1
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Bepler T, Barrera MD, Rooney MT, Xiong Y, Kuang H, Goodell E, Goodwin MJ, Harbron E, Fu R, Mihailescu M, Narayanan A, Cotten ML. Antiviral activity of the host defense peptide piscidin 1: investigating a membrane-mediated mode of action. Front Chem 2024; 12:1379192. [PMID: 38988727 PMCID: PMC11233706 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1379192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of viral diseases are on the rise, fueling the search for antiviral therapeutics that act on a broad range of viruses while remaining safe to human host cells. In this research, we leverage the finding that the plasma membranes of host cells and the lipid bilayers surrounding enveloped viruses differ in lipid composition. We feature Piscidin 1 (P1), a cationic host defense peptide (HDP) that has antimicrobial effects and membrane activity associated with its N-terminal region where a cluster of aromatic residues and copper-binding motif reside. While few HDPs have demonstrated antiviral activity, P1 acts in the micromolar range against several enveloped viruses that vary in envelope lipid composition. Notably, it inhibits HIV-1, a virus that has an envelope enriched in cholesterol, a lipid associated with higher membrane order and stability. Here, we first document through plaque assays that P1 boasts strong activity against SARS-CoV-2, which has an envelope low in cholesterol. Second, we extend previous studies done with homogeneous bilayers and devise cholesterol-containing zwitterionic membranes that contain the liquid disordered (Ld; low in cholesterol) and ordered (Lo, rich in cholesterol) phases. Using dye leakage assays and cryo-electron microscopy on vesicles, we show that P1 has dramatic permeabilizing capability on the Lo/Ld, an effect matched by a strong ability to aggregate, fuse, and thin the membranes. Differential scanning calorimetry and NMR experiments demonstrate that P1 mixes the lipid content of vesicles and alters the stability of the Lo. Structural studies by NMR indicate that P1 interacts with the Lo/Ld by folding into an α-helix that lies parallel to the membrane surface. Altogether, these results show that P1 is more disruptive to phase-separated than homogenous cholesterol-containing bilayers, suggesting an ability to target domain boundaries. Overall, this multi-faceted research highlights how a peptide that interacts strongly with membranes through an aromatic-rich N-terminal motif disrupt viral envelope mimics. This represents an important step towards the development of novel peptides with broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Bepler
- New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael D. Barrera
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Mary T. Rooney
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Yawei Xiong
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Huihui Kuang
- New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Evan Goodell
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Matthew J. Goodwin
- Department of Chemistry, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Harbron
- Department of Chemistry, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Aarthi Narayanan
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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2
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Saad A, Bechinger B. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy for structural studies of polypeptides and lipids in extended physiological membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184162. [PMID: 37949788 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Solid-state NMR is a quickly developing technique that allows one to obtain structural information at atomic resolution in extended lipid bilayers in a rather unique manner. Two approaches have been developed for membrane proteins and peptides namely magic angle sample spinning and the use of uniaxially oriented membrane samples. The state-of-the-art of both approaches will be introduced and the perspectives of solid-state NMR spectroscopy in the context of other structural biology techniques, pressing biomedical questions and membrane biophysics will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Saad
- 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; Institut Universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France.
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3
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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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4
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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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5
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Bertelsen M, Lacey MM, Nichol T, Miller K. Mechanistic Insight into the Early Stages of Toroidal Pore Formation by the Antimicrobial Peptide Smp24. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2399. [PMID: 37896158 PMCID: PMC10610086 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102399] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide Smp24, originally derived from the venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus, is a promising candidate for further drug development. However, before doing so, greater insight into the mechanism of action is needed to construct a reliable structure-activity relationship. The aim of this study was to specifically investigate the critical early stages of peptide-induced membrane disruption. Single-channel current traces were obtained via planar patch-clamp electrophysiology, with multiple types of pore-forming events observed, unlike those expected from the traditional, more rigid mechanistic models. To better understand the molecular-level structures of the peptide-pore assemblies underlying these observed conductance events, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the peptide structure and orientation both before and during pore formation. The transition of the peptides to transmembrane-like states within disordered toroidal pores occurred due to a peptide-induced bilayer-leaflet asymmetry, explaining why pore stabilization does not always follow pore nucleation in the experimental observations. To fully grasp the structure-activity relationship of antimicrobial peptides, a more nuanced view of the complex and dynamic mechanistic behaviour must be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Keith Miller
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
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6
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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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7
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Ball HL, Said H, Chapman K, Fu R, Xiong Y, Burk JA, Rosenbaum D, Veneziano R, Cotten ML. Orexin A, an amphipathic α-helical neuropeptide involved in pleiotropic functions in the nervous and immune systems: Synthetic approach and biophysical studies of the membrane-bound state. Biophys Chem 2023; 297:107007. [PMID: 37037119 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.107007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
This research reports on the membrane interactions of orexin A (OXA), an α-helical and amphipathic neuropeptide that contains 33 residues and two disulfide bonds in the N-terminal region. OXA, which activates the orexins 1 and 2 receptors in neural and immune cell membranes, has essential pleiotropic physiological effects, including at the levels of arousal, sleep/wakefulness, energy balance, neuroprotection, lipid signaling, the inflammatory response, and pain. As a result, the orexin system has become a prominent target to treat diseases such as sleep disorders, drug addiction, and inflammation. While the high-resolution structure of OXA has been investigated in water and bound to micelles, there is a lack of information about its conformation bound to phospholipid membranes and its receptors. NMR is a powerful method to investigate peptide structures in a membrane environment. To facilitate the NMR structural studies of OXA exposed to membranes, we present a novel synthetic scheme, leading to the production of isotopically-labeled material at high purity. A receptor activation assay shows that the 15N-labeled peptide is biologically active. Biophysical studies are performed using surface plasmon resonance, circular dichroism, and NMR to investigate the interactions of OXA with phospholipid bilayers. The results demonstrate a strong interaction between the peptide and phospholipids, an increase in α-helical content upon membrane binding, and an in-plane orientation of the C-terminal region critical to function. This new knowledge about structure-activity relationships in OXA could inspire the design of novel therapeutics that leverage the anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective functions of OXA, and therefore could help address neuroinflammation, a major issue associated with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydn L Ball
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hooda Said
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Computing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Karen Chapman
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Yawei Xiong
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
| | - Joshua A Burk
- Department of Psychological Sciences, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
| | - Daniel Rosenbaum
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Remi Veneziano
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Computing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA.
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8
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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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9
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Chen X, Wu X, Wang S. An optimized antimicrobial peptide analog acts as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. NPJ Sci Food 2022; 6:57. [PMID: 36509755 PMCID: PMC9744894 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-022-00171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The misuse of antibiotics in animal protein production has driven the emergence of a range of drug-resistant pathogens, which threaten existing public health security. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials and new infection treatment options to address the challenges posed by the dramatic spread of antibiotic resistance. Piscidins, a class of fish-specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are regarded as promising therapies for biomedical applications. Progress towards potential analogs from the piscidin family has been hampered by unenforceable structural optimization strategies. Here, we leverage a strategy of bioinformatics analysis combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to identify specific functional hotspots in piscidins and rationally design related analogues. As expected, this approach yields a potent and non-toxic PIS-A-1 that can be used as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogens. Remarkably, the structural optimization scheme and application strategy proposed here will contribute richer therapeutic options for the safe production of animal protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Chen
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China ,grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
| | - Xiaoping Wu
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China ,grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
| | - Shaoyun Wang
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
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10
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Chen X, Han J, Cai X, Wang S. Antimicrobial peptides: Sustainable application informed by evolutionary constraints. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108012. [PMID: 35752270 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The proliferation and global expansion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have deepened the need to develop novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are regarded as promising antibacterial agents because of their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and multifaceted mechanisms of action with non-specific targets. However, if AMPs are to be applied sustainably, knowledge of how they induce resistance in pathogenic bacteria must be mastered to avoid repeating the traditional antibiotic resistance mistakes currently faced. Furthermore, the evolutionary constraints on the acquisition of AMP resistance by microorganisms in the natural environment, such as functional compatibility and fitness trade-offs, inform the translational application of AMPs. Consequently, the shortcut to achieve sustainable utilization of AMPs is to uncover the evolutionary constraints of bacteria on AMP resistance in nature and find the tricks to exploit these constraints, such as applying AMP cocktails to minimize the efficacy of selection for resistance or combining nanomaterials to maximize the costs of AMP resistance. Altogether, this review dissects the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of utilizing AMPs against disease-causing bacteria, and highlights the use of AMP cocktails or nanomaterials to proactively address potential AMP resistance crises in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Jinzhi Han
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Xixi Cai
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Shaoyun Wang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China.
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11
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Ouyang X, Li B, Yang Y, Ba Z, Zhang J, Zhang T, Chang L, Zhang F, Zhang Y, Liu H, Gou S, Ni J. Improving the Antimicrobial Performance of Amphiphilic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Using Glutamic Acid Full-Scan and Positive Charge Compensation Strategies. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13833-13851. [PMID: 36148510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nonselective toxicity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) needs to be solved urgently for their application. Temporin-PE (T-PE, FLPIVAKLLSGLL-NH2), an AMP extracted from skin secretions of frogs, has high toxicity and specific antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. To improve the antimicrobial performance of T-PE, a series of T-PE analogues were designed and synthesized by glutamic acid full-scan, and then their key positions were replaced with lysine. Finally, E11K4K10, the highest therapeutic indicial AMP, was screened out. E11K4K10 was not easy to induce and produce drug-resistant bacteria when used alone, as well as it could also inhibit the development of the drug resistance of traditional antibiotics when it was used in combination with the traditional antibiotics. In addition, E11K4K10 had an excellent therapeutic effect on a mouse model of pulmonary bacterial infection. Taken together, this study provides a new approach for the further improvement of new antimicrobial peptides against the antimicrobial-resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Beibei Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Yinyin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Tianyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Linlin Chang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
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12
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Chen X, Han J, Wang S. Integrated evolutionary analysis reveals the resistance risk to antimicrobial peptides in Staphylococcus aureus. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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13
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Xian W, Hennefarth MR, Lee MW, Do T, Lee EY, Alexandrova AN, Wong GCL. Histidine-Mediated Ion Specific Effects Enable Salt Tolerance of a Pore-Forming Marine Antimicrobial Peptide. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202108501. [PMID: 35352449 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) preferentially permeate prokaryotic membranes via electrostatic binding and membrane remodeling. Such action is drastically suppressed by high salt due to increased electrostatic screening, thus it is puzzling how marine AMPs can possibly work. We examine as a model system, piscidin-1, a histidine-rich marine AMP, and show that ion-histidine interactions play unanticipated roles in membrane remodeling at high salt: Histidines can simultaneously hydrogen-bond to a phosphate and coordinate with an alkali metal ion to neutralize phosphate charge, thereby facilitating multidentate bonds to lipid headgroups in order to generate saddle-splay curvature, a prerequisite to pore formation. A comparison among Na+ , K+ , and Cs+ indicates that histidine-mediated salt tolerance is ion specific. We conclude that histidine plays a unique role in enabling protein/peptide-membrane interactions that occur in marine or other high-salt environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujing Xian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew R Hennefarth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michelle W Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tran Do
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ernest Y Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,California Nano Systems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gerard C L Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,California Nano Systems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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14
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Xian W, Hennefarth MR, Lee MW, Do T, Lee EY, Alexandrova AN, Wong GCL. Histidine‐Mediated Ion Specific Effects Enable Salt Tolerance of a Pore‐Forming Marine Antimicrobial Peptide. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202108501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wujing Xian
- Department of Bioengineering University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Matthew R. Hennefarth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Michelle W. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Tran Do
- Department of Bioengineering University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Ernest Y. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Anastassia N. Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- California Nano Systems Institute University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Gerard C. L. Wong
- Department of Bioengineering University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- California Nano Systems Institute University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
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15
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Booth V. Deuterium Solid State NMR Studies of Intact Bacteria Treated With Antimicrobial Peptides. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 2:621572. [PMID: 35047897 PMCID: PMC8757836 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.621572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid state NMR has been tremendously useful in characterizing the structure and dynamics of model membranes composed of simple lipid mixtures. Model lipid studies employing solid state NMR have included important work revealing how membrane bilayer structure and dynamics are affected by molecules such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, solid state NMR need not be applied only to model membranes, but can also be used with living, intact cells. NMR of whole cells holds promise for helping resolve some unsolved mysteries about how bacteria interact with AMPs. This mini-review will focus on recent studies using 2H NMR to study how treatment with AMPs affect membranes in intact bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Physics and Physical Oceanograpy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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16
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Bin Hafeez A, Jiang X, Bergen PJ, Zhu Y. Antimicrobial Peptides: An Update on Classifications and Databases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11691. [PMID: 34769122 PMCID: PMC8583803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are distributed across all kingdoms of life and are an indispensable component of host defenses. They consist of predominantly short cationic peptides with a wide variety of structures and targets. Given the ever-emerging resistance of various pathogens to existing antimicrobial therapies, AMPs have recently attracted extensive interest as potential therapeutic agents. As the discovery of new AMPs has increased, many databases specializing in AMPs have been developed to collect both fundamental and pharmacological information. In this review, we summarize the sources, structures, modes of action, and classifications of AMPs. Additionally, we examine current AMP databases, compare valuable computational tools used to predict antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action, and highlight new machine learning approaches that can be employed to improve AMP activity to combat global antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmer Bin Hafeez
- Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan;
| | - Xukai Jiang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Phillip J. Bergen
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Yan Zhu
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
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17
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Cisse A, Marquette A, Altangerel M, Peters J, Bechinger B. Investigation of the Action of Peptides on Lipid Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:10213-10223. [PMID: 34464136 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c06388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Calorimetric and incoherent neutron scattering methods were employed to investigate the action of magainin 2 and PGLa peptides on the phase behavior and molecular dynamics of lipids mimicking cytoplasmic membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. The impact of the peptides, tested individually and cooperatively by differential scanning calorimetry, presented a broadened peak, sometimes with a second shoulder, depicting the phase transition temperature around 21 °C. Neutron scattering revealed a small but significant variation of the membrane dynamics due to the peptides in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions. Although we did not find a clear hint for synergy in the interplay of the two peptides, the calorimetric and neutron data give compatible results in terms of a decrease of the enthalpy due to the presence of the peptides, which destabilize the membrane. The dynamics in the two directions was differentiated when the individual peptides were added to the membranes, but the impact was smaller when both peptides were added together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Cisse
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, LiPhy, 38000 Grenoble, France.,Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Arnaud Marquette
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Chemistry Institute, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, UMR7177 Strasbourg, France
| | - Munkhtuguldur Altangerel
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, LiPhy, 38000 Grenoble, France.,Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Judith Peters
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, LiPhy, 38000 Grenoble, France.,Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000 Grenoble, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Chemistry Institute, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, UMR7177 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 75231 Paris, France
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18
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Seo JK, Kim DG, Lee JE, Park KS, Lee IA, Lee KY, Kim YO, Nam BH. Antimicrobial Activity and Action Mechanisms of Arg-Rich Short Analog Peptides Designed from the C-Terminal Loop Region of American Oyster Defensin (AOD). Mar Drugs 2021; 19:451. [PMID: 34436290 PMCID: PMC8400246 DOI: 10.3390/md19080451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
American oyster defensin (AOD) was previously purified from acidified gill extract of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. AOD is composed of 38 amino acids with three disulfide bonds and exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria as well as significant activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, to develop promising peptides into antibiotic candidates, we designed five arginine-rich analogs (A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4), predicted their loop and extended strand/random structures-including nine amino acids and a disulfide bond derived from the C-terminus of AOD-and described their antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects, as well as their modes of action. In our experimental results, the A3 and A4 analogs exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against all test organisms-including four Gram-positive bacteria, six Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans-without cell toxicity. A sequence of experiments, including a membrane permeabilization assay, DNA binding study, and DNA polymerization inhibition test, indicated that the two analogs (A3 and A4) possibly did not act directly on the bacterial membrane but instead interacted with intracellular components such as DNA or DNA amplification reactions. AOD analogs also showed strong bacterial inhibition activity in the plasma environment. In addition, analog-treated microbial cells clearly exhibited membrane disruption, damage, and leakage of cytoplasmic contents. Collectively, our results suggest that two analogs, A3 and A4, have potent antimicrobial activity via DNA interaction and have the potential for development into novel antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Kil Seo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea; (J.-E.L.); (K.-S.P.)
| | - Dong-Gyun Kim
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea; (D.-G.K.); (Y.-O.K.)
| | - Ji-Eun Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea; (J.-E.L.); (K.-S.P.)
| | - Kwon-Sam Park
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea; (J.-E.L.); (K.-S.P.)
| | - In-Ah Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea;
| | - Ki-Young Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea;
| | - Young-Ok Kim
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea; (D.-G.K.); (Y.-O.K.)
| | - Bo-Hye Nam
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea; (D.-G.K.); (Y.-O.K.)
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19
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Hammond K, Cipcigan F, Al Nahas K, Losasso V, Lewis H, Cama J, Martelli F, Simcock PW, Fletcher M, Ravi J, Stansfeld PJ, Pagliara S, Hoogenboom BW, Keyser UF, Sansom MSP, Crain J, Ryadnov MG. Switching Cytolytic Nanopores into Antimicrobial Fractal Ruptures by a Single Side Chain Mutation. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9679-9689. [PMID: 33885289 PMCID: PMC8219408 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of cell membranes is a fundamental host defense response found in virtually all forms of life. The molecular mechanisms vary but generally lead to energetically favored circular nanopores. Here, we report an elaborate fractal rupture pattern induced by a single side-chain mutation in ultrashort (8-11-mers) helical peptides, which otherwise form transmembrane pores. In contrast to known mechanisms, this mode of membrane disruption is restricted to the upper leaflet of the bilayer where it exhibits propagating fronts of peptide-lipid interfaces that are strikingly similar to viscous instabilities in fluid flow. The two distinct disruption modes, pores and fractal patterns, are both strongly antimicrobial, but only the fractal rupture is nonhemolytic. The results offer wide implications for elucidating differential membrane targeting phenomena defined at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Hammond
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Kareem Al Nahas
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | | | - Helen Lewis
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Jehangir Cama
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Phys Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | | | - Patrick W Simcock
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Marcus Fletcher
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Jascindra Ravi
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | | | - Stefano Pagliara
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Bart W Hoogenboom
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Jason Crain
- IBM Research Europe, Hartree Centre, Daresbury WA4 4AD, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Maxim G Ryadnov
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- Corresponding author: Prof Maxim G Ryadnov; National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK, Tel: (+44) 20 89436078;
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20
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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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21
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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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22
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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: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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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23
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Hyun S, Choi Y, Jo D, Choo S, Park TW, Park SJ, Kim S, Lee S, Park S, Jin SM, Cheon DH, Yoo W, Arya R, Chong YP, Kim KK, Kim YS, Lee Y, Yu J. Proline Hinged Amphipathic α-Helical Peptide Sensitizes Gram-Negative Bacteria to Various Gram-Positive Antibiotics. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14937-14950. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Soonsil Hyun
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Yoonhwa Choi
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Doyeon Jo
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Seolah Choo
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Tae Woo Park
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Su-Jin Park
- Department of Infectious Disease, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Seoyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Seonju Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sohyun Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sun Mi Jin
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Dae Hee Cheon
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Wanki Yoo
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Rekha Arya
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Yong Pil Chong
- Department of Infectious Disease, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Yang Soo Kim
- Department of Infectious Disease, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Yan Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jaehoon Yu
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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24
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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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25
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Unzueta PA, Beran GJO. Polarizable continuum models provide an effective electrostatic embedding model for fragment-based chemical shift prediction in challenging systems. J Comput Chem 2020; 41:2251-2265. [PMID: 32748418 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ab initio nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift prediction provides an important tool for interpreting and assigning experimental spectra, but it becomes computationally prohibitive in large systems. The computational costs can be reduced considerably by fragmentation of the large system into a series of contributions from many smaller subsystems. However, the presence of charged functional groups and the need to partition the system across covalent bonds create complications in biomolecules that typically require the use of large fragments and careful descriptions of the electrostatic environment. The present work shows how a model that combines chemical shielding contributions from non-overlapping monomer and dimer fragments embedded in a polarizable continuum model provides a simple, easy-to-implement, and computationally inexpensive approach for predicting chemical shifts in complex systems. The model's performance proves rather insensitive to the continuum dielectric constant, making the selection of the optimal embedding dielectric less critical. The PCM-embedded fragment model is demonstrated to perform well across systems ranging from molecular crystals to proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A Unzueta
- Department of Chemistry, Univeristy of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Gregory J O Beran
- Department of Chemistry, Univeristy of California, Riverside, California, USA
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26
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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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27
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Tan C, Chen Y, Peng X, Chen Z, Cai S, Cross TA, Fu R. Revealing weak histidine 15N homonuclear scalar couplings using Solid-State Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2020; 316:106757. [PMID: 32535401 PMCID: PMC7426724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2020.106757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The tautomeric structure and chemistry of the histidine imidazole ring play active roles in many structurally and functionally important proteins and polypeptides. While in NMR spectroscopy histidine chemical shifts (e.g. 15N, 13C, and 1H) have been commonly used to characterize the tautomeric structure, hydrogen bonding, and torsion angles, homonuclear 15N scalar couplings in histidine have rarely been reported. Here, we propose double spin-echo sequences to compare the observed signals with and without a 90° pulse between the two spin-echo periods, such that their signal ratio as a function of the echo time solely depends on homonuclear scalar couplings, allowing for measuring weak homonuclear scalar couplings without influence from transverse dephasing effects, thus capable of revealing hydrogen-bond mediated 15N-15N J-couplings that can provide direct and definitive evidence for the formation of N…H…N hydrogen-bonding associated with the imidazole ring. We used two 13C,15N labeled histidine samples recrystallized from solutions at pH 6.3 and pH 11.0 to demonstrate the feasibility of this method and reveal the existence of a weak two-bond scalar coupling between the Nδ1 and Nε2 sites in the histidine imidazole ring in three tautomeric states and the presence of a hydrogen-bond mediated scalar coupling between the Nδ1 site in the imidazole ring and the backbone Nα site in the histidine neutral τ and π states. Our results demonstrate that weak 15N homonuclear scalar couplings can be measured even when their values are less than their corresponding intrinsic natural linewidths, thus providing direct and definitive evidence for the formation of N…H…N hydrogen bonding that is associated with the histidine imidazole ring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Tan
- National High Magnet Field Lab, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Yuquan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microscale Magnetic Resonance and Department of Modern Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xinhua Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microscale Magnetic Resonance and Department of Modern Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Shuhui Cai
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Timothy A Cross
- National High Magnet Field Lab, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnet Field Lab, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
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28
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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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29
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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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30
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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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31
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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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32
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van den Bergen G, Stroet M, Caron B, Poger D, Mark AE. Curved or linear? Predicting the 3-dimensional structure of α-helical antimicrobial peptides in an amphipathic environment. FEBS Lett 2019; 594:1062-1080. [PMID: 31794050 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
α-Helical membrane-active antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are known to act via a range of mechanisms, including the formation of barrel-stave and toroidal pores and the micellisation of the membrane (carpet mechanism). Different mechanisms imply that the peptides adopt different 3D structures when bound at the water-membrane interface, a highly amphipathic environment. Here, an evolutionary algorithm is used to predict the 3D structure of a range of α-helical membrane-active AMPs at the water-membrane interface by optimising amphipathicity. This amphipathic structure prediction (ASP) is capable of distinguishing between curved and linear peptides solved experimentally, potentially allowing the activity and mechanism of action of different membrane-active AMPs to be predicted. The ASP algorithm is accessible via a web interface at http://atb.uq.edu.au/asp/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen van den Bergen
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martin Stroet
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bertrand Caron
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David Poger
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alan E Mark
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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33
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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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34
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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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35
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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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36
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Pfeil MP, Pyne ALB, Losasso V, Ravi J, Lamarre B, Faruqui N, Alkassem H, Hammond K, Judge PJ, Winn M, Martyna GJ, Crain J, Watts A, Hoogenboom BW, Ryadnov MG. Tuneable poration: host defense peptides as sequence probes for antimicrobial mechanisms. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14926. [PMID: 30297841 PMCID: PMC6175903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of antimicrobial resistance stimulates discovery strategies that place emphasis on mechanisms circumventing the drawbacks of traditional antibiotics and on agents that hit multiple targets. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are promising candidates in this regard. Here we demonstrate that a given HDP sequence intrinsically encodes for tuneable mechanisms of membrane disruption. Using an archetypal HDP (cecropin B) we show that subtle structural alterations convert antimicrobial mechanisms from native carpet-like scenarios to poration and non-porating membrane exfoliation. Such distinct mechanisms, studied using low- and high-resolution spectroscopy, nanoscale imaging and molecular dynamics simulations, all maintain strong antimicrobial effects, albeit with diminished activity against pathogens resistant to HDPs. The strategy offers an effective search paradigm for the sequence probing of discrete antimicrobial mechanisms within a single HDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Philipp Pfeil
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alice L B Pyne
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Valeria Losasso
- STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Jascindra Ravi
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Baptiste Lamarre
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Nilofar Faruqui
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Hasan Alkassem
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katharine Hammond
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Peter J Judge
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Martyn Winn
- STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AD, UK
| | | | - Jason Crain
- IBM Research, Yorktown Heights, NY, 10598, USA
| | - Anthony Watts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Bart W Hoogenboom
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maxim G Ryadnov
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
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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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38
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Avci FG, Akbulut BS, Ozkirimli E. Membrane Active Peptides and Their Biophysical Characterization. Biomolecules 2018; 8:biom8030077. [PMID: 30135402 PMCID: PMC6164437 DOI: 10.3390/biom8030077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years, an increasing number of studies have been reported on membrane active peptides. These peptides exert their biological activity by interacting with the cell membrane, either to disrupt it and lead to cell lysis or to translocate through it to deliver cargos into the cell and reach their target. Membrane active peptides are attractive alternatives to currently used pharmaceuticals and the number of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and peptides designed for drug and gene delivery in the drug pipeline is increasing. Here, we focus on two most prominent classes of membrane active peptides; AMPs and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). Antimicrobial peptides are a group of membrane active peptides that disrupt the membrane integrity or inhibit the cellular functions of bacteria, virus, and fungi. Cell penetrating peptides are another group of membrane active peptides that mainly function as cargo-carriers even though they may also show antimicrobial activity. Biophysical techniques shed light on peptide–membrane interactions at higher resolution due to the advances in optics, image processing, and computational resources. Structural investigation of membrane active peptides in the presence of the membrane provides important clues on the effect of the membrane environment on peptide conformations. Live imaging techniques allow examination of peptide action at a single cell or single molecule level. In addition to these experimental biophysical techniques, molecular dynamics simulations provide clues on the peptide–lipid interactions and dynamics of the cell entry process at atomic detail. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in experimental and computational investigation of membrane active peptides with particular emphasis on two amphipathic membrane active peptides, the AMP melittin and the CPP pVEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Gizem Avci
- Bioengineering Department, Marmara University, Kadikoy, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | | - Elif Ozkirimli
- Chemical Engineering Department, Bogazici University, Bebek, 34342 Istanbul, Turkey.
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Lipid-Mediated Interactions between the Antimicrobial Peptides Magainin 2 and PGLa in Bilayers. Biophys J 2018; 115:1033-1044. [PMID: 30195937 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A synergistic enhancement of activities has been described for the amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides magainin 2 and PGLa when tested in antimicrobial assays or in biophysical experiments using model membranes. In the presence of magainin 2, PGLa changes from an in-planar alignment parallel to the membrane surface to a more transmembrane orientation when investigated in membranes made from fully saturated PC or PC/PG, but not when one of the fatty acyl chains is unsaturated. Such lipid-mediated changes in the membrane topology of polypeptide domains could provide an interesting mechanism for the regulation of membrane proteins. Here we investigated the PGLa topology in a wide variety of membranes made of saturated or unsaturated PE, PC, and/or PG using 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to predictions made by previous models the data show that membrane curvature has only a minor effect on PGLa realignment. Furthermore, using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy of deuterated phospholipid fatty acyl chains the order parameters of the lipids were investigated in the presence of PGLa, magainin, or equimolar peptide mixtures. Both peptides cause a pronounced decrease in the order parameters when oriented parallel to the membrane surface, an effect that reverts when PGLa flips into transmembrane alignments. Taken together, these data are suggestive that the magainin-induced disordering of fatty acyl chains provides an important driving force for PGLa realignment.
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40
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Antimicrobial peptides: biochemical determinants of activity and biophysical techniques of elucidating their functionality. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:62. [PMID: 29651655 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2444-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been established over millennia as powerful components of the innate immune system of many organisms. Due to their broad spectrum of activity and the development of host resistance against them being unlikely, AMPs are strong candidates for controlling drug-resistant pathogenic microbial pathogens. AMPs cause cell death through several independent or cooperative mechanisms involving membrane lysis, non-lytic activity, and/or intracellular mechanisms. Biochemical determinants such as peptide length, primary sequence, charge, secondary structure, hydrophobicity, amphipathicity and host cell membrane composition together influence the biological activities of peptides. A number of biophysical techniques have been used in recent years to study the mechanisms of action of AMPs. This work appraises the molecular parameters that determine the biocidal activity of AMPs and overviews their mechanisms of actions and the diverse biochemical, biophysical and microscopy techniques utilised to elucidate these.
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41
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Folding a viral peptide in different membrane environments: pathway and sampling analyses. J Biol Phys 2018; 44:195-209. [PMID: 29644513 DOI: 10.1007/s10867-018-9490-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Flock House virus (FHV) is a well-characterized model system to study infection mechanisms in non-enveloped viruses. A key stage of the infection cycle is the disruption of the endosomal membrane by a component of the FHV capsid, the membrane active γ peptide. In this study, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the 21 N-terminal residues of the γ peptide interacting with membranes of differing compositions. We carry out umbrella sampling calculations to study the folding of the peptide to a helical state in homogenous and heterogeneous membranes consisting of neutral and anionic lipids. From the trajectory data, we evaluate folding energetics and dissect the mechanism of folding in the different membrane environments. We conclude the study by analyzing the extent of configurational sampling by performing time-lagged independent component analysis.
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42
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Lipkin R, Lazaridis T. Computational studies of peptide-induced membrane pore formation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018. [PMID: 28630158 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of peptides induce pores in biological membranes; the most common ones are naturally produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small, usually cationic, and defend diverse organisms against biological threats. Because it is not possible to observe these pores directly on a molecular scale, the structure of AMP-induced pores and the exact sequence of steps leading to their formation remain uncertain. Hence, these questions have been investigated via molecular modelling. In this article, we review computational studies of AMP pore formation using all-atom, coarse-grained, and implicit solvent models; evaluate the results obtained and suggest future research directions to further elucidate the pore formation mechanism of AMPs.This article is part of the themed issue 'Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lipkin
- Department of Chemistry, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.,Graduate Program in Chemistry, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Themis Lazaridis
- Department of Chemistry, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
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43
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Cardoso MH, Oshiro KG, Rezende SB, Cândido ES, Franco OL. The Structure/Function Relationship in Antimicrobial Peptides: What Can we Obtain From Structural Data? THERAPEUTIC PROTEINS AND PEPTIDES 2018; 112:359-384. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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44
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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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Perrin BS, Fu R, Cotten ML, Pastor RW. Simulations of Membrane-Disrupting Peptides II: AMP Piscidin 1 Favors Surface Defects over Pores. Biophys J 2017; 111:1258-1266. [PMID: 27653484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that disrupt bacterial membranes are promising therapeutics against the growing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The mechanism of membrane disruption by the AMP piscidin 1 was examined with multimicrosecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The primary simulation was initialized with 20 peptides in four barrel-stave pores in a fully hydrated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol bilayer. The four pores relaxed to toroidal by 200 ns, only one porelike structure containing two transmembrane helices remained at 26 μs, and none of the 18 peptides released to the surface reinserted to form pores. The simulation was repeated at 413 K with an applied electric field and all peptides were surface-bound by 200 ns. Trajectories of surface-bound piscidin with and without applied fields at 313 and 413 K and totaling 6 μs show transient distortions of the bilayer/water interface (consistent with (31)P NMR), but no insertion to transmembrane or pore states. (15)N chemical shifts confirm a fully surface-bound conformation. Taken together, the simulation and experimental results imply that transient defects rather than stable pores are responsible for membrane disruption by piscidin 1, and likely other AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Scott Perrin
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Myriam L Cotten
- Department of Applied Science, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
| | - Richard W Pastor
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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46
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Henderson JM, Waring AJ, Separovic F, Lee KYC. Antimicrobial Peptides Share a Common Interaction Driven by Membrane Line Tension Reduction. Biophys J 2017; 111:2176-2189. [PMID: 27851941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of host-defense molecules that neutralize a broad range of pathogens. Their membrane-permeabilizing behavior has been commonly attributed to the formation of pores; however, with the continuing discovery of AMPs, many are uncharacterized and their exact mechanism remains unknown. Using atomic force microscopy, we previously characterized the disruption of model membranes by protegrin-1 (PG-1), a cationic AMP from pig leukocytes. When incubated with zwitterionic membranes of dimyristoylphosphocholine, PG-1 first induced edge instability at low concentrations, then porous defects at intermediate concentrations, and finally worm-like micelle structures at high concentrations. These rich structural changes suggested that pore formation constitutes only an intermediate state along the route of PG-1's membrane disruption process. The formation of these structures could be best understood by using a mesophase framework of a binary mixture of lipids and peptides, where PG-1 acts as a line-active agent in lowering interfacial bilayer tensions. We have proposed that rather than being static pore formers, AMPs share a common ability to lower interfacial tensions that promote membrane transformations. In a study of 13 different AMPs, we found that peptide line-active behavior was not driven by the overall charge, and instead was correlated with their adoption of imperfect secondary structures. These peptide structures commonly positioned charged residues near the membrane interface to promote deformation favorable for their incorporation into the membrane. Uniquely, the data showed that barrel-stave-forming peptides such as alamethicin are not line-active, and that the seemingly disparate models of toroidal pores and carpet activity are actually related. We speculate that this interplay between peptide structure and the distribution of polar residues in relation to the membrane governs AMP line activity in general and represents a novel, to our knowledge, avenue for the rational design of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Henderson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; The James Frank Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alan J Waring
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California; Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ka Yee C Lee
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; The James Frank Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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47
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Applications of NMR to membrane proteins. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 628:92-101. [PMID: 28529197 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins present a challenge for structural biology. In this article, we review some of the recent developments that advance the application of NMR to membrane proteins, with emphasis on structural studies in detergent-free, lipid bilayer samples that resemble the native environment. NMR spectroscopy is not only ideally suited for structure determination of membrane proteins in hydrated lipid bilayer membranes, but also highly complementary to the other principal techniques based on X-ray and electron diffraction. Recent advances in NMR instrumentation, spectroscopic methods, computational methods, and sample preparations are driving exciting new efforts in membrane protein structural biology.
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48
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Nangia S, May ER. Influence of membrane composition on the binding and folding of a membrane lytic peptide from the non-enveloped flock house virus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:1190-1199. [PMID: 28395954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Using a combination of coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations we have investigated the membrane binding and folding properties of the membrane lytic peptide of Flock House virus (FHV). FHV is an animal virus and an excellent model system for studying cell entry mechanisms in non-enveloped viruses. FHV undergoes a maturation event where the 44 C-terminal amino acids are cleaved from the major capsid protein, forming the membrane lytic (γ) peptides. Under acidic conditions, γ is released from the capsid interior allowing the peptides to bind and disrupt membranes. The first 21 N-terminal residues of γ, termed γ1, have been resolved in the FHV capsid structure and γ1 has been the subject of in vitro studies. γ1 is structurally dynamic as it adopts helical secondary structure inside the capsid and on membranes, but it is disordered in solution. In vitro studies have shown the binding free energies to POPC or POPG membranes are nearly equivalent, but binding to POPC is enthalpically driven, while POPG binding is entropically driven. Through coarse-grained and multiple microsecond all-atom simulations the membrane binding and folding properties of γ1 are investigated against homogeneous and heterogeneous bilayers to elucidate the dependence of the microenvironment on the structural properties of γ1. Our studies provide a rationale for the thermodynamic data and suggest binding of γ1 to POPG bilayers occurs in a disordered state, but γ1 must adopt a helical conformation when binding POPC bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivangi Nangia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
| | - Eric R May
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
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49
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Piscidin-1-analogs with double L- and D-lysine residues exhibited different conformations in lipopolysaccharide but comparable anti-endotoxin activities. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39925. [PMID: 28051162 PMCID: PMC5209718 DOI: 10.1038/srep39925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
To become clinically effective, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) should be non-cytotoxic to host cells. Piscidins are a group of fish-derived AMPs with potent antimicrobial and antiendotoxin activities but limited by extreme cytotoxicity. We conjectured that introduction of cationic residue(s) at the interface of polar and non-polar faces of piscidins may control their insertion into hydrophobic mammalian cell membrane and thereby reducing cytotoxicity. We have designed several novel analogs of piscidin-1 by substituting threonine residue(s) with L and D-lysine residue(s). L/D-lysine-substituted analogs showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity but exhibited either higher or comparable antibacterial activity akin to piscidin-1. Piscidin-1-analogs demonstrated higher efficacy than piscidin-1 in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory responses in THP-1 cells. T15,21K-piscidin-1 (0.5 mg/Kg) and T15,21dK-piscidin-1 (1.0 mg/Kg) demonstrated 100% survival of LPS (12.0 mg/Kg)-administered mice. High resolution NMR studies revealed that both piscidin-1 and T15,21K-piscidin-1 adopted helical structures, with latter showing a shorter helix, higher amphipathicity and cationic residues placed at optimal distances to form ionic/hydrogen bond with lipid A of LPS. Remarkably, T15,21dK-piscidin-1 showed a helix-loop-helix structure in LPS and its interactions with LPS could be sustained by the distance of separation of side chains of R7 and D-Lys-15 which is close to the inter-phosphate distance of lipid A.
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50
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Mote KR, Agarwal V, Madhu PK. Five decades of homonuclear dipolar decoupling in solid-state NMR: Status and outlook. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2016; 97:1-39. [PMID: 27888838 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
It has been slightly more than fifty years since the first homonuclear spin decoupling scheme, Lee-Goldburg decoupling, was proposed for removing homonuclear dipolar interactions in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. A family of such schemes has made observation of high-resolution NMR spectra of abundant spins possible in various applications in solid state. This review outlines the strategies used in this field and the future prospects of homonuclear spin decoupling in solid-state NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh R Mote
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 21 Brundavan Colony, Narsingi, Hyderabad 500 075, India
| | - Vipin Agarwal
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 21 Brundavan Colony, Narsingi, Hyderabad 500 075, India
| | - P K Madhu
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 21 Brundavan Colony, Narsingi, Hyderabad 500 075, India; Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005, India
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