inflammation and Repair; University of Manchester; Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT U.K
| | - Eric W. Roubos
- Department of Anatomy; Radboud University Medical Centre; Geert Grooteplein Noord 2, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; La Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5-00185; Rome Italy
| | - Katsutoshi Yoshizato
- Academic Advisors Office, Synthetic Biology Research Center; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine; Osaka Japan
- Phoenixbio Co. Ltd; 3-4-1, Kagamiyama; Higashihiroshima Hiroshima 739-0046 Japan
| | - Hubert Vaudry
- European Institute for Peptide Research; University of Rouen; Mont-Saint-Aignan Place Emile Blondel 76821 France
- INSERM U-982, CNRS; University of Rouen; Mont-Saint-Aignan Place Emile Blondel 76821 France
| | - Jennifer E. Kloepper
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie; Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160; 23538 Lübeck Germany
| | - David M. Pattwell
- Leahurst Campus, Institute of Learning & Teaching; School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool; Neston CH64 7TE U.K
| | | | - Ralf Paus
- The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Inflammation and Repair; University of Manchester; Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT U.K
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie; Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160; 23538 Lübeck Germany
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The skin secretion of the amphibian Phyllomedusa nordestina: a source of antimicrobial and antiprotozoal peptides. Molecules 2013; 18:7058-70. [PMID: 23774944 PMCID: PMC6270157 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18067058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the dermaseptin and phylloseptin families were isolated from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa nordestina, a recently described amphibian species from Northeastern Brazil. One dermaseptin and three phylloseptins were chosen for solid phase peptide synthesis. The antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of the synthetic peptides were determined, as well as their cytotoxicity in mouse peritoneal cells. AMPs are being considered as frameworks for the development of novel drugs inspired by their mechanism of action.
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21
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Differences and similarities among parotoid macrogland secretions in South American toads: a preliminary biochemical delineation. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013:937407. [PMID: 23737734 PMCID: PMC3659512 DOI: 10.1155/2013/937407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians are known by cutaneous glands, spread over the skin, containing toxins (proteins, peptides, biogenic amines, steroidal bufadienolides, and alkaloids) used as chemical defense against predators and microbial infection. Toads are characterized by the presence of parotoid macroglands. The common toads have lately been divided into two genera: Bufo (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and Rhinella (South America). Basal Rhaebo genus is exclusively of Central America and Amazon region. Although Rhinella and Rhaebo are related, species may share differences due to the diversity of environments that they live in. In this work, we have performed a biochemical characterization of the components of the poison of eight Rhinella species and one Rhaebo by means of RP-HPLC with either UV or MS detection and by SDS-PAGE, in order to verify whether phylogenetic and biological differences, such as habitat, diet, and defensive strategies, between them may also be reflected in poison composition. Although some components were common among the secretions, we were able to identify exclusive molecules to some species. The fact that closely related animals living in different habitats secrete different molecules into the skin is an indication that biological features, and not only evolution, seem to directly influence the skin secretion composition.
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22
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Gene expression analysis by ESTs sequencing of the Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa nordestina skin glands. Toxicon 2012; 61:139-50. [PMID: 23159791 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 10/21/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The subfamily Phyllomedusinae has attracted a great interest of many researchers mainly due to the high diversity of these frog species and plethora of pharmacological activities frequently observed for their skin secretions. Despite of this fact, mainly for new species, limited information is available regarding the molecular composition of these skin secretions and the cellular components involved in their production. Phyllomedusa nordestina is a recently described Brazilian frog species also popularly known as 'tree-frogs'. Aiming at contributing to the biological knowledge of this species, we show here the gene expression profile of this frog skin secretion using a global ESTs analysis of a cDNA library. The marked aspect of this analysis revealed a significant higher transcriptional level of the opioid peptide dermorphins in P. nordestina skin secretion than in Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, which is its closest related species, belonging both to the same phylogenetic group. Precursors of bioactive peptides as dermaseptins, phylloseptins, tryptophyllins, and bradykinin-like peptideswere also found in this library. Transcripts encoding proteins related to ordinary cellular functions and pathways were also described. Some of them are chiefly involved in the production of the skin secretion. Taken together, the data reported here constitute a contribution to the characterization of the molecular diversity of gene-encoded polypeptides with potential possibility of pharmacological exploitation. The transcriptional composition of the skin secretion may also help to give the necessary support for the definition of P. nordestina as a new species, which actually relies basically on frog morphological characteristics and geographical distribution.
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23
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Characterization of selective antibacterial peptides by polarity index. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDES 2012; 2012:585027. [PMID: 22611416 PMCID: PMC3348531 DOI: 10.1155/2012/585027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the recent decades, antibacterial peptides have occupied a strategic position for pharmaceutical drug applications and became subject of intense research activities since they are used to strengthen the immune system of all living organisms by protecting them from pathogenic bacteria. This work proposes a simple and easy statistical/computational method through a peptide polarity index measure by which an antibacterial peptide subgroup can be efficiently identified, that is, characterized by a high toxicity to bacterial membranes but presents a low toxicity to mammal cells. These peptides also have the feature not to adopt to an alpha-helicoidal structure in aqueous solution. The double-blind test carried out to the whole Antimicrobial Peptide Database (November 2011) showed an accuracy of 90% applying the polarity index method for the identification of such antibacterial peptide groups.
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24
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Rates B, Silva LP, Ireno IC, Leite FSF, Borges MH, Bloch C, De Lima ME, Pimenta AMC. Peptidomic dissection of the skin secretion of Phasmahyla jandaia (Bokermann and Sazima, 1978) (Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae). Toxicon 2010; 57:35-52. [PMID: 20932854 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 09/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The systematic investigation of the peptidic composition of the skin secretion of Phasmahyla jandaia, a phyllomedusine anuran endemic to the southern region of the Espinhaço range in Brazil, is herein reported. By means of de novo interpretation of tandem mass spectrometric data, Edman N-terminal sequencing and similarity searches, 57 peptides - including phylloseptins, dermaseptins stricto sensu, dermatoxins, hyposins, tryptophyllins, caerulein-related, bradykinin-related, bradykinin potentiating, tyrosine-rich, and opioid peptides - were sequenced. Moreover, five peptide families without significant similarity to other known molecules were verified. Differently from most Phyllomedusinae genera, the molecular diversity in the skin of representatives of Phasmahyla remained unprospected until now. Therefore, besides disclosing novel natural variants of number of bioactive peptides, the present study contributes to the understanding of the evolution of biochemical characters of the phyllomedusines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno Rates
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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25
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Abstract
The current status of de novo sequencing of peptides by MS/MS is reviewed with focus on collision cell MS/MS spectra. The relation between peptide structure and observed fragment ion series is discussed and the exhaustive extraction of sequence information from CID spectra of protonated peptide ions is described. The partial redundancy of the extracted sequence information and a high mass accuracy are recognized as key parameters for dependable de novo sequencing by MS. In addition, the benefits of special techniques enhancing the generation of long uninterrupted fragment ion series for de novo peptide sequencing are highlighted. Among these are terminal (18)O labeling, MS(n) of sodiated peptide ions, N-terminal derivatization, the use of special proteases, and time-delayed fragmentation. The emerging electron transfer dissociation technique and the recent progress of MALDI techniques for intact protein sequencing are covered. Finally, the integration of bioinformatic tools into peptide de novo sequencing is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Seidler
- Molecular Structure Analysis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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Azevedo Calderon LD, Silva ADAE, Ciancaglini P, Stábeli RG. Antimicrobial peptides from Phyllomedusa frogs: from biomolecular diversity to potential nanotechnologic medical applications. Amino Acids 2010; 40:29-49. [PMID: 20526637 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0622-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Screening for new bioactive peptides in South American anurans has been pioneered in frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa. All frogs of this genus have venomous skin secretions, i.e., a complex mixture of bioactive peptides against potential predators and pathogens that presumably evolved in a scenario of predator-prey interaction and defense against microbial invasion. For every new anuran species studied new peptides are found, with homologies to hormones, neurotransmitters, antimicrobials, and several other peptides with unknown biological activity. From Vittorio Erspamer findings, this genus has been reported as a "treasure store" of bioactive peptides, and several groups focus their research on these species. From 1966 to 2009, more than 200 peptide sequences from different Phyllomedusa species were deposited in UniProt and other databases. During the last decade, the emergence of high-throughput molecular technologies involving de novo peptide sequencing via tandem mass spectrometry, cDNA cloning, pharmacological screening, and surface plasmon resonance applied to peptide discovery, led to fast structural data acquisition and the generation of peptide molecular libraries. Research groups on bioactive peptides in Brazil using these new technologies, accounted for the exponential increase of new molecules described in the last decade, much higher than in any previous decades. Recently, these secretions were also reported as a rich source of multiple antimicrobial peptides effective against multidrug resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and virus, providing instructive lessons for the development of new and more efficient nanotechnological-based therapies for infectious diseases treatment. Therefore, novel drugs arising from the identification and analysis of bioactive peptides from South American anuran biodiversity have a promising future role on nanobiotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo de Azevedo Calderon
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Medicina "Professor Dr. José Roberto Giglio" (CEBio), Núcleo de Saúde (NUSAU), Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, 76800-000, Brazil
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27
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Faivovich J, Haddad CFB, Baêta D, Jungfer KH, Álvares GFR, Brandão RA, Sheil C, Barrientos LS, Barrio-Amorós CL, Cruz CAG, Wheeler WC. The phylogenetic relationships of the charismatic poster frogs, Phyllomedusinae (Anura, Hylidae). Cladistics 2009; 26:227-261. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2009.00287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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28
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Characterization of antimicrobial peptides isolated from the skin of the Chinese frog, Rana dybowskii. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2009; 154:174-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2009.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Revised: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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29
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Nicolas P, El Amri C. The dermaseptin superfamily: A gene-based combinatorial library of antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1537-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2008] [Revised: 09/14/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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30
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Rivas L, Luque-Ortega JR, Andreu D. Amphibian antimicrobial peptides and Protozoa: Lessons from parasites. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1570-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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31
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Amiche M, Ladram A, Nicolas P. A consistent nomenclature of antimicrobial peptides isolated from frogs of the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. Peptides 2008; 29:2074-82. [PMID: 18644413 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2008] [Revised: 06/20/2008] [Accepted: 06/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of cationic antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from the skin of hylid frogs belonging to the Phyllomedusinae subfamily. The amino acid sequences of these peptides are currently located in several databases under identifiers with no consistent system of nomenclature to describe them. In order to provide a workable terminology for antimicrobial peptides from Phyllomedusid frogs, we have made a systematic effort to collect, analyze, and classify all the Phyllomedusid peptide sequences available in databases. We propose that frogs belonging to the Phyllomedusinae subfamily should be described by the species names set out in Amphibian Species of the World: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Multiple alignments analysis of at least 80 antimicrobial peptides isolated from 12 Phyllomedusinae species were distributed in seven distinct peptide families including dermaseptin, phylloseptin, plasticin, dermatoxin, phylloxin, hyposin and orphan peptides, and will be considered as the name of the headgroup of each family. The parent peptide's name should be followed by the first upper letter of the species for orthologous peptides and publication date determines priority. For example, the abbreviation B for bicolor and H for hypochondrialis. When two species begin with the same letter, two letters in upper case should be used (the first letter followed by the second or the third letter and so on). For example, the abbreviation DI for distincta, DU for duellmani, VA for vaillanti and VN for vanzolinii. Paralogous peptides should bear letter(s) in upper case followed by numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Amiche
- FRE 2852 CNRS/UPMC, Peptidome de la Peau des Amphibiens, F-75005 Paris, France.
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Tennessen JA. Positive selection drives a correlation between non-synonymous/synonymous divergence and functional divergence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 24:1421-5. [PMID: 18443017 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btn205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
MOTIVATION Functional divergence among proteins is often assumed to be strongly influenced by natural selection, as inferred from the ratio of non-synonymous nucleotide divergence (d(N)) to synonymous nucleotide divergence (d(S)). That is, the more a mutation changes protein function, the more likely it is to be either selected against or selectively favored, and because the d(N)/d(S) ratio is a measure of natural selection, this ratio can be used to predict the degree of functional divergence (d(F)). However, these hypotheses have rarely been experimentally tested. RESULTS I present a novel method to address this issue, and demonstrate that divergence in bacteria-killing activity among animal antimicrobial peptides is positively correlated with the log of the d(N)/d(S) ratio. The primary cause of this pattern appears to be that positively selected substitutions change protein function more than neutral substitutions do. Thus, the d(N)/d(S) ratio is an accurate estimator of adaptive functional divergence. CONTACT tennessj@science.oregonstate.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data, including GenBank Accession numbers, are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Tennessen
- Department of Zoology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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