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Shi W, He P, Zeng XC, Wu W, Chen X. Inhibitory Effect of an Acidic Peptide on the Activity of an Antimicrobial Peptide from the Scorpion Mesobuthus martensii Karsch. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123314. [PMID: 30558111 PMCID: PMC6321396 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly acidic peptides with no disulfide bridges are widely present in the scorpion venoms; however, none of them has been functionally characterized so far. Here, we cloned the full-length cDNA of a short-chain highly acidic peptide (referred to as HAP-1) from a cDNA library made from the venom glands of the Chinese scorpion Mesobuthus martensii Karsch. HAP-1 contains 19 amino acid residues with a predicted IP value of 4.25. Acidic amino residues account for 33.3% of the total residues in the molecule of HAP-1. HAP-1 shows 76⁻98% identities to some scorpion venom peptides that have not yet been functionally characterized. Secondary structure prediction showed that HAP-1 contains a beta-sheet region (residues 9⁻17), and two coiled coil regions (residues 1⁻8 and 18⁻19) located at the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the peptide, respectively. Antimicrobial assay showed that HAP-1 does not have any effect on the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus AB94004. However, it potently inhibits the antimicrobial activity of a 13-mer peptide from M. martensii Karsch against Staphylococcus aureus AB94004. This finding is the first characterization of the function of such highly acidic peptides from scorpions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Pengchen He
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Weiwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
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Luan N, Shen W, Liu J, Wen B, Lin Z, Yang S, Lai R, Liu S, Rong M. A Combinational Strategy upon RNA Sequencing and Peptidomics Unravels a Set of Novel Toxin Peptides in Scorpion Mesobuthus martensii. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100286. [PMID: 27782050 PMCID: PMC5086646 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is deemed to contain many toxic peptides as an important source of natural compounds. Out of the two hundred proteins identified in Mesobuthus martensii (M. martensii), only a few peptide toxins have been found so far. Herein, a combinational approach based upon RNA sequencing and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) was employed to explore the venom peptides in M. martensii. A total of 153 proteins were identified from the scorpion venom, 26 previously known and 127 newly identified. Of the novel toxins, 97 proteins exhibited sequence similarities to known toxins, and 30 were never reported. Combining peptidomic and transcriptomic analyses, the peptide sequence of BmKKx1 was reannotated and four disulfide bridges were confirmed within it. In light of the comparison of conservation and variety of toxin amino acid sequences, highly conserved and variable regions were perceived in 24 toxins that were parts of two sodium channel and two potassium channel toxins families. Taking all of this evidences together, the peptidomic analysis on M. martensii indeed identified numerous novel scorpion peptides, expanded our knowledge towards the venom diversity, and afforded a set of pharmaceutical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Luan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wang Shen
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Bo Wen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Zhilong Lin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
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Zhong J, Zeng XC, Zeng X, Nie Y, Zhang L, Wu S, Bao A. Transcriptomic analysis of the venom glands from the scorpion Hadogenes troglodytes revealed unique and extremely high diversity of the venom peptides. J Proteomics 2016; 150:40-62. [PMID: 27519694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hadogenes is a genus of large African scorpions with 18 described species. However, little is known about the venom peptide composition of any species from Hadogenes so far. Here, we fully explored the composition of venom gland peptides from Hadogenes troglodytes using transcriptomic approach. We discovered 121 novel peptides from the scorpion, including 20 new-type peptides cross-linked with one, two, three, four or seven disulfide bridges, respectively, 11 novel K+-channel toxin-like peptides, 2 novel ryanodine receptors-specific toxin-like peptides, a unique peptide containing the cysteine knots of spider toxins, 15 novel La1-like toxins, 3 novel TIL domain-containing peptides, 5 novel peptides with atypical cysteine patterns, 19 novel antimicrobial peptides, 6 novel cysteine-free peptides and 39 new-type cysteine-free peptides. Among them, the new-type peptides are largely dominant; this highlights the unique diversity of the venom gland peptides from H. troglodytes. Some of the new peptides would serve as new molecular probes for the investigations of cellular ion channels and other receptors, or offer new templates for the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of ion channel-associated diseases, and infections caused by antibiotics-resistant pathogens. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE In this study, we fully explored the composition of venom gland peptides from the scorpion Hadogenes troglodytes using transcriptomic approach. We discovered a total of 121 novel peptides from the venom glands of the scorpion, of which new-type peptides are largely dominant. These data highlight the unique diversity of the venom gland peptides from the scorpion H. troglodytes, gain insights into new mechanisms for the scorpion to subdue its prey and predators, and enlarge the protein database of scorpion venom glands. The discovery of a lot of novel peptides provides new templates for the development of therapeutic drugs, and offers new molecular materials for the basic researches of various cellular receptors, and for the evolutionary investigations of scorpion toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhong
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Yao Nie
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Shifen Wu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Aorigele Bao
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
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Wang YW, Tan JM, Du CW, Luan N, Yan XW, Lai R, Lu QM. A Novel Trypsin Inhibitor-Like Cysteine-Rich Peptide from the Frog Lepidobatrachus laevis Containing Proteinase-Inhibiting Activity. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2015; 5:209-214. [PMID: 26329591 PMCID: PMC4567993 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-015-0069-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Various bio-active substances in amphibian skins play important roles in survival of the amphibians. Many protease inhibitor peptides have been identified from amphibian skins, which are supposed to negatively modulate the activity of proteases to avoid premature degradation or release of skin peptides, or to inhibit extracellular proteases produced by invading bacteria. However, there is no information on the proteinase inhibitors from the frog Lepidobatrachus laevis which is unique in South America. In this work, a cDNA encoding a novel trypsin inhibitor-like (TIL) cysteine-rich peptide was identified from the skin cDNA library of L. laevis. The 240-bp coding region encodes an 80-amino acid residue precursor protein containing 10 half-cysteines. By sequence comparison and signal peptide prediction, the precursor was predicted to release a 55-amino acid mature peptide with amino acid sequence, IRCPKDKIYKFCGSPCPPSCKDLTPNCIAVCKKGCFCRDGTVDNNHGKCVKKENC. The mature peptide was named LL-TIL. LL-TIL shares significant domain similarity with the peptides from the TIL supper family. Antimicrobial and trypsin-inhibitory abilities of recombinant LL-TIL were tested. Recombinant LL-TIL showed no antimicrobial activity, while it had trypsin-inhibiting activity with a Ki of 16.5178 μM. These results suggested there was TIL peptide with proteinase-inhibiting activity in the skin of frog L. laevis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of TIL peptide from frog skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Wang
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ji-Min Tan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Can-Wei Du
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ning Luan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiu-Wen Yan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiu-Min Lu
- 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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Yang Y, Zeng XC, Zhang L, Nie Y, Shi W, Liu Y. Androcin, a novel type of cysteine-rich venom peptide fromAndroctonus bicolor, induces akinesia and anxiety-like symptoms in mice. IUBMB Life 2014; 66:277-85. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
| | - Wanxia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
| | - Yichen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Wuhan 430074 People's Republic of China
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Zeng XC, Liu Y, Shi W, Zhang L, Luo X, Nie Y, Yang Y. Genome-wide search and comparative genomic analysis of the trypsin inhibitor-like cysteine-rich domain-containing peptides. Peptides 2014; 53:106-14. [PMID: 23973966 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
It was shown that peptides containing trypsin inhibitor-like cysteine-rich (TIL) domain are able to inhibit proteinase activities, and thus play important roles in various biological processes, such as immune response and anticoagulation. However, only a limited number of the TIL peptides have been identified and characterized so far; and little has been known about the evolutionary relationships of the genes encoding the TIL peptides. BmKAPi is a TIL domain-containing peptide that was identified from Mesobuthus martensii Karsch. Here, we conducted genome-wide searches for new peptides that are homologous to BmKAPi or possess a cysteine pattern similar to that of BmKAPi. As a result, we identified a total of 80 different TIL peptides from 34 species of arthropods. We found that these peptides can be classified into seven evolutionarily distinct groups. Furthermore, we cloned the genomic sequence of BmKAPi; the genomic sequences of the majority of other TIL peptides were also identified from the GenBank database using bioinformatical approaches. Through phylogenetic and comparative genomic analysis, we found 26 cases of intron gain events occurred in the genes of the TIL peptides; however, no instances of intron loss were observed. Moreover, we found that alternative splicing contributes to the diversification of the TIL peptides. It is interesting to see that four genes of the TIL domain-containing peptides overlap in a DNA region located on the chromosome LG B15 of Bombus terretris. These data suggest that the evolution of the TIL peptide genes are dynamic, which was dominated by intron gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yichen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanxia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
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Wu S, Nie Y, Zeng XC, Cao H, Zhang L, Zhou L, Yang Y, Luo X, Liu Y. Genomic and functional characterization of three new venom peptides from the scorpion Heterometrus spinifer. Peptides 2014; 53:30-41. [PMID: 24389272 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Three new cysteine-free venom peptides, which are referred to as Heterin-1, Heterin-2 and Spiniferin, respectively, were identified from the scorpion Heterometrus spinifer. Heterin-1, Heterin-2 and Spiniferin contain 43, 24 and 13 amino acid residues, respectively. Genomic analysis showed that the genomic organizations of the three peptides are consistent with those of the known Na(+), K(+) or Cl(-)-channel specific toxins from scorpions; this suggests that the genes of the cysteine-free and cysteine-rich peptides from scorpions were derived from a common ancestor. Antimicrobial assay demonstrated that Heterin-1 possesses potent activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Among the tested bacterial species, Heterin-1 is the most active against Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus with MICs of 4.0 μM and 4.0 μM, respectively. Heterin-2 is able to potently inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria with MICs from 5.6 μM to 30.0 μM; however, it has weaker activities against the tested Gram-negative bacteria. It is interesting to see that deletion of the C-terminal random coiled tail (KKD) in Heterin-2 markedly changed the antimicrobial specificity and activity of the peptide. Spiniferin has very weak antimicrobial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We found that introducing three net charges into the polar face of Spiniferin significantly increased its antimicrobial activity against the majority of the tested bacteria; however, in some instances, net charge on the polar face is not important for the antimicrobial activity of the peptide. These studies have expanded our understanding of the diversity, evolution and structure/function relationships of the cysteine-free peptides from scorpions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hanjun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
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Zeng XC, Zhou L, Shi W, Luo X, Zhang L, Nie Y, Wang J, Wu S, Cao B, Cao H. Three new antimicrobial peptides from the scorpion Pandinus imperator. Peptides 2013; 45:28-34. [PMID: 23624072 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Three novel cysteine-free venom peptides, which were referred to as Pantinin-1, Pantinin-2 and Pantinin-3, respectively, have been identified from the scorpion Pandinus imperator by cDNA cloning strategy. The precursor of each peptide consists of a signal peptide, a mature peptide with no disulfide bridges, and an acidic propeptide with a typical processing signal. Each of the three peptides is an α-helical, cationic and amphipathic molecule with 13 or 14 amino acid residues. Their amino acid sequences are homologous to those of some 13-mer antimicrobial peptides isolated from scorpions. Antimicrobial assay showed that all the three peptides possess relatively strong activities against Gram-positive bacteria and a fungus, but have very weak antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria. Toxicity assay showed that the three peptides exhibit very low or mild hemolytic activities against human red blood cells. It is interesting to see that Pantinin-3 is able to potently inhibit the growth of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) S13, a pathogen that can cause a number of human infections; this suggests that Pantinin-3 has great potential to be applied in the treatment of VRE infections. Our findings gain new insights into the structure/function relationships of the small linear cationic antimicrobial peptides from scorpions, and provide new templates for designing of antimicrobial agents targeting antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Chun Zeng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
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