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Finkina EI, Shevchenko OV, Fateeva SI, Tagaev AA, Ovchinnikova TV. Antifungal Plant Defensins as an Alternative Tool to Combat Candidiasis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1499. [PMID: 38891308 PMCID: PMC11174490 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the spread of fungal infections is becoming an urgent problem. Fungi of the Candida genus are opportunistic microorganisms that cause superficial and life-threatening systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. The list of antifungal drugs for the treatment of candidiasis is very limited, while the prevalence of resistant strains is growing rapidly. Therefore, the search for new antimycotics, including those exhibiting immunomodulatory properties, is of great importance. Plenty of natural compounds with antifungal activities may be extremely useful in solving this problem. This review evaluates the features of natural antimicrobial peptides, namely plant defensins as possible prototypes of new anticandidal agents. Plant defensins are important components of the innate immune system, which provides the first line of defense against pathogens. The introduction presents a brief summary regarding pathogenic Candida species, the pathogenesis of candidiasis, and the mechanisms of antimycotic resistance. Then, the structural features of plant defensins, their anticandidal activities, their mechanisms of action on yeast-like fungi, their ability to prevent adhesion and biofilm formation, and their combined action with conventional antimycotics are described. The possible mechanisms of fungal resistance to plant defensins, their cytotoxic activity, and their effectiveness in in vivo experiments are also discussed. In addition, for the first time for plant defensins, knowledge about their immunomodulatory effects is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina I. Finkina
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia (T.V.O.)
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Ul Haq I, Maryam S, Shyntum DY, Khan TA, Li F. Exploring the frontiers of therapeutic breadth of antifungal peptides: A new avenue in antifungal drugs. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 51:kuae018. [PMID: 38710584 PMCID: PMC11119867 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The growing prevalence of fungal infections alongside rising resistance to antifungal drugs poses a significant challenge to public health safety. At the close of the 2000s, major pharmaceutical firms began to scale back on antimicrobial research due to repeated setbacks and diminished economic gains, leaving only smaller companies and research labs to pursue new antifungal solutions. Among various natural sources explored for novel antifungal compounds, antifungal peptides (AFPs) emerge as particularly promising. Despite their potential, AFPs receive less focus than their antibacterial counterparts. These peptides have been sourced extensively from nature, including plants, animals, insects, and especially bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, with advancements in recombinant biotechnology and computational biology, AFPs can also be synthesized in lab settings, facilitating peptide production. AFPs are noted for their wide-ranging efficacy, in vitro and in vivo safety, and ability to combat biofilms. They are distinguished by their high specificity, minimal toxicity to cells, and reduced likelihood of resistance development. This review aims to comprehensively cover AFPs, including their sources-both natural and synthetic-their antifungal and biofilm-fighting capabilities in laboratory and real-world settings, their action mechanisms, and the current status of AFP research. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY This comprehensive review of AFPs will be helpful for further research in antifungal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihtisham Ul Haq
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M. Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Joint Doctoral School, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2A, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Inovação Tecnológica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Sajida Maryam
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M. Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Joint Doctoral School, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2A, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Divine Y Shyntum
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Taj A Khan
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Fan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Dong Y, Wang Y, Tang M, Chen W, Chai Y, Wang W. Bioinformatic analysis of wheat defensin gene family and function verification of candidate genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1279502. [PMID: 37941661 PMCID: PMC10628452 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1279502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Plant defensins are widely distributed in the leaves, fruits, roots, stems, seeds, and tubers. Research shows that defensin in plants play a significant role in physiological metabolism, growth and development. Plant defensins can kill and suppress a variety of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we understand the phylogenetic relationships, protein characterization, chromosomal localization, promoter and gene structural features of the TaPDFs family through sequence alignment and conserved protein structural domain analysis. A total of 73 PDF gene members in wheat, 15 PDF genes in maize, and 11 PDF genes in rice were identified. A total of 35, 65, and 34 PDF gene members were identified in the genomes of Ae. tauschii, T. urartu, and T. dicoccoides, respectively. TaPDF4.9 and TaPDF2.15 were constructed into pART27 vector with YFP by homologous recombination for subcellular localization analysis. Subcellular localization results showed that TaPDF4.9 and TaPDF2.15 were basically located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm, and TaPDF4.9 was also located in the nucleus. TaPDF4.9 and TaPDF2.15 could inhibit the infection of Phytophthora infestans strain '88069'. The results suggest that TaPDFs may be able to improve disease resistance. The study of wheat defensins will be beneficial for improving wheat yield and provides a theoretical basis for research on resistance to wheat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Dong
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Youning Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, Hubei, China
| | - Mingshuang Tang
- Nanchong Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Wang Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yi Chai
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Wenli Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, China
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Antifungal activity and potential mechanism of action of caspofungin in combination with ribavirin against Candida albicans. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 61:106709. [PMID: 36640848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The number of invasive fungal infections has increased dramatically, resulting in high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. With increasing use of caspofungin (CAS), resistant strains have emerged frequently and led to limitations in the treatment of patients with severe invasive Candida albicans infections. Combination therapy is an important method to deal with this issue. As such, this study investigated the activity of CAS in combination with ribavirin (RBV) against C. albicans. The results of this in-vitro study showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CAS and RBV when they were used as monotherapy were 0.5-1 μg/mL and 2-8 μg/mL, respectively, while the MIC of CAS decreased from 0.5-1 μg/mL to 0.0625-0.25 μg/mL when used in combination with RBV, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) ≤0.5. In addition, the RBV + CAS combination group displayed synergistic effects against C. albicans biofilm over 4 h; the sessile MIC (sMIC) of CAS decreased from 0.5-1 µg/mL to 0.0625-0.25µg/mL and the sMIC of RBV decreased from 4-16 µg/mL to 1-2 µg/mL, with FICI <0.5. The survival of C. albicans-infected Galleria mellonella was prolonged, the fungal burden was decreased, and the area of tissue damage was reduced after combination therapy. Further study showed that the mechanisms of action of the synergistic effect were related to the inhibition of biofilm formation, the inhibition of hyphal growth, and the activation of metacaspases, but were not related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. It is hoped that these findings will contribute to the understanding of drug resistance in C. albicans, and provide new insights for the application of RBV.
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Slezina MP, Istomina EA, Korostyleva TV, Odintsova TI. The γ-Core Motif Peptides of Plant AMPs as Novel Antimicrobials for Medicine and Agriculture. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010483. [PMID: 36613926 PMCID: PMC9820530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The γ-core motif is a structural element shared by most host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which is supposed to contribute to their antimicrobial properties. In this review, we summarized the available data on the γ-core peptides of plant AMPs. We describe γ-core peptides that have been shown to exhibit inhibitory activity against plant and human bacterial and fungal pathogens that make them attractive scaffolds for the development of novel anti-infective agents. Their advantages include origin from natural AMP sequences, broad-spectrum and potent inhibitory activity, and cost-effective production. In addition, some γ-core peptides combine antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions, thus broadening the spectrum of practical applications. Some act synergistically with antimycotics and fungicides, so combinations of peptides with conventionally used antifungal agents can be suggested as an effective strategy to reduce the doses of potentially harmful chemicals. The presented information will pave the way for the design of novel antimicrobials on the basis of γ-core motif peptides, which can find application in medicine and the protection of crops from diseases.
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Finkina EI, Bogdanov IV, Ignatova AA, Kanushkina MD, Egorova EA, Voropaev AD, Stukacheva EA, Ovchinnikova TV. Antifungal Activity, Structural Stability, and Immunomodulatory Effects on Human Immune Cells of Defensin from the Lentil Lens culinaris. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12090855. [PMID: 36135874 PMCID: PMC9503459 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12090855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
An increase in the frequency of mycoses and spreading of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens necessitates the search for new antifungal agents. Earlier, we isolated the novel defensin from lentil Lensculinaris seeds, designated as Lc-def, which inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we studied an antifungal activity of Lc-def against human pathogenic Candida species, structural stability of the defensin, and its immunomodulatory effects that may help to prevent fungal infection. We showed that Lc-def caused 50% growth inhibition of clinical isolates of Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. glabrata at concentrations of 25-50 μM, but was not toxic to different human cells. The lentil defensin was resistant to proteolysis by C. albicans and was not cleaved during simulated gastroduodenal digestion. By using the multiplex xMAP assay, we showed for the first time for plant defensins that Lc-def increased the production of such essential for immunity to candidiasis pro-inflammatory cytokines as IL-12 and IL-17 at the concentration of 2 μM. Thus, we hypothesized that the lentil Lc-def and plant defensins in general may be effective in suppressing of mucocutaneous candidiasis due to their antifungal activity, high structural stability, and ability to activate a protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina I. Finkina
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan V. Bogdanov
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Ignatova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina D. Kanushkina
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Egorova
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Admiral Makarov St. 10, 125212 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander D. Voropaev
- G.N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Admiral Makarov St. 10, 125212 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena A. Stukacheva
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Perez-Rodriguez A, Eraso E, Quindós G, Mateo E. Antimicrobial Peptides with Anti-Candida Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169264. [PMID: 36012523 PMCID: PMC9409312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoses are accountable for millions of infections yearly worldwide. Invasive candidiasis is the most usual, presenting a high morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans remains the prevalent etiologic agent, but the incidence of other species such as Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida auris keeps increasing. These pathogens frequently show a reduced susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs, including polyenes, triazoles and echinocandins, and the incidence of emerging multi-drug-resistant strains of these species continues to increase. Therefore, the need to search for new molecules that target these pathogenic species in a different manner is now more urgent than ever. Nature is an almost endless source of interesting new molecules that could meet this need. Among these molecules, antimicrobial peptides, present in different sources in nature, possess some advantages over conventional antifungal agents, even with their own drawbacks, and are considered as a promising pharmacological option against a wide range of microbial infections. In this review, we describe 20 antimicrobial peptides from different origins that possess an activity against Candida.
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Gao L, Li H, Li B, Shao H, Yu X, Miao Z, Zhang L, Zhu L, Sheng H. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, transformation of ingredients and pharmacology of the dried seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (Raphani Semen), A comprehensive review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 294:115387. [PMID: 35580770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Raphani Semen (Lai Fu-zi in Chinese, RS), the dried seeds of Raphanus sativus L., is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. RS has long been used for eliminating bloating and digestion, antitussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic in clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY This review provides a critical and comprehensive summary of traditional uses, phytochemistry, transformation of ingredients and pharmacology of RS based on research data that have been reported, aiming at providing a basis for further study on RS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The search terms "Raphani Semen", "the seeds of Raphanus sativus L." and "radish seed" were used to obtain the information from electronic databases such as Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed and other web search instruments. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, transformation of ingredients and pharmacology of RS were summarized. RESULTS RS has been traditionally used to treat food dyspeptic retention, distending pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, constipation, diarrhea and dysentery, panting, and cough with phlegm congestion in the clinical practice. The chemical constituents of RS include glucosinolates and sulfur-containing derivatives, phenylpropanoid sucrosides, small organic acids and derivatives, flavone glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, oligosaccharides and others. Among them, glucosinolates can be transformated to isothiocyanates by plant myrosinase or the intestinal flora, which display a variety of activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, treatment of metabolic diseases, central nervous system protection, anti-osteoporosis. RS has a variety of pharmacological activities, including treatment of metabolic diseases, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, antihypertensive, central nervous system protection, anti-osteoporosis, etc. This review will provide useful insight for exploration, further study and precise medication of RS in the future. CONCLUSIONS According to its traditional uses, phytochemistry, transformation of ingredients and pharmacology, RS is regarded as a promising medical plant with various chemical compounds and numerous pharmacological activities. However, the material bases and mechanisms of traditional effect of RS need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Huan Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Bingqian Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Huili Shao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Xinyue Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Lizhen Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Liqiao Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Huagang Sheng
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
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Bukhteeva I, Hrunyk NI, Yusypovych YM, Shalovylo YI, Kovaleva V, Nesmelova IV. Structure, dynamics, and function of PsDef2 defensin from Pinus sylvestris. Structure 2022; 30:753-762.e5. [PMID: 35334207 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins demonstrate high structural stability at extreme temperatures and pH values and, in general, are non-toxic to mammalian cells. These properties make them attractive candidates for use in biotechnology and biomedicine. Knowing the structure-function relationship is desirable to guide the design of plant defensin-based applications. Thus far, the broad range of biological activities was described only for one defensin from gymnosperms, the defensin PsDef1 from Scots pine. Here, we report that closely related defensin from the same taxonomy group, PsDef2, differing from PsDef1 by six amino acids, also possesses antimicrobial, antibacterial, and insect α-amylase inhibitory activities. We also report the solution structure and dynamics properties of PsDef2 assessed using a combination of experimental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Lastly, we perform a comparative analysis of PsDef2 and PsDef1 gaining a molecular-level insight into their structure-dynamics-function relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Bukhteeva
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Natalia I Hrunyk
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Markers in Plants, Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv 79057, Ukraine
| | - Yuri M Yusypovych
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Markers in Plants, Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv 79057, Ukraine
| | - Yulia I Shalovylo
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Markers in Plants, Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv 79057, Ukraine
| | - Valentina Kovaleva
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Markers in Plants, Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv 79057, Ukraine
| | - Irina V Nesmelova
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
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Hein MJA, Kvansakul M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Hulett MD. Defensin-lipid interactions in membrane targeting: mechanisms of action and opportunities for the development of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:423-437. [PMID: 35015081 PMCID: PMC9022979 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a class of host defence peptides (HDPs) that often harbour antimicrobial and anticancer activities, making them attractive candidates as novel therapeutics. In comparison with current antimicrobial and cancer treatments, defensins uniquely target specific membrane lipids via mechanisms distinct from other HDPs. Therefore, defensins could be potentially developed as therapeutics with increased selectivity and reduced susceptibility to the resistance mechanisms of tumour cells and infectious pathogens. In this review, we highlight recent advances in defensin research with a particular focus on membrane lipid-targeting in cancer and infection settings. In doing so, we discuss strategies to harness lipid-binding defensins for anticancer and anti-infective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. A. Hein
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T. Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Correspondence: Thanh Kha Phan () or Mark D. Hulett ()
| | - Mark D. Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Correspondence: Thanh Kha Phan () or Mark D. Hulett ()
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Corrêa-Almeida C, Borba-Santos LP, Rollin-Pinheiro R, Barreto-Bergter E, Rozental S, Kurtenbach E. Characterization of Aspergillus nidulans Biofilm Formation and Structure and Their Inhibition by Pea Defensin Psd2. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:795255. [PMID: 35155575 PMCID: PMC8830917 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.795255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately four million people contract fungal infections every year in Brazil, primarily caused by Aspergillus spp. The ability of these fungi to form biofilms in tissues and medical devices complicates treatment and contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Psd2 is a pea defensin of 5.4 kDa that possesses good antifungal activity against planktonic cells of representative pathogenic fungi. Its function depends on interactions with membrane and cell wall lipid components such as glucosylceramide and ergosterol. In the present study, we characterized Aspergillus nidulans biofilm formation and determined the effect of Psd2 on A. nidulans biofilms. After 4 hours, A. nidulans conidia adhered to polystyrene surfaces and formed a robust extracellular matrix-producing biofilm at 24 h, increasing thickness until 48 h Psd2 inhibited A. nidulans biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Most notably, at 10 μM Psd2 inhibited 50% of biofilm viability and biomass and 40% of extracellular matrix production. Psd2 significantly decreased the colonized surface area by the biofilm and changed its level of organization, causing a shortening of length and diameter of hyphae and inhibition of conidiophore formation. This activity against A. nidulans biofilm suggests a potential use of Psd2 as a prototype to design new antifungal agents to prevent biofilm formation by A. nidulans and related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Corrêa-Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Bioquímica de Proteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Luana P. Borba-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Programa de Parasitologia e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Sonia Rozental
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Programa de Parasitologia e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Bioquímica de Proteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- *Correspondence: Eleonora Kurtenbach,
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Asghar S, Khan IU, Salman S, Khalid SH, Ashfaq R, Vandamme TF. Plant-derived nanotherapeutic systems to counter the overgrowing threat of resistant microbes and biofilms. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114019. [PMID: 34699940 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since antiquity, the survival of human civilization has always been threatened by the microbial infections. An alarming surge in the resistant microbial strains against the conventional drugs is quite evident in the preceding years. Furthermore, failure of currently available regimens of antibiotics has been highlighted by the emerging threat of biofilms in the community and hospital settings. Biofilms are complex dynamic composites rich in extracellular polysaccharides and DNA, supporting plethora of symbiotic microbial life forms, that can grow on both living and non-living surfaces. These enforced structures are impervious to the drugs and lead to spread of recurrent and non-treatable infections. There is a strong realization among the scientists and healthcare providers to work out alternative strategies to combat the issue of drug resistance and biofilms. Plants are a traditional but rich source of effective antimicrobials with wider spectrum due to presence of multiple constituents in perfect synergy. Other than the biocompatibility and the safety profile, these phytochemicals have been repeatedly proven to overcome the non-responsiveness of resistant microbes and films via multiple pathways such as blocking the efflux pumps, better penetration across the cell membranes or biofilms, and anti-adhesive properties. However, the unfavorable physicochemical attributes and stability issues of these phytochemicals have hampered their commercialization. These issues of the phytochemicals can be solved by designing suitably constructed nanoscaled structures. Nanosized systems can not only improve the physicochemical features of the encapsulated payloads but can also enhance their pharmacokinetic and therapeutic profile. This review encompasses why and how various types of phytochemicals and their nanosized preparations counter the microbial resistance and the biofouling. We believe that phytochemical in tandem with nanotechnological innovations can be employed to defeat the microbial resistance and biofilms. This review will help in better understanding of the challenges associated with developing such platforms and their future prospects.
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13
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Gervasi T, Ginestra G, Mancuso F, Barreca D, De Luca L, Mandalari G. The In Vitro Potential of 1-(1 H-indol-3-yl) Derivatives against Candida spp. and Aspergillus niger as Tyrosinase Inhibitors. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102070. [PMID: 34683392 PMCID: PMC8538185 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the increased antimicrobial resistance, global effort is currently focused on the identification of novel compounds, both of natural and chemical origin. The present study reports on the antifungal potential of 1-(1H-indol-3-yl) derivatives, previously known as tyrosinase inhibitors. The effect of seven compounds (indicated as 3a-g) was determined against Candida albicans ATCC 10531, three clinical isolates of Candida albicans, two clinical isolates of Candida glabrata, two clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404. The effect of these derivatives on tyrosinase enzymatic activity was also evaluated. Results showed a fungicidal activity of compounds 3b, 3c and 3e against all tested strains at concentrations ranging between 0.250 and 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, the association between 3c and fluconazole and between 3b and caspofungin showed a trend of indifference tending toward synergism. Compound 3c was also able to inhibit microbial tyrosinase up to ~28% at the concentration of 0.250 mg/mL. These data could help provide novel therapeutics for topical use to treat fungal infections and increase the potential effectiveness of the association between novel compounds and commercial antifungals in order to combat drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gervasi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Ginestra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.G.); (F.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Francesca Mancuso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.G.); (F.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Barreca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.G.); (F.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Laura De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.G.); (F.M.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.D.L.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-090-6766410 (L.D.L.); +39-090-6766593 (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppina Mandalari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.G.); (F.M.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.D.L.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-090-6766410 (L.D.L.); +39-090-6766593 (G.M.)
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14
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Su S, Yan H, Min L, Wang H, Chen X, Shi J, Sun S. The antifungal activity of caspofungin in combination with antifungals or non-antifungals against Candida species in vitro and in clinical therapy. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021; 20:161-178. [PMID: 34128761 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1941868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Candida species have been regarded as global health threats due to their ability to cause invasive infections. It is challenging to treat Candida bloodstream infections, which are associated with high mortality levels. Monotherapy with antifungals is sometimes not effective against severe Candida infections, and combination therapy is needed in clinical practice.Areas covered: This review was undertaken based on data from a PubMed search for English language reports published before March 2021 by using the terms 'caspofungin,' 'Candida species,' 'combination therapy,' 'antifungal effect,' and 'novel antifungal agent.'Expert opinion: Combination therapy is an empirical strategy for treating refractory Candida infections. Caspofungin has been recommended to treat candidaemia. Caspofungin in combination therapy has some applications, while the efficacy of combination therapy in the treatment of refractory Candida infections needs more study, such as randomized controlled trials. In addition, novel compounds or drugs with potential antifungal activities have been examined, and some of them exhibit synergistic interactions with caspofungin. Thus, the antifungal activity of caspofungin in combination with antifungals or non-antifungals against Candida species in vitro and in clinical therapy is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Su
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiying Yan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Min
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zibo Sixth People's Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueqi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyi Shi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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15
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Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Membrane-Interacting Antifungal Peptides. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649875. [PMID: 33912564 PMCID: PMC8074791 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is increasing worldwide, resulting in more than 1.6 million deaths every year. Due to growing antifungal drug resistance and the limited number of currently used antimycotics, there is a clear need for novel antifungal strategies. In this context, great potential is attributed to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are part of the innate immune system of organisms. These peptides are known for their broad-spectrum activity that can be directed toward bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or even cancer cells. Some AMPs act via rapid physical disruption of microbial cell membranes at high concentrations causing cell leakage and cell death. However, more complex mechanisms are also observed, such as interaction with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species, programmed cell death, and autophagy. This review summarizes the structure and mode of action of antifungal AMPs, thereby focusing on their interaction with fungal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Parthasarathy A, Borrego EJ, Savka MA, Dobson RCJ, Hudson AO. Amino acid-derived defense metabolites from plants: A potential source to facilitate novel antimicrobial development. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100438. [PMID: 33610552 PMCID: PMC8024917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For millennia, humanity has relied on plants for its medicines, and modern pharmacology continues to reexamine and mine plant metabolites for novel compounds and to guide improvements in biological activity, bioavailability, and chemical stability. The critical problem of antibiotic resistance and increasing exposure to viral and parasitic diseases has spurred renewed interest into drug treatments for infectious diseases. In this context, an urgent revival of natural product discovery is globally underway with special attention directed toward the numerous and chemically diverse plant defensive compounds such as phytoalexins and phytoanticipins that combat herbivores, microbial pathogens, or competing plants. Moreover, advancements in “omics,” chemistry, and heterologous expression systems have facilitated the purification and characterization of plant metabolites and the identification of possible therapeutic targets. In this review, we describe several important amino acid–derived classes of plant defensive compounds, including antimicrobial peptides (e.g., defensins, thionins, and knottins), alkaloids, nonproteogenic amino acids, and phenylpropanoids as potential drug leads, examining their mechanisms of action, therapeutic targets, and structure–function relationships. Given their potent antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties, which can be superior to existing drugs, phytoalexins and phytoanticipins are an excellent resource to facilitate the rational design and development of antimicrobial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Eli J Borrego
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Michael A Savka
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Renwick C J Dobson
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - André O Hudson
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester, New York, USA.
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17
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Shcherbakova L, Odintsova T, Pasechnik T, Arslanova L, Smetanina T, Kartashov M, Slezina M, Dzhavakhiya V. Fragments of a Wheat Hevein-Like Antimicrobial Peptide Augment the Inhibitory Effect of a Triazole Fungicide on Spore Germination of Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria solani. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E870. [PMID: 33291849 PMCID: PMC7762046 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There are increasing environmental risks associated with extensive use of fungicides for crop protection. Hence, the use of new approaches using natural plant defense mechanisms, including application of plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), is of great interest. Recently, we studied the structural-function relationships between antifungal activity and five hevein-like AMPs from the WAMP (wheat AMP) family of Triticum kiharae Dorof. et Migush. We first discovered that short peptides derived from the central, N-, and C-terminal regions of one of the WAMPs (WAMP-2) were able to augment the inhibitory effect of Folicur® EC 250, a triazole fungicide, on spore germination of the wheat pathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. and Alternaria alternata. In this research, we explored the ability of chemically synthesized WAMP-2-derived peptides for enhancing the sensitivity of two other Fusarium and Alternaria species, F. oxysporum and A. solani, causing wilt and early blight of tomato, respectively, to Folicur®. The synthesized WAMP-2-derived peptides synergistically interacted with the fungicide and significantly increased its efficacy, inhibiting conidial germination at much lower Folicur® concentrations than required for the same efficiency using the fungicide alone. The experiments on co-applications of some of WAMP-2-fragments and the fungicide on tomato leaves and seedlings, which confirmed the results obtained in vitro, are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Shcherbakova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Tatyana Odintsova
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, Gubkina Str. 3, 119333 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Tatyana Pasechnik
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Lenara Arslanova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Tatyana Smetanina
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Maxim Kartashov
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Marina Slezina
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, Gubkina Str. 3, 119333 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vitaly Dzhavakhiya
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow reg., Russia; (T.P.); (L.A.); (T.S.); (M.K.); (V.D.)
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18
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Pandey B, Tyagi C, Prajapati GK, Mishra AK, Hashem A, Alqarawi AA, Abd_Allah EF, Mohanta TK. Analysis of mutations of defensin protein using accelerated molecular dynamics simulations. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241679. [PMID: 33253167 PMCID: PMC7703945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins possess diverse biological functions that include antifungal and antibacterial activities and α-amylase and trypsin inhibitory properties. Two mutations, G9R and V39R, were confirmed to increase the antifungal activity of Raphanus sativus antifungal protein 2 (RsAFP2). Accelerated Molecular Dynamics (aMD) were carried out to examine the conformational changes present in these RsAFP2 mutants, and its two closest homologs compared to the wild-type protein. Specifically, the root mean square fluctuation values for the eight cysteine amino acids involved in the four disulfide bonds were low in the V39R mutant compared to the wild-type. Additionally, analysis of the free energy change revealed that G9R and V39R mutations exert a neutral and stabilizing effect on RsAFP2 conformation, and this is supported by the observed lower total energy of mutants compared to the wild-type, suggesting that enhanced stability of the mutants. However, MD simulations to a longer time scale would aid in capturing more conformational state of the wild-type and mutants defensin protein. Furthermore, the aMD simulations on fungal mimic membranes with RsAFP2 and its mutants and homologs showed that the mutant proteins caused higher deformation and water diffusion than the native RsAFP2, especially the V39R mutant. The mutant variants seem to interact by specifically targeting the POPC and POPI lipids amongst others. This work highlights the stabilizing effect of mutations at the 9th and 39th positions of RsAFP2 and their increased membrane deformation activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharati Pandey
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Chetna Tyagi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gopal Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Bio-Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (AKM); , (TKM)
| | - Abeer Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Mycology and Plant Disease Survey Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt
| | - Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tapan Kumar Mohanta
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
- * E-mail: (AKM); , (TKM)
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19
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Odintsova T, Shcherbakova L, Slezina M, Pasechnik T, Kartabaeva B, Istomina E, Dzhavakhiya V. Hevein-Like Antimicrobial Peptides Wamps: Structure-Function Relationship in Antifungal Activity and Sensitization of Plant Pathogenic Fungi to Tebuconazole by WAMP-2-Derived Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7912. [PMID: 33114433 PMCID: PMC7662308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Keywords: hevein-like antimicrobial peptides; antifungal activity; antifungal determinants; synergy; chemosensitization; tebuconazole; plant pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Odintsova
- Laboratory of Molecular-Genetic Bases of Plant Immunity, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, 119333 Moscow, Russia; (M.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Larisa Shcherbakova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow, Russia; (T.P.); (B.K.)
| | - Marina Slezina
- Laboratory of Molecular-Genetic Bases of Plant Immunity, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, 119333 Moscow, Russia; (M.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Tatyana Pasechnik
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow, Russia; (T.P.); (B.K.)
| | - Bakhyt Kartabaeva
- All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow, Russia; (T.P.); (B.K.)
| | - Ekaterina Istomina
- Laboratory of Molecular-Genetic Bases of Plant Immunity, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, 119333 Moscow, Russia; (M.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Vitaly Dzhavakhiya
- Department of Molecular Biology, All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, Bolshie Vyazemy, 143050 Moscow, Russia;
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20
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Skalska J, Andrade VM, Cena GL, Harvey PJ, Gaspar D, Mello ÉO, Henriques ST, Valle J, Gomes VM, Conceição K, Castanho MARB, Andreu D. Synthesis, Structure, and Activity of the Antifungal Plant Defensin PvD 1. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9391-9402. [PMID: 32787086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Available treatments for invasive fungal infections have limitations, including toxicity and the emergence of resistant strains. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative solutions. Because of their unique mode of action and high selectivity, plant defensins (PDs) are worthy therapeutic candidates. Chemical synthesis remains a preferred method for the production of many peptide-based therapeutics. Given the relatively long sequence of PDs, as well as their complicated posttranslational modifications, the synthetic route can be considered challenging. Here, we describe a total synthesis of PvD1, the defensin from the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris. Analytical, structural, and functional characterization revealed that both natural and synthetic peptides fold into a canonical CSαβ motif stabilized by conserved disulfide bonds. Moreover, synthetic PvD1 retained the biological activity against four different Candida species and showed no toxicity in vivo. Adding the high resistance of synthetic PvD1 to proteolytic degradation, we claim that conditions are now met to consider PDs druggable biologicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Skalska
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vitor M Andrade
- Laboratório de Bioquı́mica de Peptı́deos, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 12231-280 São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle L Cena
- Laboratório de Bioquı́mica de Peptı́deos, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 12231-280 São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquı́mica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologı́a, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sónia T Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Javier Valle
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquı́mica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologı́a, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Katia Conceição
- Laboratório de Bioquı́mica de Peptı́deos, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 12231-280 São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Gandía M, Monge A, Garrigues S, Orozco H, Giner-Llorca M, Marcos JF, Manzanares P. Novel insights in the production, activity and protective effect of Penicillium expansum antifungal proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:3922-3931. [PMID: 32871122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) offer a great potential as new biofungicides to control deleterious fungi. The phytopathogenic fungus Penicillium expansum encodes three phylogenetically distinct AFPs, PeAfpA, PeAfpB and PeAfpC. Here, PeAfpA, a potent in vitro self-inhibitory protein, was demonstrated to control the infection caused by P. expansum in Golden apple fruits. We determined the production of the three proteins in different growth media. PeAfpA and PeAfpC were simultaneously produced by P. expansum in three out of the eight media tested as detected by Western blot, whereas PeAfpB was not detected even in those described for class B AFP production. Regardless of the culture medium, the carbon source affected Peafp expression. Notably, the production of PeAfpA was strain-dependent, but analyses of PeafpA regulatory sequences in the three strains studied could not explain differences in protein production. None of the PeAFPs was produced during apple infection, suggesting no relevant role in pathogenesis. PeAfpA together with PeAfpB and also with Penicillium digitatum PdAfpB showed synergistic interaction. The highly active antifungal PeAfpA also showed moderate antibacterial activity. We conclude that there is not a general pattern for Peafp gene expression, protein production or antimicrobial activity and confirm PeAfpA as a promising compound for postharvest conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Gandía
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Monge
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandra Garrigues
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Helena Orozco
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Moisés Giner-Llorca
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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22
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Guevara-Lora I, Bras G, Karkowska-Kuleta J, González-González M, Ceballos K, Sidlo W, Rapala-Kozik M. Plant-Derived Substances in the Fight Against Infections Caused by Candida Species. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176131. [PMID: 32854425 PMCID: PMC7504544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Yeast-like fungi from the Candida genus are predominantly harmless commensals that colonize human skin and mucosal surfaces, but under conditions of impaired host immune system change into dangerous pathogens. The pathogenicity of these fungi is typically accompanied by increased adhesion and formation of complex biofilms, making candidal infections challenging to treat. Although a variety of antifungal drugs have been developed that preferably attack the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane, these pathogens have acquired novel defense mechanisms that make them resistant to standard treatment. This causes an increase in the incidence of candidiasis and enforces the urgent need for an intensified search for new specifics that could be helpful, alone or synergistically with traditional drugs, for controlling Candida pathogenicity. Currently, numerous reports have indicated the effectiveness of plant metabolites as potent antifungal agents. These substances have been shown to inhibit growth and to alter the virulence of different Candida species in both the planktonic and hyphal form and during the biofilm formation. This review focuses on the most recent findings that provide evidence of decreasing candidal pathogenicity by different substances of plant origin, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of their action. This is a particularly important issue in the light of the currently increasing frequency of emerging Candida strains and species resistant to standard antifungal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibeth Guevara-Lora
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (I.G.-L.); (K.C.)
| | - Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (G.B.); (J.K.-K.); (M.G.-G.); (W.S.)
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (G.B.); (J.K.-K.); (M.G.-G.); (W.S.)
| | - Miriam González-González
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (G.B.); (J.K.-K.); (M.G.-G.); (W.S.)
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30–387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kinga Ceballos
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (I.G.-L.); (K.C.)
| | - Wiktoria Sidlo
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (G.B.); (J.K.-K.); (M.G.-G.); (W.S.)
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow, Poland; (G.B.); (J.K.-K.); (M.G.-G.); (W.S.)
- Correspondence:
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23
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Plant Defensins from a Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155307. [PMID: 32722628 PMCID: PMC7432377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins form a family of proteins with a broad spectrum of protective activities against fungi, bacteria, and insects. Furthermore, some plant defensins have revealed anticancer activity. In general, plant defensins are non-toxic to plant and mammalian cells, and interest in using them for biotechnological and medicinal purposes is growing. Recent studies provided significant insights into the mechanisms of action of plant defensins. In this review, we focus on structural and dynamics aspects and discuss structure-dynamics-function relations of plant defensins.
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24
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Freitas e Silva KS, C. Silva L, Gonçales RA, Neves BJ, Soares CM, Pereira M. Setting New Routes for Antifungal Drug Discovery Against Pathogenic Fungi. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:1509-1520. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200317125956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
:Fungal diseases are life-threatening to human health and responsible for millions of deaths around the world. Fungal pathogens lead to a high number of morbidity and mortality. Current antifungal treatment comprises drugs, such as azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes and the cure is not guaranteed. In addition, such drugs are related to severe side effects and the treatment lasts for an extended period. Thus, setting new routes for the discovery of effective and safe antifungal drugs should be a priority within the health care system. The discovery of alternative and efficient antifungal drugs showing fewer side effects is time-consuming and remains a challenge. Natural products can be a source of antifungals and used in combinatorial therapy. The most important natural products are antifungal peptides, antifungal lectins, antifungal plants, and fungi secondary metabolites. Several proteins, enzymes, and metabolic pathways could be targets for the discovery of efficient inhibitor compounds and recently, heat shock proteins, calcineurin, salinomycin, the trehalose biosynthetic pathway, and the glyoxylate cycle have been investigated in several fungal species. HSP protein inhibitors and echinocandins have been shown to have a fungicidal effect against azole-resistant fungi strains. Transcriptomic and proteomic approaches have advanced antifungal drug discovery and pointed to new important specific-pathogen targets. Certain enzymes, such as those from the glyoxylate cycle, have been a target of antifungal compounds in several fungi species. Natural and synthetic compounds inhibited the activity of such enzymes and reduced the ability of fungal cells to transit from mycelium to yeast, proving to be promisor antifungal agents. Finally, computational biology has developed effective approaches, setting new routes for early antifungal drug discovery since normal approaches take several years from discovery to clinical use. Thus, the development of new antifungal strategies might reduce the therapeutic time and increase the quality of life of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kleber S. Freitas e Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Lívia C. Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Relber A. Gonçales
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Bruno J. Neves
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Célia M.A. Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
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Vaňková E, Kašparová P, Dulíčková N, Čeřovský V. Combined effect of lasioglossin LL-III derivative with azoles against Candida albicans virulence factors: biofilm formation, phospholipases, proteases and hemolytic activity. FEMS Yeast Res 2020; 20:5824167. [DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Candida albicans has several virulence factors at its disposal, including yeast–hyphal transition associated with biofilm formation, phospholipases, proteases and hemolytic activity, all of which contribute to its pathogenesis. We used synthetic derivative LL-III/43 of antimicrobial peptide lasioglossin LL-III to enhance effect of azoles on attenuation of C. albicans virulence factors. LL-III/43 was able to inhibit initial adhesion or biofilm formation of C. albicans strains at 50 µM. Azoles, however, were ineffective at this concentration. Using fluorescently labeled LL-III/43, we observed that peptide covered C. albicans cells, partially penetrated through their membranes and then accumulated inside cells. LL-III/43 (25 µM) in combination with clotrimazole prevented biofilm formation already at 3.1 µM clotrimazole. Neither LL-III/43 nor azoles were able to significantly inhibit phospholipases, proteases, or hemolytic activity of C. albicans. LL-III/43 (25 µM) and clotrimazole (50 µM) in combination decreased production of these virulence factors, and it completely attenuated its hemolytic activity. Scanning electron microscopy showed that LL-III/43 (50 µM) prevented C. albicans biofilm formation on Ti-6Al-4 V alloy used in orthopedic surgeries and combination of LL-III/43 (25 µM) with clotrimazole (3.1 µM) prevented biofilm formation on urinary catheters. Therefore, mixture of LL-III/43 and clotrimazole is suitable candidate for future pharmaceutical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Vaňková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Kašparová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Dulíčková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Čeřovský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
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26
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Fernández de Ullivarri M, Arbulu S, Garcia-Gutierrez E, Cotter PD. Antifungal Peptides as Therapeutic Agents. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:105. [PMID: 32257965 PMCID: PMC7089922 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi have been used since ancient times in food and beverage-making processes and, more recently, have been harnessed for the production of antibiotics and in processes of relevance to the bioeconomy. Moreover, they are starting to gain attention as a key component of the human microbiome. However, fungi are also responsible for human infections. The incidence of community-acquired and nosocomial fungal infections has increased considerably in recent decades. Antibiotic resistance development, the increasing number of immunodeficiency- and/or immunosuppression-related diseases and limited therapeutic options available are triggering the search for novel alternatives. These new antifungals should be less toxic for the host, with targeted or broader antimicrobial spectra (for diseases of known and unknown etiology, respectively) and modes of actions that limit the potential for the emergence of resistance among pathogenic fungi. Given these criteria, antimicrobial peptides with antifungal properties, i.e., antifungal peptides (AFPs), have emerged as powerful candidates due to their efficacy and high selectivity. In this review, we provide an overview of the bioactivity and classification of AFPs (natural and synthetic) as well as their mode of action and advantages over current antifungal drugs. Additionally, natural, heterologous and synthetic production of AFPs with a view to greater levels of exploitation is discussed. Finally, we evaluate the current and potential applications of these peptides, along with the future challenges relating to antifungal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fernández de Ullivarri
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Sara Arbulu
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Enriqueta Garcia-Gutierrez
- Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland.,Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Cotter
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
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27
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Two small, cysteine-rich and cationic antifungal proteins from Penicillium chrysogenum: A comparative study of PAF and PAFB. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183246. [PMID: 32142818 PMCID: PMC7138148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum Q176 secretes the antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) PAF and PAFB, which share a compact disulfide-bond mediated, β-fold structure rendering them highly stable. These two AMPs effectively inhibit the growth of human pathogenic fungi in micromolar concentrations and exhibit antiviral potential without causing cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. The antifungal mechanism of action of both AMPs is closely linked to - but not solely dependent on - the lipid composition of the fungal cell membrane and requires a strictly regulated protein uptake into the cell, indicating that PAF and PAFB are not canonical membrane active proteins. Variations in their antifungal spectrum and their killing dynamics point towards a divergent mode of action related to their physicochemical properties and surface charge distribution. In this review, we relate characteristic features of PAF and PAFB to the current knowledge about other AMPs of different sources. In addition, we present original data that have never been published before to substantiate our assumptions and provide evidences that help to explain and understand better the mechanistic function of PAF and PAFB. Finally, we underline the promising potential of PAF and PAFB as future antifungal therapeutics. Penicillium chrysogenum secretes the small, cysteine-rich proteins PAF and PAFB. Both exhibit antifungal activity, but with differences in their mode of action. Structure, membrane interaction and cellular uptake determine their function. PAF and PAFB are well tolerated by mammalian cells. They promise applicability in medicine, plant protection and food industry.
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28
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Tyagi A, Pankaj V, Singh S, Roy S, Semwal M, Shasany AK, Sharma A. PlantAFP: a curated database of plant-origin antifungal peptides. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1561-1568. [PMID: 31612325 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02792-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a severe problem caused by fungi in human and plant species across the world. They pose a worldwide threat to food security as well as human health. Fungal infections are increasing now day by day worldwide, and the current antimycotic drugs are not effective due to the emergence of resistant strains. Therefore, it is an urgent need for the finding of new plant-origin antifungal peptides (PhytoAFPs). Huge numbers of peptides were extracted from different plant species which play a protective role against fungal infection. Hundreds of plant-origin peptides with antifungal activity have already been reported. So there is a requirement of a dedicated platform which systematically catalogs plant-origin peptides along with their antifungal properties. PlantAFP database is a resource of experimentally verified plant-origin antifungal peptides, collected from research articles, patents, and public databases. The current release of PlantAFP database contains 2585 peptide entries among which 510 are unique peptides. Each entry provides comprehensive information of a peptide that includes its peptide sequence, peptide name, peptide class, length of the peptide, molecular mass, antifungal activity, and origin of peptides. Besides this primary information, PlantAFP stores peptide sequences in SMILES format. In order to facilitate the user, many tools have been integrated into this database that includes BLAST search, peptide search, SMILES search, and peptide-mapping is also included in the database. PlantAFP database is accessible at http://bioinformatics.cimap.res.in/sharma/PlantAFP/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Tyagi
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, P.O.-CIMAP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226 015, India.
| | - Vaishali Pankaj
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226010, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, P.O.-CIMAP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226 015, India
| | - Sudeep Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and communication, Brno University of Technology-Techicka-10, 61600, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Manoj Semwal
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, P.O.-CIMAP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226 015, India
| | - Ajit K Shasany
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, P.O.-CIMAP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226 015, India
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, P.O.-CIMAP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226 015, India.
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29
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Oshiro KGN, Rodrigues G, Monges BED, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Bioactive Peptides Against Fungal Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2169. [PMID: 31681179 PMCID: PMC6797862 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by invasive fungal biofilms have been widely associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly due to the advent of antibiotic resistance. Moreover, fungal biofilms impose an additional challenge, leading to multidrug resistance. This fact, along with the contamination of medical devices and the limited number of effective antifungal agents available on the market, demonstrates the importance of finding novel drug candidates targeting pathogenic fungal cells and biofilms. In this context, an alternative strategy is the use of antifungal peptides (AFPs) against fungal biofilms. AFPs are considered a group of bioactive molecules with broad-spectrum activities and multiple mechanisms of action that have been widely used as template molecules for drug design strategies aiming at greater specificity and biological efficacy. Among the AFP classes most studied in the context of fungal biofilms, defensins, cathelicidins and histatins have been described. AFPs can also act by preventing the formation of fungal biofilms and eradicating preformed biofilms through mechanisms associated with cell wall perturbation, inhibition of planktonic fungal cells’ adhesion onto surfaces, gene regulation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, considering the critical scenario imposed by fungal biofilms and associated infections and the application of AFPs as a possible treatment, this review will focus on the most effective AFPs described to date, with a core focus on antibiofilm peptides, as well as their efficacy in vivo, application on surfaces and proposed mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G N Oshiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Gisele Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estéfani D Monges
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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30
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Thery T, Lynch KM, Arendt EK. Natural Antifungal Peptides/Proteins as Model for Novel Food Preservatives. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2019; 18:1327-1360. [DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Thery
- School of Food and Nutritional SciencesUniv. College Cork Ireland
| | - Kieran M. Lynch
- School of Food and Nutritional SciencesUniv. College Cork Ireland
| | - Elke K. Arendt
- School of Food and Nutritional SciencesUniv. College Cork Ireland
- Microbiome IrelandUniv. College Cork Ireland
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31
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Finkina EI, Melnikova DN, Bogdanov IV, Ovchinnikova TV. Peptides of the Innate Immune System of Plants. Part II. Biosynthesis, Biological Functions, and Possible Practical Applications. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162019020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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32
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The interaction with fungal cell wall polysaccharides determines the salt tolerance of antifungal plant defensins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5:100026. [PMID: 32743142 PMCID: PMC7389181 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2019.100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is the first point of contact between fungal pathogens and host organisms. It serves as a protective barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses and as a signal to the host that a fungal pathogen is present. The fungal cell wall is made predominantly of carbohydrates and glycoproteins, many of which serve as binding receptors for host defence molecules or activate host immune responses through interactions with membrane-bound receptors. Plant defensins are a large family of cationic antifungal peptides that protect plants against fungal disease. Binding of the plant defensin NaD1 to the fungal cell wall has been described but the specific component of the cell wall with which this interaction occurred was unknown. The effect of binding was also unclear, that is whether the plant defensin used fungal cell wall components as a recognition motif for the plant to identify potential pathogens or if the cell wall acted to protect the fungus against the defensin. Here we describe the interaction between the fungal cell wall polysaccharides chitin and β-glucan with NaD1 and other plant defensins. We discovered that the β-glucan layer protects the fungus against plant defensins and the loss of activity experienced by many cationic antifungal peptides at elevated salt concentrations is due to sequestration by fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This has limited the development of cationic antifungal peptides for the treatment of systemic fungal diseases in humans as the level of salt in serum is enough to inactivate most cationic peptides.
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33
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Finkina EI, Melnikova DN, Bogdanov IV, Ovchinnikova TV. Peptides of the Innate Immune System of Plants. Part I. Structure, Biological Activity, and Mechanisms of Action. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162019010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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34
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McColl AI, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, Lowe RGT. Resistance to the Plant Defensin NaD1 Features Modifications to the Cell Wall and Osmo-Regulation Pathways of Yeast. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1648. [PMID: 30087664 PMCID: PMC6066574 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the emergence of resistance to commonly used antifungal molecules has become a major barrier to effective treatment of recurrent life-threatening fungal diseases. Resistance combined with the increased incidence of fungal diseases has created the need for new antifungals, such as the plant defensin NaD1, with different mechanisms of action to broaden treatment options. Antimicrobial peptides produced in plants and animals are promising new molecules in the arsenal of antifungal agents because they have different mechanisms of action to current antifungals and are often targeted specifically to fungal pathogens (van der Weerden et al., 2013). A key step in the development of novel antifungals is an understanding of the potential for the fungus to develop resistance. Here, we have used the prototypic plant defensin NaD1 in serial passages with the model fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae to examine the evolution of resistance to plant antifungal peptides. The yeast strains did develop tolerance to NaD1, but it occurred more slowly than to the clinically used antifungal caspofungin. Sequencing the genomes of the strains with increased tolerance failed to identify any ‘hotspot’ mutations associated with increased tolerance to NaD1 and led to the identification of 12 genes that are involved in resistance. Characterization of the strains with increased tolerance to NaD1 also revealed changes in tolerance to abiotic stressors. Resistance developed slowly via an accumulation of single nucleotide mutations and had a fitness penalty associated with it. One of the genes identified FPS1, revealed that there is a common mechanism of resistance to NaD1 that involves the osmotic stress response pathway. These data indicate that it is more difficult to generate resistance to antimicrobial peptides such as NaD1 compared to small molecule antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda I McColl
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rohan G T Lowe
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Bard GCV, Taveira GB, Souza TAM, Mello ÉO, Souza SB, Ramos AC, Carvalho AO, Pereira LS, Zottich U, Rodrigues R, Gomes VM. Coffea canephora Peptides in Combinatorial Treatment with Fluconazole: Antimicrobial Activity against Phytopathogenic Fungus. Int J Microbiol 2018; 2018:8546470. [PMID: 30123275 PMCID: PMC6079426 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8546470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the Cc-LTP2 and Cc-GRP peptides isolated from Coffea canephora seeds and their possible synergistic activity with the azole drug fluconazole and characterize their mechanisms of action on cells of pathogenic fungi. Cc-LTP2 and Cc-GRP alone or in combination with 20 µg/mL of fluconazole were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity on the fungus Fusarium solani, and the effects of these peptides on the permeability of membranes and the induction of oxidative stress were determined. Our results show that these peptides at a concentration of 400 µg/mL combined with 20 µg/mL of fluconazole were able to inhibit the growth of the tested fungi, promote changes in their growth pattern, permeabilize the membrane, and induce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Some of these results were also observed with the peptides alone or with fluconazole alone, suggesting that the peptides act synergistically, promoting the potentiation of antimicrobial action. In this study, it was shown that Cc-LTP2 and Cc-GRP in combination with fluconazole were able to inhibit the growth of the fungus F. solani, to promote permeabilization of its membrane, and to induce the production of ROS, suggesting a combinatorial activity between the peptides and fluconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela C. V. Bard
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel B. Taveira
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaynã A. M. Souza
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Érica O. Mello
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sávio B. Souza
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alessandro C. Ramos
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - André O. Carvalho
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lídia S. Pereira
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Umberto Zottich
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil
| | - Rosana Rodrigues
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M. Gomes
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
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Van Dijck P, Sjollema J, Cammue BPA, Lagrou K, Berman J, d’Enfert C, Andes DR, Arendrup MC, Brakhage AA, Calderone R, Cantón E, Coenye T, Cos P, Cowen LE, Edgerton M, Espinel-Ingroff A, Filler SG, Ghannoum M, Gow NA, Haas H, Jabra-Rizk MA, Johnson EM, Lockhart SR, Lopez-Ribot JL, Maertens J, Munro CA, Nett JE, Nobile CJ, Pfaller MA, Ramage G, Sanglard D, Sanguinetti M, Spriet I, Verweij PE, Warris A, Wauters J, Yeaman MR, Zaat SA, Thevissen K. Methodologies for in vitro and in vivo evaluation of efficacy of antifungal and antibiofilm agents and surface coatings against fungal biofilms. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2018; 5:300-326. [PMID: 29992128 PMCID: PMC6035839 DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.07.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unlike superficial fungal infections of the skin and nails, which are the most common fungal diseases in humans, invasive fungal infections carry high morbidity and mortality, particularly those associated with biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. Therapeutic management of these complex diseases is often complicated by the rise in resistance to the commonly used antifungal agents. Therefore, the availability of accurate susceptibility testing methods for determining antifungal resistance, as well as discovery of novel antifungal and antibiofilm agents, are key priorities in medical mycology research. To direct advancements in this field, here we present an overview of the methods currently available for determining (i) the susceptibility or resistance of fungal isolates or biofilms to antifungal or antibiofilm compounds and compound combinations; (ii) the in vivo efficacy of antifungal and antibiofilm compounds and compound combinations; and (iii) the in vitro and in vivo performance of anti-infective coatings and materials to prevent fungal biofilm-based infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelmer Sjollema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of BioMedical Engineering, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno P. A. Cammue
- Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, UZ Leuven, Belgium
| | - Judith Berman
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Christophe d’Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - David R. Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Maiken C. Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Dept. Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Microbiology, Jena, Germany
| | - Richard Calderone
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Emilia Cantón
- Severe Infection Research Group: Medical Research Institute La Fe (IISLaFe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Tom Coenye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms, Switzerland
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY USA
| | | | - Scott G. Filler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ghannoum
- Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Re-serve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neil A.R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Biocenter - Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Mycology Reference Laboratory, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Johan Maertens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium and Clinical Department of Haematology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carol A. Munro
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jeniel E. Nett
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departments of Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Clarissa J. Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, USA
| | - Michael A. Pfaller
- Departments of Pathology and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa, USA
| | - Gordon Ramage
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms, Switzerland
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Dominique Sanglard
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital, CH-1011 Lausanne
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico "Agostino Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Dpt, University Hospitals Leuven and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Dpt. of Pharmaceutical and Pharma-cological Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (omit "Nijmegen" in Radboud University Medical Center)
| | - Adilia Warris
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Joost Wauters
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of General Internal Medicine, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael R. Yeaman
- Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Divisions of Molecular Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Har-bor-UCLA Medical Center, LABioMed at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
| | - Sebastian A.J. Zaat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Am-sterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Finkina EI, Ovchinnikova TV. Plant Defensins: Structure, Functions, Biosynthesis, and the Role in the Immune Response. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162018030056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Regulated Cell Death as a Therapeutic Target for Novel Antifungal Peptides and Biologics. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:5473817. [PMID: 29854086 PMCID: PMC5944218 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5473817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The rise of microbial pathogens refractory to conventional antibiotics represents one of the most urgent and global public health concerns for the 21st century. Emergence of Candida auris isolates and the persistence of invasive mold infections that resist existing treatment and cause severe illness has underscored the threat of drug-resistant fungal infections. To meet these growing challenges, mechanistically novel agents and strategies are needed that surpass the conventional fungistatic or fungicidal drug actions. Host defense peptides have long been misunderstood as indiscriminant membrane detergents. However, evidence gathered over the past decade clearly points to their sophisticated and selective mechanisms of action, including exploiting regulated cell death pathways of their target pathogens. Such peptides perturb transmembrane potential and mitochondrial energetics, inducing phosphatidylserine accessibility and metacaspase activation in fungi. These mechanisms are often multimodal, affording target pathogens fewer resistance options as compared to traditional small molecule drugs. Here, recent advances in the field are examined regarding regulated cell death subroutines as potential therapeutic targets for innovative anti-infective peptides against pathogenic fungi. Furthering knowledge of protective host defense peptide interactions with target pathogens is key to advancing and applying novel prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures to fungal resistance and pathogenesis.
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39
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Cools TL, Struyfs C, Drijfhout JW, Kucharíková S, Lobo Romero C, Van Dijck P, Ramada MHS, Bloch C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. A Linear 19-Mer Plant Defensin-Derived Peptide Acts Synergistically with Caspofungin against Candida albicans Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2051. [PMID: 29104569 PMCID: PMC5655031 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Public health problems are associated with device-associated biofilm infections, with Candida albicans being the major fungal pathogen. We previously identified potent antibiofilm combination treatment in which the antifungal plant defensin HsAFP1 is co-administered with caspofungin, the preferred antimycotic to treat such infections. In this study, we identified the smallest linear HsAFP1-derived peptide that acts synergistically with caspofungin or anidulafungin against C. albicans as HsLin06_18, a 19-mer peptide derived from the C-terminal part of HsAFP1. The [caspofungin + HsLin06_18] combination significantly reduced in vitro biofilm formation of Candida glabrata and C. albicans on catheters, as well as biofilm formation of a caspofungin-resistant C. albicans strain. The [caspofungin + HsLin06_18] combination was not cytotoxic and reduced biofilm formation of C. albicans in vivo using a subcutaneous rat catheter model, as compared to control treatment. Mode of action research on the [caspofungin + HsLin06_18] combination pointed to caspofungin-facilitated HsLin06_18 internalization and immediate membrane permeabilization. All these findings point to broad-spectrum antibiofilm activity of a combination of HsLin06_18 and caspofungin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan W Drijfhout
- Department of Immunohematology and Bloodtransfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Soňa Kucharíková
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celia Lobo Romero
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcelo H S Ramada
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Carlos Bloch
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Synergistic Activity between Two Antifungal Proteins, the Plant Defensin NaD1 and the Bovine Pancreatic Trypsin Inhibitor. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00390-17. [PMID: 29062897 PMCID: PMC5646242 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00390-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes the increased activity of a natural antifungal peptide in the presence of another antifungal peptide from a different family. This is termed antifungal synergy. Synergy is important for decreasing the amount of antifungal molecule needed to control the disease. Traditionally, naturally occurring antifungal molecules are assayed in isolation. Identification of synergistic interactions between antifungal peptides means that their activities in a complex biological system are likely to be different from what we observe when examining them individually. This study identified synergy between an antifungal peptide and a group of peptides that do not affect fungal growth in vitro. This provides the foundation for generation of transgenic plants with increased resistance to fungal disease and identification of antifungal accessory factors that enhance the activity of innate immune molecules but do not have an antifungal effect on their own. Defensins are a large family of small, cationic, cysteine-rich proteins that are part of the defense arsenal that plants use for protection against potentially damaging fungal infections. The plant defensin NaD1 from Nicotiana alata is a potent antifungal protein that inhibits growth and kills a variety of fungal pathogens that affect both plant and animal (human) hosts. Some serine protease inhibitors have also been reported to be antifungal molecules, while others have no inhibitory activity against fungi. Here we describe the synergistic activity of the plant defensin NaD1 with a selection of serine protease inhibitors against the plant pathogens Fusarium graminearum and Colletotrichum graminicola and the animal pathogen Candida albicans. The synergistic activity was not related to the protease inhibitory activity of these molecules but may arise from activation of fungal stress response pathways. The bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) displayed the most synergy with NaD1. BPTI also acted synergistically with several other antifungal molecules. The observation that NaD1 acts synergistically with protease inhibitors provides the foundation for the design of transgenic plants with improved resistance to fungal disease. It also supports the possibility of naturally occurring accessory factors that function to enhance the activity of innate immunity peptides in biological systems. IMPORTANCE This work describes the increased activity of a natural antifungal peptide in the presence of another antifungal peptide from a different family. This is termed antifungal synergy. Synergy is important for decreasing the amount of antifungal molecule needed to control the disease. Traditionally, naturally occurring antifungal molecules are assayed in isolation. Identification of synergistic interactions between antifungal peptides means that their activities in a complex biological system are likely to be different from what we observe when examining them individually. This study identified synergy between an antifungal peptide and a group of peptides that do not affect fungal growth in vitro. This provides the foundation for generation of transgenic plants with increased resistance to fungal disease and identification of antifungal accessory factors that enhance the activity of innate immune molecules but do not have an antifungal effect on their own.
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41
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Bondaryk M, Staniszewska M, Zielińska P, Urbańczyk-Lipkowska Z. Natural Antimicrobial Peptides as Inspiration for Design of a New Generation Antifungal Compounds. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:E46. [PMID: 29371563 PMCID: PMC5715947 DOI: 10.3390/jof3030046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are associated with high mortality rates, despite appropriate antifungal therapy. Limited therapeutic options, resistance development and the high mortality of invasive fungal infections brought about more concern triggering the search for new compounds capable of interfering with fungal viability and virulence. In this context, peptides gained attention as promising candidates for the antimycotics development. Variety of structural and functional characteristics identified for various natural antifungal peptides makes them excellent starting points for design novel drug candidates. Current review provides a brief overview of natural and synthetic antifungal peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Bondaryk
- National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Monika Staniszewska
- National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paulina Zielińska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland.
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42
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Paulone S, Ardizzoni A, Tavanti A, Piccinelli S, Rizzato C, Lupetti A, Colombari B, Pericolini E, Polonelli L, Magliani W, Conti S, Posteraro B, Cermelli C, Blasi E, Peppoloni S. The synthetic killer peptide KP impairs Candida albicans biofilm in vitro. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181278. [PMID: 28704490 PMCID: PMC5509322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal organism, commonly inhabiting mucosal surfaces of healthy individuals, as a part of the resident microbiota. However, in susceptible hosts, especially hospitalized and/or immunocompromised patients, it may cause a wide range of infections. The presence of abiotic substrates, such as central venous or urinary catheters, provides an additional niche for Candida attachment and persistence, particularly via biofilm development. Furthermore, Candida biofilm is poorly susceptible to most antifungals, including azoles. Here we investigated the effects of a synthetic killer peptide (KP), known to be active in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo against different pathogens, on C. albicans biofilm. Together with a scrambled peptide used as a negative control, KP was tested against Candida biofilm at different stages of development. A reference strain, two fluconazole-resistant and two fluconazole-susceptible C. albicans clinical isolates were used. KP-induced C. albicans oxidative stress response and membrane permeability were also analysed. Moreover, the effect of KP on transcriptional profiles of C. albicans genes involved in different stages of biofilm development, such as cell adhesion, hyphal development and extracellular matrix production, was evaluated. Our results clearly show that the treatment with KP strongly affected the capacity of C. albicans to form biofilm and significantly impairs preformed mature biofilm. KP treatment resulted in an increase in C. albicans oxidative stress response and membrane permeability; also, biofilm-related genes expression was significantly reduced. Comparable inhibitory effects were observed in all the strains employed, irrespective of their resistance or susceptibility to fluconazole. Finally, KP-mediated inhibitory effects were observed also against a catheter-associated C. albicans biofilm. This study provides the first evidence on the KP effectiveness against C. albicans biofilm, suggesting that KP may be considered as a potential novel tool for treatment and prevention of biofilm-related C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Paulone
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Serena Piccinelli
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cosmeri Rizzato
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Lupetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Bruna Colombari
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Eva Pericolini
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Walter Magliani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Conti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Cermelli
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Blasi
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Samuele Peppoloni
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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43
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De Coninck B, Verheesen P, Vos CM, Van Daele I, De Bolle MF, Vieira JV, Peferoen M, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Fungal Glucosylceramide-Specific Camelid Single Domain Antibodies Are Characterized by Broad Spectrum Antifungal Activity. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1059. [PMID: 28659884 PMCID: PMC5469901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical crop protection is widely used to control plant diseases. However, the adverse effects of pesticide use on human health and environment, resistance development and the impact of regulatory requirements on the crop protection market urges the agrochemical industry to explore innovative and alternative approaches. In that context, we demonstrate here the potential of camelid single domain antibodies (VHHs) generated against fungal glucosylceramides (fGlcCer), important pathogenicity factors. To this end, llamas were immunized with purified fGlcCer and a mixture of mycelium and spores of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, one of the most important plant pathogenic fungi. The llama immune repertoire was subsequently cloned in a phage display vector to generate a library with a diversity of at least 108 different clones. This library was incubated with fGlcCer to identify phages that bind to fGlcCer, and VHHs that specifically bound fGlcCer but not mammalian or plant-derived GlcCer were selected. They were shown to inhibit the growth of B. cinerea in vitro, with VHH 41D01 having the highest antifungal activity. Moreover, VHH 41D01 could reduce disease symptoms induced by B. cinerea when sprayed on tomato leaves. Based on all these data, anti-fGlcCer VHHs show the potential to be used as an alternative approach to combat fungal plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Coninck
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIBGhent, Belgium
| | | | - Christine M Vos
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIBGhent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIBGhent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
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44
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Garrigues S, Gandía M, Borics A, Marx F, Manzanares P, Marcos JF. Mapping and Identification of Antifungal Peptides in the Putative Antifungal Protein AfpB from the Filamentous Fungus Penicillium digitatum. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:592. [PMID: 28428776 PMCID: PMC5382200 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) from Ascomycetes are small cysteine-rich proteins that are abundantly secreted and show antifungal activity against non-producer fungi. A gene coding for a class B AFP (AfpB) was previously identified in the genome of the plant pathogen Penicillium digitatum. However, previous attempts to detect the AfpB protein were not successful despite the high expression of the corresponding afpB gene. In this work, the structure of the putative AfpB was modeled. Based on this model, four synthetic cysteine-containing peptides, PAF109, PAF112, PAF118, and PAF119, were designed and their antimicrobial activity was tested and characterized. PAF109 that corresponds to the γ-core motif present in defensin-like antimicrobial proteins did not show antimicrobial activity. On the contrary, PAF112 and PAF118, which are cationic peptides derived from two surface-exposed loops in AfpB, showed moderate antifungal activity against P. digitatum and other filamentous fungi. It was also confirmed that cyclization through a disulfide bridge prevented peptide degradation. PAF116, which is a peptide analogous to PAF112 but derived from the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein PAF, showed activity against P. digitatum similar to PAF112, but was less active than the native PAF protein. The two AfpB-derived antifungal peptides PAF112 and PAF118 showed positive synergistic interaction when combined against P. digitatum. Furthermore, the synthetic hexapeptide PAF26 previously described in our laboratory also exhibited synergistic interaction with the peptides PAF112, PAF118, and PAF116, as well as with the PAF protein. This study is an important contribution to the mapping of antifungal motifs within the AfpB and other AFPs, and opens up new strategies for the rational design and application of antifungal peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Garrigues
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Mónica Gandía
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Attila Borics
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of SciencesSzeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of InnsbruckInnsbruck, Austria
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of SciencesSzeged, Hungary
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Zhu M, Liu P, Niu ZW. A perspective on general direction and challenges facing antimicrobial peptides. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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46
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Cools TL, Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: increased insight in their mode of action as a basis for their use to combat fungal infections. Future Microbiol 2017; 12:441-454. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cationic peptides with a highly conserved 3D structure. They have been studied extensively in the past decades. Various biological activities have been attributed to plant defensins, such as anti-insect and antimicrobial activities, but they are also known to affect ion channels and display antitumor activity. This review focuses on the structure, biological activity and antifungal mode of action of some well-characterized plant defensins, with particular attention to their fungal membrane target(s), their induced cell death mechanisms as well as their antibiofilm activity. As plant defensins are, in general, not toxic to human cells, show in vivo efficacy and have low frequencies of resistance occurrence, they are of particular interest in the fight against fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno PA Cammue
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Pinheiro AM, Carreira A, Rollo F, Fernandes R, Ferreira RB, Monteiro SA. Blad-Containing Oligomer Fungicidal Activity on Human Pathogenic Yeasts. From the Outside to the Inside of the Target Cell. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1803. [PMID: 27933037 PMCID: PMC5122710 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Blad polypeptide comprises residues 109-281 of Lupinus albus β-conglutin precursor. It occurs naturally as a major subunit of an edible, 210 kDa oligomer which accumulates to high levels, exclusively in the cotyledons of Lupinus seedlings between the 4th and 14th day after the onset of germination. Blad-containing oligomer (BCO) exhibits a potent and broad spectrum fungicide activity toward plant pathogens and is now on sale in the US under the tradename FractureTM. In this work we demonstrate its antifungal activity toward human pathogens and provide some insights on its mode of action. BCO bioactivity was evaluated in eight yeast species and compared to that of amphotericin B (AMB). BCO behaved similarly to AMB in what concerns both cellular inhibition and cellular death. As a lectin, BCO binds strongly to chitin. In addition, BCO is known to possess 'exochitinase' and 'endochitosanase' activities. However, no clear disruption was visualized at the cell wall after exposure to a lethal BCO concentration, except in cell buds. Immunofluorescent and immunogold labeling clearly indicate that BCO enters the cell, and membrane destabilization was also demonstrated. The absence of haemolytic activity, its biological origin, and its extraordinary antifungal activity are the major outcomes of this work, and provide a solid background for a future application as a new antifungal therapeutic drug. Furthermore, its predictable multisite mode of action suggests a low risk of inducing resistance mechanisms, which are now a major problem with other currently available antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Pinheiro
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Filipe Rollo
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Fernandes
- Histology and Electron Microscopy Service, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em SaúdePorto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo B. Ferreira
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara A. Monteiro
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
- CEV, SACantanhede, Portugal
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Abstract
In recent years, the increase of invasive fungal infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance stressed the need for new antifungal drugs. Peptides have shown to be good candidates for the development of alternative antimicrobial agents through high-throughput screening, and subsequent optimization according to a rational approach. This review presents a brief overview on antifungal natural peptides of different sources (animals, plants, micro-organisms), peptide fragments derived by proteolytic cleavage of precursor physiological proteins (cryptides), synthetic unnatural peptides and peptide derivatives. Antifungal peptides are schematically reported based on their structure, antifungal spectrum and reported effects. Natural or synthetic peptides and their modified derivatives may represent the basis for new compounds active against fungal infections.
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49
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Rautenbach M, Troskie AM, Vosloo JA. Antifungal peptides: To be or not to be membrane active. Biochimie 2016; 130:132-145. [PMID: 27234616 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most antifungal peptides (AFPs), if not all, have membrane activity, while some also have alternative targets. Fungal membranes share many characteristics with mammalian membranes with only a few differences, such as differences in sphingolipids, phosphatidylinositol (PI) content and the main sterol is ergosterol. Fungal membranes are also more negative and a better target for cationic AFPs. Targeting just the fungal membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol and/or ergosterol by AFPs often translates into mammalian cell toxicity. Conversely, a specific AFP target in the fungal pathogen, such as glucosylceramide, mannosyldiinositol phosphorylceramide or a fungal protein target translates into high pathogen selectivity. However, a lower target concentration, absence or change in the specific fungal target can naturally lead to resistance, although such resistance in turn could result in reduced pathogen virulence. The question is then to be or not to be membrane active - what is the best choice for a successful AFP? In this review we deliberate on this question by focusing on the recent advances in our knowledge on how natural AFPs target fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rautenbach
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Anscha M Troskie
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - J Arnold Vosloo
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
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