Effects of synthetic undecapeptides on Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro

Self-assembling organo-peptide bolaphiles with KLK tripeptide head groups display selective antibacterial activity

In keeping with recent efforts to generate compounds for antibiotic and microbicide development, we focused on the creation of non-natural organo-peptide hybrids of antimicrobial peptide amides (KLK(L)n KLK-NH2 ) derived from sapecin B and a self-assembling oligoglycine organo-peptide bolaphile containing an ω-amino fatty acid residue. The hybrid organo-peptide bolaphiles with two cationic KLK tripeptide motifs linked with an ω-amino acid residue (penta-, octa- or undecamethylene chain) maintained the self-assembling properties of the root oligoglycine bolaphile. Electron microscopy clearly revealed complex supramolecular architectures for both sapecin B-derived peptides and the hybrid analogues. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that the supramolecular structures were composed primarily of β-sheets. CD revealed that the hybrid bolaphiles did not share the same secondary structures as the sapecin B peptides in solution. However, although secondary structures of antimicrobial peptides are central in the activity, the organo-peptide bolaphiles also retained the potent antimicrobial activity of the leader sapecin B-derived peptide against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In general, the hybrids were more selective than the sapecin B peptides, as they displayed little or no appreciable haemolytic activity. The results obtained herald a new approach for the design of purpose-built hybrid organo-peptide bolaphiles.

Dermaseptins from Phyllomedusa oreades and Phyllomedusa distincta. Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity without cytotoxicity to mammalian cells

Amphibian skin secretions are known as a rich source of biologically active molecules, most of which are alkaloids, biogenic amines, and peptides. Dermaseptins are a class of antimicrobial peptides present in tree frogs of the Phyllomedusa genus. They are cationic molecules of 28-34 residues that permeabilize the membrane of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi, showing little or no hemolytic activity. This work reports the isolation, molecular mass analysis, primary structure determination, biological activities, and potential therapeutic applications of an antimicrobial peptide found in the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa oreades, which is a newly described amphibian species endemic of the Brazilian savanna. DS 01 is a 29-residue-long peptide with a molecular mass of 2793.39 Da showing antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the range of 3-25 microm. Anti-protozoan activity was investigated using T. cruzi in its trypomatigote and epimastigote forms cultivated in both cell culture and blood media. Within 2 h after incubation with DS 01 at a final concentration of approximately 6 microm, no protozoan cells were detected. Two synthetic dermaseptins, described previously by our group and named dermadistinctins K and L (DD K and DD L), also had their anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity investigated and demonstrated similar properties. Toxicity of DS 01 to mouse erythrocytes and white blood cells was evaluated by means of atomic force microscopy and flow cytometry. No morphological alterations were observed at a lytic concentration of DS 01, suggesting its therapeutic value especially as an anti-T. cruzi agent to prevent infections during blood transfusion.