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Chekan JR, Mydy LS, Pasquale MA, Kersten RD. Plant peptides - redefining an area of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:1020-1059. [PMID: 38411572 PMCID: PMC11253845 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering 1965 to February 2024Plants are prolific peptide chemists and are known to make thousands of different peptidic molecules. These peptides vary dramatically in their size, chemistry, and bioactivity. Despite their differences, all plant peptides to date are biosynthesized as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Decades of research in plant RiPP biosynthesis have extended the definition and scope of RiPPs from microbial sources, establishing paradigms and discovering new families of biosynthetic enzymes. The discovery and elucidation of plant peptide pathways is challenging due to repurposing and evolution of housekeeping genes as both precursor peptides and biosynthetic enzymes and due to the low rates of gene clustering in plants. In this review, we highlight the chemistry, biosynthesis, and function of the known RiPP classes from plants and recommend a nomenclature for the recent addition of BURP-domain-derived RiPPs termed burpitides. Burpitides are an emerging family of cyclic plant RiPPs characterized by macrocyclic crosslinks between tyrosine or tryptophan side chains and other amino acid side chains or their peptide backbone that are formed by copper-dependent BURP-domain-containing proteins termed burpitide cyclases. Finally, we review the discovery of plant RiPPs through bioactivity-guided, structure-guided, and gene-guided approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Chekan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Lisa S Mydy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Michael A Pasquale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Roland D Kersten
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Kam A, Loo S, Qiu Y, Liu CF, Tam JP. Ultrafast Biomimetic Oxidative Folding of Cysteine-rich Peptides and Microproteins in Organic Solvents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317789. [PMID: 38342764 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Disulfides in peptides and proteins are essential for maintaining a properly folded structure. Their oxidative folding is invariably performed in an aqueous-buffered solution. However, this process is often slow and can lead to misfolded products. Here, we report a novel concept and strategy that is bio-inspired to mimic protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by accelerating disulfide exchange rates many thousand-fold. The proposed strategy termed organic oxidative folding is performed under organic solvents to yield correctly folded cysteine-rich microproteins instantaneously without observable misfolded or dead-end products. Compared to conventional aqueous oxidative folding strategies, enormously large rate accelerations up to 113,200-fold were observed. The feasibility and generality of the organic oxidative folding strategy was successfully demonstrated on 15 cysteine-rich microproteins of different hydrophobicity, lengths (14 to 58 residues), and numbers of disulfides (2 to 5 disulfides), producing the native products in a second and in high yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Wuzhong No.111, Renai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Wisedom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Wuzhong No. 111, Renai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibo Qiu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
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3
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Khalifeh-Kandy AS, Nayeri FD, Ahmadabadi M. Production of functional recombinant roseltide rT1 antimicrobial peptide in tobacco plants. J Biotechnol 2024; 381:49-56. [PMID: 38181983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.12.018] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Plant-derived peptides represent a promising group of natural compounds with broad industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Low-efficiency production level is the major obstacle to the commercial production of such bioactive peptides. Today, recombinant techniques have been developed for fast and cost-effective production of high-quality peptides for various applications in the chemical and food industries. The roseltide rT1 is a plant peptide with different antimicrobial properties and therapeutic applications in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung diseases by inhibiting human neutrophil elastases. Here, we report the expression of functional recombinant roseltide rT1 peptide in tobacco plants. Transgenic plants were generated by the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method followed by molecular analysis of transgenic plants to demonstrate successful integration and expression of recombinant rT1 peptide. Protein extracts of transgenic plants expressing a single-copy rT1 gene showed efficient antimicrobial properties as verified by growth inhibition of different bacterial strains. Our results illustrate that plant-derived recombinant rT1 peptide is a promising alternative for rapid and cost-effective production of this important antimicrobial peptide for application in therapeutic and food industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Sahandi Khalifeh-Kandy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 35 km Tabriz-Maraqeh Road, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Dehghan Nayeri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 35 km Tabriz-Maraqeh Road, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ahmadabadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran.
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Loo S, Kam A, Dutta B, Zhang X, Feng N, Sze SK, Liu CF, Wang X, Tam JP. Broad-spectrum ginsentides are principal bioactives in unraveling the cure-all effects of ginseng. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:653-666. [PMID: 38322337 PMCID: PMC10840477 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.022] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress and illness connection is complex and involves multiple physiological systems. Panax ginsengs, reputed for their broad-spectrum "cure-all" effect, are widely prescribed to treat stress and related illnesses. However, the identity of ginseng's "cure-all" medicinal compounds that relieve stress remains unresolved. Here, we identify ginsentides as the principal bioactives that coordinate multiple systems to restore homeostasis in response to stress. Ginsentides are disulfide-rich, cell-penetrating and proteolytic-stable microproteins. Using affinity-enrichment mass spectrometry target identification together with in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo validations, we show that highly purified or synthetic ginsentides promote vasorelaxation by producing nitric oxide through endothelial cells via intracellular PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, alleviate α1-adrenergic receptor overactivity by reversing phenylephrine-induced constriction of aorta, decrease monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells via CD166/ESAM/CD40 and inhibit P2Y12 receptors to reduce platelet aggregation. Orally administered ginsentides were effective in animal models to reduce ADP-induced platelet aggregation, to prevent collagen and adrenaline-induced pulmonary thrombosis as well as anti-stress behavior of tail suspension and forced swimming tests in mice. Together, these results strongly suggest that ginsentides are the principal panacea compounds of ginsengs because of their ability to target multiple extra- and intra-cellular proteins to reverse stress-induced damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bamaprasad Dutta
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Nan Feng
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Siu Kwan Sze
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, Niagara Region, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - James P. Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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Ocampo-Gallego JS, Pedroza-Escobar D, Caicedo-Ortega AR, Berumen-Murra MT, Novelo-Aguirre AL, de Sotelo-León RD, Delgadillo-Guzmán D. Human neutrophil elastase inhibitors: Classification, biological-synthetic sources and their relevance in related diseases. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:13-32. [PMID: 37609718 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human neutrophil elastase is a multifunctional protease enzyme whose function is to break the bonds of proteins and degrade them to polypeptides or amino acids. In addition, it plays an essential role in the immune mechanism against bacterial infections and represents a key mediator in tissue remodeling and inflammation. However, when the extracellular release of this enzyme is dysregulated in response to low levels of its physiological inhibitors, it ultimately leads to the degradation of proteins, in particular elastin, as well as other components of the extracellular matrix, producing injury to epithelial cells, which can promote sustained inflammation and affect the innate immune system, and, therefore, be the basis for the development of severe inflammatory diseases, especially those associated with the cardiopulmonary system. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide an update on the elastase inhibitory properties of several molecules, either synthetic or biological sources, as well as their classification and relevance in related pathologies since a clear understanding of the function of these molecules with the inhibitory capacity of this protease can provide valuable information for the development of pharmacological therapies that manage to modify the prognosis and survival of various inflammatory diseases. METHODS Collected data from scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Nature, Wiley, Scopus, and Scielo. Articles published in any country and language were included. RESULTS We reviewed and included 132 articles conceptualizing neutrophil elastase activity and known inhibitors. CONCLUSION Understanding the mechanism of action of elastase inhibitors based on particular aspects such as their kinetic behavior, structure-function relationship, chemical properties, origin, pharmacodynamics, and experimental progress has allowed for a broad classification of HNE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Pedroza-Escobar
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Ana Ruth Caicedo-Ortega
- Departamento de Quimica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Berumen-Murra
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Ana Lucía Novelo-Aguirre
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Denis de Sotelo-León
- Departmento de Nutricion. Unidad de Medicina Familiar, UMAA 53, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Durango, Mexico
| | - Dealmy Delgadillo-Guzmán
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
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Dutta B, Loo S, Kam A, Tam JP. Plant-derived cell-penetrating microprotein α-astratide aM1 targets Akt signaling and alleviates insulin resistance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:293. [PMID: 37715850 PMCID: PMC10505102 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04937-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-resistant diabetes is a common metabolic disease with serious complications. Treatments directly addressing the underlying molecular mechanisms involving insulin resistance would be desirable. Our laboratory recently identified a proteolytic-resistant cystine-dense microprotein from huáng qí (Astragalus membranaceus) called α-astratide aM1, which shares high sequence homology to leginsulins. Here we show that aM1 is a cell-penetrating insulin mimetic, enters cells by endocytosis, and activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway independent of the insulin receptor leading to translocation of glucose transporter GLUT4 to the cell surface to promote glucose uptake. We also showed that aM1 alters gene expression, suppresses lipid synthesis and uptake, and inhibits intracellular lipid accumulation in myotubes and adipocytes. By reducing intracellular lipid accumulation and preventing lipid-induced, PKCθ-mediated degradation of IRS1/2, aM1 restores glucose uptake to overcome insulin resistance. These findings highlight the potential of aM1 as a lead for developing orally bioavailable insulin mimetics to expand options for treating diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bamaprasad Dutta
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Tam JP, Huang J, Loo S, Li Y, Kam A. Ginsentide-like Coffeetides Isolated from Coffee Waste Are Cell-Penetrating and Metal-Binding Microproteins. Molecules 2023; 28:6556. [PMID: 37764332 PMCID: PMC10538209 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coffee processing generates a huge amount of waste that contains many natural products. Here, we report the discovery of a panel of novel cell-penetrating and metal ion-binding microproteins designated coffeetide cC1a-c and cL1-6 from the husk of two popular coffee plants, Coffea canephora and Coffea liberica, respectively. Combining sequence determination and a database search, we show that the prototypic coffeetide cC1a is a 37-residue, eight-cysteine microprotein with a hevein-like cysteine motif, but without a chitin-binding domain. NMR determination of cC1a reveals a compact structure that confers its resistance to heat and proteolytic degradation. Disulfide mapping together with chemical synthesis reveals that cC1a has a ginsentide-like, and not a hevein-like, disulfide connectivity. In addition, transcriptomic analysis showed that the 98-residue micrcoproten-like coffeetide precursor contains a three-domain arrangement, like ginsentide precursors. Molecular modeling, together with experimental validation, revealed a Mg2+ and Fe3+ binding pocket at the N-terminus formed by three glutamic acids. Importantly, cC1a is amphipathic with a continuous stretch of 19 apolar amino acids, which enables its cell penetration to target intracellular proteins, despite being highly negatively charged. Our findings suggest that coffee by-products could provide a source of ginsentide-like bioactive peptides that have the potential to target intracellular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P. Tam
- Synthetic Enzymes and Natural Products Center, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (J.H.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (A.K.)
| | - Jiayi Huang
- Synthetic Enzymes and Natural Products Center, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (J.H.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (A.K.)
| | - Shining Loo
- Synthetic Enzymes and Natural Products Center, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (J.H.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (A.K.)
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yimeng Li
- Synthetic Enzymes and Natural Products Center, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (J.H.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (A.K.)
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Antony Kam
- Synthetic Enzymes and Natural Products Center, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (J.H.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (A.K.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Carvalho A, Domingues I, Carvalho C, Silva AMS, Soares AMVM, Marques CR. In Vitro Antiprotozoal Activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract against a Ciliate Causing High Mortalities in Turbot Aquaculture. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:912. [PMID: 37508344 PMCID: PMC10376481 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Philasterides dicentrarchi is an histophagous parasite that infects flatfish, namely turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), and cause significant losses in aquaculture units. The available measures for P. dicentrarchi control have limited efficiency, and some cause harm to fish. Hence, sustainable and natural control strategies are urgently needed. This study evaluated the in vitro bioactivity of the ethanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on P. dicentrarchi population growth rate (PGR), oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione-S-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total glutathione (TG) and catalase (CAT), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), activity and gene expression of proteases as major virulence factors. H. sabdariffa extract inhibited parasite PGR (IC50 = 1.57 mg mL-1), and caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (LOEC = 0.22 mg mL-1), especially GPx, TG, and CAT. The activity of proteases was also severely inhibited (IC50 = 0.76 mg mL-1), and gene expression of catepsin 90 and leishmanolysin proteases was downregulated. Organic acids and phenolic phytochemicals in hibiscus extract are potentially responsible for the antiprotozoal bioactivity herein determined. Therefore, H. sabdariffa extract can be a promising disease-control alternative against the ciliate proliferation, cellular defense mechanisms and pathogenicity. Still, its applicability in aquaculture settings, and potential effects on farmed fish, should be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carvalho
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carla Carvalho
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Artur M S Silva
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV)-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Catarina R Marques
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Attah FA, Lawal BA, Yusuf AB, Adedeji OJ, Folahan JT, Akhigbe KO, Roy T, Lawal AA, Ogah NB, Olorundare OE, Chamcheu JC. Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Applications of Under-Explored Knottin Peptide-Rich Phytomedicines. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3271. [PMID: 36501311 PMCID: PMC9737898 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Phytomedicines reportedly rich in cystine knot peptides (Knottins) are found in several global diets, food/herbal supplements and functional foods. However, their knottin peptide content has largely been unexplored, notably for their emerging dual potentials at both the food and medicine space. The nutritional roles, biological targets and mechanism(s) of activity of these knotted peptides are largely unknown. Meanwhile, knottins have recently been unveiled as emerging peptide therapeutics and nutraceuticals of primary choice due to their broad spectrum of bioactivity, hyper stability, selective toxicity, impressive selectivity for biomolecular targets, and their bioengineering applications. In addition to their potential dietary benefits, some knottins have displayed desirable limited toxicity to human erythrocytes. In an effort to appraise what has been accomplished, unveil knowledge gaps and explore the future prospects of knottins, an elaborate review of the nutritional and pharmaceutical application of phytomedicines rich in knottins was carried out. Herein, we provide comprehensive data on common dietary and therapeutic knottins, the majority of which are poorly investigated in many food-grade phytomedicines used in different cultures and localities. Findings from this review should stimulate scientific interest to unveil novel dietary knottins and knottin-rich nutraceutical peptide drug candidates/leads with potential for future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Alfred Attah
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Bilqis Abiola Lawal
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Abdulmalik Babatunde Yusuf
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Oluwakorede Joshua Adedeji
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Joy Temiloluwa Folahan
- School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209, USA
| | - Kelvin Oluwafemi Akhigbe
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Tithi Roy
- School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209, USA
| | - Azeemat Adeola Lawal
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
| | - Ngozi Blessing Ogah
- Department of Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki 480101, Nigeria
| | | | - Jean Christopher Chamcheu
- School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209, USA
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10
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Conformations of disulfides are conserved in inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) motif polypeptides. Toxicon 2022; 219:106926. [PMID: 36167143 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) motif is an evolutionarily optimized disulfide-rich peptide motif widely present in diverse phyla with distinct biological functions. Cysteine disulfides are highly conserved in the ICK motif with C1-C4 (Disulfide-I), C2-C5(Disulfide-II), and C3-C6(Disulfide-III) connectivities in a sequence. Disulfide-I and disulfide-II form a loop and the disulfide-III tethers through the loop forming a knotted fold. The current report has analysed the conformation of disulfides in the ICK motif using the side-chain torsional angles of cysteine disulfide. In crystal structures: 88% of Disulfide-I have (+,-)SynRHHook, 92% of Disulfide-II have (+,-)RHSpiral, and 100% of Disulfide-III have (-,-)LHSpiral conformations. In NMR structures, conformational diversity has been observed for each of the cysteine disulfides of the ICK motif. The highest percentage occurrence in NMR structures: 27% of Disulfide-I have (+,-)SynRHHook, 36% of Disulfide-II have (+,-)RHSpiral, and 50% of Disulfide-III have (-,-)LHSpiral conformations. In the view of the method of identification of disulfides between cysteine residues using NMR spectroscopy, the NMR structure represents an ensemble of conformations of disulfides instead of specific disulfide conformation. The retention of the conformation in both X-ray and NMR structures supports the conservation of conformation of disulfides in the ICK motif. The tendency to exhibit specific conformation of disulfide even with variations in 3D structures supports the evolutionarily optimized nature of the ICK motif.
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11
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Loo S, Kam A, Tam JP. Hyperstable EGF-like bleogen derived from cactus accelerates corneal healing in rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:942168. [PMID: 36052138 PMCID: PMC9424907 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.942168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal scarring reduces corneal transparency, compromises vision, and is a major cause of vision loss worldwide. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), which is the prototypic member of the EGF receptor (EGFR) agonists, is present in tears to provide repair and regeneration. Recently, we discovered bleogen pB1 in the cactus plant Pereskia bleo and showed that it is a non-canonical and hyperstable EGFR agonist with EGF-like wound healing properties for diabetic rats. Here, we apply bleogen pB1 to accelerate corneal wound healing in rats. To assess the corneal healing effects of bleogen pB1, we induced an acute alkali burn to the right eye of male Wistar rats. After five consecutive ophthalmic applications, fluorescein staining and opacity scores of the bleogen pB1-treated, and the positive control EGF-treated groups improved significantly compared to the saline control group. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that infiltrated CD68+ macrophages and the expression of the myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were significantly decreased in the bleogen pB1- and the EGF-treated groups. By employing a differential gene expression analysis of bleogen pB1- and EGF-treated keratinocytes through RNA-seq, we demonstrated that bleogen pB1 or EGF treatments can affect the expression of genes associated with inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix remodeling. Taken together, our results indicate that the plant-derived EGFR agonist bleogen pB1 can produce similar effects to those of EGF in accelerating corneal wound healing as well as in reducing persistent inflammation and myofibroblast accumulation in the cornea.
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Loo S, Tay SV, Kam A, Lee W, Tam JP. Hololectin Interdomain Linker Determines Asparaginyl Endopeptidase-Mediated Maturation of Antifungal Hevein-Like Peptides in Oats. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:899740. [PMID: 35620686 PMCID: PMC9127739 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.899740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Heveins and hevein-containing (hev-) lectins play important roles in stress and pathogenic responses in plants but cause health concerns in humans. Hev-hololectins contain multiple modular hev-peptide domains and are abundantly present in cereals and pseudocereals. However, it is unclear why some cereal hev-hololectins are presented as different forms of proteolytically processed proteoforms. Here we show the precursor architectures of hev-hololectins lead to different processing mechanisms to give either hololectins or hevein-like peptides. We used mass spectrometry and datamining to screen hev-peptides from common cereals, and identified from the oat plant Avena sativa nine novel hevein-like peptides, avenatide aV1-aV9. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) can be responsible for the maturation of the highly homologous avenatides from five oat hev-hololectin precursors, each containing four tandemly repeating, hev-like avenatide domains connected by AEP-susceptible linkers with 13-16 residues in length. Further analysis of cereal hev-hololectins showed that the linker lengths provide a distinguishing feature between their cleavable and non-cleavable precursors, with the cleavables having considerably longer linkers (>13 amino acids) than the non-cleavables (<6 amino acids). A detailed study of avenatide aV1 revealed that it contains eight cysteine residues which form a structurally compact, metabolic-resistant cystine-knotted framework with a well-defined chitin-binding site. Antimicrobial assays showed that avenatide aV1 is anti-fungal and inhibits the growth of phyto-pathogenic fungi. Together, our findings of cleavable and non-cleavable hololectins found in cereals expand our knowledge to their biosynthesis and provide insights for hololectin-related health concerns in human.
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13
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Marinaccio L, Stefanucci A, Scioli G, Della Valle A, Zengin G, Cichelli A, Mollica A. Peptide Human Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitors from Natural Sources: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062924. [PMID: 35328340 PMCID: PMC8954713 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastases are a broad group of enzymes involved in the lysis of elastin, the main component of elastic fibres. They are produced and released in the human body, mainly by neutrophils and the pancreas. The imbalance between elastase activity and its endogenous inhibitors can cause different illnesses due to their excessive activity. The main aim of this review is to provide an overview of the latest advancements on the identification, structures and mechanisms of action of peptide human neutrophil elastase inhibitors isolated from natural sources, such as plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and sponges. The discovery of new elastase inhibitors could have a great impact on the pharmaceutical development of novel drugs through the optimization of the natural lead compounds. Bacteria produce mainly cyclic peptides, while animals provide for long and linear amino acid sequences. Despite their diverse natural sources, these elastase inhibitors show remarkable IC50 values in a range from nM to μM values, thus representing an interesting starting point for the further development of potent bioactive compounds on human elastase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Marinaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (G.S.); (A.D.V.); (A.M.)
| | - Azzurra Stefanucci
- Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (G.S.); (A.D.V.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0871-3554906
| | - Giuseppe Scioli
- Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (G.S.); (A.D.V.); (A.M.)
| | - Alice Della Valle
- Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (G.S.); (A.D.V.); (A.M.)
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya 42130, Turkey;
| | - Angelo Cichelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (G.S.); (A.D.V.); (A.M.)
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14
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Boraldi F, Lofaro FD, Cossarizza A, Quaglino D. The "Elastic Perspective" of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031559. [PMID: 35163482 PMCID: PMC8835950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastin represents the structural component of the extracellular matrix providing elastic recoil to tissues such as skin, blood vessels and lungs. Elastogenic cells secrete soluble tropoelastin monomers into the extracellular space where these monomers associate with other matrix proteins (e.g., microfibrils and glycoproteins) and are crosslinked by lysyl oxidase to form insoluble fibres. Once elastic fibres are formed, they are very stable, highly resistant to degradation and have an almost negligible turnover. However, there are circumstances, mainly related to inflammatory conditions, where increased proteolytic degradation of elastic fibres may lead to consequences of major clinical relevance. In severely affected COVID-19 patients, for instance, the massive recruitment and activation of neutrophils is responsible for the profuse release of elastases and other proteolytic enzymes which cause the irreversible degradation of elastic fibres. Within the lungs, destruction of the elastic network may lead to the permanent impairment of pulmonary function, thus suggesting that elastases can be a promising target to preserve the elastic component in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, intrinsic and extrinsic factors additionally contributing to damaging the elastic component and to increasing the spread and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Boraldi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.B.); (F.D.L.)
| | - Francesco Demetrio Lofaro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.B.); (F.D.L.)
| | - Andrea Cossarizza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Daniela Quaglino
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.B.); (F.D.L.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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The Evolution and Expression Profiles of EC1 Gene Family during Development in Cotton. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12122001. [PMID: 34946950 PMCID: PMC8702097 DOI: 10.3390/genes12122001] [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: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is essential to sexual reproduction of flowering plants. EC1 (EGG CELL 1) proteins have a conserved cysteine spacer characteristic and play a crucial role in double fertilization process in many plant species. However, to date, the role of EC1 gene family in cotton is fully unknown. Hence, detailed bioinformatics analysis was explored to elucidate the biological mechanisms of EC1 gene family in cotton. In this study, we identified 66 genes in 10 plant species in which a total of 39 EC1 genes were detected from cotton genome. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the identified EC1 genes into three families (I-III) and all of them contain Prolamin-like domains. A good collinearity was observed in the synteny analysis of the orthologs from cotton genomes. Whole-genome duplication was determined to be one of the major impetuses for the expansion of the EC1 gene family during the process of evolution. qRT-PCR analysis showed that EC1 genes were highly expressed in reproductive tissues under multiple stresses, signifying their potential role in enhancing stress tolerance or responses. Additionally, gene interaction networks showed that EC1 genes may be involved in cell stress and response transcriptional regulator in the synergid cells and activate the expression of genes required for pollen tube guidance. Our results provide novel functional insights into the evolution and functional elucidation of EC1 gene family in cotton.
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16
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Chen Y, Zhang D, Zhang X, Wang Z, Liu CF, Tam JP. Site-Specific Protein Modifications by an Engineered Asparaginyl Endopeptidase from Viola canadensis. Front Chem 2021; 9:768854. [PMID: 34746098 PMCID: PMC8568951 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.768854] [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: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) or legumains are Asn/Asp (Asx)-specific proteases that break peptide bonds, but also function as peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs) that make peptide bonds. This ligase activity can be used for site-specific protein modifications in biochemical and biotechnological applications. Although AEPs are common, PALs are rare. We previously proposed ligase activity determinants (LADs) of these enzymes that could determine whether they catalyze formation or breakage of peptide bonds. LADs are key residues forming the S2 and S1' substrate-binding pockets flanking the S1 active site. Here, we build on the LAD hypothesis with the engineering of ligases from proteases by mutating the S2 and S1' pockets of VcAEP, an AEP from Viola canadensis. Wild type VcAEP yields <5% cyclic product from a linear substrate at pH 6.5, whereas the single mutants VcAEP-V238A (Vc1a) and VcAEP-Y168A (Vc1b) targeting the S2 and S1' substrate-binding pockets yielded 34 and 61% cyclic products, respectively. The double mutant VcAEP-V238A/Y168A (Vc1c) targeting both the S2 and S1' substrate-binding pockets yielded >90% cyclic products. Vc1c had cyclization efficiency of 917,759 M-1s-1, which is one of the fastest rates for ligases yet reported. Vc1c is useful for protein engineering applications, including labeling of DARPins and cell surface MCF-7, as well as producing cyclic protein sfGFP. Together, our work validates the importance of LADs for AEP ligase activity and provides valuable tools for site-specific modification of proteins and biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dingpeng Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - James P. Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Synzymes and Natural Products Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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17
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Anti-Fungal Hevein-like Peptides Biosynthesized from Quinoa Cleavable Hololectins. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195909. [PMID: 34641455 PMCID: PMC8512870 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin-binding hevein-like peptides (CB-HLPs) belong to a family of cysteine-rich peptides that play important roles in plant stress and defense mechanisms. CB-HLPs are ribosomally synthesized peptides that are known to be bioprocessed from the following two types of three-domain CB-HLP precursor architectures: cargo-carrying and non-cargo-carrying. Here, we report the identification and characterization of chenotides biosynthesized from the third type of precursors, which are cleavable hololectins of the quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) family. Chenotides are 6-Cys-CB-HLPs of 29–31 amino acids, which have a third type of precursor architecture that encompasses a canonical chitin-binding domain that is involved in chitin binding and anti-fungal activities. Microbroth dilution assays and microscopic analyses showed that chenotides are effective against phyto-pathogenic fungi in the micromolar range. Structure determination revealed that chenotides are cystine knotted and highly compact, which could confer resistance against heat and proteolytic degradation. Importantly, chenotides are connected by a novel 18-residue Gly/Ala-rich linker that is a target for bioprocessing by cathepsin-like endopeptidases. Taken together, our findings reveal that chenotides are a new family of CB-HLPs from quinoa that are synthesized as a single multi-modular unit and bioprocessed to yield individual mature CB-HLPs. Importantly, such precursors constitute a new family of cleavable hololectins. This unusual feature could increase the biosynthetic efficiency of anti-fungal CB-HLPs, to provide an evolutionary advantage for plant survival and reproduction.
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18
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Sultana A, Luo H, Ramakrishna S. Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Applications in Biomedical Sector. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1094. [PMID: 34572676 PMCID: PMC8465024 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10091094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In a report by WHO (2014), it was stated that antimicrobial resistance is an arising challenge that needs to be resolved. This resistance is a critical issue in terms of disease or infection treatment and is usually caused due to mutation, gene transfer, long-term usage or inadequate use of antimicrobials, survival of microbes after consumption of antimicrobials, and the presence of antimicrobials in agricultural feeds. One of the solutions to this problem is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are ubiquitously present in the environment. These peptides are of concern due to their special mode of action against a wide spectrum of infections and health-related problems. The biomedical field has the highest need of AMPs as it possesses prominent desirable activity against HIV-1, skin cancer, breast cancer, in Behcet's disease treatment, as well as in reducing the release of inflammatory cells such as TNFα, IL-8, and IL-1β, enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and GM-CSF, and in wound healing properties. This review has highlighted all the major functions and applications of AMPs in the biomedical field and concludes the future potential of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afreen Sultana
- Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore;
| | - Hongrong Luo
- Engineering Research Center in Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China;
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore;
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19
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Loo S, Kam A, Li BB, Feng N, Wang X, Tam JP. Discovery of Hyperstable Noncanonical Plant-Derived Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Agonist and Analogs. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7746-7759. [PMID: 34015925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report the discovery of the first plant-derived and noncanonical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agonist, the 36-residue bleogen pB1 from Pereskia bleo of the Cactaceae family. We show that bleogen pB1 is a low-affinity EGFR agonist using a suite of chemical, biochemical, cellular, and animal experiments which include incisor eruption and wound-healing mouse models. A focused positional scanning pB1 library of Ala- and d-amino acid scans yielded a high-affinity pB1 analog, [K29k]pB1, with a 60-fold-improved EGFR affinity and mitogenicity. We show that the potency of [K29k]pB1 and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) is comparable in a diabetic mouse wound-healing model. We also show that both bleogen pB1 and [K29k]pB1 are hyperstable, being >100-fold more stable than EGF against proteolytic degradation. Overall, our discovery of a noncanonical proteolytic-resistant EGFR agonist scaffold could open new avenues for developing wound healing and skin regeneration therapeutics and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Bin Bin Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Nan Feng
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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20
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Wang H, Fang B, Peng B, Wang L, Xue Y, Bai H, Lu S, Voelcker NH, Li L, Fu L, Huang W. Recent Advances in Chemical Biology of Mitochondria Targeting. Front Chem 2021; 9:683220. [PMID: 34012953 PMCID: PMC8126688 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.683220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are vital subcellular organelles that generate most cellular chemical energy, regulate cell metabolism and maintain cell function. Mitochondrial dysfunction is directly linked to numerous diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, thyroid squamous disease, cancer and septicemia. Thus, the design of specific mitochondria-targeting molecules and the realization of real-time acquisition of mitochondrial activity are powerful tools in the study and treatment of mitochondria dysfunction in related diseases. Recent advances in mitochondria-targeting agents have led to several important mitochondria chemical probes that offer the opportunity for selective targeting molecules, novel biological applications and therapeutic strategies. This review details the structural and physiological functional characteristics of mitochondria, and comprehensively summarizes and classifies mitochondria-targeting agents. In addition, their pros and cons and their related chemical biological applications are discussed. Finally, the potential biomedical applications of these agents are briefly prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bin Fang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Limin Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yufei Xue
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Hua Bai
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shenci Lu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Nicolas H. Voelcker
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Li Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), Nanjing, China
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21
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Identification and characterization of a wolfberry carboxypeptidase inhibitor from Lycium barbarum. Food Chem 2021; 351:129338. [PMID: 33647700 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hyperstable cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) represent an underexplored superfamily of bioactives in functional foods. An example is wolfberry of the Lycium barbarum family. Previously, we discovered a CRP, designated α-lybatide, from L. barbarum bark. Herein, we report the discovery of β-lybatide, a novel carboxypeptidase inhibitor belonging to a different CRP family from the wolfberry plant. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses showed that β-lybatide contains 36 amino acids with six cysteine residues. NMR spectroscopy revealed that β-lybatide displays a knottin-like structure that renders it highly resistant to thermal, chemical and enzymatic degradation, conditions important for keeping its structural integrity in gastrointestinal tract. Biochemical assays showed that β-lybatide is a potent carboxypeptidase inhibitor which could contribute to the wolfberry biological activities. Bioinformatics analysis revealed an additional 49 β-lybatide-like plant carboxypeptidase inhibitors. Together, our results show that β-lybatide is the first and the smallest plant-derived hyperstable carboxypeptidase inhibitor discovered from a functional food.
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22
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Tam JP, Kam A, Loo S. Hyperstable Cell‐Penetrating Peptides from Medicinal Plants. FASEB J 2020. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.02847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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23
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Kim S, Nam HY, Lee J, Seo J. Mitochondrion-Targeting Peptides and Peptidomimetics: Recent Progress and Design Principles. Biochemistry 2019; 59:270-284. [PMID: 31696703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are multifunctional subcellular organelles whose operations encompass energy production, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation. Given their wide range of roles, they have been studied extensively as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrion-mediated pathways have been identified as promising targets in the context of these diseases. However, the delivery of specific probes and drugs to the mitochondria is one of the major problems that remains to be solved. Over the past decade, much effort has been devoted to developing mitochondrion-targeted delivery methods based on the membrane characteristics and the protein import machinery of mitochondria. While various methods utilizing small molecules to polymeric particles have been introduced, it is notable that many of these compounds share common structural elements and physicochemical properties for optimal selectivity and efficiency. In this Perspective, we will review the most recently developed mitochondrion-targeting peptides and peptidomimetics to outline the key aspects of structural requirements and design principles. We will also discuss successful and potential applications of mitochondrial delivery to assess opportunities and challenges in the targeting of mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physics and Chemistry , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Yeon Nam
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physics and Chemistry , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoun Lee
- Department of Global Medical Science , Sungshin University , Seoul 01133 , Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physics and Chemistry , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
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24
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Kam A, Loo S, Fan JS, Sze SK, Yang D, Tam JP. Roseltide rT7 is a disulfide-rich, anionic, and cell-penetrating peptide that inhibits proteasomal degradation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:19604-19615. [PMID: 31727740 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Disulfide-rich plant peptides with molecular masses of 2-6 kDa represent an expanding class of peptidyl-type natural products with diverse functions. They are structurally compact, hyperstable, and underexplored as cell-penetrating agents that inhibit intracellular functions. Here, we report the discovery of an anionic, 34-residue peptide, the disulfide-rich roseltide rT7 from Hibiscus sabdariffa (of the Malvaceae family) that penetrates cells and inhibits their proteasomal activities. Combined proteomics and NMR spectroscopy revealed that roseltide rT7 is a cystine-knotted, six-cysteine hevein-like cysteine-rich peptide. A pair-wise comparison indicated that roseltide rT7 is >100-fold more stable against protease degradation than its S-alkylated analog. Confocal microscopy studies and cell-based assays disclosed that after roseltide rT7 penetrates cells, it causes accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, inhibits human 20S proteasomes, reduces tumor necrosis factor-induced IκBα degradation, and decreases expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Structure-activity studies revealed that roseltide rT7 uses a canonical substrate-binding mechanism for proteasomal inhibition enabled by an IIML motif embedded in its proline-rich and exceptionally long intercysteine loop 4. Taken together, our results provide mechanistic insights into a novel disulfide-rich, anionic, and cell-penetrating peptide, representing a potential lead for further development as a proteasomal inhibitor in anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Jing-Song Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Siu Kwan Sze
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
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Kam A, Loo S, Tam JP. Discovery of a Plant‐derived Cell‐penetrating Proteasome Inhibitor. FASEB J 2019. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.634.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antony Kam
- Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore, Singapore
| | - Shining Loo
- Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore, Singapore
| | - James P Tam
- Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore, Singapore
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Kam A, Loo S, Dutta B, Sze SK, Tam JP. Plant-derived mitochondria-targeting cysteine-rich peptide modulates cellular bioenergetics. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:4000-4011. [PMID: 30674551 PMCID: PMC6422099 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are attractive therapeutic targets for developing agents to delay age-related frailty and diseases. However, few promising leads have been identified from natural products. Previously, we identified roseltide rT1, a hyperstable 27-residue cysteine-rich peptide from Hibiscus sabdariffa, as a knottin-type neutrophil elastase inhibitor. Here, we show that roseltide rT1 is also a cell-penetrating, mitochondria-targeting peptide that increases ATP production. Results from flow cytometry, live-cell imaging, pulldown assays, and genetically-modified cell lines supported that roseltide rT1 enters cells via glycosaminoglycan-dependent endocytosis, and enters the mitochondria through TOM20, a mitochondrial protein import receptor. We further showed that roseltide rT1 increases cellular ATP production via mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization. Using biotinylated roseltide rT1 for target identification and proteomic analysis, we showed that human mitochondrial membrane ATP synthase subunit O is an intramitochondrial target. Collectively, these data support our discovery that roseltide rT1 is a first-in-class mitochondria-targeting, cysteine-rich peptide with potentials to be developed into tools to further our understanding of mitochrondria-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Kam
- From the School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
| | - Shining Loo
- From the School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
| | - Bamaprasad Dutta
- From the School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
| | - Siu Kwan Sze
- From the School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
| | - James P Tam
- From the School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
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Ginsentides: Cysteine and Glycine-rich Peptides from the Ginseng Family with Unusual Disulfide Connectivity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16201. [PMID: 30385768 PMCID: PMC6212409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33894-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ginseng, a popular and valuable traditional medicine, has been used for centuries to maintain health and treat disease. Here we report the discovery and characterization of ginsentides, a novel family of cysteine and glycine-rich peptides derived from the three most widely-used ginseng species: Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Panax notoginseng. Using proteomic and transcriptomic methods, we identified 14 ginsentides, TP1-TP14 which consist of 31-33 amino acids and whose expression profiles are species- and tissues-dependent. Ginsentides have an eight-cysteine motif typical of the eight-cysteine-hevein-like peptides (8C-HLP) commonly found in medicinal herbs, but lack a chitin-binding domain. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the three-domain biosynthetic precursors of ginsentides differ from known 8C-HLP precursors in architecture and the absence of a C-terminal protein-cargo domain. A database search revealed an additional 50 ginsentide-like precursors from both gymnosperms and angiosperms. Disulfide mapping and structure determination of the ginsentide TP1 revealed a novel disulfide connectivity that differs from the 8C-HLPs. The structure of ginsentide TP1 is highly compact, with the N- and C-termini topologically fixed by disulfide bonds to form a pseudocyclic structure that confers resistance to heat, proteolysis, and acid and serum-mediated degradation. Together, our results expand the chemical space of natural products found in ginseng and highlight the occurrence, distribution, disulfide connectivity, and precursor architectures of cysteine- and glycine-rich ginsentides as a class of novel non-chitin-binding, non-cargo-carrying 8C-HLPs.
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Zhao J, Yuan S, Gao B, Zhu S. Molecular diversity of fungal inhibitor cystine knot peptides evolved by domain repeat and fusion. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:5046422. [PMID: 29961831 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Zhao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shouli Yuan
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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Loo S, Kam A, Xiao T, Tam JP. Bleogens: Cactus-Derived Anti-Candida Cysteine-Rich Peptides with Three Different Precursor Arrangements. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:2162. [PMID: 29312404 PMCID: PMC5743680 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) play important host-defense roles in plants. However, information concerning CRPs in the Cactaceae (cactus) family is limited, with only a single cactus-derived CRP described to date. Here, we report the identification of 15 novel CRPs with three different precursor architectures, bleogens pB1-15 from Pereskia bleo of the Cactaceae family. By combining proteomic and transcriptomic methods, we showed that the prototype, bleogen pB1, contained 36 amino acid residues, a six-cysteine motif typical of the six-cysteine-hevein-like peptide (6C-HLP) family, and a type I two-domain precursor consisting of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and a mature domain. In contrast, the precursors of the other 14 bleogens contained a type II three-domain architecture with a propeptide domain inserted between the ER and the mature bleogen domain. Four of these 14 bleogens display a third type of architecture with a tandemly repeating bleogen domain. A search of the Onekp database revealed that <1% plant species possess three different precursor architectures for the biosynthesis of 6C-HLPs, including Lophophora williamsii, Pereskia aculeate, Portulaca cryptopetala, Portulaca oleracea, Portulaca suffruticosa, and Talinum sp. NMR analysis confirmed that bleogen pB1 has cystine-knot disulfide connectivity as well as a two-beta-sheet and a four-loop structural fold that is similar to other 6C-HLPs. Sequence analysis, structural studies, and in silico modeling revealed that bleogen pB1 has a cation-polar-cation motif, a signature heparin-binding motif that was confirmed by heparin affinity chromatography. Cell-based assays showed that bleogen pB1 is non-toxic to mammalian cells but functions as an anti-Candida peptide. Taken together, our findings provide insight into the occurrence, functions and precursor architectures of CRPs in the cactus family.
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