1
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Liao M, Gong H, Shen K, Wang Z, Li R, Campana M, Hu X, Lu JR. Unlocking roles of cationic and aromatic residues in peptide amphiphiles in treating drug-resistant gram-positive pathogens. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 672:209-223. [PMID: 38838629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.188] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a rising threat to global health because the number of essential antibiotics used for treating MDR infections is increasingly compromised. In this work we report a group of new amphiphilic peptides (AMPs) derived from the well-studied G3 (G(IIKK)3I-NH2) to fight infections from Gram-positive bacteria including susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), focusing on membrane interactions. Time-dependent killing experiments revealed that substitutions of II by WW (GWK), II by FF (GFK) and KK by RR (GIR) resulted in improved bactericidal efficiencies compared to G3 (GIK) on both S. aureus and MRSA, with the order of GWK > GIR > GFK > GIK. Electronic microscopy imaging revealed structural disruptions of AMP binding to bacterial cell walls. Fluorescence assays including AMP binding to anionic lipoteichoic acids (LTA) in cell-free and cell systems indicated concentration and time-dependent membrane destabilization associated with bacterial killing. Furthermore, AMP's binding to anionic plasma membrane via similar fluorescence assays revealed a different extent of membrane depolarization and leakage. These observations were supported by the penetration of AMPs into the LTA barrier and the subsequent structural compromise to the cytoplasmic membrane as revealed from SANS (small angle neutron scattering). Both experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that GWK and GIR could make the membrane more rigid but less effective in diffusive efficiency than GIK and GFK through forming intramembrane peptide nanoaggregates associated with hydrophobic mismatch and formation of fluidic and rigid patches. The reported peptide-aggregate-induced phase-separation emerged as a crucial factor in accelerated membrane disintegration and fast bacterial killing. This work has demonstrated the importance of membrane interactions to the development of more effective AMPs and the relevance of the approaches as reported in assisting this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Liao
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Haoning Gong
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kangcheng Shen
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ziwei Wang
- National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Renzhi Li
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mario Campana
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Xuzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Jian R Lu
- Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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2
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Oludiran A, Malik A, Zourou AC, Wu Y, Gross SP, Siryapon A, Poudel A, Alleyne K, Adams S, Courson DS, Cotten ML, Purcell EB. Host-defense piscidin peptides as antibiotic adjuvants against Clostridioides difficile. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295627. [PMID: 38252641 PMCID: PMC10802969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The spore-forming intestinal pathogen Clostridioides difficile causes multidrug resistant infection with a high rate of recurrence after treatment. Piscidins 1 (p1) and 3 (p3), cationic host defense peptides with micromolar cytotoxicity against C. difficile, sensitize C. difficile to clinically relevant antibiotics tested at sublethal concentrations. Both peptides bind to Cu2+ using an amino terminal copper and nickel binding motif. Here, we investigate the two peptides in the apo and holo states as antibiotic adjuvants against an epidemic strain of C. difficile. We find that the presence of the peptides leads to lower doses of metronidazole, vancomycin, and fidaxomicin to kill C. difficile. The activity of metronidazole, which targets DNA, is enhanced by a factor of 32 when combined with p3, previously shown to bind and condense DNA. Conversely, the activity of vancomycin, which acts at bacterial cell walls, is enhanced 64-fold when combined with membrane-active p1-Cu2+. As shown through microscopy monitoring the permeabilization of membranes of C. difficile cells and vesicle mimics of their membranes, the adjuvant effect of p1 and p3 in the apo and holo states is consistent with a mechanism of action where the peptides enable greater antibiotic penetration through the cell membrane to increase their bioavailability. The variations in effects obtained with the different forms of the peptides reveal that while all piscidins generally sensitize C. difficile to antibiotics, co-treatments can be optimized in accordance with the underlying mechanism of action of the peptides and antibiotics. Overall, this study highlights the potential of antimicrobial peptides as antibiotic adjuvants to increase the lethality of currently approved antibiotic dosages, reducing the risk of incomplete treatments and ensuing drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenrele Oludiran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Areej Malik
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Andriana C. Zourou
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Yonghan Wu
- Irvine Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Steven P. Gross
- Ivrine Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Albert Siryapon
- Irvine Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Asia Poudel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kwincy Alleyne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Savion Adams
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - David S. Courson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Erin B. Purcell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
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3
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Liu F, Greenwood AI, Xiong Y, Miceli RT, Fu R, Anderson KW, McCallum SA, Mihailescu M, Gross R, Cotten ML. Host Defense Peptide Piscidin and Yeast-Derived Glycolipid Exhibit Synergistic Antimicrobial Action through Concerted Interactions with Membranes. JACS AU 2023; 3:3345-3365. [PMID: 38155643 PMCID: PMC10751773 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Developing new antimicrobials as alternatives to conventional antibiotics has become an urgent race to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria and to save human lives. Conventionally, antimicrobial molecules are studied independently even though they can be cosecreted in vivo. In this research, we investigate two classes of naturally derived antimicrobials: sophorolipid (SL) esters as modified yeast-derived glycolipid biosurfactants that feature high biocompatibility and low production cost; piscidins, which are host defense peptides (HDPs) from fish. While HDPs such as piscidins target the membrane of pathogens, and thus result in low incidence of resistance, SLs are not well understood on a mechanistic level. Here, we demonstrate that combining SL-hexyl ester (SL-HE) with subinhibitory concentration of piscidins 1 (P1) and 3 (P3) stimulates strong antimicrobial synergy, potentiating a promising therapeutic window. Permeabilization assays and biophysical studies employing circular dichroism, NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction are performed to investigate the mechanism underlying this powerful synergy. We reveal four key mechanistic features underlying the synergistic action: (1) P1/3 binds to SL-HE aggregates, becoming α-helical; (2) piscidin-glycolipid assemblies synergistically accumulate on membranes; (3) SL-HE used alone or bound to P1/3 associates with phospholipid bilayers where it induces defects; (4) piscidin-glycolipid complexes disrupt the bilayer structure more dramatically and differently than either compound alone, with phase separation occurring when both agents are present. Overall, dramatic enhancement in antimicrobial activity is associated with the use of two membrane-active agents, with the glycolipid playing the roles of prefolding the peptide, coordinating the delivery of both agents to bacterial surfaces, recruiting the peptide to the pathogenic membranes, and supporting membrane disruption by the peptide. Given that SLs are ubiquitously and safely used in consumer products, the SL/peptide formulation engineered and mechanistically characterized in this study could represent fertile ground to develop novel synergistic agents against drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Alexander I. Greenwood
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Yawei Xiong
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Rebecca T. Miceli
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- Center
of Interdisciplinary Magnetic Resonance, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Kyle W. Anderson
- National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Scott A. McCallum
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute
for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Richard Gross
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
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4
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Dreab A, Bayse CA. The effect of metalation on antimicrobial piscidins imbedded in normal and oxidized lipid bilayers. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:573-586. [PMID: 37547452 PMCID: PMC10398361 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00035d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metalation of the N-terminal Amino Terminal Cu(ii)- and Ni(ii)-binding (ATCUN) motif may enhance the antimicrobial properties of piscidins. Molecular dynamics simulations of free and nickelated piscidins 1 and 3 (P1 and P3) were performed in 3 : 1 POPC/POPG and 2.6 : 1 : 0.4 POPC/POPG/aldo-PC bilayers (POPC, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine: POPG, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol; aldo-PC, 1-palmitoyl-2-(9'-oxo-nonanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) bilayer models. Nickel(ii) binding decreases the conformation dynamics of the ATCUN motif and lowers the charge of the N-terminus to allow it to embed deeper in the bilayer without significantly changing the overall depth due to interactions of the charged half-helix of the peptide with the headgroups. Phe1⋯Ni2+ cation-π and Phe2-Phe1 CH-π interactions contribute to a small fraction of structures within the nickelated P1 simulations and may partially protect a bound metal from metal-centered chemical activity. The substitution of Phe2 for Ile2 in P3 sterically blocks conformations with cation-π interactions offering less protection to the metal. This difference between metalated P1 and P3 may indicate a mechanism by which peptide sequence can influence antimicrobial properties. Any loss of bilayer integrity due to chain reversal of the oxidized phospholipid chains of aldo-PC may be enhanced in the presence of metalated piscidins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dreab
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University Norfolk VA 23529 USA
| | - Craig A Bayse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University Norfolk VA 23529 USA
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5
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Wu YX, Hu SY, Lu XJ, Hu JR. Identification and characterization of two novel antimicrobial peptides from Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) with antimicrobial activity and MO/MФ activation capability. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 145:104726. [PMID: 37149238 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Piscidins participate in the innate immune response of fish, which aims to eliminate recognized foreign microbes and restore the homeostasis of immune system. We characterized two piscidin-like antimicrobial peptides (LjPL-3 and LjPL-2) isolated from Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus). LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 showed different expression patterns in tissues. After Vibrio harveyi infection, the mRNA expression of LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 was upregulated in the liver, spleen, head kidney, and trunk kidney. The synthetic mature peptides LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 exhibited different antimicrobial spectra. Furthermore, LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 treatments decreased inflammatory cytokine production while promoting chemotaxis and phagocytosis in monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ). LjPL-2, but not LjPL-3, displayed bacterial killing capability in MO/MФ. LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 administration increased Japanese sea bass survival after V. harveyi challenge, which was accompanied by a decline in bacterial burden. These data suggested that LjPL-3 and LjPL-2 participate in immune response through direct bacterial killing and MO/MФ activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xin Wu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China; Department of Physiology, and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuai-Yue Hu
- Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Jiang Lu
- Department of Physiology, and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| | - Jian-Rao Hu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China.
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6
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Bischetti M, Alaimo N, Nardelli F, Punzi P, Amariei C, Ingenito R, Musco G, Gallo M, Cicero DO. Structural insights on the selective interaction of the histidine-rich piscidin antimicrobial peptide Of-Pis1 with membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184080. [PMID: 36328080 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Of-Pis1 is a potent piscidin antimicrobial peptide (AMP), recently isolated from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). This rich in histidines and glycines 24-amino acid peptide displays high and broad antimicrobial activity and no significant hemolytic toxicity against human erythrocytes, suggesting low toxicity. To better understand the mechanism of action of Of-Pis1 and its potential selectivity, using NMR and CD spectroscopies, we studied the interaction with eukaryotic and procaryotic membranes and membrane models. Anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) micelles were used to mimic procaryotic membranes, while zwitterionic dodecyl phosphocholine (DPC) was used as eukaryotic membrane surrogate. In an aqueous environment, Of-Pis1 adopts a flexible random coil conformation. In DPC and SDS instead, the N-terminal region of Of-Pis1 forms an amphipathic α-helix with the non-polar face in close contact with the micelles. Slower solvent exchange and higher pKas of the histidine residues in SDS than in DPC suggest that Of-Pis1 interacts more tightly with SDS. Of-Pis1 also binds tightly and structurally perturbs LPS micelles. Of-Pis1 interacts with both Escherichia coli and mammalian cell membranes, but only in the presence of Escherichia coli membranes it populates the helical conformation. Furthermore, ligand-based NMR experiments support a tighter and more specific interaction with bacterial than with eukaryotic membranes. Overall, these data clearly show the selective interaction of this broadly active AMP with bacterial over eukaryotic membranes. The conformational information is discussed in terms of Of-Pis1 amino acid sequence and composition to provide insights useful to design more potent and selective AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Bischetti
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Nadine Alaimo
- Structural Biology and Computational Chemistry, IRBM SpA, Via Pontina Km 30 600, 00 071 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Nardelli
- Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, I.R.C.C.S. Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Punzi
- Peptides Chemistry Unit, IRBM SpA, Via Pontina Km 30 600, 00 071 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristi Amariei
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ingenito
- Peptides Chemistry Unit, IRBM SpA, Via Pontina Km 30 600, 00 071 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovana Musco
- Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, I.R.C.C.S. Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mariana Gallo
- Structural Biology and Computational Chemistry, IRBM SpA, Via Pontina Km 30 600, 00 071 Pomezia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniel Oscar Cicero
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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7
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Greve JM, Cowan JA. Activity and Synergy of Cu-ATCUN Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214151. [PMID: 36430622 PMCID: PMC9692552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance demands innovative strategies and therapies. The pairs of antimicrobial peptides tested in this work show broad-spectrum synergy and are capable of interacting with diverse bacterial membranes. In most cases, the ATCUN motif enhanced the activity of peptides tested in combination. Our studies also show CP10A to be a multifaceted peptide, displaying both cell membrane and intracellular activity and acting as a chameleon, improving the activity of other peptides as needed. The results of the synergy experiments demonstrate the importance of varied modes of action and how these changes can affect the ability to combat pathogens, while also illustrating the value of the metal-binding domain in enhancing the activity of antimicrobial peptides in combination.
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8
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Salnikov E, Bechinger B. Effect of lipid saturation on the topology and oligomeric state of helical membrane polypeptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:184001. [PMID: 35817122 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural liquid crystalline membranes are made up of many different lipids carrying a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acyl chains. Whereas in the past considerable attention has been paid to cholesterol content, the phospholipid head groups and the membrane surface charge the detailed fatty acyl composition was often considered less important. However, recent investigations indicate that the detailed fatty acyl chain composition has pronounced effects on the oligomerization of the transmembrane helical anchoring domains of the MHC II receptor or the membrane alignment of the cationic antimicrobial peptide PGLa. In contrast the antimicrobial peptides magainin 2 and alamethicin are less susceptible to lipid saturation. Using histidine-rich LAH4 designer peptides the high energetic contributions of lipid saturation in stabilizing transmembrane helical alignments are quantitatively evaluated. These observations can have important implications for the biological regulation of membrane proteins and should be taken into considerations during biophysical or structural experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniy Salnikov
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177 Chemistry Institute, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, Strasbourg, France
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177 Chemistry Institute, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, Strasbourg, France; Institut Universitaire de France, France.
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9
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Greve JM, Cowan JA. Tackling antimicrobial stewardship through synergy and antimicrobial peptides. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:511-521. [PMID: 35694695 PMCID: PMC9132191 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00048b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unrestricted use of antibiotics has led to rapid development of antibiotic resistance (AR) and renewed calls to address this serious problem. This review summarizes the most common mechanisms of antibiotic action, and in turn antibiotic resistance, as well as pathways to mitigate the harm. Focus is then turned to emerging antibiotic strategies, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), with a discussion of their modes of action, biochemical features, and potential challenges for their use as antibiotics. The role of synergy in antimicrobials is also examined, with a focus on the synergy of AMPs and other emerging interactions with synergistic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Greve
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA +1 614 292 2703
| | - James A Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA +1 614 292 2703
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10
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Copper-binding anticancer peptides from the piscidin family: an expanded mechanism that encompasses physical and chemical bilayer disruption. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12620. [PMID: 34135370 PMCID: PMC8208971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91670-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the search for novel broad-spectrum therapeutics to fight chronic infections, inflammation, and cancer, host defense peptides (HDPs) have garnered increasing interest. Characterizing their biologically-active conformations and minimum motifs for function represents a requisite step to developing them into efficacious and safe therapeutics. Here, we demonstrate that metallating HDPs with Cu2+ is an effective chemical strategy to improve their cytotoxicity on cancer cells. Mechanistically, we find that prepared as Cu2+-complexes, the peptides not only physically but also chemically damage lipid membranes. Our testing ground features piscidins 1 and 3 (P1/3), two amphipathic, histidine-rich, membrane-interacting, and cell-penetrating HDPs that are α-helical bound to membranes. To investigate their membrane location, permeabilization effects, and lipid-oxidation capability, we employ neutron reflectometry, impedance spectroscopy, neutron diffraction, and UV spectroscopy. While P1-apo is more potent than P3-apo, metallation boosts their cytotoxicities by up to two- and seven-fold, respectively. Remarkably, P3-Cu2+ is particularly effective at inserting in bilayers, causing water crevices in the hydrocarbon region and placing Cu2+ near the double bonds of the acyl chains, as needed to oxidize them. This study points at a new paradigm where complexing HDPs with Cu2+ to expand their mechanistic reach could be explored to design more potent peptide-based anticancer therapeutics.
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11
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Fu R, Rooney MT, Zhang R, Cotten ML. Coordination of Redox Ions within a Membrane-Binding Peptide: A Tale of Aromatic Rings. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:4392-4399. [PMID: 33939920 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The amino-terminal-copper-and-nickel-binding (ATCUN) motif, a tripeptide sequence ending with a histidine, confers important functions to proteins and peptides. Few high-resolution studies have been performed on the ATCUN motifs of membrane-associated proteins and peptides, limiting our understanding of how they stabilize Cu2+/Ni2+ in membranes. Here, we leverage solid-state NMR to investigate metal-binding to piscidin-1 (P1), a host-defense peptide featuring F1F2H3 as its ATCUN motif. Bound to redox ions, P1 chemically and physically damages pathogenic cell membranes. We design 13C/15N correlation experiments to detect and assign the deprotonated nitrogens produced and/or shifted by Ni2+-binding. Occupying multiple chemical states in P1-apo, H3 and the neighboring H4 respond to metalation by populating only the τ-tautomer. H3, as a proximal histidine, directly coordinates the metal, compared to the distal H4. Density functional theory calculations reflect this noncanonical arrangement and point toward cation-π interactions between the F1/F2/H4 aromatic rings and metal. These structural findings, which are relevant to other ATCUN-containing membrane peptides, could help design new therapeutics and materials for use in the areas of drug-resistant bacteria, neurological disorders, and biomedical imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Mary T Rooney
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Rongfu Zhang
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
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12
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Thompson Z, Greve JM, Cowan JA. Enhanced Synergism and Mechanism of Action Studies of Synthetic Antimicrobial Metallopeptides. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2112-2120. [PMID: 33825350 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100063] [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: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found throughout most kingdoms of life, are an important part of host immunity, and have been shown to act synergistically in various organisms to ameliorate bacterial infections. Herein, we report the synergistic behavior observed between two AMPs, Sub5 and CP10A, against E. coli. In addition, enhanced synergistic activity against E. coli and MRSA 43300 for two derivatives of Sub5, extended with the amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif, is observed when dosed together with CP10A, while displaying little cytotoxicity towards human dermal fibroblasts. All three combinations of peptides co-localized within bacterial cells as evidenced by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Investigations into the mechanism of synergy shows that all peptides indirectly damage DNA within cells, while only the ATCUN derivatives can oxidize phospholipids. Combinations of peptides were also shown to upregulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species within both E. coli and MRSA 43300. These results suggest that the production of reactive oxygen species is an important aspect mechanistically and further highlights the potential of these metallopeptides to aid in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zechariah Thompson
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Jenna M Greve
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - James Allan Cowan
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
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Greer HM, Overton K, Ferguson MA, Spain EM, Darling LEO, Núñez ME, Volle CB. Extracellular Polymeric Substance Protects Some Cells in an Escherichia coli Biofilm from the Biomechanical Consequences of Treatment with Magainin 2. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050976. [PMID: 33946431 PMCID: PMC8147140 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms have long been recognized as a source of persistent infections and industrial contamination with their intransigence generally attributed to their protective layer of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS, consisting of secreted nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides, make it difficult to fully eliminate biofilms by conventional chemical or physical means. Since most bacteria are capable of forming biofilms, understanding how biofilms respond to new antibiotic compounds and components of the immune system has important ramifications. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are both potential novel antibiotic compounds and part of the immune response in many different organisms. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to investigate the biomechanical changes that occur in individual cells when a biofilm is exposed to the AMP magainin 2 (MAG2), which acts by permeabilizing bacterial membranes. While MAG2 is able to prevent biofilm initiation, cells in an established biofilm can withstand exposure to high concentrations of MAG2. Treated cells in the biofilm are classified into two distinct populations after treatment: one population of cells is indistinguishable from untreated cells, maintaining cellular turgor pressure and a smooth outer surface, and the second population of cells are softer than untreated cells and have a rough outer surface after treatment. Notably, the latter population is similar to planktonic cells treated with MAG2. The EPS likely reduces the local MAG2 concentration around the stiffer cells since once the EPS was enzymatically removed, all cells became softer and had rough outer surfaces. Thus, while MAG2 appears to have the same mechanism of action in biofilm cells as in planktonic ones, MAG2 cannot eradicate a biofilm unless coupled with the removal of the EPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. Greer
- Department of Biology, Cottey College, Nevada, MO 64772, USA; (H.M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Kanesha Overton
- Department of Biology, Cottey College, Nevada, MO 64772, USA; (H.M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Megan A. Ferguson
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA;
| | - Eileen M. Spain
- Department of Chemistry, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA;
| | - Louise E. O. Darling
- Department of Biological Sciences and Program in Biochemistry, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;
| | - Megan E. Núñez
- Department of Chemistry and Program in Biochemistry, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;
| | - Catherine B. Volle
- Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA 52314, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(319)-895-4413
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14
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Portelinha J, Heilemann K, Jin J, Angeles-Boza AM. Unraveling the implications of multiple histidine residues in the potent antimicrobial peptide Gaduscidin-1. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 219:111391. [PMID: 33770667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as potential therapeutics requires resolving the foundational principles behind their structure-activity relationships. The role of histidine residues within AMPs remains a mystery despite the fact that several potent peptides containing this amino acid are being considered for further clinical development. Gaduscidin-1 (Gad-1) is a potent AMP from Atlantic cod fish that has a total of five His residues. Herein, the role of His residues and metal-potentiated activity of Gad-1 was studied. The five His residues contribute to the broad-spectrum activity of Gad-1. We demonstrated that Gad-1 can coordinate two Cu2+ ions, one at the N-terminus and one at the C-terminus, where the C-terminal binding site is a novel Cu2+ binding motif. High affinity Cu2+ binding at both sites was observed using mass spectrometry and isothermal titration calorimetry. Electron paramagnetic resonance was used to determine the coordination environment of the Cu2+ ions. Cu2+ binding was shown to be responsible for an increase in antimicrobial activity and a new mode of action. Along with the traditional AMP mode of action of pore formation, Gad-1 in the presence of Cu2+ (per)oxidizes lipids. Importantly, His3, His11, His17, and His21 were found to be important to lipid (per)oxidation. This insight will help further understand the inclusion and role of His residues in AMPs, the role of the novel C-terminal binding site, and can contribute to the field of designing potent AMPs that bind metal ions to potentiate activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Portelinha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, United States of America
| | - Kara Heilemann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, United States of America
| | - Jing Jin
- Magnetic Resonance Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States of America
| | - Alfredo M Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, United States of America; Institute of Material Science, University of Connecticut, 97 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, United States of America.
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15
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Portelinha J, Duay SS, Yu SI, Heilemann K, Libardo MDJ, Juliano SA, Klassen JL, Angeles-Boza AM. Antimicrobial Peptides and Copper(II) Ions: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities. Chem Rev 2021; 121:2648-2712. [PMID: 33524257 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of new pathogens and multidrug resistant bacteria is an important public health issue that requires the development of novel classes of antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising platform with great potential for the identification of new lead compounds that can combat the aforementioned pathogens due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and relatively low rate of resistance emergence. AMPs of multicellular organisms made their debut four decades ago thanks to ingenious researchers who asked simple questions about the resistance to bacterial infections of insects. Questions such as "Do fruit flies ever get sick?", combined with pioneering studies, have led to an understanding of AMPs as universal weapons of the immune system. This review focuses on a subclass of AMPs that feature a metal binding motif known as the amino terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) motif. One of the metal-based strategies of hosts facing a pathogen, it includes wielding the inherent toxicity of copper and deliberately trafficking this metal ion into sites of infection. The sudden increase in the concentration of copper ions in the presence of ATCUN-containing AMPs (ATCUN-AMPs) likely results in a synergistic interaction. Herein, we examine common structural features in ATCUN-AMPs that exist across species, and we highlight unique features that deserve additional attention. We also present the current state of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms behind their antimicrobial activity and the methods available to study this promising class of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Portelinha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Searle S Duay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.,Chemistry Department, Adamson University, 900 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
| | - Seung I Yu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Kara Heilemann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - M Daben J Libardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Samuel A Juliano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Jonathan L Klassen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Alfredo M Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.,Institute of Material Science, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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Bechinger B, Juhl DW, Glattard E, Aisenbrey C. Revealing the Mechanisms of Synergistic Action of Two Magainin Antimicrobial Peptides. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:615494. [PMID: 35047895 PMCID: PMC8757784 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.615494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of peptide-lipid and peptide-peptide interactions as well as their topology and dynamics using biophysical and structural approaches have changed our view how antimicrobial peptides work and function. It has become obvious that both the peptides and the lipids arrange in soft supramolecular arrangements which are highly dynamic and able to change and mutually adapt their conformation, membrane penetration, and detailed morphology. This can occur on a local and a global level. This review focuses on cationic amphipathic peptides of the magainin family which were studied extensively by biophysical approaches. They are found intercalated at the membrane interface where they cause membrane thinning and ultimately lysis. Interestingly, mixtures of two of those peptides namely magainin 2 and PGLa which occur naturally as a cocktail in the frog skin exhibit synergistic enhancement of antimicrobial activities when investigated together in antimicrobial assays but also in biophysical experiments with model membranes. Detailed dose-response curves, presented here for the first time, show a cooperative behavior for the individual peptides which is much increased when PGLa and magainin are added as equimolar mixture. This has important consequences for their bacterial killing activities and resistance development. In membranes that carry unsaturations both peptides align parallel to the membrane surface where they have been shown to arrange into mesophases involving the peptides and the lipids. This supramolecular structuration comes along with much-increased membrane affinities for the peptide mixture. Because this synergism is most pronounced in membranes representing the bacterial lipid composition it can potentially be used to increase the therapeutic window of pharmaceutical formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burkhard Bechinger
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Dennis Wilkens Juhl
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elise Glattard
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christopher Aisenbrey
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Sandhu G, Morrow MR, Booth V. Roles of histidine charge and cardiolipin in membrane disruption by antimicrobial peptides Gaduscidin-1 and Gaduscidin-2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183444. [PMID: 32822647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gad-1 and Gad-2 are helical, histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from paralogous genes in cod. 15N and 2H solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize their lipid-bound structures and lipid interactions. Gad-1 was found to position in-plane in POPC: POPG bilayers. Gad-1 displayed greater effects than Gad-2 on lipid acyl chain order of POPE: POPG and POPE: POPG: CL bilayers, in keeping with its greater activity against E. coli. The effect of Gad-1 and Gad-2 on lipid bilayer order was only weakly affected by changes in pH, and hence changes in histidine charge. This was somewhat surprising for Gad-2 as this peptide's biological activity has been shown to be greater at low pH and thus the finding may point to the existence of functional interactions with non-lipid components of bacteria. The incorporation of cardiolipin into POPE: POPG bilayers in such a way as to preserve the overall charge of the bilayers did not alter Gad-1's effects on lipid acyl chain order parameters, which report on motions on the 10-5 s timescale. When cardiolipin and Gad-1 were both present, there were subtle changes on membrane dynamics at other timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Sandhu
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Michael R Morrow
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Valerie Booth
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
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18
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Sandhu G, Booth V, Morrow MR. Role of Charge in Lipid Vesicle Binding and Vesicle Surface Saturation by Gaduscidin-1 and Gaduscidin-2. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:9867-9877. [PMID: 32787066 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides Gad-1 and Gad-2, from paralogous genes in cod, provide an opportunity to examine the effect of charge and nonelectrostatic factors on peptide-vesicle interaction and on peptide antimicrobial activity. In this study, the dependence of vesicle ζ-potential on peptide concentration has been used to examine the binding of these peptides to model vesicle surfaces at pH = 5.0, for which the charges of Gad-1 and Gad-2 are +8 and +5, respectively, and at pH = 7.0, where their charges are +3 and +1, respectively. Interpreting the observed ζ-potential behaviors as examples of Langmuir adsorption isotherms, it is possible to infer the equilibrium constant for peptide-vesicle binding, the fraction of the peptide bound at low peptide concentration, and the maximum peptide-to-lipid ratio when the vesicle surface is saturated at high peptide concentration. For both peptides, higher peptide charge is found to be correlated with a lower fraction of the peptide being bound to vesicle surfaces at low peptide concentration and with a smaller maximum bound peptide-to-lipid ratio at high peptide concentration. The equilibrium binding constant, on the other hand, is more strongly correlated with the peptide sequence than with the charge. Gad-1, which has been shown to be more biologically active than Gad-2, displayed a significantly higher equilibrium binding constant. These observations suggest that while the maximum peptide density on the vesicle surface is limited by electrostatic interactions, the free energy of peptide binding, like the observed antimicrobial activities of the Gad peptides, is also sensitive to other peptide factors which might, for example, influence hydrophobic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Sandhu
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Valerie Booth
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Michael R Morrow
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X7, Canada
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Mercer DK, Torres MDT, Duay SS, Lovie E, Simpson L, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, de la Fuente-Nunez C, O'Neil DA, Angeles-Boza AM. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Antimicrobial Peptides to Better Predict Efficacy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:326. [PMID: 32733816 PMCID: PMC7358464 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as potential therapeutics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) stands as an essential part of the process in identification and optimisation of candidate AMP. Standard methods for AST, developed almost 60 years ago for testing conventional antibiotics, are not necessarily fit for purpose when it comes to determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to AMP. Without careful consideration of the parameters comprising AST there is a risk of failing to identify novel antimicrobials at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is leading the planet toward a post-antibiotic era. More physiologically/clinically relevant AST will allow better determination of the preclinical activity of drug candidates and allow the identification of lead compounds. An important consideration is the efficacy of AMP in biological matrices replicating sites of infection, e.g., blood/plasma/serum, lung bronchiolar lavage fluid/sputum, urine, biofilms, etc., as this will likely be more predictive of clinical efficacy. Additionally, specific AST for different target microorganisms may help to better predict efficacy of AMP in specific infections. In this manuscript, we describe what we believe are the key considerations for AST of AMP and hope that this information can better guide the preclinical development of AMP toward becoming a new generation of urgently needed antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo D. T. Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Searle S. Duay
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Emma Lovie
- NovaBiotics Ltd, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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20
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Paredes SD, Kim S, Rooney MT, Greenwood AI, Hristova K, Cotten ML. Enhancing the membrane activity of Piscidin 1 through peptide metallation and the presence of oxidized lipid species: Implications for the unification of host defense mechanisms at lipid membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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21
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Peng J, Yang Y, Zhao P, Qiu S, Jia F, Wang J, Liang X, Chaudhry AS, Xu P, Yan W, Xu Z, Wang K. Cu2+ reduces hemolytic activity of the antimicrobial peptide HMPI and enhances its trypsin resistance. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:603-611. [PMID: 32369105 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmaa043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, drug-resistant microbes are becoming a serious clinical problem threatening people's health and life. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are believed to be potential alternatives of conventional antibiotics to combat the threat of drug-resistant microbes. However, the susceptibility of AMPs toward proteases is one of the major problems limiting their clinical use. In the present study, we reported the effect of Cu2+ on the bioactivity of AMP HMPI. We found that the addition of Cu2+ could improve the protease resistance of AMP HMPI without affecting its bioactivity. Notably, after the binding of Cu2+ with HMPI, the hemolytic activity of HMPI was greatly decreased. In addition, our results also demonstrated that the addition of Cu2+ increased the production of reactive oxygen species in the fungal cells, which may be a supplement for the antifungal activity of HMPI. In conclusion, the introduction of Cu2+ may provide an inorganic strategy to improve the stability and decrease the hemolytic activity of AMP HMPI, while maintaining its antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxiu Peng
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shuai Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fengjing Jia
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- Key Laboratory for Gynecologic Oncology of Gansu Province, Department of Gynecology, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ahmed Shabbir Chaudhry
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Peihan Xu
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenjin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhaoqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Kairong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Di Natale C, De Benedictis I, De Benedictis A, Marasco D. Metal-Peptide Complexes as Promising Antibiotics to Fight Emerging Drug Resistance: New Perspectives in Tuberculosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9060337. [PMID: 32570779 PMCID: PMC7344629 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9060337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In metal-peptide interactions, cations form stable complexes through bonds with coordinating groups as side chains of amino acids. These compounds, among other things, exert a wide variety of antimicrobial activities through structural changes of peptides upon metal binding and redox chemistry. They exhibit different mechanisms of action (MOA), including the modification of DNA/RNA, protein and cell wall synthesis, permeabilization and modulation of gradients of cellular membranes. Nowadays, the large increase in antibiotic resistance represents a crucial problem to limit progression at the pandemic level of the diseases that seemed nearly eradicated, such as tuberculosis (Tb). Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics due to chromosomal mutations which can lead to the onset of novel strains. Consequently, the maximum pharmaceutical effort should be focused on the development of new therapeutic agents and antimicrobial peptides can represent a valuable option as a copious source of potential bioactive compounds. The introduction of a metal center can improve chemical diversity and hence specificity and bioavailability while, in turn, the coordination to peptides of metal complexes can protect them and enhance their poor water solubility and air stability: the optimization of these parameters is strictly required for drug prioritization and to obtain potent inhibitors of Mtb infections with novel MOAs. Here, we present a panoramic review of the most recent findings in the field of metal complex-peptide conjugates and their delivery systems with the potential pharmaceutical application as novel antibiotics in Mtb infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Di Natale
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy; (C.D.N.); (I.D.B.); (A.D.B.)
- Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria De Benedictis
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy; (C.D.N.); (I.D.B.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Arianna De Benedictis
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy; (C.D.N.); (I.D.B.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy; (C.D.N.); (I.D.B.); (A.D.B.)
- Correspondence:
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23
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Cetuk H, Maramba J, Britt M, Scott AJ, Ernst RK, Mihailescu M, Cotten ML, Sukharev S. Differential Interactions of Piscidins with Phospholipids and Lipopolysaccharides at Membrane Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:5065-5077. [PMID: 32306736 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Piscidins 1 and 3 (P1 and P3) are potent antimicrobial peptides isolated from striped bass. Their mechanism of action involves formation of amphipathic α-helices on contact with phospholipids and destabilization of the microbial cytoplasmic membrane. The peptides are active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting easy passage across the outer membrane. Here, we performed a comparative study of these two piscidins at the air-water interface on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) monolayers modeling the outer bacterial surface of Gram-negative organisms and on phospholipid monolayers, which mimic the inner membrane. The results show that P1 and P3 are highly surface active (log KAW ∼ 6.8) and have similar affinities to phospholipid monolayers (log Klip ≈ 7.7). P1, which is more potent against Gram negatives, exhibits a much stronger partitioning into LPS monolayers (log KLPS = 8.3). Pressure-area isotherms indicate that under increasing lateral pressures, inserted P1 repartitions from phospholipid monolayers back to the subphase or to a more shallow position with in-plane areas of ∼170 Å2 per peptide, corresponding to fully folded amphipathic α-helices. In contrast, peptide expulsion from LPS occurs with areas of ∼35 Å2, suggesting that the peptides may not form the similarly oriented, rigid secondary structures when they avidly intercalate between LPS molecules. Patch-clamp experiments on Escherichia coli spheroplasts show that when P1 and P3 reach the outer surface of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, they produce fluctuating conductive structures at voltages above 80 mV. The data suggests that the strong activity of these piscidins against Gram-negative bacteria begins with the preferential accumulation of peptides in the outer LPS layer followed by penetration into the periplasm, where they form stable amphipathic α-helices upon contact with phospholipids and attack the energized inner membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Cetuk
- Biology Department, University of Maryland-College Park, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Joseph Maramba
- Biology Department, University of Maryland-College Park, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Madolyn Britt
- Biology Department, University of Maryland-College Park, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Alison J Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Sergei Sukharev
- Biology Department, University of Maryland-College Park, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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24
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Juliano SA, Serafim LF, Duay SS, Heredia Chavez M, Sharma G, Rooney M, Comert F, Pierce S, Radulescu A, Cotten ML, Mihailescu M, May ER, Greenwood AI, Prabhakar R, Angeles-Boza AM. A Potent Host Defense Peptide Triggers DNA Damage and Is Active against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1250-1263. [PMID: 32251582 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are some of the biggest threats to public health due to a large prevalence of antibiotic resistance. The difficulty in treating bacterial infections, stemming from their double membrane structure combined with efflux pumps in the outer membrane, has resulted in a much greater need for antimicrobials with activity against these pathogens. Tunicate host defense peptide (HDP), Clavanin A, is capable of not only inhibiting Gram-negative growth but also potentiating activity in the presence of Zn(II). Here, we provide evidence that the improvements of Clavanin A activity in the presence of Zn(II) are due to its novel mechanism of action. We employed E. coli TD172 (ΔrecA::kan) and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay to show in cellulae that DNA damage occurs upon treatment with Clavanin A. In vitro assays demonstrated that Zn(II) ions are required for the nuclease activity of the peptide. The quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations were used to investigate the mechanism of DNA damage. In the rate-determining step of the proposed mechanism, due to its Lewis acidity, the Zn(II) ion activates the scissile P-O bond of DNA and creates a hydroxyl nucleophile from a water molecule. A subsequent attack by this group to the electrophilic phosphorus cleaves the scissile phosphoester bond. Additionally, we utilized bacterial cytological profiling (BCP), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in the presence of lipid vesicles, and surface plasmon resonance combined with electrical impedance spectroscopy in order to address the apparent discrepancies between our results and the previous studies regarding the mechanism of action of Clavanin A. Finally, our approach may lead to the identification of additional Clavanin A like HDPs and promote the development of antimicrobial peptide based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Juliano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Leonardo F. Serafim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Searle S. Duay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Maria Heredia Chavez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Mary Rooney
- Department of Applied Science, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795, United States
| | - Fatih Comert
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Scott Pierce
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Andrei Radulescu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795, United States
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Eric R. May
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Alexander I. Greenwood
- Department of Applied Science, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795, United States
| | - Rajeev Prabhakar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, 97 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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25
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Piscidin, Fish Antimicrobial Peptide: Structure, Classification, Properties, Mechanism, Gene Regulation and Therapeutical Importance. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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26
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Michl TD, Hibbs B, Hyde L, Postma A, Tran DTT, Zhalgasbaikyzy A, Vasilev K, Meagher L, Griesser HJ, Locock KES. Bacterial membrane permeability of antimicrobial polymethacrylates: Evidence for a complex mechanism from super-resolution fluorescence imaging. Acta Biomater 2020; 108:168-177. [PMID: 32179195 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Amphiphilic polymers bearing cationic moieties are an emerging alternative to traditional antibiotics given their broad-spectrum activity and low susceptibility to the development of resistance. To date, however, much remains unclear regarding their mechanism of action. Using functional assays (ATP leakage, cell viability, DNA binding) and super-high resolution structured illumination microscopy (OMX-SR) of fluorescently tagged polymers, we present evidence for a complex mechanism, involving membrane permeation as well as cellular uptake, interaction with intracellular targets and possible complexation with bacterial DNA. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript details the first study to systematically and directly investigate the mechanism of action of antimicrobial polymers, using super-resolution fluorescence imaging as well as functional assays. While many in the field cite membrane permeation as the sole mechanism underlying the activity of such polymers, we present evidence for multimodal actions including high cellular uptake and interaction with intracellular targets. It is also the first report to show competitive binding of antimicrobial polymers with bacterial DNA in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Michl
- School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Ben Hibbs
- Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lauren Hyde
- Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Almar Postma
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Dung Thuy Thi Tran
- School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Aigerim Zhalgasbaikyzy
- School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Krasimir Vasilev
- School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Laurence Meagher
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Hans J Griesser
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Katherine E S Locock
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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27
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Comert F, Greenwood A, Maramba J, Acevedo R, Lucas L, Kulasinghe T, Cairns LS, Wen Y, Fu R, Hammer J, Blazyk J, Sukharev S, Cotten ML, Mihailescu M. The host-defense peptide piscidin P1 reorganizes lipid domains in membranes and decreases activation energies in mechanosensitive ion channels. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18557-18570. [PMID: 31619519 PMCID: PMC6901303 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The host-defense peptide (HDP) piscidin 1 (P1), isolated from the mast cells of striped bass, has potent activities against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells and can also modulate the activity of membrane receptors. Given its broad pharmacological potential, here we used several approaches to better understand its interactions with multicomponent bilayers representing models of bacterial (phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)/phosphatidylglycerol) and mammalian (phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (PC/Chol)) membranes. Using solid-state NMR, we solved the structure of P1 bound to PC/Chol and compared it with that of P3, a less potent homolog. The comparison disclosed that although both peptides are interfacially bound and α-helical, they differ in bilayer orientations and depths of insertion, and these differences depend on bilayer composition. Although Chol is thought to make mammalian membranes less susceptible to HDP-mediated destabilization, we found that Chol does not affect the permeabilization effects of P1. X-ray diffraction experiments revealed that both piscidins produce a demixing effect in PC/Chol membranes by increasing the fraction of the Chol-depleted phase. Furthermore, P1 increased the temperature required for the lamellar-to-hexagonal phase transition in PE bilayers, suggesting that it imposes positive membrane curvature. Patch-clamp measurements on the inner Escherichia coli membrane showed that P1 and P3, at concentrations sufficient for antimicrobial activity, substantially decrease the activating tension for bacterial mechanosensitive channels. This indicated that piscidins can cause lipid redistribution and restructuring in the microenvironment near proteins. We conclude that the mechanism of piscidin's antimicrobial activity extends beyond simple membrane destabilization, helping to rationalize its broader spectrum of pharmacological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Comert
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Alexander Greenwood
- Department of Applied Science, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
| | - Joseph Maramba
- Biology Department, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Roderico Acevedo
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Laura Lucas
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Thulasi Kulasinghe
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Leah S Cairns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Yi Wen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310
| | - Janet Hammer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701
| | - Jack Blazyk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701
| | - Sergei Sukharev
- Biology Department, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185.
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
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28
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Oludiran A, Courson DS, Stuart MD, Radwan AR, Poutsma JC, Cotten ML, Purcell EB. How Oxygen Availability Affects the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Host Defense Peptides: Lessons Learned from Studying the Copper-Binding Peptides Piscidins 1 and 3. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215289. [PMID: 31653020 PMCID: PMC6862162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new therapeutic options against Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is a critical public health concern, as the causative bacterium is highly resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. Antimicrobial host-defense peptides (HDPs) are highly effective at simultaneously modulating the immune system function and directly killing bacteria through membrane disruption and oxidative damage. The copper-binding HDPs piscidin 1 and piscidin 3 have previously shown potent antimicrobial activity against a number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species but have never been investigated in an anaerobic environment. Synergy between piscidins and metal ions increases bacterial killing aerobically. Here, we performed growth inhibition and time-kill assays against C. difficile showing that both piscidins suppress proliferation of C. difficile by killing bacterial cells. Microscopy experiments show that the peptides accumulate at sites of membrane curvature. We find that both piscidins are effective against epidemic C. difficile strains that are highly resistant to other stresses. Notably, copper does not enhance piscidin activity against C. difficile. Thus, while antimicrobial activity of piscidin peptides is conserved in aerobic and anaerobic settings, the peptide-copper interaction depends on environmental oxygen to achieve its maximum potency. The development of pharmaceuticals from HDPs such as piscidin will necessitate consideration of oxygen levels in the targeted tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenrele Oludiran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - David S Courson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Malia D Stuart
- Biology Department, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA.
| | - Anwar R Radwan
- Department of Chemistry, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA.
| | - John C Poutsma
- Department of Chemistry, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA.
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA.
| | - Erin B Purcell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
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29
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Buck AK, Elmore DE, Darling LEO. Using fluorescence microscopy to shed light on the mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:2445-2458. [PMID: 31517514 PMCID: PMC6787493 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising in the fight against increasing bacterial resistance, but the development of AMPs with enhanced activity requires a thorough understanding of their mechanisms of action. Fluorescence microscopy is one of the most flexible and effective tools to characterize AMPs, particularly in its ability to measure the membrane interactions and cellular localization of peptides. Recent advances have increased the scope of research questions that can be addressed via microscopy through improving spatial and temporal resolution. Unique combinations of fluorescent labels and dyes can simultaneously consider different aspects of peptide-membrane interaction mechanisms. This review emphasizes the central role that fluorescence microscopy will continue to play in the interrogation of AMP structure-function relationships and the engineering of more potent peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Buck
- Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
| | - Donald E Elmore
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
| | - Louise EO Darling
- Department of Biological Sciences & Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
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30
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Mihailescu M, Sorci M, Seckute J, Silin VI, Hammer J, Perrin BS, Hernandez JI, Smajic N, Shrestha A, Bogardus KA, Greenwood AI, Fu R, Blazyk J, Pastor RW, Nicholson LK, Belfort G, Cotten ML. Structure and Function in Antimicrobial Piscidins: Histidine Position, Directionality of Membrane Insertion, and pH-Dependent Permeabilization. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:9837-9853. [PMID: 31144503 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Piscidins are histidine-enriched antimicrobial peptides that interact with lipid bilayers as amphipathic α-helices. Their activity at acidic and basic pH in vivo makes them promising templates for biomedical applications. This study focuses on p1 and p3, both 22-residue-long piscidins with 68% sequence identity. They share three histidines (H3, H4, and H11), but p1, which is significantly more permeabilizing, has a fourth histidine (H17). This study investigates how variations in amphipathic character associated with histidines affect the permeabilization properties of p1 and p3. First, we show that the permeabilization ability of p3, but not p1, is strongly inhibited at pH 6.0 when the conserved histidines are partially charged and H17 is predominantly neutral. Second, our neutron diffraction measurements performed at low water content and neutral pH indicate that the average conformation of p1 is highly tilted, with its C-terminus extending into the opposite leaflet. In contrast, p3 is surface bound with its N-terminal end tilted toward the bilayer interior. The deeper membrane insertion of p1 correlates with its behavior at full hydration: an enhanced ability to tilt, bury its histidines and C-terminus, induce membrane thinning and defects, and alter membrane conductance and viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, its pH-resiliency relates to the neutral state favored by H17. Overall, these results provide mechanistic insights into how differences in the histidine content and amphipathicity of peptides can elicit different directionality of membrane insertion and pH-dependent permeabilization. This work features complementary methods, including dye leakage assays, NMR-monitored titrations, X-ray and neutron diffraction, oriented CD, molecular dynamics, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research , University of Maryland , Rockville , Maryland 20850 , United States
| | - Mirco Sorci
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | - Jolita Seckute
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Cornell University , Ithaca , New York 14853 , United States
| | - Vitalii I Silin
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research , University of Maryland , Rockville , Maryland 20850 , United States
| | - Janet Hammer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , Ohio University , Athens , Ohio 45701 , United States
| | - B Scott Perrin
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Jorge I Hernandez
- Department of Bioengineering , Clemson University , Clemson , South Carolina 29634 , United States
| | - Nedzada Smajic
- Department of Chemistry , Hamilton College , Clinton , New York 13323 , United States
| | - Akritee Shrestha
- Department of Chemistry , Hamilton College , Clinton , New York 13323 , United States
| | - Kimberly A Bogardus
- Department of Chemistry , Hamilton College , Clinton , New York 13323 , United States
| | - Alexander I Greenwood
- Department of Applied Science , College of William and Mary , Williamsburg , Virginia 23185 , United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory , Tallahassee , Florida 32310 , United States
| | - Jack Blazyk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , Ohio University , Athens , Ohio 45701 , United States
| | - Richard W Pastor
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Linda K Nicholson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Cornell University , Ithaca , New York 14853 , United States
| | - Georges Belfort
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science , College of William and Mary , Williamsburg , Virginia 23185 , United States
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31
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Alexander JL, Thompson Z, Yu Z, Cowan JA. Cu-ATCUN Derivatives of Sub5 Exhibit Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity via Multiple Modes of Action. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:449-458. [PMID: 30742402 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b01087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, amphipathic peptides that are typically cationic in sequence and display broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and protists. Herein, we report the effect of appending the amino terminal copper and nickel binding motif (ATCUN) to Sub5. The Cu-ATCUN derivatives show a two- to three-fold increase in antimicrobial activity for a variety of microbes, relative to Sub5, with MICs as low as 0.3 ± 0.1 μM toward Enterococcus faecium. Sub5 and the ATCUN derivatives bind both plasmid DNA and 16s A-site rRNA with low micromolar affinity. Native Sub5 and the metallopeptide derivatives were shown to promote damage against DNA to similar extents in cellular studies against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with an almost threefold higher activity against the latter organism. Liposome experiments show that the metallopeptides have a greater affinity for model membranes of E. coli and S. aureus relative to Sub5, which correlates with their enhanced antimicrobial activity. Sub5 and the metalloderivatives also display no cytotoxicity toward adult human dermal fibroblasts. Addition of the ATCUN motif conferred the ability to promote lipid oxidation toward E. coli and S. epidermidis and enhanced membrane permeability, as evidenced by the extent of ATP leaked from cellular membranes relative to Sub5 alone. These data suggest that Cu-ATCUN derivatives inhibit microbes through multiple modes of action, resulting in an enhancement in their overall potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Alexander
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Zechariah Thompson
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Zhen Yu
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - J. A. Cowan
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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32
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Rai RK, Angelis AD, Greenwood A, Opella SJ, Cotten ML. Metal-ion Binding to Host Defense Peptide Piscidin 3 Observed in Phospholipid Bilayers by Magic Angle Spinning Solid-state NMR. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:295-301. [PMID: 30471190 PMCID: PMC6494093 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201800855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components of the innate immune system. They have attracted interest as novel compounds with the potential to treat infections associated with multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this study, we investigate piscidin 3 (P3), an AMP that was first discovered in the mast cells of hybrid striped bass. Prior studies showed that P3 is less active than its homolog piscidin 1 (P1) against planktonic bacteria. However, P3 has the advantage of being less toxic to mammalian cells and more active on biofilms and persister cells. Both P1 and P3 cross bacterial membranes and co-localize with intracellular DNA but P3 is more condensing to DNA while P1 is more membrane active. Recently, we showed that both peptides coordinate Cu2+ through an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) motif. We also demonstrated that the bactericidal effects of P3 are linked to its ability to form radicals that nick DNA in the presence of Cu2+ . Since metal binding and membrane crossing by P3 is biologically important, we apply in this study solid-state NMR spectroscopy to uniformly 13 C-15 N-labeled peptide samples to structurally characterize the ATCUN motif of P3 bound to bilayers and coordinated to Ni2+ and Cu2+ . These experiments are supplemented with density functional theory calculations. Taken together, these studies refine the arrangement of not only the backbone but also side chain atoms of an AMP simultaneously bound to metal ions and phospholipid bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratan Kumar Rai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California San Diego La Jolla, California 92093-0307 (USA)
| | - Anna De Angelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California San Diego La Jolla, California 92093-0307 (USA)
| | - Alexander Greenwood
- Department of Applied Science, Department of Physics The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA 23185 (USA), Fax: (757)-221-2050,
| | - Stanley J. Opella
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California San Diego La Jolla, California 92093-0307 (USA)
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, Department of Physics The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA 23185 (USA), Fax: (757)-221-2050,
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33
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Aisenbrey C, Marquette A, Bechinger B. The Mechanisms of Action of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Refined by Novel Concepts from Biophysical Investigations. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1117:33-64. [PMID: 30980352 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-3588-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Even 30 years after the discovery of magainins, biophysical and structural investigations on how these peptides interact with membranes can still bear surprises and add new interesting detail to how these peptides exert their antimicrobial action. Early on, using oriented solid-state NMR spectroscopy, it was found that the amphipathic helices formed by magainins are active when being oriented parallel to the membrane surface. More recent investigations indicate that this in-planar alignment is also found when PGLa and magainin in combination exert synergistic pore-forming activities, where studies on the mechanism of synergistic interaction are ongoing. In a related manner, the investigation of dimeric antimicrobial peptide sequences has become an interesting topic of research which bears promise to refine our views how antimicrobial action occurs. The molecular shape concept has been introduced to explain the effects of lipids and peptides on membrane morphology, locally and globally, and in particular of cationic amphipathic helices that partition into the membrane interface. This concept has been extended in this review to include more recent ideas on soft membranes that can adapt to external stimuli including membrane-disruptive molecules. In this manner, the lipids can change their shape in the presence of low peptide concentrations, thereby maintaining the bilayer properties. At higher peptide concentrations, phase transitions occur which lead to the formation of pores and membrane lytic processes. In the context of the molecular shape concept, the properties of lipopeptides, including surfactins, are shortly presented, and comparisons with the hydrophobic alamethicin sequence are made.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arnaud Marquette
- Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, Strasbourg, France
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, Strasbourg, France. .,Faculté de chimie, Institut le Bel, Strasbourg, France.
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34
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Kim SY, Zhang F, Gong W, Chen K, Xia K, Liu F, Gross R, Wang JM, Linhardt RJ, Cotten ML. Copper regulates the interactions of antimicrobial piscidin peptides from fish mast cells with formyl peptide receptors and heparin. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:15381-15396. [PMID: 30158246 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.001904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytic cells in fish secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as piscidins, glycosaminoglycans such as heparin, and copper ions as first-line immune defenses. Recently, we established that Cu2+ coordination by piscidins 1 (P1) and 3 (P3) enhances their antibacterial activity against membranes and DNA. Interestingly, we noted that physicochemical similarities exist between both piscidins and other AMPs that interact with heparin and induce immune-cell chemotaxis through formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) involved in innate immunity. Thus, we postulated that P1 and P3 interact with heparin and FPRs but that these interactions distinctively depend on Cu2+ Here, we investigate the interactome potentiated by piscidins, heparin, FPR, and Cu2+ Utilizing FPR-transfected cells and neutrophils, we demonstrate that both piscidins exclusively use FPR1 and FPR2 to induce chemotaxis and that Cu2+ reduces their chemotaxis induction. P1 is more effective at activating FPR1 than P3 and other known AMP ligands. Furthermore, the expression of Fpr2 on the surface of neutrophils is down-regulated by both peptides. Copper conjugation of the peptides does not further increase down-regulation, suggesting that the conformational changes induced by the metal translate into reduced FPR efficacy without altering the binding affinity. Using surface plasmon resonance, we show that piscidin-heparin interactions are Cu2+-dependent and reduced at the acidic pH of phagosomes. Although heparin decreases the antimicrobial activity of P3-Cu2+, it does not affect bacterial killing by P1-Cu2+ Copper's effects on modulating the micromolar-range interactions of both piscidins with FPR and heparin suggest that the interactome of these distinct immune agents plays an important role in innate immunity. The interactions between diverse host-defense molecules uncovered here may help inform the design of novel therapeutics to treat immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Kim
- From the Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Program
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180,
| | - Wanghua Gong
- the Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Keqiang Chen
- the Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, and
| | - Kai Xia
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180
| | - Fei Liu
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180
| | - Richard Gross
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180
| | - Ji Ming Wang
- the Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, and
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- From the Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Program, .,Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- the Department of Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
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35
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Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are short amphipathic peptides that are produced by the innate immune system in order to protect a host from pathogens. They have been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity toward Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antifungal, antiprotozoan, and antiviral activity. These peptides are able to exert their activity through a variety of mechanisms that include inhibiting DNA and RNA replication, inhibiting protein synthesis, permeabilizing the cell membrane, disrupting proton and ion transmembrane gradients, and inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Certain antimicrobial peptides are able to utilize metals to modulate their activity through structural changes upon metal binding, metal sequestration, and redox chemistry. This work aims to provide a review of the current literature regarding the influence of metals on the activity of antimicrobial metallopeptides and their uses in drug delivery and the treatment of implant-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Alexander
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Zechariah Thompson
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - J. A. Cowan
- Evans Laboratory of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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36
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Marquette A, Bechinger B. Biophysical Investigations Elucidating the Mechanisms of Action of Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Synergism. Biomolecules 2018; 8:E18. [PMID: 29670065 PMCID: PMC6023007 DOI: 10.3390/biom8020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Biophysical and structural investigations are presented with a focus on the membrane lipid interactions of cationic linear antibiotic peptides such as magainin, PGLa, LL37, and melittin. Observations made with these peptides are distinct as seen from data obtained with the hydrophobic peptide alamethicin. The cationic amphipathic peptides predominantly adopt membrane alignments parallel to the bilayer surface; thus the distribution of polar and non-polar side chains of the amphipathic helices mirror the environmental changes at the membrane interface. Such a membrane partitioning of an amphipathic helix has been shown to cause considerable disruptions in the lipid packing arrangements, transient openings at low peptide concentration, and membrane disintegration at higher peptide-to-lipid ratios. The manifold supramolecular arrangements adopted by lipids and peptides are represented by the 'soft membranes adapt and respond, also transiently' (SMART) model. Whereas molecular dynamics simulations provide atomistic views on lipid membranes in the presence of antimicrobial peptides, the biophysical investigations reveal interesting details on a molecular and supramolecular level, and recent microscopic imaging experiments delineate interesting sequences of events when bacterial cells are exposed to such peptides. Finally, biophysical studies that aim to reveal the mechanisms of synergistic interactions of magainin 2 and PGLa are presented, including unpublished isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), circular dichroism (CD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements that suggest that the peptides are involved in liposome agglutination by mediating intermembrane interactions. A number of structural events are presented in schematic models that relate to the antimicrobial and synergistic mechanism of amphipathic peptides when they are aligned parallel to the membrane surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Marquette
- Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, 4, rue Blaise Pascal, 67070 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- Université de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, 4, rue Blaise Pascal, 67070 Strasbourg, France.
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37
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Libardo MDJ, Bahar AA, Ma B, Fu R, McCormick LE, Zhao J, McCallum SA, Nussinov R, Ren D, Angeles-Boza AM, Cotten ML. Nuclease activity gives an edge to host-defense peptide piscidin 3 over piscidin 1, rendering it more effective against persisters and biofilms. FEBS J 2017; 284:3662-3683. [PMID: 28892294 PMCID: PMC6361529 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Host-defense peptides (HDPs) feature evolution-tested potency against life-threatening pathogens. While piscidin 1 (p1) and piscidin 3 (p3) are homologous and potent fish HDPs, only p1 is strongly membranolytic. Here, we hypothesize that another mechanism imparts p3 strong potency. We demonstrate that the N-termini of both peptides coordinate Cu2+ and p3-Cu cleaves isolated DNA at a rate on par with free Cu2+ but significantly faster than p1-Cu. On planktonic bacteria, p1 is more antimicrobial but only p3 features copper-dependent DNA cleavage. On biofilms and persister cells, p3-Cu is more active than p1-Cu, commensurate with stronger peptide-induced DNA damage. Molecular dynamics and NMR show that more DNA-peptide interactions exist with p3 than p1, and the peptides adopt conformations simultaneously poised for metal- and DNA-binding. These results generate several important conclusions. First, homologous HDPs cannot be assumed to have identical mechanisms since p1 and p3 eradicate bacteria through distinct relative contributions of membrane and DNA-disruptive effects. Second, the nuclease and membrane activities of p1 and p3 show that naturally occurring HDPs can inflict not only physicochemical but also covalent damage. Third, strong nuclease activity is essential for biofilm and persister cell eradication, as shown by p3, the homolog more specific toward bacteria and more expressed in vascularized tissues. Fourth, p3 combines several physicochemical properties (e.g., Amino Terminal Copper and Nickel binding motif; numerous arginines; moderate hydrophobicity) that confer low membranolytic effects, robust copper-scavenging capability, strong interactions with DNA, and fast nuclease activity. This new knowledge could help design novel therapeutics active against hard-to-treat persister cells and biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali A Bahar
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, NY, USA
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Jun Zhao
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Scott A McCallum
- Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
- Sackler Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Dacheng Ren
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, NY, USA
- Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, Syracuse University, NY, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, NY, USA
| | | | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
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38
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Yu TT, Nizalapur S, Ho KKK, Yee E, Berry T, Cranfield CG, Willcox M, Black DS, Kumar N. Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of N-Sulfonylphenyl glyoxamide-Based Antimicrobial Peptide Mimics as Novel Antimicrobial Agents. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201700336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsz Tin Yu
- School of Chemistry; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | | | - Kitty K. K. Ho
- School of Chemistry; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Eugene Yee
- School of Chemistry; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia; Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Thomas Berry
- Molecular Biosciences Team; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney; Sydney Australia
| | - Charles G. Cranfield
- Molecular Biosciences Team; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney; Sydney Australia
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - David StC Black
- School of Chemistry; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry; University of New South Wales; Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
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39
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Juliano SA, Pierce S, deMayo JA, Balunas MJ, Angeles-Boza AM. Exploration of the Innate Immune System of Styela clava: Zn2+ Binding Enhances the Antimicrobial Activity of the Tunicate Peptide Clavanin A. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1403-1414. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Juliano
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
| | - Scott Pierce
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
| | - James A. deMayo
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Marcy J. Balunas
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
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40
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Sim S, Wang P, Beyer BN, Cutrona KJ, Radhakrishnan ML, Elmore DE. Investigating the nucleic acid interactions of histone-derived antimicrobial peptides. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:706-717. [PMID: 28130840 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
While many antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) disrupt bacterial membranes, some translocate into bacteria and interfere with intracellular processes. Buforin II and DesHDAP1 are thought to kill bacteria by interacting with nucleic acids. Here, molecular modeling and experimental measurements are used to show that neither nucleic acid binding peptide selectively binds DNA sequences. Simulations and experiments also show that changing lysines to arginines enhances DNA binding, suggesting that including additional guanidinium groups is a potential strategy to engineer more potent AMPs. Moreover, the lack of binding specificity may make it more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance to these and other similar AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukin Sim
- Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, MA, USA
| | - Penny Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Mala L Radhakrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, MA, USA.,Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, MA, USA
| | - Donald E Elmore
- Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, MA, USA.,Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, MA, USA
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41
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Bacterial Spheroplasts as a Model for Visualizing Membrane Translocation of Antimicrobial Peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6350-2. [PMID: 27431217 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01008-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies attempting to characterize the membrane translocation of antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides are frequently limited by the resolution of conventional light microscopy. This study shows that spheroplasts provide a valuable approach to overcome these limits. Spheroplasts produce less ambiguous images and allow for more systematic analyses of localization. Data collected with spheroplasts are consistent with studies using normal bacterial cells and imply that a particular peptide may not always follow the same mechanism of action.
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42
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Libardo MDJ, Gorbatyuk VY, Angeles-Boza AM. Central Role of the Copper-Binding Motif in the Complex Mechanism of Action of Ixosin: Enhancing Oxidative Damage and Promoting Synergy with Ixosin B. ACS Infect Dis 2016; 2:71-81. [PMID: 27622949 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.5b00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ticks transmit multiple pathogens to different hosts without compromising their health. Their ability to evade microbial infections is largely a result of their effective innate immune response including various antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, a deep understanding of how ticks (and other arthropod vectors) control microbial loads could lead to the design of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. In this paper we study the role of the amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN)-binding sequence in the peptide ixosin, isolated from the salivary glands of the hard tick Ixodes sinensis. Our results indicate that the ATCUN motif is not essential to the potency of ixosin, but is indispensable to its oxidative mechanism of action. Specifically, the ATCUN motif promotes dioxygen- and copper-dependent lipid (per)oxidation of bacterial membranes in a temporal fashion coinciding with the onset of bacterial death. Microscopy and studies on model membranes indicate that the oxidized phospholipids are utilized as potential targets of ixosin B (another tick salivary gland peptide) involving its delocalization to the bacterial membrane, thus resulting in a synergistic effect. Our proposed mechanism of action highlights the centrality of the ATCUN motif to ixosin's mechanism of action and demonstrates a novel way in which (tick) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) utilize metal ions in its activity. This study suggests that ticks employ a variety of effectors to generate an amplified immune response, possibly justifying its vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Daben J. Libardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Vitaliy Y. Gorbatyuk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
- Biotechnology and Bioservices Center, University of Connecticut, Unit 3149, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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