1
|
Bello-Madruga R, Torrent Burgas M. The limits of prediction: Why intrinsically disordered regions challenge our understanding of antimicrobial peptides. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:972-981. [PMID: 38404711 PMCID: PMC10884422 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.02.008] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules found in most organisms, playing a vital role in innate immune defense against pathogens. Their mechanism of action involves the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, causing leakage of cellular contents and ultimately leading to cell death. While AMPs typically lack a defined structure in solution, they often assume a defined conformation when interacting with bacterial membranes. Given this structural flexibility, we investigated whether intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) with AMP-like properties could exhibit antimicrobial activity. We tested 14 peptides from different IDRs predicted to have antimicrobial activity and found that nearly all of them did not display the anticipated effects. These peptides failed to adopt a defined secondary structure and had compromised membrane interactions, resulting in a lack of antimicrobial activity. We hypothesize that evolutionary constraints may prevent IDRs from folding, even in membrane-like environments, limiting their antimicrobial potential. Moreover, our research reveals that current antimicrobial predictors fail to accurately capture the structural features of peptides when dealing with intrinsically unstructured sequences. Hence, the results presented here may have far-reaching implications for designing and improving antimicrobial strategies and therapies against infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bello-Madruga
- The Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent Burgas
- The Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramos-Llorens M, Bello-Madruga R, Valle J, Andreu D, Torrent M. PyAMPA: a high-throughput prediction and optimization tool for antimicrobial peptides. mSystems 2024; 9:e0135823. [PMID: 38934543 PMCID: PMC11264690 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01358-23] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is driving efforts to develop alternatives to conventional antibiotics. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates for their ability to target a broad range of microorganisms. However, the development of AMPs with optimal potency, selectivity, and/or stability profiles remains a challenge. To address it, computational tools for predicting AMP properties and designing novel peptides have gained increasing attention. PyAMPA is a novel platform for AMP discovery. It consists of five modules, namely AMPScreen, AMPValidate, AMPSolve, AMPMutate, and AMPOptimize, that allow high-throughput proteome inspection, candidate screening, and optimization through point-mutation and genetic algorithms. The platform also offers additional tools for predicting and evaluating AMP properties, including antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity, and peptide half-life. By providing innovative and accessible inroads into AMP motifs in proteomes, PyAMPA will enable advances in AMP development and potential translation into clinically useful molecules. PyAMPA is available at: https://github.com/SysBioUAB/PyAMPA. IMPORTANCE This paper introduces PyAMPA, a new bioinformatics platform designed for the discovery and optimization of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). It addresses the urgent need for new antimicrobials due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections. PyAMPA, with its five predictive modules -AMPScreen, AMPValidate, AMPSolve, AMPMutate and AMPOptimize, enables high-throughput screening of proteomes to identify potential AMP motifs and optimize them for clinical use. Its unique approach, combining prediction, design, and optimization tools, makes PyAMPA a robust solution for developing new AMP-based therapies, offering a significant advance in combatting antibiotic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ramos-Llorens
- Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Bello-Madruga
- Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Valle
- Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent
- Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma X, Aminov R, Franco OL, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Wang G, Wang J. Editorial: Antimicrobial peptides and their druggability, bio-safety, stability, and resistance. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1425952. [PMID: 38846567 PMCID: PMC11154904 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1425952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanxuan Ma
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Rustam Aminov
- The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tran TTQ, Narayanan C, Loes AN, Click TH, Pham NTH, Létourneau M, Harms MJ, Calmettes C, Agarwal PK, Doucet N. Ancestral sequence reconstruction dissects structural and functional differences among eosinophil ribonucleases. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107280. [PMID: 38588810 PMCID: PMC11101842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionarily conserved structural folds can give rise to diverse biological functions, yet predicting atomic-scale interactions that contribute to the emergence of novel activities within such folds remains challenging. Pancreatic-type ribonucleases illustrate this complexity, sharing a core structure that has evolved to accommodate varied functions. In this study, we used ancestral sequence reconstruction to probe evolutionary and molecular determinants that distinguish biological activities within eosinophil members of the RNase 2/3 subfamily. Our investigation unveils functional, structural, and dynamical behaviors that differentiate the evolved ancestral ribonuclease (AncRNase) from its contemporary eosinophil RNase orthologs. Leveraging the potential of ancestral reconstruction for protein engineering, we used AncRNase predictions to design a minimal 4-residue variant that transforms human RNase 2 into a chimeric enzyme endowed with the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of RNase 3 members. This work provides unique insights into mutational and evolutionary pathways governing structure, function, and conformational states within the eosinophil RNase subfamily, offering potential for targeted modulation of RNase-associated functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thanh Quynh Tran
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chitra Narayanan
- Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York (CUNY), Jamaica, New York, USA
| | - Andrea N Loes
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Timothy H Click
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota, USA
| | - N T Hang Pham
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Myriam Létourneau
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael J Harms
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Charles Calmettes
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada; PROTEO, The Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, UQAM, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pratul K Agarwal
- Department of Physiological Sciences and High-Performance Computing Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Nicolas Doucet
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada; PROTEO, The Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, UQAM, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Song P, Zhao L, Zhu L, Sha G, Dong W. BsR1, a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide with potential for plant protection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0257823. [PMID: 37948344 PMCID: PMC10714738 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02578-23] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study addresses the critical need for new antibacterial drugs in the face of bacterial multidrug resistance resulting from antibiotic overuse. It highlights the significance of antimicrobial peptides as essential components of innate immunity in animals and plants, which have been proven effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria and are difficult to develop resistance against. This study successfully synthesizes a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide, BsR1, with strong inhibitory activities against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. BsR1 demonstrates favorable stability and a mode of action that damages bacterial cell membranes, leading to cell death. It also exhibits biological safety and shows potential in enhancing disease resistance in rice. This research offers a novel approach and potential medication for antibacterial drug development, presenting a valuable tool in combating pathogenic microorganisms, particularly in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Song
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gan Sha
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wubei Dong
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yang J, Wu P, Weng Y, Lin Y, Chen Z, Yu F, Lv X, Ni L, Han J. Rational Design and Antimicrobial Potency Assessment of Abaecin Analogues. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:6698-6714. [PMID: 37988627 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The widespread and escalating emergence of multidrug resistance is now recognized as one of the most severe global threats to human health. To address the urgent issue of drug-resistant bacteria and the limitation of effective clinical treatments, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been developed as promising substituents of conventional antibiotics. In this study, rational design strategies were employed to acquire seven cationic and α-helical engineered peptides based on the original template of Abaecin. After investigation, we found that AC7 (LLRRWKKLFKKIIRWPRPLPNPGH) demonstrated potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Additionally, it demonstrated low cytotoxicity and hemolysis while maintaining good stability. Notably, AC7 displays the antibacterial mechanism with superior abilities in cell membrane disruption and potential DNA binding in vitro, as well as effectively disrupting biofilms. Moreover, the murine skin wound model infected with drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was employed to evaluate the anti-infective efficacy and therapeutic potential of AC7. It was observed that AC7 displays a remarkable capacity to inhibit wound colonization, reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) and inflammatory cells (white blood cells (WBC), monocytes (MONO), lymphocytes (LYMPH), neutrophils (GRAN)), promote the levels of IL-10 and VEGF, and enhance wound healing. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of AC7 as a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Peifen Wu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Yanlin Weng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Yayi Lin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Fengfan Yu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Xucong Lv
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
- Food Nutrition and Health Research Center, School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, Fujian 362200, China
| | - Li Ni
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
- Food Nutrition and Health Research Center, School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, Fujian 362200, China
| | - Jinzhi Han
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
- Food Nutrition and Health Research Center, School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, Fujian 362200, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mwangi J, Kamau PM, Thuku RC, Lai R. Design methods for antimicrobial peptides with improved performance. Zool Res 2023; 44:1095-1114. [PMID: 37914524 PMCID: PMC10802102 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The recalcitrance of pathogens to traditional antibiotics has made treating and eradicating bacterial infections more difficult. In this regard, developing new antimicrobial agents to combat antibiotic-resistant strains has become a top priority. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a ubiquitous class of naturally occurring compounds with broad-spectrum antipathogenic activity, hold significant promise as an effective solution to the current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Several AMPs have been identified and evaluated for their therapeutic application, with many already in the drug development pipeline. Their distinct properties, such as high target specificity, potency, and ability to bypass microbial resistance mechanisms, make AMPs a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Nonetheless, several challenges, such as high toxicity, lability to proteolytic degradation, low stability, poor pharmacokinetics, and high production costs, continue to hamper their clinical applicability. Therefore, recent research has focused on optimizing the properties of AMPs to improve their performance. By understanding the physicochemical properties of AMPs that correspond to their activity, such as amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, structural conformation, amino acid distribution, and composition, researchers can design AMPs with desired and improved performance. In this review, we highlight some of the key strategies used to optimize the performance of AMPs, including rational design and de novo synthesis. We also discuss the growing role of predictive computational tools, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, in the design and synthesis of highly efficacious lead drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Rebecca Caroline Thuku
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Centre for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511458, China. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ghosh S, Chatterjee S, Satpati P. Effect of Spacer Length Modification of the Cationic Side Chain on the Energetics of Antimicrobial Peptide Binding to Membrane-Mimetic Bilayers. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5823-5833. [PMID: 37684221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) in terms of its structure and energetics is the key to designing new potent and selective AMPs. Recently, we reported a membranolytic 14-residue-long lysine-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide (LL-14: NH3+-LKWLKKLLKWLKKL-CONH2) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, which is limited by cytotoxicity and expected to undergo facile protease degradation. Aliphatic side-chain-length modification of the cationic amino-acid residues (Lys and Arg) is a popular strategy for designing protease-resistant AMPs. However, the effect of the peptide side-chain length modifications on the membrane binding affinity and its relation to the atomic structure remain an unsolved problem. We report computer simulations that quantitatively calculated the difference in peptide binding affinity to membrane-mimetic-bilayer models (bacterial: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) bilayer and mammalian: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayer) upon decreasing or increasing the spacer length of the cationic lysine residues of LL-14 (as well as their arginine analogues). We show that the peptide/bilayer interaction energetics varies drastically in response to spacer length modification. The strength of peptide discrimination depends strongly on the nature of the bilayer (bacterial or mammalian mimetic model). An increase in the lysine spacer length by one carbon (i.e., homolysine analogue of LL-14) is weakly/strongly disfavored by the bacterial/mammalian-membrane-mimetic bilayer. Recently, we have demonstrated an excellent correlation between the antimicrobial activity of the membranolytic cationic peptides and their binding affinity to membrane-mimetic-bilayer models. Thus, the homolysine analogue of LL-14 is a promising noncytotoxic AMP with conserved activity. On the other hand, homoarginine analogue (arginine spacer length increment by a single carbon) was preferred by both the bacteria and the mammalian mimetic bilayers and displayed the strongest affinity for the former among the peptides studied in this work. Thus, the promising most potent homoarginine analogue is likely to be cytotoxic. Shortening the Lys/Arg side chain to a three-carbon spacer (Dab/Agb) improves the binding affinity to bacterial and mammalian-membrane-mimetic bilayers. Arginine and arginine-derivative peptides exhibited stronger binding affinity to the bilayers relative to the lysine analogue. The results provide a plausible explanation to the previous experimental observations, viz., superior antimicrobial activity of the arginine peptides relative to Lys peptides and the improvement of antimicrobial activity upon substitution of Lys with Dab in the cationic peptides. The simulations revealed that the small change in the peptide hydrophobicity by Lys/Arg spacer length modification could drastically alter the energetics of peptide/bilayer binding by fine-tuning the electrostatic interactions. The energetics underlying the peptide selectivity by simple membrane-mimetic bilayer models may be beneficial for designing new selective and protease-resistant AMPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suvankar Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Sunanda Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Priyadarshi Satpati
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schauenburg D, Zech F, Heck AJ, von Maltitz P, Harms M, Führer S, Alleva N, Münch J, Kuan SL, Kirchhoff F, Weil T. Peptide Bispecifics Inhibiting HIV-1 Infection by an Orthogonal Chemical and Supramolecular Strategy. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1645-1652. [PMID: 37665137 PMCID: PMC10515486 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Viral infections pose a significant threat to human health, and effective antiviral strategies are urgently needed. Antiviral peptides have emerged as a promising class of therapeutic agents due to their unique properties and mechanisms of action. While effective on their own, combining antiviral peptides may allow us to enhance their potency and to prevent viral resistance. Here, we developed an orthogonal chemical strategy to prepare a heterodimeric peptide conjugate assembled on a protein-based nanoplatform. Specifically, we combined the optimized version of two peptides inhibiting HIV-1 by distinct mechanisms. Virus-inhibitory peptide (VIRIP) is a 20 amino acid fragment of α1-antitrypsin that inhibits HIV-1 by targeting the gp41 fusion peptide. Endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 (EPI-X4) is a 16-residue fragment of human serum albumin that prevents HIV-1 entry by binding to the viral CXCR4 co-receptor. Optimized forms of both peptides are assembled on supramolecular nanoplatforms through the streptavidin-biotin interaction. We show that the construct consisting of the two different peptides (SAv-VIR-102C9-EPI-X4 JM#173-C) shows increased activity against CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 variants. Our results are a proof of concept that peptides with different modes of action can be assembled on nanoplatforms to enhance their antiviral activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schauenburg
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Zech
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Astrid Johanna Heck
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Pascal von Maltitz
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Siska Führer
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nico Alleva
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Seah Ling Kuan
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Adélaïde M, Salnikov E, Ramos-Martín F, Aisenbrey C, Sarazin C, Bechinger B, D’Amelio N. The Mechanism of Action of SAAP-148 Antimicrobial Peptide as Studied with NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030761. [PMID: 36986623 PMCID: PMC10051583 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: SAAP-148 is an antimicrobial peptide derived from LL-37. It exhibits excellent activity against drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms while resisting degradation in physiological conditions. Despite its optimal pharmacological properties, its mechanism of action at the molecular level has not been explored. Methods: The structural properties of SAAP-148 and its interaction with phospholipid membranes mimicking mammalian and bacterial cells were studied using liquid and solid-state NMR spectroscopy as well as molecular dynamics simulations. Results: SAAP-148 is partially structured in solution and stabilizes its helical conformation when interacting with DPC micelles. The orientation of the helix within the micelles was defined by paramagnetic relaxation enhancements and found similar to that obtained using solid-state NMR, where the tilt and pitch angles were determined based on 15N chemical shift in oriented models of bacterial membranes (POPE/POPG). Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that SAAP-148 approaches the bacterial membrane by forming salt bridges between lysine and arginine residues and lipid phosphate groups while interacting minimally with mammalian models containing POPC and cholesterol. Conclusions: SAAP-148 stabilizes its helical fold onto bacterial-like membranes, placing its helix axis almost perpendicular to the surface normal, thus probably acting by a carpet-like mechanism on the bacterial membrane rather than forming well-defined pores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Adélaïde
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique et Cellulaire UMR 7025 CNRS, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - Evgeniy Salnikov
- Institut de Chimie, UMR7177, Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Francisco Ramos-Martín
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique et Cellulaire UMR 7025 CNRS, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80039 Amiens, France
- Correspondence: (F.R.-M.); (N.D.); Tel.: +33-3-22-82-74-73 (F.R.-M. & N.D.)
| | - Christopher Aisenbrey
- Institut de Chimie, UMR7177, Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Sarazin
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique et Cellulaire UMR 7025 CNRS, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- Institut de Chimie, UMR7177, Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicola D’Amelio
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique et Cellulaire UMR 7025 CNRS, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80039 Amiens, France
- Correspondence: (F.R.-M.); (N.D.); Tel.: +33-3-22-82-74-73 (F.R.-M. & N.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Campoccia D, Montanaro L, Ravaioli S, Mariani V, Bottau G, De Donno A, Arciola CR. Antibacterial Activity on Orthopedic Clinical Isolates and Cytotoxicity of the Antimicrobial Peptide Dadapin-1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010779. [PMID: 36614222 PMCID: PMC9821071 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In orthopedic surgery, biomaterial-associated infections represent a complication of serious concern. Most promising strategies to prevent these infections currently rely on the use of anti-infective biomaterials. Desirably, in anti-infective biomaterials, the antibacterial properties should be achieved by doping, grafting, or coating the material surfaces with molecules that are alternative to conventional antibiotics and exhibit a potent and highly specific activity against bacteria, without altering the biocompatibility. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are among the most interesting candidate molecules for this biomaterial functionalization. Here, the potential expressed by the recently discovered peptide Dadapin-1 was explored by assaying its MIC, MBIC and MBC on clinical strains of relevant bacterial species isolated from orthopedic infections and by assessing its cytotoxicity on the human osteoblast-like MG63 cells. When appropriately tested in diluted Mueller Hinton Broth II (MHB II), Dadapin-1 exhibited significant antibacterial properties. MIC values were in the range of 3.1-6.2 µM for the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus warneri, and 12.4-24.9 µM for the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, the peptide was found non-cytotoxic, with an IC50 exceeding the highest concentration tested of 179 µM. Overall, Dadapin-1 expresses considerable potential for future application in the production of anti-infective biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Campoccia
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (C.R.A.); Tel.: +39-0516-366-666 (D.C.); +39-0516-366-599 (C.R.A.)
| | - Lucio Montanaro
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ravaioli
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Mariani
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Bottau
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea De Donno
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carla Renata Arciola
- Laboratorio di Patologia delle Infezioni Associate all’Impianto, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (C.R.A.); Tel.: +39-0516-366-666 (D.C.); +39-0516-366-599 (C.R.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Substitutions of Cationic Amino Acid Residues on Antimicrobial Peptides. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010019. [PMID: 36671220 PMCID: PMC9854868 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have received considerable attention as next-generation drugs for infectious diseases. Amphipathicity and the formation of a stabilized secondary structure are required to exert their antimicrobial activity by insertion into the microbial membrane, resulting in lysis of the bacteria. We previously reported the development of a novel antimicrobial peptide, 17KKV, based on the Magainin 2 sequence. The peptide was obtained by increasing the amphipathicity due to the replacement of amino acid residues. Moreover, we studied the structural development of 17KKV and revealed that the secondary structural control of 17KKV by the introduction of non-proteinogenic amino acids such as α,α-disubstituted amino acids or side-chain stapling enhanced its antimicrobial activity. Among them, peptide 1, which contains 2-aminobutyric acid residues in the 17KKV sequence, showed potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonus aeruginosa (MDRP) without significant hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. However, the effects of cationic amino acid substitutions on secondary structures and antimicrobial activity remain unclear. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of peptide 1 by the replacement of Lys residues with several types of cationic amino acids and evaluated their secondary structures, antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, and resistance against digestive enzymes.
Collapse
|
13
|
Roca-Pinilla R, Lisowski L, Arís A, Garcia-Fruitós E. The future of recombinant host defense peptides. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:267. [PMID: 36544150 PMCID: PMC9768982 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial resistance crisis calls for the discovery and production of new antimicrobials. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are small proteins with potent antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities that are attractive for translational applications, with several already under clinical trials. Traditionally, antimicrobial peptides have been produced by chemical synthesis, which is expensive and requires the use of toxic reagents, hindering the large-scale development of HDPs. Alternatively, HDPs can be produced recombinantly to overcome these limitations. Their antimicrobial nature, however, can make them toxic to the hosts of recombinant production. In this review we explore the different strategies that are used to fine-tune their activities, bioengineer them, and optimize the recombinant production of HDPs in various cell factories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Roca-Pinilla
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XTranslational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XTranslational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.415641.30000 0004 0620 0839Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Arís
- grid.8581.40000 0001 1943 6646Department of Ruminant Production, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries IRTA, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- grid.8581.40000 0001 1943 6646Department of Ruminant Production, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries IRTA, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wu Y, Jiang W, Cong Z, Chen K, She Y, Zhong C, Zhang W, Chen M, Zhou M, Shao N, Xiao G, Shao X, Dai Y, Fei J, Song G, Liu R. An Effective Strategy to Develop Potent and Selective Antifungal Agents from Cell Penetrating Peptides in Tackling Drug-Resistant Invasive Fungal Infections. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7296-7311. [PMID: 35535860 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The high mortality rate of invasive fungal infections and quick emergence of drug-resistant fungal pathogens urgently call for potent antifungal agents. Inspired by the cell penetrating peptide (CPP) octaarginine (R8), we elongated to 28 residues poly(d,l-homoarginine) to obtain potent toxicity against both fungi and mammalian cells. Further incorporation of glutamic acid residues shields positive charge density and introduces partial zwitterions in the obtained optimal peptide polymer that displays potent antifungal activity against drug-resistant fungi superior to antifungal drugs, excellent stability upon heating and UV exposure, negligible in vitro and in vivo toxicity, and strong therapeutic effects in treating invasive fungal infections. Moreover, the peptide polymer is insusceptible to antifungal resistance owing to the unique CPP-related antifungal mechanism of fungal membrane penetration followed by disruption of organelles within fungal cells. All these merits imply the effectiveness of our strategy to develop promising antifungal agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weinan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zihao Cong
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kang Chen
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yunrui She
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Minzhang Chen
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ning Shao
- Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guohui Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaoyan Shao
- Shanghai Ruijin Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai 200023, China
| | - Yidong Dai
- Shanghai Ruijin Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai 200023, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Gonghua Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontier Science Research Base of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shao N, Yuan L, Ma P, Zhou M, Xiao X, Cong Z, Wu Y, Xiao G, Fei J, Liu R. Heterochiral β-Peptide Polymers Combating Multidrug-Resistant Cancers Effectively without Inducing Drug Resistance. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:7283-7294. [PMID: 35420800 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the major causes for the failure of cancer treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop anticancer agents that can combat multidrug-resistant cancers effectively and mitigate drug resistance. Here, we report a rational design of anticancer heterochiral β-peptide polymers as synthetic mimics of host defense peptides to combat multidrug-resistant cancers. The optimal polymer shows potent and broad-spectrum anticancer activities against multidrug-resistant cancer cells and is insusceptible to anticancer drug resistance owing to its membrane-damaging mechanism. The in vivo study indicates that the optimal polymer efficiently inhibits the growth and distant transfer of solid tumors and the metastasis and seeding of circulating tumor cells. Moreover, the polymer shows excellent biocompatibility during anticancer treatment on animals. In addition, the β-peptide polymers address those prominent shortcomings of anticancer peptides and have superior stability against proteolysis, easy synthesis in large scale, and low cost. Collectively, the structural diversity and superior anticancer performance of β-peptide polymers imply an effective strategy in designing and finding anticancer agents to combat multidrug-resistant cancers effectively while mitigating drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Pengcheng Ma
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ximian Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zihao Cong
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yueming Wu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guohui Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
In Vivo Evaluation of ECP Peptide Analogues for the Treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii Infection. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020386. [PMID: 35203595 PMCID: PMC8962335 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are alternative therapeutics to traditional antibiotics against bacterial resistance. Our previous work identified an antimicrobial region at the N-terminus of the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Following structure-based analysis, a 30mer peptide (ECPep-L) was designed that combines antimicrobial action against Gram-negative species with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) binding and endotoxin-neutralization activities. Next, analogues that contain non-natural amino acids were designed to increase serum stability. Here, two analogues were selected for in vivo assays: the all-D version (ECPep-D) and the Arg to Orn version that incorporates a D-amino acid at position 2 (ECPep-2D-Orn). The peptide analogues retained high LPS-binding and anti-endotoxin activities. The peptides efficacy was tested in a murine acute infection model of Acinetobacter baumannii. Results highlighted a survival rate above 70% following a 3-day supervision with a single administration of ECPep-D. Moreover, in both ECPep-D and ECPep-2D-Orn peptide-treated groups, clinical symptoms improved significantly and the tissue infection was reduced to equivalent levels to mice treated with colistin, used as a last resort in the clinics. Moreover, treatment drastically reduced serum levels of TNF-α inflammation marker within the first 8 h. The present results support ECP-derived peptides as alternative candidates for the treatment of acute infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
Collapse
|