1
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Benfield AH, Vernen F, Young RSE, Nadal-Bufí F, Lamb H, Hammerlindl H, Craik DJ, Schaider H, Lawrence N, Blanksby SJ, Henriques ST. Cyclic tachyplesin I kills proliferative, non-proliferative and drug-resistant melanoma cells without inducing resistance. Pharmacol Res 2024:107298. [PMID: 39032840 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance is the major cause for disease recurrence in cancer patients, and this is particularly true for patients with metastatic melanoma that carry a BRAF V600E mutation. To address this problem, we investigated cyclic membrane-active peptides as an alternative therapeutic modality to kill drug-tolerant and resistant melanoma cells to avoid acquired drug resistance. We selected two stable cyclic peptides (cTI and cGm), previously shown to have anti-melanoma properties, and compared them with dabrafenib, a drug used to treat cancer patients with the BRAF V600E mutation. The peptides act via a fast membrane-permeabilizing mechanism and kill metastatic melanoma cells that are sensitive, tolerant, or resistant to dabrafenib. Melanoma cells do not become resistant to long-term treatment with cTI, nor do they evolve their lipid membrane composition, as measured by lipidomic and proteomic studies. In vivo studies in mice demonstrated that the combination treatment of cTI and dabrafenib resulted in fewer metastases and improved overall survival. Such cyclic membrane-active peptides are thus well suited as templates to design new anticancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie H Benfield
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Felicitas Vernen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Reuben S E Young
- Central Analytical Research Facility and School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia; School of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Ferran Nadal-Bufí
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Henry Lamb
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Heinz Hammerlindl
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Helmut Schaider
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen J Blanksby
- Central Analytical Research Facility and School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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2
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Eteme ON, Zondegoumba EN, Tadayozzi YS, Serafim JA, Leite WQ, de Freitas Genari Severino M, Vicente EF. Methods for extraction, isolation and sequencing of cyclotides and others cyclic peptides with anti-helminthic activities: An overview. Parasitol Int 2024; 98:102808. [PMID: 37717651 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The mortality rate caused by parasitic worms on their hosts is of great concern and studies have been carried out to find molecules to reduce the prevalence, host-parasite interaction, and resistance of parasites to treatments. Existing drugs on the market are very often toxic and have many side effects, hence the need to find new, more active molecules. It has been demonstrated in several works that medicinal plants constitute a wide range of new molecules that can solve this problem. Several works have already been able to demonstrate that cyclic peptides of plant origin have shown good activity in the fight against different types of helminths. Therefore, this review aims to provide a general overview of the methods and techniques of extraction, isolation, activities and mechanisms of action of cyclotides and other cyclic peptides for application in the treatment of helminthic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Ndogo Eteme
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences and Engineering, Tupã, São Paulo 17602-496, Brazil; University of Yaounde I, Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry, PO. BOX 812, Cameroon.
| | | | - Yasmin Saegusa Tadayozzi
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences and Engineering, Tupã, São Paulo 17602-496, Brazil
| | - Jessica Aparecida Serafim
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences and Engineering, Tupã, São Paulo 17602-496, Brazil
| | - Wendell Queiroz Leite
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Festozo Vicente
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences and Engineering, Tupã, São Paulo 17602-496, Brazil.
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3
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Bjørklund G, Cruz-Martins N, Goh BH, Mykhailenko O, Lysiuk R, Shanaida M, Lenchyk L, Upyr T, Rusu ME, Pryshlyak A, Shanaida V, Chirumbolo S. Medicinal Plant-derived Phytochemicals in Detoxification. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:988-1015. [PMID: 37559241 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666230809094242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The average worldwide human life expectancy is 70 years, with a significantly higher value in Western societies. Many modern diseases are not associated with premature mortality but with a decreased quality of life in aged patients and an excessive accumulation of various toxic compounds in the human body during life. Today, scientists are especially interested in finding compounds that can help increase a healthy lifespan by detoxifying the body. Phytotherapy with specific approaches is used in alternative medicine to remove toxins from the body. Worldwide, research is conducted to identify medicinal plant-derived molecules that, with few or no side effects, may protect the liver and other organs. This review provides updated information about the detoxification process, the traditional and modern use of the most effective medicinal plants, their active metabolites as detoxifying agents, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the detoxification process. Among medicinal plants with substantial detoxifying properties, a major part belongs to the Asteraceae family (Silybum marianum, Cynara scolymus, Arctium lappa, Helichrysum species, Inula helenium, and Taraxacum officinale). The most widely used hepatoprotective phytocomponent is silymarin, a standardized extract from the Silybum marianum seeds containing a mixture of flavonolignans. Many polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenoids have a detoxifying effect. Overall, scientific data on medicinal plants used in phytotherapeutic practice worldwide provides an understanding and awareness of their efficacy in detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Department of Research, Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, Mo i Rana 8610, Norway
| | - Natália Cruz-Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra PRD, Portugal
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Bey Hing Goh
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory (BMEX) Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Victoria, Malaysia
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Lahore, Pakistan
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Olha Mykhailenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
- CONEM Ukraine Bromatology and Medicinal Chemistry Group, National University of Pharmacy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Lysiuk
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
- CONEM Ukraine Life Science Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Mariia Shanaida
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Larysa Lenchyk
- CONEM Ukraine Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry Research Group, National University of Pharmacy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies and Quality of Medicines, Institute for Advanced Training of Pharmacy Specialists, National University of Pharmacy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Taras Upyr
- CONEM Ukraine Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry Research Group, National University of Pharmacy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Marius Emil Rusu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Antonina Pryshlyak
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr Shanaida
- Design of Machine Tools, Instruments and Machines Department, Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
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4
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Batiha GES, Lukman HY, Shaheen HM, Wasef L, Hafiz AA, Conte-Junior CA, Al-Farga A, Chamba MVM, Lawal B. A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Pharmacologic Application of Species of the Genus Viola in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2023; 2023:5406039. [PMID: 37941895 PMCID: PMC10630019 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5406039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Viola L. is the largest genus of the Violaceae family with more than 500 species across the globe. The present extensive literature survey revealed Viola species to be a group of important nutritional and medicinal plants used for the ethnomedicinal treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, asthma, lung diseases, and fatigue. Many plant species of this genus have also received scientific validation of their pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidyslipidemic, analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and antioxidant. Viola is highly rich in different natural products some of which have been isolated and identified in the past few decades; these include flavonoids terpenoids and phenylpropanoids of different pharmacological activities. The pharmacokinetics and clinical studies on this genus are lacking, and the present review is aimed at summarizing the current understanding of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, nutritional composition, and pharmacological profile of medicinal plants from the Viola genus to reveal its therapeutic potentials, gaps, and subsequently open a new window for future pharmacological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
| | - Halimat Yusuf Lukman
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Summit University Offa, Offa PMB 4412, Nigeria
| | - Hazem M. Shaheen
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa Wasef
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
| | - Amin A. Hafiz
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Adam Conte-Junior
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Ammar Al-Farga
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21577, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moses V. M. Chamba
- Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Bashir Lawal
- Faculty of Medical Science, New Gate University, Minna, Nigeria
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5
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Rajendran S, Slazak B, Mohotti S, Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Kapusta M, Wilmowicz E, Göransson U, Hettiarachchi CM, Gunasekera S. Screening for Cyclotides in Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants: Discovery, Characterization, and Bioactivity Screening of Cyclotides from Geophila repens. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:52-65. [PMID: 36525646 PMCID: PMC9887600 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are an intriguing class of structurally stable circular miniproteins of plant origin with numerous potential pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. To investigate the occurrence of cyclotides in Sri Lankan flora, 50 medicinal plants were screened, leading to the identification of a suite of new cyclotides from Geophila repens of the family Rubiaceae. Cycloviolacin O2-like (cyO2-like) gere 1 and the known cyclotide kalata B7 (kB7) were among the cyclotides characterized at the peptide and/or transcript level together with several putative enzymes, likely involved in cyclotide biosynthesis. Five of the most abundant cyclotides were isolated, sequenced, structurally characterized, and screened in antimicrobial and cytotoxicity assays. All gere cyclotides showed cytotoxicity (IC50 of 2.0-10.2 μM), but only gere 1 inhibited standard microbial strains at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4-16 μM. As shown by immunohistochemistry, large quantities of the cyclotides were localized in the epidermis of the leaves and petioles of G. repens. Taken together with the cytotoxicity and membrane permeabilizing activities, this implicates gere cyclotides as potential plant defense molecules. The presence of cyO2-like gere 1 in a plant in the Rubiaceae supports the notion that phylogenetically distant plants may have coevolved to express similar cytotoxic cyclotides for a specific functional role, most likely involving host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeevan Rajendran
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Blazej Slazak
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
- W.
Szafer Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 46 Lubicz, 31-512 Cracow, Poland
| | - Supun Mohotti
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Taj Muhammad
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam A. Strömstedt
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department
of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Wilmowicz
- Faculty
of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus
Copernicus University, 1 Lwowska Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chamari M. Hettiarachchi
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo, Thurstan Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Phamacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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Fernández-Bobey A, Pinto MEF, de Almeida LC, de Souza BM, Dias NB, de Paula-Souza J, Cilli EM, Lopes NP, Costa-Lotufo LV, Palma MS, da Silva Bolzani V. Cytotoxic Cyclotides from Anchietea pyrifolia, a South American Plant Species. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:2127-2134. [PMID: 36044031 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are mini-proteins with potent bioactivities and outstanding potential for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. More than 450 different plant cyclotides have been isolated from six angiosperm families. In Brazil, studies involving this class of natural products are still scarce, despite its rich floristic diversity. Herein were investigated the cyclotides from Anchietea pyrifolia roots, a South American medicinal plant from the family Violaceae. Fourteen putative cyclotides were annotated by LC-MS. Among these, three new bracelet cyclotides, anpy A-C, and the known cycloviolacins O4 (cyO4) and O17 (cyO17) were sequenced through a combination of chemical and enzymatic reactions followed by MALDI-MS/MS analysis. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated by a cytotoxicity assay against three human cancer cell lines (colorectal carcinoma cells: HCT 116 and HCT 116 TP53-/- and breast adenocarcinoma, MCF 7). For all assays, the IC50 values of isolated compounds ranged between 0.8 and 7.3 μM. CyO17 was the most potent cyclotide for the colorectal cancer cell lines (IC50, 0.8 and 1.2 μM). Furthermore, the hemolytic activity of anpy A and B, cyO4, and cyO17 was assessed, and the cycloviolacins were the least hemolytic (HD50 > 156 μM). This work sheds light on the cytotoxic effects of the anpy cyclotides against cancer cells. Moreover, this study expands the number of cyclotides obtained to date from Brazilian plant biodiversity and adds one more genus containing these molecules to the list of the Violaceae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Fernández-Bobey
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Meri Emili Ferreira Pinto
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Costa de Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 05508-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bibiana Monson de Souza
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Baptista Dias
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), University of The Frontier (UFRO), 4881-176, Temuco, Chile
| | - Juliana de Paula-Souza
- Department of Botany, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), 88040-535, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- Nucleus Research in Natural and Synthetic Products (NPPNS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 14040-903, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), 05508-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Sergio Palma
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Zoochemistry, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 13506-900, Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
- Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Miniproteins in medicinal chemistry. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 71:128806. [PMID: 35660515 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128806] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Miniproteins exhibit great potential as scaffolds for drug candidates because of their well-defined structure and good synthetic availability. Because of recently described methodologies for their de novo design, the field of miniproteins is emerging and can provide molecules that effectively bind to problematic targets, i.e., those that have been previously considered to be undruggable. This review describes methodologies for the development of miniprotein scaffolds and for the construction of biologically active miniproteins.
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8
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The Influence of Plant Stress Hormones and Biotic Elicitors on Cyclotide Production in Viola uliginosa Cell Suspension Cultures. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141876. [PMID: 35890511 PMCID: PMC9324686 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are macrocycle peptides produced by plants from several families, including Violaceae. These compounds have the potential for applications in medicine, bioengineering and crop protection thanks to their multiple biological activities. In most cases, cyclotides are extracted from plant material. Plant cell culture provides a viable and sustainable form of plant biomass production Cyclotides are host defense peptides. The aim of the current study was to test whether different plant stress hormones and biological elicitors have effects on cyclotide production in Viola uliginosa suspension cultures. Different concentrations of jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA) and neutralized pathogens were tested. The cyclotide production was assessed using MALDI-MS. Five major peptides produced by V. uliginosa cultures were chosen for analysis, of which one was sequenced de novo. The treatments had little influence on the suspension’s growth, with the exception of 100 μM SA, which enhanced the biomass increase, and 100 μM ABA, which was toxic. Significant increases in the production of three cyclotides (viul M, cyO13 and cyO3) were observed in suspensions primed with JA (50 μM, 100 μM, 200 μM) after 14 days of culturing. Biotic elicitors had no observable effect on cyclotide production. The current study indicates that some cyclotides in V. uliginosa are triggered in response to JA. The stress plant hormones can be used to enhance plant cell culture-based production systems.
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9
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Du Q, Huang YH, Wang CK, Kaas Q, Craik DJ. Mutagenesis of bracelet cyclotide hyen D reveals functionally and structurally critical residues for membrane binding and cytotoxicity. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101822. [PMID: 35283188 PMCID: PMC9006653 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides have a wide range of bioactivities relevant for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. This large family of naturally occurring macrocyclic peptides is divided into three subfamilies, with the bracelet subfamily being the largest and comprising the most potent cyclotides reported to date. However, attempts to harness the natural bioactivities of bracelet cyclotides and engineer-optimized analogs have been hindered by a lack of understanding of the structural and functional role of their constituent residues, which has been challenging because bracelet cyclotides are difficult to produce synthetically. We recently established a facile strategy to make the I11L mutant of cyclotide hyen D that is as active as the parent peptide, enabling the subsequent production of a series of variants. In the current study, we report an alanine mutagenesis structure-activity study of [I11L] hyen D to probe the role of individual residues on peptide folding using analytical chromatography, on molecular function using surface plasmon resonance, and on therapeutic potential using cytotoxicity assays. We found that Glu-6 and Thr-15 are critical for maintaining the structure of bracelet cyclotides and that hydrophobic residues in loops 2 and 3 are essential for membrane binding and cytotoxic activity, findings that are distinct from the structural and functional characteristics determined for other cyclotide subfamilies. In conclusion, this is the first report of a mutagenesis scan conducted on a bracelet cyclotide, offering insights into their function and supporting future efforts to engineer bracelet cyclotides for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingdan Du
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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10
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Pavlicevic M, Marmiroli N, Maestri E. Immunomodulatory peptides-A promising source for novel functional food production and drug discovery. Peptides 2022; 148:170696. [PMID: 34856531 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory peptides are a complex class of bioactive peptides that encompasses substances with different mechanisms of action. Immunomodulatory peptides could also be used in vaccines as adjuvants which would be extremely desirable, especially in response to pandemics. Thus, immunomodulatory peptides in food of plant origin could be regarded both as valuable suplements of novel functional food preparation and/or as precursors or possible active ingredients for drugs design for treatment variety of conditions arising from impaired function of immune system. Given variety of mechanisms, different tests are required to assess effects of immunomodulatory peptides. Some of those effects show good correlation with in vivo results but others, less so. Certain plant peptides, such as defensins, show both immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effect, which makes them interesting candidates for preparation of functional food and feed, as well as templates for design of synthetic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Pavlicevic
- Institute for Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nelson Marmiroli
- University of Parma, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Maestri
- University of Parma, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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11
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Gerlach SL, Dunlop RA, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cox PA. Cyclotides Chemosensitize Glioblastoma Cells to Temozolomide. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:34-46. [PMID: 35044783 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive cancer originating in the brain, with a median survival of 12 months. Most patients do not respond to or develop resistance to the only effective chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide (TMZ), used to treat gliomas. Novel treatment methods are critically needed. Cyclotides are plant peptides that may be promising adjuvants to TMZ chemotherapy. They exhibit antitumor activity and chemosensitize cells to doxorubicin in breast cancer studies. During this research, we optimized cyclotide isolation techniques, and several cyclotides (CyO2, CyO13, kalata B1, and varv peptide A) exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in MTT assays with IC50 values of 2.15-7.92 μM against human brain astrocytoma cells (U-87 MG) and human bone marrow derived neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). CyO2 and varv peptide A increased TMZ-induced cell death in U-87 MG cultures alone and when coexposed with CyO2 or varv peptide A plus TMZ. Phase contrast microscopy of glioblastoma cells exposed to cyclotides alone and coexposed to TMZ indicated shrunken, granular cells with blebbing, and the most pronounced effects were observed with coexposure treatments of cyclotides and TMZ. Cumulative results provide the proof-of-concept that cyclotides may enhance TMZ chemotherapy, and in vivo pharmacokinetic investigations of cyclotides are warranted with respect to GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Gerlach
- Department of Biology, Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122, United States
| | - Rachael A Dunlop
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - James S Metcalf
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - Sandra A Banack
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
| | - Paul Alan Cox
- Institute for Ethnomedicine, Brain Chemistry Laboratories, Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, United States
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12
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Gupta R, Kumari J, Pati S, Singh S, Mishra M, Ghosh SK. Interaction of cyclotide Kalata B1 protein with model cellular membranes of varied electrostatics. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:852-860. [PMID: 34592223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A uni-molecular layer of lipids at air-water interface mimicking one of the leaflets of the cellular membrane provides a simple model to understand the interaction of any foreign molecules with the membrane. Here, the interactions of protein Kalata B1 (KB1) of cyclotide family with the phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) sodium salt (DPPG), and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine chloride salt (DSEPC) have been investigated. The addition of KB1 induces a change in pressure of the lipid monolayers. The characteristic time of the change in pressure is found to be dependent on the electrostatic nature of the lipid. Even though the protein is weakly surface active, it is capable of modifying the phase behavior and elastic properties of lipid monolayers with differences in their strength and nature making the layers more floppy. The KB1-lipid interaction has been quantified by calculating the excess Gibb's free energy of interaction and the 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) binding studies. The interaction with zwitterionic DPPC and negatively charged DPPG lipids are found to be thermodynamically favorable whereas the protein shows a weaker response to positively charged DSEPC lipid. Therefore, the long ranged electrostatic is the initial driving force for the KB1 to recognize and subsequently attach to a cellular membrane. Thereafter, the hydrophobic region of the protein may penetrate into the hydrophobic core of the membrane via specific amino acid residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritika Gupta
- Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, G. B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
| | - Jyoti Kumari
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, G. B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, G. B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru university, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Manasi Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, G. B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India.
| | - Sajal K Ghosh
- Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, G. B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India.
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13
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Huang YH, Du Q, Jiang Z, King GJ, Collins BM, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Enabling Efficient Folding and High-Resolution Crystallographic Analysis of Bracelet Cyclotides. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185554. [PMID: 34577034 PMCID: PMC8467136 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185554] [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: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides have attracted great interest as drug design scaffolds because of their unique cyclic cystine knotted topology. They are classified into three subfamilies, among which the bracelet subfamily represents the majority and comprises the most bioactive cyclotides, but are the most poorly utilized in drug design applications. A long-standing challenge has been the very low in vitro folding yields of bracelets, hampering efforts to characterize their structures and activities. Herein, we report substantial increases in bracelet folding yields enabled by a single point mutation of residue Ile-11 to Leu or Gly. We applied this discovery to synthesize mirror image enantiomers and used quasi-racemic crystallography to elucidate the first crystal structures of bracelet cyclotides. This study provides a facile strategy to produce bracelet cyclotides, leading to a general method to easily access their atomic resolution structures and providing a basis for development of biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Qingdan Du
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhihao Jiang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gordon J. King
- The Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Brett M. Collins
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (Y.-H.H.); (Q.D.); (Z.J.); (B.M.C.); (C.K.W.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3346-2019
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14
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New Insights into Anthelmintic Mechanisms of Action of a Synthetic Peptide: An Ultrastructural and Nanomechanical Approach. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13142370. [PMID: 34301127 PMCID: PMC8309597 DOI: 10.3390/polym13142370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistant nematodes are not affected by the most common drugs commercially available. In the search for new anthelmintics, peptides have been investigated. Here, a linear synthetic peptide named RcAlb-PepIII bioinspired from the antimicrobial protein Rc-2S-Alb was designed, synthesized, and tested against barber pole worm Haemonchus contortus. The physicochemical properties of the peptide, the 3D structure model, the egg hatch inhibition, and larval development inhibition of H. contortus were carried out. Additionally, the ultrastructure of the nematode after treatment with the peptide was evaluated by atomic force microscopy. The RcAlb-PepIII inhibited the larval development of H. contortus with an EC50 of 90 µM and did not affect egg hatch. Atomic force microscopy reveals the high affinity of RcAlb-PepIII with the cuticle of H. contortus in the L2 stage. It also shows the deposition of RcAlb-PepIII onto the surface of the cuticle, forming a structure similar to a film that reduces the roughness and mean square roughness (Rq) of it. In conclusion, the bioinspired RcAlb-PepIII has the potential to be used as a new anthelmintic compound to control gastrointestinal nematode parasites.
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15
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van den Broek K, Epple M, Kersten LS, Kuhn H, Zielesny A. Quantitative Estimation of Cyclotide-Induced Bilayer Membrane Disruption by Lipid Extraction with Mesoscopic Simulation. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3027-3040. [PMID: 34008405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotide-induced membrane disruption is studied at the microsecond timescale by dissipative particle dynamics to quantitatively estimate a kinetic rate constant for membrane lipid extraction with a ″sandwich″ interaction model where two bilayer membranes enclose a cyclotide/water compartment. The obtained bioactivity trends for cyclotides Kalata B1, Cycloviolacin O2, and selected mutants with different membrane types are in agreement with experimental findings: For all membranes investigated, Cycloviolacin O2 shows a higher lipid extraction activity than Kalata B1. The presence of cholesterol leads to a decreased cyclotide activity compared to cholesterol-free membranes. Phosphoethanolamine-rich membranes exhibit an increased membrane disruption. A cyclotide's ″hydrophobic patch″ surface area is important for its bioactivity. A replacement of or with charged amino acid residues may lead to super-mutants with above-native activity but without simple charge-activity patterns. Cyclotide mixtures show linearly additive bioactivities without significant sub- or over-additive effects. The proposed method can be applied as a fast and easy-to-use tool for exploring structure-activity relationships of cyclotide/membrane systems: With the open software provided, the rate constant of a single cyclotide/membrane system can be determined in about 1 day by a scientific end-user without programming skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina van den Broek
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Sophie Kersten
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Hubert Kuhn
- CAM-D Technologies GmbH, 42697 Solingen, Germany
| | - Achim Zielesny
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
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16
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Zhang JN, Xia YX, Zhang HJ. Natural Cyclopeptides as Anticancer Agents in the Last 20 Years. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3973. [PMID: 33921480 PMCID: PMC8068844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclopeptides or cyclic peptides are polypeptides formed by ring closing of terminal amino acids. A large number of natural cyclopeptides have been reported to be highly effective against different cancer cells, some of which are renowned for their clinical uses. Compared to linear peptides, cyclopeptides have absolute advantages of structural rigidity, biochemical stability, binding affinity as well as membrane permeability, which contribute greatly to their anticancer potency. Therefore, the discovery and development of natural cyclopeptides as anticancer agents remains attractive to academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Herein, we provide an overview of anticancer cyclopeptides that were discovered in the past 20 years. The present review mainly focuses on the anticancer efficacies, mechanisms of action and chemical structures of cyclopeptides with natural origins. Additionally, studies of the structure-activity relationship, total synthetic strategies as well as bioactivities of natural cyclopeptides are also included in this article. In conclusion, due to their characteristic structural features, natural cyclopeptides have great potential to be developed as anticancer agents. Indeed, they can also serve as excellent scaffolds for the synthesis of novel derivatives for combating cancerous pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hong-Jie Zhang
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; (J.-N.Z.); (Y.-X.X.)
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17
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Deesrisak K, Yingchutrakul Y, Krobthong S, Roytrakul S, Chatupheeraphat C, Subkorn P, Anurathapan U, Tanyong D. Bioactive peptide isolated from sesame seeds inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis and autophagy in leukemic cells. EXCLI JOURNAL 2021; 20:709-721. [PMID: 33907539 PMCID: PMC8073838 DOI: 10.17179/excli2021-3406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia is the most common type of hematological malignancies. Several natural products including bioactive peptides have been explored and studied for their anti-leukemic activities. In the present study, anti-leukemic peptide, IGTLILM (IM-7), was isolated and identified from the protein hydrolysate of sesame seeds by reverse phase-solid phase extraction, off-gel fractionation and nano LC-MS/MS. The cytotoxic effects of IM-7 were studied in MOLT-4 and NB4 acute leukemic cell lines using an MTT assay. The induction of apoptosis and autophagy was investigated by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and anti-LC3/FITC antibodies, respectively. The mRNA alterations of apoptotic and autophagic-related genes were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The present study found that IM-7 inhibited the proliferation of MOLT-4 and NB4 cells in dose-dependent manner, but it showed a minimal effect on healthy mononuclear cells. IM-7 activated apoptosis and autophagy through the upregulation of CASP3, ULK1 and BECN1 and the downregulation of BCL2. In addition, IM-7 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of the anti-leukemic drug, daunorubicin. The findings suggested that IM-7 was potent to suppress the proliferation of MOLT-4 and NB4 leukemic cells and induce apoptosis and autophagy through the regulation of caspase 3-Bcl-2 and ULK1-Beclin1, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamolchanok Deesrisak
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Yodying Yingchutrakul
- Proteomics Research Team, National Omics Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Sucheewin Krobthong
- Proteomics Research Team, National Omics Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Functional Proteomics Technology Laboratory, Functional Ingredients and FoodInnovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology for Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120,Thailand
| | - Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Paweena Subkorn
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Dalina Tanyong
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
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18
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Shwaiki LN, Arendt EK, Lynch KM. Plant compounds for the potential reduction of food waste - a focus on antimicrobial peptides. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:4242-4265. [PMID: 33480260 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1873733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A large portion of global food waste is caused by microbial spoilage. The modern approach to preserve food is to apply different hurdles for microbial pathogens to overcome. These vary from thermal processes and chemical additives, to the application of irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging. Even though such preservative techniques exist, loss of food to spoilage still prevails. Plant compounds and peptides represent an untapped source of potential novel natural food preservatives. Of these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are very promising for exploitation. AMPs are a significant component of a plant's innate defense system. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential application of these AMPs; however, more studies, particularly in the area of food preservation are warranted. This review examines the literature on the application of AMPs and other plant compounds for the purpose of reducing food losses and waste (including crop protection). A focus is placed on the plant defensins, their natural extraction and synthetic production, and their safety and application in food preservation. In addition, current challenges and impediments to their full exploitation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila N Shwaiki
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Elke K Arendt
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kieran M Lynch
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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19
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Grover T, Mishra R, Gulati P, Mohanty A. An insight into biological activities of native cyclotides for potential applications in agriculture and pharmaceutics. Peptides 2021; 135:170430. [PMID: 33096195 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived mini-proteins of 28 - 37 amino acids. They have a characteristic head-to-tail cyclic backbone and three disulfide cross-linkages formed by six highly conserved cysteine residues, creating a unique knotted ring structure, known as a cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif. The CCK topology confers immense stability to cyclotides with resistance to thermal and enzymatic degradation. Native cyclotides are of interest due to their multiple biological activities with several potential applications in agricultural (e.g. biopesticides, antifungal) and pharmaceutical (e.g. anti-HIV, cytotoxic to tumor cells) sectors. The most recent application of insecticidal activity of cyclotides is the commercially available biopesticidal spray known as 'Sero X' for cotton crops. Cyclotides have a general mode of action and their potency of bioactivity is determined through their binding ability, pore formation and disruption of the target biological membranes. Keeping in view the important potential applications of biological activities of cyclotides and the lack of an extensive and analytical compilation of bioactive cyclotides, the present review systematically describes eight major biological activities of the native cyclotides from four angiosperm families viz. Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Violaceae. The bioactivities of 94 cytotoxic, 57 antibacterial, 44 hemolytic, 25 antifungal, 21 anti-HIV, 20 nematocidal, 10 insecticidal and 5 molluscicidal cyclotides have been comprehensively elaborated. Further, their distribution in angiosperm families, mode of action and future prospects have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Grover
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India
| | - Reema Mishra
- Department of Botany, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India
| | - Pooja Gulati
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Aparajita Mohanty
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility, Gargi College, University of Delhi, India.
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20
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Du Q, Chan LY, Gilding EK, Henriques ST, Condon ND, Ravipati AS, Kaas Q, Huang YH, Craik DJ. Discovery and mechanistic studies of cytotoxic cyclotides from the medicinal herb Hybanthus enneaspermus. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10911-10925. [PMID: 32414842 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotides are plant-derived peptides characterized by an ∼30-amino acid-long cyclic backbone and a cystine knot motif. Cyclotides have diverse bioactivities, and their cytotoxicity has attracted significant attention for its potential anticancer applications. Hybanthus enneaspermus (Linn) F. Muell is a medicinal herb widely used in India as a libido enhancer, and a previous study has reported that it may contain cyclotides. In the current study, we isolated 11 novel cyclotides and 1 known cyclotide (cycloviolacin O2) from H. enneaspermus and used tandem MS to determine their amino acid sequences. We found that among these cyclotides, hyen C comprises a unique sequence in loops 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 compared with known cyclotides. The most abundant cyclotide in this plant, hyen D, had anticancer activity comparable to that of cycloviolacin O2, one of the most cytotoxic known cyclotides. We also provide mechanistic insights into how these novel cyclotides interact with and permeabilize cell membranes. Results from surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that hyen D, E, L, and M and cycloviolacin O2 preferentially interact with model lipid membranes that contain phospholipids with phosphatidyl-ethanolamine headgroups. The results of a lactate dehydrogenase assay indicated that exposure to these cyclotides compromises cell membrane integrity. Using live-cell imaging, we show that hyen D induces rapid membrane blebbing and cell necrosis. Cyclotide-membrane interactions correlated with the observed cytotoxicity, suggesting that membrane permeabilization and disintegration underpin cyclotide cytotoxicity. These findings broaden our knowledge on the indigenous Indian herb H. enneaspermus and have uncovered cyclotides with potential anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingdan Du
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anjaneya S Ravipati
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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21
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Dancewicz K, Slazak B, Kiełkiewicz M, Kapusta M, Bohdanowicz J, Gabryś B. Behavioral and physiological effects of Viola spp. cyclotides on Myzus persicae (Sulz.). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 122:104025. [PMID: 32059835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are defense peptides produced by several plant families. Viola spp. (Violaceae) produce an array of cyclotides with varying biological activities. The peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulz.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a generalist that feeds on the secondary hosts of over 40 plant families, including Violaceae. The present work aimed to evaluate the activities of cycloviolacins from Viola odorata L. and V. ulignosa Besser (cyO2, cyO3, cyO13, cyO19) against M. persicae. To investigate the peptides' influence on aphid feeding behavior, we used 20% sucrose diets supplemented with cyclotides and measured the effects with electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. We also applied anti-cyclotide antibodies and immunohistochemistry to track the peptides in the digestive systems of the aphids. Our study shows that cyclotides affect aphid probing and feeding behavior and limit their diet sap uptake. The cycloviolacin cyclotides: cyO13 (100 µM) and cyO19 (50 µM) most strongly impeded aphid ingestion activities when applied in sucrose diet. Sustained ingestion of the diet was blocked by 100 µM cyO13, and no aphid showed ingestion of the diet for longer than 10 min. Cyclotides were detected in the pharynx, in contact with the epipharyngeal gustatory organ, in the stomach (midgut) and upper intestine. The present study shows the deterrent activity of cycloviolacins on M. persicae. This activity may be related to the peptides' effects on epithelial cells and gustatory organs along the aphid digestive system. We demonstrate that cyclotides may play an important role in plant-aphid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Dancewicz
- Department of Botany and Ecology, University of Zielona Góra, Szafrana 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Blazej Slazak
- W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, 46 Lubicz St., 31-512 Cracow, Poland; Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre (BMC), Box 574, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Małgorzata Kiełkiewicz
- Section of Applied Entomology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (WULS-SGGW), 159 Nowoursynowska, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jerzy Bohdanowicz
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Beata Gabryś
- Department of Botany and Ecology, University of Zielona Góra, Szafrana 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
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22
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Suppressive role of Viola odorata extract on malignant characters of mammosphere-derived breast cancer stem cells. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 22:1619-1634. [DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Labyrinthopeptins Exert Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity through Lipid-Binding-Mediated Virolysis. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01471-19. [PMID: 31666384 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01471-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To counteract the serious health threat posed by known and novel viral pathogens, drugs that target a variety of viruses through a common mechanism have attracted recent attention due to their potential in treating (re)emerging infections, for which direct-acting antivirals are not available. We found that labyrinthopeptins A1 and A2, the prototype congeners of carbacyclic lanthipeptides, inhibit the proliferation of diverse enveloped viruses, including dengue virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, hepatitis C virus, chikungunya virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus, in the low micromolar to nanomolar range. Mechanistic studies on viral particles revealed that labyrinthopeptins induce a virolytic effect through binding to the viral membrane lipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). These effects are enhanced by a combined equimolar application of both labyrinthopeptins, and a clear synergism was observed across a concentration range corresponding to 10% to 90% inhibitory concentrations of the compounds. Time-resolved experiments with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) reveal that membrane lipid raft compositions (phosphatidylcholine [PC]/PE/cholesterol/sphingomyelin at 17:10:33:40) are particularly sensitive to labyrinthopeptins in comparison to PC/PE (90:10) LUVs, even though the overall PE amount remains constant. Labyrinthopeptins exhibited low cytotoxicity and had favorable pharmacokinetic properties in mice (half-life [t 1/2] = 10.0 h), which designates them promising antiviral compounds acting by an unusual viral lipid targeting mechanism.IMPORTANCE For many viral infections, current treatment options are insufficient. Because the development of each antiviral drug is time-consuming and expensive, the prospect of finding broad-spectrum antivirals that can fight multiple, diverse viruses-well-known viruses as well as (re)emerging species-has gained attention, especially for the treatment of viral coinfections. While most known broad-spectrum agents address processes in the host cell, we found that targeting lipids of the free virus outside the host cell with the natural products labyrinthopeptin A1 and A2 is a viable strategy to inhibit the proliferation of a broad range of viruses from different families, including chikungunya virus, dengue virus, Zika virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and cytomegalovirus. Labyrinthopeptins bind to viral phosphatidylethanolamine and induce virolysis without exerting cytotoxicity on host cells. This represents a novel and unusual mechanism to tackle medically relevant viral infections.
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Mir MA, Hamdani SS, Sheikh BA, Mehraj U. Recent Advances in Metabolites from Medicinal Plants in Cancer Prevention and Treatment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1573395515666191102094330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death and morbidity in the world among noncommunicable diseases after cardiovascular ailments. With the advancement in science and research, a number of therapies have been developed to treat cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Chemo and radiotherapy have been in use since the last two decades, however these are not devoid of their own intrinsic problems, such as myelotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and immunosuppression. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop alternative methods for the treatment of cancer. An increase in the cases of various cancers has encouraged the researchers to discover novel, more effective drugs from plant sources. In this review, fifteen medicinal plants alongside their products with anticancer effects will be introduced and discussed, as well as the most important plant compounds responsible for the anticancer activity of the plant. Several phenolic and alkaloid compounds have been demonstrated to have anticancer effects on various types of cancers. The most fundamental and efficient role exhibited by these secondary plant metabolites against cancer involves removing free radicals and antioxidant effects, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of angiogenesis. Moreover, recent studies have shown that plants and their metabolites may provide an alternative to the existing approaches, including chemotherapies and radiotherapies, in the treatment of cancer. In this review, a brief overview of important secondary metabolites having anticancer activity will be given, along with the major molecular mechanisms involved in the disease. In addition to this, recent advances in secondary metabolites from various medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of cancer will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzoor A. Mir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Syed S. Hamdani
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Bashir A. Sheikh
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Umar Mehraj
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
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Abstract
This Review explores the class of plant-derived macrocyclic peptides called cyclotides. We include an account of their discovery, characterization, and distribution in the plant kingdom as well as a detailed analysis of their sequences and structures, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis, biological functions, and applications. These macrocyclic peptides are around 30 amino acids in size and are characterized by their head-to-tail cyclic backbone and cystine knot motif, which render them to be exceptionally stable, with resistance to thermal or enzymatic degradation. Routes to their chemical synthesis have been developed over the past two decades, and this capability has facilitated a wide range of mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. In turn, these studies have both led to an increased understanding of their mechanisms of action as well as facilitated a range of applications in agriculture and medicine, as ecofriendly crop protection agents, and as drug leads or scaffolds for pharmaceutical design. Our overall objective in this Review is to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of cyclotides that we hope will stimulate further work on this fascinating family of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Meng-Wei Kan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
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26
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Huang YH, Du Q, Craik DJ. Cyclotides: Disulfide-rich peptide toxins in plants. Toxicon 2019; 172:33-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.10.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Fisher MF, Payne CD, Rosengren KJ, Mylne JS. An Orbitide from Ratibida columnifera Seed Containing 16 Amino Acid Residues. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:2152-2158. [PMID: 31392883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides are abundant in plants and have attracted interest due to their bioactivity and potential as drug scaffolds. Orbitides are head-to-tail cyclic peptides that are ribosomally synthesized, post-translationally modified, and lack disulfide bonds. All known orbitides contain 5-12 amino acid residues. Here we describe PLP-53, a novel orbitide from the seed of Ratibida columnifera. PLP-53 consists of 16 amino acids, four residues larger than any known orbitide. NMR structural studies showed that, compared to previously characterized orbitides, PLP-53 is more flexible and, under the studied conditions, did not adopt a single ordered conformation based on analysis of NOEs and chemical shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Fisher
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Colton D Payne
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
| | - Joshua S Mylne
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
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Gerlach SL, Chandra PK, Roy U, Gunasekera S, Göransson U, Wimley WC, Braun SE, Mondal D. The Membrane-Active Phytopeptide Cycloviolacin O2 Simultaneously Targets HIV-1-infected Cells and Infectious Viral Particles to Potentiate the Efficacy of Antiretroviral Drugs. MEDICINES 2019; 6:medicines6010033. [PMID: 30823453 PMCID: PMC6473583 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Novel strategies to increase the efficacy of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs will be of crucial importance. We hypothesize that membranes of HIV-1-infected cells and enveloped HIV-1 particles may be preferentially targeted by the phytopeptide, cycloviolacin O2 (CyO2) to significantly enhance ARV efficacy. Methods: Physiologically safe concentrations of CyO2 were determined via red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis. SYTOX-green dye-uptake and radiolabeled saquinavir (³H-SQV) uptake assays were used to measure pore-formation and drug uptake, respectively. ELISA, reporter assays and ultracentrifugation were conducted to analyze the antiviral efficacy of HIV-1 protease and fusion inhibitors alone and co-exposed to CyO2. Results: CyO2 concentrations below 0.5 μM did not show substantial hemolytic activity, yet these concentrations enabled rapid pore-formation in HIV-infected T-cells and monocytes and increased drug uptake. ELISA for HIV-1 p24 indicated that CyO2 enhances the antiviral efficacy of both SQV and nelfinavir. CyO2 (< 0.5 μM) alone decreases HIV-1 p24 production, but it did not affect the transcription regulatory function of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). Ultracentrifugation studies clearly showed that CyO2 exposure disrupted viral integrity and decreased the p24 content of viral particles. Furthermore, direct HIV-1 inactivation by CyO2 enhanced the efficacy of enfuvirtide. Conclusions: The membrane-active properties of CyO2 may help suppress viral load and augment antiretroviral drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Gerlach
- Department of Biology, Division of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Partha K Chandra
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Upal Roy
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA.
| | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Stephen E Braun
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Debasis Mondal
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Slazak B, Kapusta M, Strömstedt AA, Słomka A, Krychowiak M, Shariatgorji M, Andrén PE, Bohdanowicz J, Kuta E, Göransson U. How Does the Sweet Violet ( Viola odorata L.) Fight Pathogens and Pests - Cyclotides as a Comprehensive Plant Host Defense System. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1296. [PMID: 30254654 PMCID: PMC6141879 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides are cyclic plant polypeptides of 27-37 amino acid residues. They have been extensively studied in bioengineering and drug development contexts. However, less is known about the relevance of cyclotides for the plants producing them. The anti-insect larvae effects of kB1 and antibacterial activity of cyO2 suggest that cyclotides are a part of plant host defense. The sweet violet (Viola odorata L.) produces a wide array of cyclotides, including kB1 (kalata B1) and cyO2 (cycloviolacin O2), with distinct presumed biological roles. Here, we evaluate V. odorata cyclotides' potency against plant pathogens and their mode of action using bioassays, liposome experiments and immunogold labeling for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We explore the link between the biological activity and distribution in plant generative, vegetative tissues and seeds, depicted by immunohistochemistry and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Cyclotides cyO2, cyO3, cyO13, and cyO19 are shown to have potent activity against model fungal plant pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum, F. graminearum, F. culmorum, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Botrytis cinerea) and fungi isolated from violets (Colletotrichum utrechtense and Alternaria alternata), with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.8 μM to 25 μM. Inhibition of phytopathogenic bacteria - Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Dickeya dadantii and Pectobacterium atrosepticum - is also observed with MIC = 25-100 μM. A membrane-disrupting antifungal mode of action is shown. Finding cyO2 inside the fungal spore cells in TEM images may indicate that other, intracellular targets may be involved in the mechanism of toxicity. Fungi can not break down cyclotides in the course of days. varv A (kalata S) and kB1 show little potency against pathogenic fungi when compared with the tested cycloviolacins. cyO2, cyO3, cyO19 and kB1 are differentially distributed and found in tissues vulnerable to pathogen (epidermis, rizodermis, vascular bundles, protodermis, procambium, ovary walls, outer integuments) and pest (ground tissues of leaf and petiole) attacks, respectively, indicating a link between the cyclotides' sites of accumulation and biological role. Cyclotides emerge as a comprehensive defense system in V. odorata, in which different types of peptides have specific targets that determine their distribution in plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blazej Slazak
- W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam A. Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aneta Słomka
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Krychowiak
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mohammadreza Shariatgorji
- Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, National Resource for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per E. Andrén
- Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, National Resource for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jerzy Bohdanowicz
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Kuta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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30
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Small-Molecule Modulation of Lipid-Dependent Cellular Processes against Cancer: Fats on the Gunpoint. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6437371. [PMID: 30186863 PMCID: PMC6114229 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6437371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lipid cell membrane composed of various distinct lipids and proteins act as a platform to assemble various signaling complexes regulating innumerous cellular processes which are strongly downregulated or altered in cancer cells emphasizing the still-underestimated critical function of lipid biomolecules in cancer initiation and progression. In this review, we outline the current understanding of how membrane lipids act as signaling hot spots by generating distinct membrane microdomains called rafts to initiate various cellular processes and their modulation in cancer phenotypes. We elucidate tangible drug targets and pathways all amenable to small-molecule perturbation. Ranging from targeting membrane rafts organization/reorganization to rewiring lipid metabolism and lipid sorting in cancer, the work summarized here represents critical intervention points being attempted for lipid-based anticancer therapy and future directions.
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31
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Pinto MEF, Najas JZG, Magalhães LG, Bobey AF, Mendonça JN, Lopes NP, Leme FM, Teixeira SP, Trovó M, Andricopulo AD, Koehbach J, Gruber CW, Cilli EM, Bolzani VS. Inhibition of Breast Cancer Cell Migration by Cyclotides Isolated from Pombalia calceolaria. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:1203-1208. [PMID: 29757646 PMCID: PMC5974699 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Two new bracelet cyclotides from roots of Pombalia calceolaria with potential anticancer activity have been characterized in this work. The cyclotides Poca A and B (1 and 2) and the previously known CyO4 (3) were de novo sequenced by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS). The MS2 spectra were examined and the amino acid sequences were determined. The purified peptides were tested for their cytotoxicity and effects on cell migration of MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer cell line. The isolated cyclotides reduced the number of cancer cells by more than 80% at 20 μM, and the concentration-related cytotoxic responses were observed with IC50 values of 1.8, 2.7, and 9.8 μM for Poca A (1), Poca B (2), and CyO4 (3), respectively. Additionally, the inhibition of cell migration (wound-healing assay) exhibited that CyO4 (3) presents an interesting activity profile, in being able to inhibit cell migration (50%) at a subtoxic concentration (2 μM). The distribution of these cyclotides in the roots was analyzed by MALDI imaging, demonstrating that all three compounds are present in the phloem and cortical parenchyma regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Emili F. Pinto
- Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University−UNESP, 14800-060, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Tel: 55-16-33019510. Fax: 55-16-33222308. E-mail:
| | - Jhenny Z. G. Najas
- Institute
of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro−UFRJ, 21940-910, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luma G. Magalhães
- Computational
and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Physics Institute of São
Carlos, The University of São Paulo−USP, 13563-120, São
Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio F. Bobey
- Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University−UNESP, 14800-060, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline N. Mendonça
- Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, The University of São Paulo−USP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Norberto P. Lopes
- Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, The University of São Paulo−USP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávia M. Leme
- Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, The University of São Paulo−USP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Simone P. Teixeira
- Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, The University of São Paulo−USP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Trovó
- Institute
of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro−UFRJ, 21940-910, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adriano D. Andricopulo
- Computational
and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Physics Institute of São
Carlos, The University of São Paulo−USP, 13563-120, São
Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical
University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, 4072, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christian W. Gruber
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical
University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University−UNESP, 14800-060, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanderlan S. Bolzani
- Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University−UNESP, 14800-060, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Tel: 55-16-33019660. Fax: 55-16-33222308. E-mail:
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Chen X, Zhang L, Wu Y, Wang L, Ma C, Xi X, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Shaw C, Chen T, Zhou M. Evaluation of the bioactivity of a mastoparan peptide from wasp venom and of its analogues designed through targeted engineering. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:599-607. [PMID: 29904274 PMCID: PMC6001651 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastoparan is a typical cationic and amphipathic tetradecapeptide found in wasp venom and exhibits potent biological activities. Yet, compared with other insect-derived peptides, such as melittin from the bee venom, this family have been underrated. Herein, we evaluated the biological activities of mastoparan-C (MP-C), which was identified from the venom of the European Hornet (Vespa crabro), and rationally designed two analogues (a skeleton-based cyclization by two cysteine residues and an N-terminal extension via tat-linked) for enhancing the stability of the biological activity and membrane permeability, respectively. Three peptides possessed broadly efficacious inhibiting capacities towards common pathogens, resistant strains, as well as microbial biofilm. Although, cyclized MP-C showed longer half-life time than the parent peptide, the lower potency of antimicrobial activity and higher degree of haemolysis were observed. The tat-linked MP-C exhibited more potent anticancer activity than the parent peptide, but it also loses the specificity. The study revealed that MP-C is good candidate for developing antimicrobial agents and the targeted-design could improve the stability and transmembrane delivery, but more investigation would be needed to adjust the side effects brought from the design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Luyao Zhang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Yue Wu
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Xinping Xi
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Olaf R P Bininda-Emonds
- AG Systematik und Evolutionsbiologie, IBU-Faculty V, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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Bactericidal activity of cyclotides where phosphatidylethanolamine-lipid selectivity determines antimicrobial spectra. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:1986-2000. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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34
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Pinto MFS, Silva ON, Viana JC, Porto WF, Migliolo L, B da Cunha N, Gomes N, Fensterseifer ICM, Colgrave ML, Craik DJ, Dias SC, Franco OL. Characterization of a Bioactive Acyclotide from Palicourea rigida. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2016; 79:2767-2773. [PMID: 27809507 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The extraction and purification of parigidin-br3, a cyclotide analogue belonging to the "bracelet" subfamily, from Palicourea rigida leaves is discussed. Unlike conventional cyclotides, parigidin-br3 has free N- and C-termini, as identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis and confirmed by gene structure elucidation, and is one of a small number of acyclotides discovered during recent years. Parigidin-br3 showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 (breast cancer) and CACO2 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells, with IC50 values of ∼2.5 μM and less than 10% hemolytic activity. Overall, parigidin-br3 is a promising new molecule with cytotoxic properties against tumor cell lines and, unlike many synthetic acyclic analogues, demonstrates that cytotoxic activity is not limited to conventional (i.e., cyclic) cyclotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F S Pinto
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
- Faculdade Anhanguera de Ciências e Tecnologia de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Osmar N Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Pos-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica Dom Bosco , Campo Grande-MS, Brazil
| | - Juliane C Viana
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
- Universidade CEUMA , Laboratório de Biotecnologia, São Luís-MA, Brazil
| | - William F Porto
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Pos-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica Dom Bosco , Campo Grande-MS, Brazil
| | - Nicolau B da Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Nelson Gomes
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade De Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Isabel C M Fensterseifer
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade De Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Michelle L Colgrave
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Simoni C Dias
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Octavio L Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília , Brasília-DF, Brazil
- S-Inova Biotech, Pos-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica Dom Bosco , Campo Grande-MS, Brazil
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Nguyen KNT, Nguyen GKT, Nguyen PQT, Ang KH, Dedon PC, Tam JP. Immunostimulating and Gram-negative-specific antibacterial cyclotides from the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea). FEBS J 2016; 283:2067-90. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Ngan T. Nguyen
- School of Biological Sciences; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore City Singapore
| | - Giang Kien Truc Nguyen
- School of Biological Sciences; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore City Singapore
| | | | - Koon Hwee Ang
- School of Biological Sciences; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore City Singapore
| | - Peter C. Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge MA USA
| | - James P. Tam
- School of Biological Sciences; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore City Singapore
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36
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Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the GenusViola. Chem Biodivers 2015; 12:1777-808. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201400240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Hellinger R, Koehbach J, Soltis DE, Carpenter EJ, Wong GKS, Gruber CW. Peptidomics of Circular Cysteine-Rich Plant Peptides: Analysis of the Diversity of Cyclotides from Viola tricolor by Transcriptome and Proteome Mining. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:4851-62. [PMID: 26399495 PMCID: PMC4642221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Cyclotides are plant-derived mini proteins. They are genetically
encoded as precursor proteins that become post-translationally modified
to yield circular cystine-knotted molecules. Because of this structural
topology cyclotides resist enzymatic degradation in biological fluids,
and hence they are considered as promising lead molecules for pharmaceutical
applications. Despite ongoing efforts to discover novel cyclotides
and analyze their biodiversity, it is not clear how many individual
peptides a single plant specimen can express. Therefore, we investigated
the transcriptome and cyclotide peptidome of Viola tricolor. Transcriptome mining enabled the characterization of cyclotide
precursor architecture and processing sites important for biosynthesis
of mature peptides. The cyclotide peptidome was explored by mass spectrometry
and bottom-up proteomics using the extracted peptide sequences as
queries for database searching. In total 164 cyclotides were discovered
by nucleic acid and peptide analysis in V. tricolor. Therefore, violaceous plants at a global scale may be the source
to as many as 150 000 individual cyclotides. Encompassing the
diversity of V. tricolor as a combinatorial library
of bioactive peptides, this commercially available medicinal herb
may be a suitable starting point for future bioactivity-guided screening
studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Hellinger
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Douglas E Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Eric J Carpenter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Gane Ka-Shu Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada.,BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Yantian District, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Slazak B, Jacobsson E, Kuta E, Göransson U. Exogenous plant hormones and cyclotide expression in Viola uliginosa (Violaceae). PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2015; 117:527-536. [PMID: 26246035 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Plants from Violaceae produce cyclotides, peptides characterized by a circular peptide backbone and a cystine knot. This signature motif gives stability that can harness a wide spectrum of biological activities, with implications in plant defense and with applications in medicine and biotechnology. In the current work, cyclotide expressing in vitro cultures were established from Viola uliginosa. These cultures are useful models for studying biosynthesis of cyclotides and can also be used in their production. The cyclotide expression pattern is shown to be dependent on exogenous plant growth regulators, both on peptide and gene expression levels. The highest yields of cyclotides were obtained on media containing only a cytokinin and were correlated with storage material accumulation. Exposure to auxins decreased cyclotide production and caused shifting of the biosynthesis pattern to root specific cyclotides. The response to stimuli in terms of cyclotide expression pattern appears to be developmental, and related to polar auxin transportation and the auxin/cytokinin ratio regulating tissue differentiation. By the use of whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (WTSS) and peptidomics, 20 cyclotide sequences from V. uliginosa (including 12 new) and 12 complete precursor proteins could be identified. The most abundant cyclotides were cycloviolacin O3 (CyO3), CyO8 and CyO13. A suspension culture was obtained that grew exponentially with a doubling time of approximately 3 days. After ten days of growth, the culture provided a yield of more than 4 mg CyO13 per gram dry mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blazej Slazak
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, 9 Gronostajowa Str., 30-387 Cracow, Poland; Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Box 574, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; W. Szafer Istitute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, 46 Lubicz St., 31-512 Cracow, Poland.
| | - Erik Jacobsson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Box 574, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elżbieta Kuta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, 9 Gronostajowa Str., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Box 574, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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39
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Vieira MEB, Vasconcelos IM, Machado OLT, Gomes VM, Carvalho ADO. Isolation, characterization and mechanism of action of an antimicrobial peptide from Lecythis pisonis seeds with inhibitory activity against Candida albicans. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2015; 47:716-29. [PMID: 26245301 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced by a range of organisms as a first line of defense against invaders or competitors. Owing to their broad antimicrobial activity, AMPs have attracted attention as a potential source of chemotherapeutic drugs. The increasing prevalence of infections caused by Candida species as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients requires new drugs. Lecythis pisonis is a Lecythydaceae tree that grows in Brazil. The AMPs produced by this tree have not been described previously. We describe the isolation of 12 fractions enriched in peptides from L. pisonis seeds. Of the 12 fractions, at 10 μg/ml, the F4 fraction had the strongest growth inhibitory effect (53.7%) in Candida albicans, in addition to a loss of viability of 94.9%. The F4 fraction was separated into seven sub-fractions by reversed-phase chromatography. The F4.7' fraction had the strongest activity at 10 μg/ml, inhibiting C. albicans growth by 38.5% and a 69.3% loss of viability. The peptide in F4.7' was sequenced and was found to be similar to plant defensins. For this reason, the peptide was named L. pisonis defensin 1 (Lp-Def1). The mechanism of action that is responsible for C. albicans inhibition by Lp-Def1 includes a slight increase of reactive oxygen species induction and a significant loss of mitochondrial function. The results described here support the future development of plant defensins, specifically Lp-Def1, as new therapeutic substances against fungi, especially C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eliza Brambila Vieira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Ilka Maria Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Toxinas Vegetais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Olga Lima Tavares Machado
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
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40
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Qasemzadeh MJ, Sharifi H, Hamedanian M, Gharehbeglou M, Heydari M, Sardari M, Akhlaghdoust M, Minae MB. The Effect of Viola odorata Flower Syrup on the Cough of Children With Asthma: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2015; 20:287-91. [PMID: 25954025 DOI: 10.1177/2156587215584862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of violet syrup on cough alleviation in children with intermittent asthma. In a parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 182 children aged 2 to 12 years with intermittent asthma were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive violet syrup or placebo along with the common standard treatments in both groups (short-acting β-agonist). Both groups were evaluated in terms of the duration until cough suppression was achieved. No significant difference was observed in basic characteristics. The duration lasting to yield more than 50% cough reduction and 100% cough suppression was significantly less in the violet syrup group compared to placebo (P = .001, P < .001, respectively). There was no significant difference in therapeutic effects between boys and girls. There was a significant inverse correlation between the age of children and rate of cough alleviation and suppression by violet syrup. This study showed that the adjuvant use of violet syrup with short-acting β-agonist can enhance the cough suppression in children with intermittent asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hosein Sharifi
- Persian Medicine & Pharmacy Research Center, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mojtaba Heydari
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sardari
- Persian Medicine & Pharmacy Research Center, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meisam Akhlaghdoust
- Minimally Invasive Techniques Research Center of Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher Minae
- Persian Medicine & Pharmacy Research Center, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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41
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Truszkowski A, van den Broek K, Kuhn H, Zielesny A, Epple M. Mesoscopic Simulation of Phospholipid Membranes, Peptides, and Proteins with Molecular Fragment Dynamics. J Chem Inf Model 2015; 55:983-97. [DOI: 10.1021/ci5006096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Truszkowski
- Inorganic
Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg−Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg−Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Institute
for Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Karina van den Broek
- Department
of Pharmacy−Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Hubert Kuhn
- Inorganic
Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg−Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg−Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
- CAM-D Technologies, 45127 Essen, Germany
| | - Achim Zielesny
- Institute
for Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 45665 Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic
Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg−Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg−Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
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42
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Plant antimicrobial peptides as potential anticancer agents. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:735087. [PMID: 25815333 PMCID: PMC4359852 DOI: 10.1155/2015/735087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of the innate immune defense mechanism of many organisms and are promising candidates to treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria to animals and humans. AMPs also display anticancer activities because of their ability to inactivate a wide range of cancer cells. Cancer remains a cause of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the development of methods for its control is desirable. Attractive alternatives include plant AMP thionins, defensins, and cyclotides, which have anticancer activities. Here, we provide an overview of plant AMPs anticancer activities, with an emphasis on their mode of action, their selectivity, and their efficacy.
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43
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Burman R, Yeshak MY, Larsson S, Craik DJ, Rosengren KJ, Göransson U. Distribution of circular proteins in plants: large-scale mapping of cyclotides in the Violaceae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:855. [PMID: 26579135 PMCID: PMC4621522 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
During the last decade there has been increasing interest in small circular proteins found in plants of the violet family (Violaceae). These so-called cyclotides consist of a circular chain of approximately 30 amino acids, including six cysteines forming three disulfide bonds, arranged in a cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif. In this study we map the occurrence and distribution of cyclotides throughout the Violaceae. Plant material was obtained from herbarium sheets containing samples up to 200 years of age. Even the oldest specimens contained cyclotides in the preserved leaves, with no degradation products observable, confirming their place as one of the most stable proteins in nature. Over 200 samples covering 17 of the 23-31 genera in Violaceae were analyzed, and cyclotides were positively identified in 150 species. Each species contained a unique set of between one and 25 cyclotides, with many exclusive to individual plant species. We estimate the number of different cyclotides in the Violaceae to be 5000-25,000, and propose that cyclotides are ubiquitous among all Violaceae species. Twelve new cyclotides from six phylogenetically dispersed genera were sequenced. Furthermore, the first glycosylated derivatives of cyclotides were identified and characterized, further increasing the diversity and complexity of this unique protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Burman
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
| | - Mariamawit Y. Yeshak
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa UniversityAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sonny Larsson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
| | - David J. Craik
- Craik Lab, Chemistry and Structural Biology Division, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of QueenslandBrisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - K. Johan Rosengren
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory for Peptide Structural Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of QueenslandBrisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Ulf Göransson
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44
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Suryawanshi R, Patil C, Borase H, Narkhede C, Patil S. Screening of Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae extracts for mosquito larvicidal potential. Nat Prod Res 2014; 29:353-8. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.941362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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45
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Thapa P, Zhang RY, Menon V, Bingham JP. Native chemical ligation: a boon to peptide chemistry. Molecules 2014; 19:14461-83. [PMID: 25221869 PMCID: PMC6271921 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190914461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of chemical ligation within the realm of peptide chemistry has opened various opportunities to expand the applications of peptides/proteins in biological sciences. Expansion and refinement of ligation chemistry has made it possible for the entry of peptides into the world of viable oral therapeutic drugs through peptide backbone cyclization. This progression has been a journey of chemical exploration and transition, leading to the dominance of native chemical ligation in the present advances of peptide/protein applications. Here we illustrate and explore the historical and current nature of peptide ligation, providing a clear indication to the possibilities and use of these novel methods to take peptides outside their typically defined boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashar Thapa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Rui-Yang Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Vinay Menon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Jon-Paul Bingham
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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46
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Thapa P, Espiritu MJ, Cabalteja C, Bingham JP. The Emergence of Cyclic Peptides: The Potential of Bioengineered Peptide Drugs. Int J Pept Res Ther 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-014-9421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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47
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Zottich U, Da Cunha M, Dias GB, Rabelo GR, Oliveira AEA, Carvalho AO, Fernandes KVS, do Nascimento VV, Gomes VM. The Toxicity of a Lipid Transfer Protein (Cc-LTP1) from Coffea canephora Seeds on the Larval Development of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Protein J 2014; 33:422-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-014-9575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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48
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Troeira Henriques S, Huang YH, Chaousis S, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Anticancer and toxic properties of cyclotides are dependent on phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipid targeting. Chembiochem 2014; 15:1956-65. [PMID: 25099014 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides, ultrastable disulfide-rich cyclic peptides, can be engineered to bind and inhibit specific cancer targets. In addition, some cyclotides are toxic to cancer cells, though not much is known about their mechanisms of action. Here we delineated the potential mode of action of cyclotides towards cancer cells. A novel set of analogues of kalata B1 (the prototypic cyclotide) and kalata B2 and cycloviolacin O2 were examined for their membrane-binding affinity and selectivity towards cancer cells. By using solution-state NMR, surface plasmon resonance, flow cytometry and bioassays we show that cyclotides are toxic against cancer and non-cancerous cells and their toxicity correlates with their ability to target and disrupt lipid bilayers that contain phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids. Our results suggest that the potential of cyclotides as anticancer therapeutics might best be realised by combining their amenability to epitope engineering with their ability to bind cancer cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Troeira Henriques
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Carmody Road, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072 (Australia).
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49
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de Souza Cândido E, e Silva Cardoso MH, Sousa DA, Viana JC, de Oliveira-Júnior NG, Miranda V, Franco OL. The use of versatile plant antimicrobial peptides in agribusiness and human health. Peptides 2014; 55:65-78. [PMID: 24548568 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plant immune responses involve a wide diversity of physiological reactions that are induced by the recognition of pathogens, such as hypersensitive responses, cell wall modifications, and the synthesis of antimicrobial molecules including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These proteinaceous molecules have been widely studied, presenting peculiar characteristics such as conserved domains and a conserved disulfide bond pattern. Currently, many AMP classes with diverse modes of action are known, having been isolated from a large number of organisms. Plant AMPs comprise an interesting source of studies nowadays, and among these there are reports of different classes, including defensins, albumins, cyclotides, snakins and several others. These peptides have been widely used in works that pursue human disease control, including nosocomial infections, as well as for agricultural purposes. In this context, this review will focus on the relevance of the structural-function relations of AMPs derived from plants and their proper use in applications for human health and agribusiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabete de Souza Cândido
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique e Silva Cardoso
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel Amaro Sousa
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliane Cançado Viana
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nelson Gomes de Oliveira-Júnior
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Vívian Miranda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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50
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Burman R, Gunasekera S, Strömstedt AA, Göransson U. Chemistry and biology of cyclotides: circular plant peptides outside the box. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:724-36. [PMID: 24527877 DOI: 10.1021/np401055j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyclotides stand out as the largest family of circular proteins of plant origin hitherto known, with more than 280 sequences isolated at peptide level and many more predicted from gene sequences. Their unusual stability resulting from the signature cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif has triggered a broad interest in these molecules for potential therapeutic and agricultural applications. Since the time of the first cyclotide discovery, our laboratory in Uppsala has been engaged in cyclotide discovery as well as the development of protocols to isolate and characterize these seamless peptides. We have also developed methods to chemically synthesize cyclotides by Fmoc-SPPS, which are useful in protein grafting applications. In this review, experience in cyclotide research over two decades and the recent literature related to their structures, synthesis, and folding as well the recent proof-of-concept findings on their use as "epitope" stabilizing scaffolds are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Burman
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University , Biomedical Centre, Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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