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Aguilar MI, Yarovsky I. Quest for New Generation Biocompatible Materials: Tailoring β-Peptide Structure and Interactions via Synergy of Experiments and Modelling. J Mol Biol 2024:168646. [PMID: 38848868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168646] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based self-assembly has been used to produce a wide range of nanostructures. While most of these systems involve self-assembly of α-peptides, more recently β-peptides have also been shown to undergo supramolecular self-assembly, and have been used to produce materials for applications in tissue engineering, cell culture and drug delivery. In order to engineer new materials with specific structure and function, theoretical molecular modelling can provide significant insights into the collective balance of non-covalent interactions that drive the self-assembly and determine the structure of the resultant supramolecular materials under different conditions. However, this approach has only recently become feasible for peptide-based self-assembled nanomaterials, particularly those that incorporate non α-amino acids. This perspective provides an overview of the challenges associated with computational modelling of the self-assembly of β-peptides and the recent success using a combination of experimental and computational techniques to provide insights into the self-assembly mechanisms and fully atomistic models of these new biocompatible materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Isabel Aguilar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Irene Yarovsky
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
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2
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Gao N, Wang J, Fang C, Bai P, Sun Y, Wu W, Shan A. Combating bacterial infections with host defense peptides: Shifting focus from bacteria to host immunity. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101030. [PMID: 38043443 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101030] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections necessitates the exploration of novel paradigms for anti-infective therapy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), have garnered extensive recognition as immunomodulatory molecules that leverage natural host mechanisms to enhance therapeutic benefits. The unique immune mechanism exhibited by certain HDPs that involves self-assembly into supramolecular nanonets capable of inducing bacterial agglutination and entrapping is significantly important. This process effectively prevents microbial invasion and subsequent dissemination and significantly mitigates selective pressure for the evolution of microbial resistance, highlighting the potential of HDP-based antimicrobial therapy. Recent advancements in this field have focused on developing bio-responsive materials in the form of supramolecular nanonets. A comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory and bacteria-agglutinating activities of HDPs, along with a discussion on optimization strategies for synthetic derivatives, is presented in this article. These optimized derivatives exhibit improved biological properties and therapeutic potential, making them suitable for future clinical applications as effective anti-infective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Fang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Pengfei Bai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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3
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Chen YK, Simon IA, Maslov I, Oyarce-Pino IE, Kulkarni K, Hopper D, Aguilar MI, Vankadari N, Broughton BR, Del Borgo MP. A switch in N-terminal capping of β-peptides creates novel self-assembled nanoparticles. RSC Adv 2023; 13:29401-29407. [PMID: 37818265 PMCID: PMC10561372 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra04514e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Small tripeptides composed entirely of β3-amino acids have been shown to self-assemble into fibres following acylation of the N-terminus. Given the use of Fmoc as a strategy to initiate self-assembly in α-peptides, we hypothesized that the acyl cap can be replaced by an Fmoc without perturbation to the self-assembly and enable simpler synthetic protocols. We therefore replaced the N-acyl cap for an Fmoc group and herein we show that these Fmoc-protected β3-peptides produce regular spherical particles, rather than fibrous structures, that are stable and capable of encapsulating cargo. We then demonstrated that these particles were able to deliver cargo to cells without any obvious signs of cytotoxicity. This is the first description of such regular nanoparticles derived from Fmoc-protected β3-peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Kai Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Isabella A Simon
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Ivan Maslov
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Ivan E Oyarce-Pino
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Ketav Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Denham Hopper
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Marie-Isabel Aguilar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Naveen Vankadari
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Brad Rs Broughton
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Mark P Del Borgo
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
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Castro TG, Melle-Franco M, Sousa CEA, Cavaco-Paulo A, Marcos JC. Non-Canonical Amino Acids as Building Blocks for Peptidomimetics: Structure, Function, and Applications. Biomolecules 2023; 13:981. [PMID: 37371561 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060981] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides a fresh overview of non-canonical amino acids and their applications in the design of peptidomimetics. Non-canonical amino acids appear widely distributed in nature and are known to enhance the stability of specific secondary structures and/or biological function. Contrary to the ubiquitous DNA-encoded amino acids, the structure and function of these residues are not fully understood. Here, results from experimental and molecular modelling approaches are gathered to classify several classes of non-canonical amino acids according to their ability to induce specific secondary structures yielding different biological functions and improved stability. Regarding side-chain modifications, symmetrical and asymmetrical α,α-dialkyl glycines, Cα to Cα cyclized amino acids, proline analogues, β-substituted amino acids, and α,β-dehydro amino acids are some of the non-canonical representatives addressed. Backbone modifications were also examined, especially those that result in retro-inverso peptidomimetics and depsipeptides. All this knowledge has an important application in the field of peptidomimetics, which is in continuous progress and promises to deliver new biologically active molecules and new materials in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarsila G Castro
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Manuel Melle-Franco
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cristina E A Sousa
- BioMark Sensor Research-School of Engineering of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Artur Cavaco-Paulo
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João C Marcos
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Hansen MH, Stegmann E, Cryle MJ. Beyond vancomycin: recent advances in the modification, reengineering, production and discovery of improved glycopeptide antibiotics to tackle multidrug-resistant bacteria. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 77:102767. [PMID: 35933924 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs), which include vancomycin and teicoplanin, are important last-resort antibiotics used to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections. Whilst second-generation GPAs - generated through chemical modification of natural GPAs - have proven successful, the emergence of GPA resistance has underlined the need to develop new members of this compound class. Significant recent advances have been made in GPA research, including gaining an in-depth understanding of their biosynthesis, improving titre in production strains, developing new derivatives via novel chemical modifications and identifying a new mode of action for structurally diverse type-V GPAs. Taken together, these advances demonstrate significant untapped potential for the further development of GPAs to tackle the growing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias H Hansen
- The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Australia
| | - Evi Stegmann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Microbiology/Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Max J Cryle
- The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Australia.
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Er S, Laraib U, Arshad R, Sargazi S, Rahdar A, Pandey S, Thakur VK, Díez-Pascual AM. Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins: Implications for Nanotechnological Applications in Biosensing and Drug/Gene Delivery. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:3002. [PMID: 34835766 PMCID: PMC8622868 DOI: 10.3390/nano11113002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over various scientific fields in biochemistry, amino acids have been highlighted in research works. Protein, peptide- and amino acid-based drug delivery systems have proficiently transformed nanotechnology via immense flexibility in their features for attaching various drug molecules and biodegradable polymers. In this regard, novel nanostructures including carbon nanotubes, electrospun carbon nanofibers, gold nanoislands, and metal-based nanoparticles have been introduced as nanosensors for accurate detection of these organic compounds. These nanostructures can bind the biological receptor to the sensor surface and increase the surface area of the working electrode, significantly enhancing the biosensor performance. Interestingly, protein-based nanocarriers have also emerged as useful drug and gene delivery platforms. This is important since, despite recent advancements, there are still biological barriers and other obstacles limiting gene and drug delivery efficacy. Currently available strategies for gene therapy are not cost-effective, and they do not deliver the genetic cargo effectively to target sites. With rapid advancements in nanotechnology, novel gene delivery systems are introduced as nonviral vectors such as protein, peptide, and amino acid-based nanostructures. These nano-based delivery platforms can be tailored into functional transformation using proteins and peptides ligands based nanocarriers, usually overexpressed in the specified diseases. The purpose of this review is to shed light on traditional and nanotechnology-based methods to detect amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Furthermore, new insights into the potential of amino protein-based nanoassemblies for targeted drug delivery or gene transfer are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simge Er
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir 35100, Turkey;
| | - Ushna Laraib
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan;
| | - Rabia Arshad
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan;
| | - Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743463, Iran;
| | - Abbas Rahdar
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol 538-98615, Iran
| | - Sadanand Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea;
| | - Vijay Kumar Thakur
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK;
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ana M. Díez-Pascual
- Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.6, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Payne JAE, Tailhades J, Ellett F, Kostoulias X, Fulcher AJ, Fu T, Leung R, Louch S, Tran A, Weber SA, Schittenhelm RB, Lieschke GJ, Qin CH, Irima D, Peleg AY, Cryle MJ. Antibiotic-chemoattractants enhance neutrophil clearance of Staphylococcus aureus. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6157. [PMID: 34697316 PMCID: PMC8546149 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can readily develop antibiotic resistance and evade the human immune system, which is associated with reduced levels of neutrophil recruitment. Here, we present a class of antibacterial peptides with potential to act both as antibiotics and as neutrophil chemoattractants. The compounds, which we term 'antibiotic-chemoattractants', consist of a formylated peptide (known to act as chemoattractant for neutrophil recruitment) that is covalently linked to the antibiotic vancomycin (known to bind to the bacterial cell wall). We use a combination of in vitro assays, cellular assays, infection-on-a-chip and in vivo mouse models to show that the compounds improve the recruitment, engulfment and killing of S. aureus by neutrophils. Furthermore, optimizing the formyl peptide sequence can enhance neutrophil activity through differential activation of formyl peptide receptors. Thus, we propose antibiotic-chemoattractants as an alternate approach for antibiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A E Payne
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | - Julien Tailhades
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Felix Ellett
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Xenia Kostoulias
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Alex J Fulcher
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ting Fu
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Ryan Leung
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Stephanie Louch
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Amy Tran
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Severin A Weber
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Graham J Lieschke
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Chengxue Helena Qin
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Daniel Irima
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Max J Cryle
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
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