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Chi Y, Peng Y, Zhang S, Tang S, Zhang W, Dai C, Ji S. A Rapid In Vivo Toxicity Assessment Method for Antimicrobial Peptides. TOXICS 2024; 12:387. [PMID: 38922067 PMCID: PMC11209610 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12060387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising antibiotic alternative to overcome drug-resistant bacteria by inserting into the membrane of bacteria, resulting in cell lysis. However, therapeutic applications of AMPs have been hindered by their ability to lyse eukaryotic cells. GF-17 is a truncated peptide of LL-37, which has perfect amphipathicity and a higher hydrophobicity, resulting in higher haemolytic activity. However, there is no significant difference in the cytotoxicity against human lung epithelial cells between the GF-17 and LL-37 groups, indicating that there are significant differences in the sensitivity of different human cells to GF-17. In this study, LL-37 and GF-17 were administered to mouse lungs via intranasal inoculation. Blood routine examination results showed that LL-37 did not affect the red blood cells, platelet, white blood cells and neutrophil counts, but GF-17 decreased the white blood cells and neutrophil counts with the increasing concentration of peptides. GF-17-treated mice suffer a body weight loss of about 2.3 g on average in 24 h, indicating that GF-17 is highly toxic to mice. The total cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from GF-17-treated mice were 4.66-fold that in the untreated group, suggesting that GF-17 treatment leads to inflammation in the lungs of mice. Similarly, the histological results showed the infiltration of neutrophils in the lungs of GF-17-treated mice. The results suggest that the administration of GF-17 in the lungs of mice does not affect the red blood cells and platelet counts in the blood but promotes neutrophil infiltration in the lungs, leading to an inflammatory response. Therefore, we established a mouse acute lung injury model to preliminarily evaluate the in vivo toxicity of AMPs. For AMPs with a clinical application value, systematic research is still needed to evaluate their acute and long-term toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulang Chi
- College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Yunhui Peng
- College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China; (Y.C.)
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Quanzhou 362200, China
| | - Shikun Zhang
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China;
| | - Sijia Tang
- College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Quanzhou Medical College, Quanzhou 362011, China
| | - Congjie Dai
- College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China; (Y.C.)
| | - Shouping Ji
- College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China; (Y.C.)
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Quanzhou 362200, China
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2
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Li C, Jin K. Chemical Strategies towards the Development of Effective Anticancer Peptides. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1839-1873. [PMID: 37170992 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230426111157] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is increasingly recognized as one of the primary causes of death and has become a multifaceted global health issue. Modern medical science has made significant advancements in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer over the past decade. The detrimental side effects, lack of efficacy, and multidrug resistance of conventional cancer therapies have created an urgent need for novel anticancer therapeutics or treatments with low cytotoxicity and drug resistance. The pharmaceutical groups have recognized the crucial role that peptide therapeutic agents can play in addressing unsatisfied healthcare demands and how these become great supplements or even preferable alternatives to biological therapies and small molecules. Anticancer peptides, as a vibrant therapeutic strategy against various cancer cells, have demonstrated incredible anticancer potential due to high specificity and selectivity, low toxicity, and the ability to target the surface of traditional "undruggable" proteins. This review will provide the research progression of anticancer peptides, mainly focusing on the discovery and modifications along with the optimization and application of these peptides in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Kang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
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3
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Alamdari-Palangi V, Jaberi KR, Shahverdi M, Naeimzadeh Y, Tajbakhsh A, Khajeh S, Razban V, Fallahi J. Recent advances and applications of peptide-agent conjugates for targeting tumor cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15249-15273. [PMID: 37581648 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05144-9] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer, being a complex disease, presents a major challenge for the scientific and medical communities. Peptide therapeutics have played a significant role in different medical practices, including cancer treatment. METHOD This review provides an overview of the current situation and potential development prospects of anticancer peptides (ACPs), with a particular focus on peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates for cancer treatment. RESULTS ACPs can be used directly as cytotoxic agents (molecularly targeted peptides) or can act as carriers (guiding missile) of chemotherapeutic agents and radionuclides by specifically targeting cancer cells. More than 60 natural and synthetic cationic peptides are approved in the USA and other major markets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Compared to traditional cancer treatments, peptides exhibit anticancer activity with high specificity and the ability to rapidly kill target cancer cells. ACP's target and kill cancer cells via different mechanisms, including membrane disruption, pore formation, induction of apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and regulation of the immune system. Modified peptides have been developed as carriers for drugs, vaccines, and peptide-drug conjugates, which have been evaluated in various phases of clinical trials for the treatment of different types of solid and leukemia cancer. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the potential of ACPs as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment, particularly through the use of peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates. Despite the limitations of peptides, such as poor metabolic stability and low bioavailability, modified peptides show promise in addressing these challenges. Various mechanism of action of anticancer peptides. Modes of action against cancer cells including: inducing apoptosis by cytochrome c release, direct cell membrane lysis (necrosis), inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing autophagy-mediated cell death and immune cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Alamdari-Palangi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Khojaste Rahimi Jaberi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahshid Shahverdi
- Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Yasaman Naeimzadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Amir Tajbakhsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sahar Khajeh
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
| | - Jafar Fallahi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
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4
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Petruk G, Puthia M, Samsudin F, Petrlova J, Olm F, Mittendorfer M, Hyllén S, Edström D, Strömdahl AC, Diehl C, Ekström S, Walse B, Kjellström S, Bond PJ, Lindstedt S, Schmidtchen A. Targeting Toll-like receptor-driven systemic inflammation by engineering an innate structural fold into drugs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6097. [PMID: 37773180 PMCID: PMC10541425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41702-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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a clinical need for conceptually new treatments that target the excessive activation of inflammatory pathways during systemic infection. Thrombin-derived C-terminal peptides (TCPs) are endogenous anti-infective immunomodulators interfering with CD14-mediated TLR-dependent immune responses. Here we describe the development of a peptide-based compound for systemic use, sHVF18, expressing the evolutionarily conserved innate structural fold of natural TCPs. Using a combination of structure- and in silico-based design, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, biophysics, mass spectrometry, cellular, and in vivo studies, we here elucidate the structure, CD14 interactions, protease stability, transcriptome profiling, and therapeutic efficacy of sHVF18. The designed peptide displays a conformationally stabilized, protease resistant active innate fold and targets the LPS-binding groove of CD14. In vivo, it shows therapeutic efficacy in experimental models of endotoxin shock in mice and pigs and increases survival in mouse models of systemic polymicrobial infection. The results provide a drug class based on Nature´s own anti-infective principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganna Petruk
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Manoj Puthia
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Firdaus Samsudin
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138671, Singapore
| | - Jitka Petrlova
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Franziska Olm
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Snejana Hyllén
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Skåne University Hospital, SE-22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dag Edström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Skåne University Hospital, SE-22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ann-Charlotte Strömdahl
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carl Diehl
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-22381, Lund, Sweden
| | - Simon Ekström
- BioMS - Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Walse
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-22381, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sven Kjellström
- Division of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Sandra Lindstedt
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Skåne University Hospital, SE-22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Artur Schmidtchen
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden
- Dermatology, Skane University Hospital, SE-22185, Lund, Sweden
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5
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Wang Y, Zhu G, Wang W, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Wang J, Geng M, Lu H, Chen Y, Zhou M, Chen J, Zhang F, Yang J, Cheng X. Rational design of HJH antimicrobial peptides to improve antimicrobial activity. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 83:129176. [PMID: 36764469 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted considerable interest in the past decade due to their advantages for tackling antibiotic resistance. They exhibit potential antimicrobial activity through unique cell membrane destruction mechanism based on their net charge, hydrophobic properties, and α-helix. In this work, a series of HJH peptides was rationally designed and synthesized. The antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity assays indicated that HJH-5 and HJH-6 containing hydrophobic residues and helices displayed prominent antimicrobial activity and mild cytotoxicity, respectively. These peptides may be developed for combatting microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Guilan Zhu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ming Geng
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Hongxia Lu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yajun Chen
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Minghui Zhou
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Junjie Yang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Xiaozhong Cheng
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory for Medicinal and Food Homologous Natural Resources Exploration, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China.
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6
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Specific Focus on Antifungal Peptides against Azole Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:jof9010042. [PMID: 36675863 PMCID: PMC9864941 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of fungal infections is increasing worldwide, especially that of aspergillosis, which previously only affected people with immunosuppression. Aspergillus fumigatus can cause allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and endangers public health due to resistance to azole-type antimycotics such as fluconazole. Antifungal peptides are viable alternatives that combat infection by forming pores in membranes through electrostatic interactions with the phospholipids as well as cell death to peptides that inhibit protein synthesis and inhibit cell replication. Engineering antifungal peptides with nanotechnology can enhance the efficacy of these therapeutics at lower doses and reduce immune responses. This manuscript explains how antifungal peptides combat antifungal-resistant aspergillosis and also how rational peptide design with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence can engineer peptides to be a feasible antifungal alternative.
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7
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Ghosh S, Chatterjee S, Satpati P. Effect of Leu/Val Mutation on the Energetics of Antimicrobial Peptide:Micelle Binding. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:5262-5273. [PMID: 35815580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we had reported a synthetic positively charged leucine-rich 14-residue-long antimicrobial peptide (AMP, LL-14: NH3+-LKWLKKLLKWLKKL-CONH2), which was highly active and cytotoxic relative to its valine analogue (VV-14). However, the thermodynamics underlying this differential toxicity and antimicrobial activity was unclear. Understanding the energetics of peptide binding to micelles (simplest membrane mimic, viz., SDS as a bacterial membrane and DPC as a eukaryotic membrane) and the effect of Leu → Val peptide mutations on the stability of the peptide:micelle complexes are of great academic interest and relevant for the rational design of potent and selective AMPs for therapeutic use. Here, we have reported the molecular dynamics free energy simulations that allowed us to quantitatively estimate the strength of peptide discrimination (based on single- or multiple-site Leu/Val mutations in LL-14) by membrane mimetic micelles (SDS and DPC) and decipher the energetics underlying peptide selectivity by micelles. The Leu-containing peptide (LL-14) was found to be preferred for micelle (SDS and DPC) binding relative to its Val analogues (single or multiple Val mutants). The strength of the preference depended on the position of the Leu/Val mutation in the peptide. Surprisingly, the N-terminal LL-14 single mutation (Leu → Val: L1V) was found to fine-tune the electrostatic interactions, resulting in the highest peptide selectivity (ΔΔG ∼ 8 kcal/mol for both SDS and DPC). However, the mechanism of L1V peptide selectivity was distinctly different for SDS and DPC micelles. SDS ensured high selectivity by disrupting the peptide:micelle salt bridge, whereas DPC desolvated the broken-peptide-backbone hydrogen bond in the V1 peptide:micelle complex. Mutations (Leu → Val) in the middle positions of the LL-14 (4th, 7th, 8th, and 11th) were disfavored by the micelles primarily due to the loss of peptide:micelle hydrophobic interactions. Peptides differing at the C-terminal (i.e., L14V) were recognized by SDS micelles (ΔΔG ∼ 4 kcal/mol) by altering peptide:micelle interactions. L14V mutation, on the other hand, did not play any role in the peptide:DPC binding, as no direct interactions between the C-terminal and DPC micelle were observed due to obvious electrostatic reasons. The strength of selectivity favoring LL-14 binding against VV-14 was found to be much higher for DPC micelles (ΔΔG ∼ 25 kcal/mol) relative to SDS micelles (ΔΔG ∼ 19 kcal/mol). The loss of the peptide:micelle hydrophobic contact in response to LL-14 → VV-14 mutation was found to be significantly larger for DPC relative to SDS micelles, resulting in higher discriminatory power for the former. Peptide:SDS salt bridges seemed to prevent the loss of peptide:micelle hydrophobic contact to some extent, leading to weaker selectivity for SDS micelles. High selectivity of DPC micelles provided an efficient mechanism for VV-14 dissociation from DPC micelles, whereas low-selectivity of SDS micelles ensured binding of both LL-14 and VV-14. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which the experimental observations (antimicrobial activity and toxicity) between leucine-rich and valine-rich peptides have been explained by establishing a direct link between the energetics and structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvankar Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Sunanda Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Priyadarshi Satpati
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
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8
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Lima PG, Oliveira JTA, Amaral JL, Freitas CDT, Souza PFN. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides: Characteristics, design, and potential as alternative molecules to overcome microbial resistance. Life Sci 2021; 278:119647. [PMID: 34043990 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the dramatic emergence of antimicrobial resistance has received attention from World Health Organization. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) are considered new weapons to fight against infections caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens. Here, the authors provide an overview of the current research on SAMPs. The focus is SAMPs, how to design them, which features must be considered during design, and comparison with natural peptides. This review also includes a discussion about the natural AMPs, mechanisms of action and applications as new drugs or even as adjuvants molecules to enhance commercial drugs activity. The advances in chemical synthesis have reduced the cost to produce synthetic peptides open ways to achieve new antimicrobial agents. Therefore, synthetic peptides are new promising molecules to safeguard human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia G Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, CEP 60.440-554 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Jose T A Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, CEP 60.440-554 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Jackson L Amaral
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, CEP 60.440-554 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Cleverson D T Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, CEP 60.440-554 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Pedro F N Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, CEP 60.440-554 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
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9
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Souza PF, Marques LS, Oliveira JT, Lima PG, Dias LP, Neto NA, Lopes FE, Sousa JS, Silva AF, Caneiro RF, Lopes JL, Ramos MV, Freitas CD. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides: From choice of the best sequences to action mechanisms. Biochimie 2020; 175:132-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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10
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Xie M, Liu D, Yang Y. Anti-cancer peptides: classification, mechanism of action, reconstruction and modification. Open Biol 2020; 10:200004. [PMID: 32692959 PMCID: PMC7574553 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) are a series of short peptides composed of 10-60 amino acids that can inhibit tumour cell proliferation or migration, or suppress the formation of tumour blood vessels, and are less likely to cause drug resistance. The aforementioned merits make ACPs the most promising anti-cancer candidate. However, ACPs may be degraded by proteases, or result in cytotoxicity in many cases. To overcome these drawbacks, a plethora of research has focused on reconstruction or modification of ACPs to improve their anti-cancer activity, while reducing their cytotoxicity. The modification of ACPs mainly includes main chain reconstruction and side chain modification. After summarizing the classification and mechanism of action of ACPs, this paper focuses on recent development and progress about their reconstruction and modification. The information collected here may provide some ideas for further research on ACPs, in particular their modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Dijia Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China.,Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
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11
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Jiang Y, Mei C, Huang X, Gu Q, Song D. Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of a Bacteriocin Derived from the Valine-Cecropin A(1–8)-Plantaricin ZJ5(1–18) Hybrid Peptide Against Escherichia coli O104. FOOD BIOPHYS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11483-020-09636-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Chabenne JR, Mroz PA, Mayer JP, DiMarchi RD. Structural Refinement of Glucagon for Therapeutic Use. J Med Chem 2019; 63:3447-3460. [PMID: 31774682 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon counters insulin's effects on glucose metabolism and serves as a rescue medicine in the treatment of hypoglycemia. Acute hypoglycemia, a common occurrence in insulin-dependent diabetes, is the central obstacle to correcting high blood glucose, a primary cause of long-term microvascular complications. As a result, there has been a resurgence of interest in improved glucagon therapy, including nonconventional liquid formulations, alternative routes of administration, and novel analogs with optimized biophysical properties. These options collectively minimize the complexity of glucagon delivery and enable its application in ways not feasible with conventional emergency rescue kits. These advances have indirectly promoted the integrated use of glucagon agonism with other hormones in a manner that runs counter to the long-standing pursuit of glucagon antagonism. This review summarizes novel approaches to glucagon optimization, methods with potential application to the broader family of therapeutic peptides, where biophysical challenges may be encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Chabenne
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Piotr A Mroz
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - John P Mayer
- MCD Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Richard D DiMarchi
- Novo Nordisk Research Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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13
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Hao W, Hu C, Huang Y, Chen Y. Coadministration of kla peptide with HPRP-A1 to enhance anticancer activity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223738. [PMID: 31703065 PMCID: PMC6839859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The apoptosis-inducing peptide kla (KLAKLAK)2 possesses the ability to disrupt mitochondrial membranes and induce cancer cell apoptosis, but this peptide has a poor eukaryotic cell-penetrating potential. Thus, it requires the assistance of other peptides for effective translocation at micromolar concentrations. In this study, breast and lung cancer cells were treated by kla peptide co-administrated with membrane-active anticancer peptide HPRP-A1. HPRP-A1 assisted kla to enter cancer cells and localized on mitochondrial membranes to result in cytochrome C releasing and mitochondrial depolarization which ultimately induced apoptosis.The apoptosis rate was up to 65%and 45% on MCF-7 and A549 cell lines, respectively, induced by HPRP-A1 coadministration with kla group. The breast cancer model was constructed in mice, and the anticancer peptides were injected to observe the changes in cancer volume, andimmunohistochemical analysis was performed on the tissues and organs after the drug was administered. Both the weight and volume of tumor tissue were remarkable lower in HPRP-A1 with kla group compared with thosepeptidealonggroups. The results showed that the combined drug group effectively inhibited the growth of cancer and did not cause toxic damage to normal tissues, as well as exhibited significantly improvement on peptide anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Hao
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Cuihua Hu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Yibing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- JiangsuProteLight Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Jiangyin, China
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14
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Mant CT, Jiang Z, Gera L, Davis T, Nelson KL, Bevers S, Hodges RS. De Novo Designed Amphipathic α-Helical Antimicrobial Peptides Incorporating Dab and Dap Residues on the Polar Face To Treat the Gram-Negative Pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3354-3366. [PMID: 30848594 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We have designed de novo and synthesized ten 26-residue D-conformation amphipathic α-helical cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), seven with "specificity determinants", which provide specificity for prokaryotic cells over eukaryotic cells. The ten AMPs contain five or six positively charged residues (d-Arg, d-Lys, d-Orn, l-Dab, or l-Dap) on the polar face to understand their role in hemolytic activity against human red blood cells and antimicrobial activity against seven Acinetobacter baumannii strains, resistant to polymyxin B and colistin, and 20 A. baumannii worldwide isolates from 2016 and 2017 with antibiotic resistance to 18 different antibiotics. AMPs with specificity determinants and with l-Dab and l-Dap residues on the polar face have essentially no hemolytic activity at 1000 μg/mL (380 μM), showing for the first time the importance of these unusual amino acid residues in solving long-standing hemolysis issues of AMPs. Specificity determinants maintained excellent antimicrobial activity in the presence of human sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin T Mant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Ziqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Tim Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | | | - Shaun Bevers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Robert S Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
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15
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Stereochemical inversion as a route to improved biophysical properties of therapeutic peptides exemplified by glucagon. Commun Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s42004-018-0100-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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16
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Yue P, Peng S, Parkin S, Li T, Yu F, Long S. Peptidomimicry with C 2
-Symmetric Oligourea Derivatives of 1,2-Diaminocyclohexane and 1,2-Diphenyl-1,2-diaminoethane: Chirality and Chain Length-Dependent Conformation. ChemistrySelect 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201801900] [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)
- Pengyun Yue
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology; School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1 Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei; 430205 China
| | - Siqing Peng
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology; School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1 Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei; 430205 China
| | - Sean Parkin
- Department of Chemistry; University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; 40506 USA
| | - Tonglei Li
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy; Purdue University, West Lafayette; Indiana 47907 U.S.A
| | - Faquan Yu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology; School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1 Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei; 430205 China
| | - Sihui Long
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology; School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1 Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei; 430205 China
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17
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Rajasekaran G, Shin SY. Fowlicidin-3 Analog with Improved Cell Selectivity Synthesized by Shifting a PXXP Motif from the N-Terminus to a Central Position. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.11381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesan Rajasekaran
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine; School of Medicine, Chosun University; Gwangju 501-759 Republic of Korea
| | - Song Yub Shin
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine; School of Medicine, Chosun University; Gwangju 501-759 Republic of Korea
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18
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Araújo F, Martins C, Azevedo C, Sarmento B. Chemical modification of drug molecules as strategy to reduce interactions with mucus. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 124:98-106. [PMID: 28964880 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Many drug molecules possess inadequate physical-chemical characteristics that prevent to surpass the viscous mucus layer present in the surface of mucosal tissues. Due to mucus protective role and its fast turnover, these drug molecules end up being removed from the body before being absorbed and, thus, before exerting any physiologic affect. Envisaging a better pharmacokinetics profile, chemical modifications, to render drug a more mucopenetrating character, have been introduced to drug molecules backbone towards more effective therapies. Mucus penetration increases when drug molecules are provided with net-neutral charge, when they are conjugated with mucolytic agents and through modifications that makes them resistant to enzymes present in mucus, with the overall increase of their hydrophilicity and the decrease of their molecular weight. All of these characteristics act as a whole and influence each other so they must be well thought when drug molecules are being designed for mucosal delivery.
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19
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Enantiomeric Effect of d-Amino Acid Substitution on the Mechanism of Action of α-Helical Membrane-Active Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 19:ijms19010067. [PMID: 29280948 PMCID: PMC5796017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
V13K, a 26-residue peptide, has been shown to have strong antimicrobial activity, negligible hemolytic activity, and significant anticancer activity. In the present work, V13K was used as the framework to investigate the influence of helicity, as influenced by d-amino acid substitutions in the center of the peptide polar and non-polar faces of the amphipathic helix, on biological activity. The antibacterial and anticancer activities of the peptides were investigated. Atomic force microscopy and other biophysical methods were used to investigate the effect of peptide helicity on biological activity. The results showed the importance of suitable and rational modification of membrane-active peptides, based on helicity, in optimizing potential biological activity.
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20
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Fisher BF, Hong SH, Gellman SH. Helix Propensities of Amino Acid Residues via Thioester Exchange. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:13292-13295. [PMID: 28898059 PMCID: PMC5995559 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe the use of thioester exchange equilibria to measure the propensities of amino acid residues to participate in helical secondary structure at room temperature in the absence of denaturants. Thermally or chemically induced unfolding has previously been employed to measure α-helix propensities among proteinogenic α-amino acid residues, and quantitative comparison with precedents indicates that the thioester exchange system is reliable for residues that lack side chain charge. This system allows the measurement of α-helix propensities for d-α-amino acid residues and propensities of residues with nonproteinogenic backbones, such as those derived from a β-amino acid, to participate in an α-helix-like secondary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F. Fisher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Seong Ho Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Samuel H. Gellman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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21
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Jiang Z, Mant CT, Vasil M, Hodges RS. Role of positively charged residues on the polar and non-polar faces of amphipathic α-helical antimicrobial peptides on specificity and selectivity for Gram-negative pathogens. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017. [PMID: 28636788 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We have designed de novo and synthesized eight 26-residue all D-conformation amphipathic α-helical cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), four with "specificity determinants" which provide specificity for prokaryotic cells over eukaryotic cells and four AMPs without specificity determinants. The eight AMPs contain six positively charged Lys residues on the polar face in four different arrangements to understand the role of these residues have on antimicrobial activity against 14 Acinetobacter baumannii strains, seven of which were resistant to polymyxin B and colistin; six diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and 17 Staphylococcus aureus strains, nine of which were methicillin-sensitive, and eight of which were methicillin-resistant. The four AMPs without specificity determinants are extremely hemolytic. In contrast, the four AMPs with specificity determinants had dramatic improvements in therapeutic indices showing the importance of specificity determinants in removing eukaryotic cell toxicity. The specificity determinants combined with the location of positively charged residues on the polar face provide Gram-negative pathogen selectivity between A. baumannii and S. aureus. Specificity determinants maintain excellent antimicrobial activity in the presence of human sera, whereas the AMPs without specificity determinants were inactive. This study clearly shows the potential of amphipathic α-helical AMPs with specificity determinants as therapeutics to replace existing antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Colin T Mant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael Vasil
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Robert S Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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22
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Piotrowska U, Sobczak M, Oledzka E. Current state of a dual behaviour of antimicrobial peptides-Therapeutic agents and promising delivery vectors. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:1079-1093. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Piotrowska
- Chair of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry; Department of Biomaterials Chemistry; Faculty of Pharmacy with the Laboratory Medicine Division; Medical University of Warsaw; Warsaw Poland
| | - Marcin Sobczak
- Chair of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry; Department of Biomaterials Chemistry; Faculty of Pharmacy with the Laboratory Medicine Division; Medical University of Warsaw; Warsaw Poland
| | - Ewa Oledzka
- Chair of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry; Department of Biomaterials Chemistry; Faculty of Pharmacy with the Laboratory Medicine Division; Medical University of Warsaw; Warsaw Poland
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23
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Borchers AT, Davis PA, Gershwin ME. The Asymmetry of Existence: Do We Owe Our Existence to Cold Dark Matter and the Weak Force? Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 229:21-32. [PMID: 14709773 DOI: 10.1177/153537020422900103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A common theme throughout biology is homochirality, including its origin and especially implications. Homochirality has also intrigued scientists because of the hypothesis that life, as it currently exists, could not have occurred without it. In this review, we discuss several hypotheses regarding homochirality and their linkage to processes that range from subatomic in scale to processes that help define the structure of the universe. More importantly, this exploration begins with the knowledge that humans inhabit the universe in which there is an excess of normal matter over antimatter. It is a universe characterized by homochirality but is nonetheless contained in what is most easily described as a 3+1 dimensional spacetime wherein most laws of physics are invariant under spacetime transformations. This restriction on spacetime poses significant constraints on the processes that can be invoked to explain homochirality. However, in dealing with such restraints, including the total mass contained in the universe, the concepts of cold dark matter and dark energy can be incorporated into cosmological models with resultant behaviors and predictions very much in accord with the findings of the cosmic background surveys. Indeed, the introduction of cold dark matter and dark energy to solve problems relating to the mass found in the universe may provide a means for generating the needed asymmetry to allow homochirality to arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea T Borchers
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California 95616, USA
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24
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Design of an α-helical antimicrobial peptide with improved cell-selective and potent anti-biofilm activity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27394. [PMID: 27271216 PMCID: PMC4897634 DOI: 10.1038/srep27394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
AR-23 is a melittin-related peptide with 23 residues. Like melittin, its high α-helical amphipathic structure results in strong bactericidal activity and cytotoxicity. In this study, a series of AR-23 analogues with low amphipathicity were designed by substitution of Ala1, Ala8 and Ile17 with positively charged residues (Arg or Lys) to study the effect of positively charged residue distribution on the biological viability of the antimicrobial peptide. Substitution of Ile17 on the nonpolar face with positively charged Lys dramatically altered the hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, helicity and the membrane-penetrating activity against human cells as well as the haemolytic activity of the peptide. However, substitution on the polar face only slightly affected the peptide biophysical properties and biological activity. The results indicate that the position rather than the number of positively charged residue affects the biophysical properties and selectivity of the peptide. Of all the analogues, A(A1R, A8R, I17K), a peptide with Ala1-Arg, Ala8-Arg and Ile17-Lys substitutions, exhibited similar bactericidal activity and anti-biofilm activity to AR-23 but had much lower haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells compared with AR-23. Therefore, the findings reported here provide a rationalization for peptide design and optimization, which will be useful for the future development of antimicrobial agents.
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25
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Velmurugan P, Jonnalagadda RR, Sankaranarayanan K, Dhathathreyan A. Does L to D-amino acid substitution trigger helix→sheet conformations in collagen like peptides adsorbed to surfaces? MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2015; 57:249-56. [PMID: 26354261 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The present work reports on the structural order, self assembling behaviour and the role in adsorption to hydrophilic or hydrophobic solid surfaces of modified sequence from the triple helical peptide model of the collagenase cleavage site in type I collagen (Uniprot accession number P02452 residues from 935 to 970) using (D)Ala and (D)Ile substitutions as given in the models below: Model-1: GSOGADGPAGAOGTOGPQGIAGQRGVV GLOGQRGER. Model-2: GSOGADGP(D)AGAOGTOGPQGIAGQRGVVGLOGQRGER. Model-3: GSOGADGPAGAOGTOGPQG(D)IAGQRGVVGLOGQRGER. Collagenase is an important enzyme that plays an important role in degrading collagen in wound healing, cancer metastasis and even in embryonic development. However, the mechanism by which this degradation occurs is not completely understood. Our results show that adsorption of the peptides to the solid surfaces, specifically hydrophobic triggers a helix to beta transition with order increasing in peptide models 2 and 3. This restricts the collagenolytic behaviour of collagenase and may find application in design of peptides and peptidomimetics for enzyme-substrate interaction, specifically with reference to collagen and other extra cellular matrix proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punitha Velmurugan
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute, Chemical Laboratory, Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India; University of Madras, Centre for Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Raghava Rao Jonnalagadda
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute, Chemical Laboratory, Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India.
| | - Kamatchi Sankaranarayanan
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute, Chemical Laboratory, Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India
| | - Aruna Dhathathreyan
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute, Biophysics Laboratory, Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India
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26
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Enantiomeric CopA3 dimer peptide suppresses cell viability and tumor xenograft growth of human gastric cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3237-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4162-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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27
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Tryptophan as a probe to study the anticancer mechanism of action and specificity of α-helical anticancer peptides. Molecules 2014; 19:12224-41. [PMID: 25123187 PMCID: PMC6271632 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190812224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, a single tryptophan, as a fluorescence probe, was shifted from the N-terminus to the middle and to the C-terminus of a 26-residue α-helical anticancer peptide sequence to study the mechanism of action and specificity. The hydrophobicity of peptides, as well as peptide helicity and self-associating ability, were slightly influenced by the position change of tryptophan in the peptide sequence, while the hemolytic activity and anticancer activity of the peptide analogs remained the same. The tryptophan fluorescence experiment demonstrated that peptide analogs were more selective against LUVs mimicking cancer cell membranes than LUVs mimicking normal cell membranes. During the interaction with target membranes, the N-terminus of an anticancer peptide may be inserted vertically or tilted into the hydrophobic components of the phospholipid bilayer first. The thermodynamic parameters of the peptides PNW and PCW, when interacting with zwitterionic DMPC or negatively charged DMPS, were determined by ITC. DSC experiments showed that peptide analogs significantly altered the phase transition profiles of DMPC, but did not dramatically modify the phase transition of DMPS. It is demonstrated that hydrophobic interactions are the main driving force for peptides interacting with normal cell membranes, whilst, electrostatic interactions dominate the interactions between peptides and cancer cell membranes. Utilizing tryptophan as a fluorescence probe molecule appears to be a practicable approach to determine the interaction of peptides with phospholipid bilayers.
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28
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Leussa ANN, Rautenbach M. Detailed SAR and PCA of the Tyrocidines and Analogues Towards Leucocin A-Sensitive and Leucocin A-ResistantListeria monocytogenes. Chem Biol Drug Des 2014; 84:543-57. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 03/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Nyango-Nkeh Leussa
- BIOPEP Peptide Group; Department of Biochemistry; University of Stellenbosch; Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602 Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Marina Rautenbach
- BIOPEP Peptide Group; Department of Biochemistry; University of Stellenbosch; Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602 Stellenbosch South Africa
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29
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Huang Y, He L, Li G, Zhai N, Jiang H, Chen Y. Role of helicity of α-helical antimicrobial peptides to improve specificity. Protein Cell 2014; 5:631-42. [PMID: 24805306 PMCID: PMC4130925 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A major barrier to the use of antimicrobial peptides as antibiotics is the toxicity or ability to lyse eukaryotic cells. In this study, a 26-residue amphipathic α-helical antimicrobial peptide A12L/A20L (Ac-KWKSFLKTFKSLKKTVLHTLLKAISS-amide) was used as the framework to design a series of D- and L-diastereomeric peptides and study the relationships of helicity and biological activities of α-helical antimicrobial peptides. Peptide helicity was measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy and demonstrated to correlate with the hydrophobicity of peptides and the numbers of D-amino acid substitutions. Therapeutic index was used to evaluate the selectivity of peptides against prokaryotic cells. By introducing D-amino acids to replace the original L-amino acids on the non-polar face or the polar face of the helix, the hemolytic activity of peptide analogs have been significantly reduced. Compared to the parent peptide, the therapeutic indices were improved of 44-fold and 22-fold against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. In addition, D- and L-diastereomeric peptides exhibited lower interaction with zwitterionic eukaryotic membrane and showed the significant membrane damaging effect to bacterial cells. Helicity was proved to play a crucial role on peptide specificity and biological activities. By simply replacing the hydrophobic or the hydrophilic amino acid residues on the non-polar or the polar face of these amphipathic derivatives of the parent peptide with D-amino acids, we demonstrated that this method could have excellent potential for the rational design of antimicrobial peptides with enhanced specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
| | - Liyan He
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
| | - Guirong Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
| | - Naicui Zhai
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
- The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Hongyu Jiang
- The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
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30
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Huang Y, Pan L, Zhao L, Mant CT, Hodges RS, Chen Y. Structure-guided RP-HPLC chromatography of diastereomeric α-helical peptide analogs substituted with single amino acid stereoisomers. Biomed Chromatogr 2013; 28:511-7. [PMID: 24127254 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.3061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
An α-helical model peptide (Ac-EAEKAAKE-X-EKAAKEAEK-amide) was used as a template to examine the efficacy of conventional reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in separating peptide analogs with single substitutions (at position X) of diasteromeric amino acids Ile, allo-Ile, d-Ile and d-allo-Ile. We compared differences in peptide retention behavior on a C8 column and a C18 column at different temperatures. We demonstrated how subtle differences in peptide secondary structure affected by the different substitutions of amino acids with identical overall hydrophobicity enabled effective resolution of these peptide analogs. We also demonstrated the ability of RP-HPLC to separate Ile- and allo-Ile-substituted analogs of a 26-residue α-helical antimicrobial peptide (AMP), with the substitution site towards the C-terminus of the α-helix. These peptides show different values of antibacterial activity and hemolytic activity, and different selectivity against bacteria and human cells. Our results underline the ability of RP-HPLC to resolve even difficult diasteromeric peptide mixtures as well as its value in monitoring very subtle hydrophobicity changes in de novo-designed AMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 2699 QianJin Street, Changchun, 130012, China; National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Jilin University, 2699 QianJin Street, Changchun, 130012, China; School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 QianJin Street, Changchun, 130012, China
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31
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Comparison on effect of hydrophobicity on the antibacterial and antifungal activities of α-helical antimicrobial peptides. Sci China Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-013-4884-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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32
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Wadhwani P, Reichert J, Strandberg E, Bürck J, Misiewicz J, Afonin S, Heidenreich N, Fanghänel S, Mykhailiuk PK, Komarov IV, Ulrich AS. Stereochemical effects on the aggregation and biological properties of the fibril-forming peptide [KIGAKI]3 in membranes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:8962-71. [PMID: 23652359 DOI: 10.1039/c3cp50896j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Single D-amino acid substitutions can be used to suppress or slow down the aggregation of peptides into β-sheeted assemblies compared to the respective L-amino acids. Here, we investigate the influence of local stereochemistry in the model peptide [KIGAKI]3-NH2, which is known to form amyloid-like fibrils. To find out whether aggregation plays a role in various biologically relevant functions that involve peptide-lipid interactions, we studied the antimicrobial, hemolytic and fusogenic activities of this amphiphilic membrane-active molecule. The stiff and sterically constrained amino acid CF3-Bpg [3-(trifluoromethyl)-bicyclopent-[1,1,1]-1-ylglycine] was incorporated either as an L- or a D-enantiomer at different hydrophobic positions of the KIGAKI sequence. D-Epimers have a higher aggregation threshold than the L-epimers, yet the aggregation of both was confirmed using electron microscopy and circular dichroism. Solid-state (19)F-NMR analysis showed that the peptide aggregated in native membranes from human erythrocytes and bacterial protoplasts in the same way as in synthetic lipid bilayers. We then monitored the effect of the single L- or D-CF3-Bpg substitutions in KIGAKI on its distinct biological activities, which have to be measured at low peptide concentrations where the aggregation threshold cannot be directly assessed. These functional assays showed that the aggregation propensity of KIGAKI does not play a role in its antimicrobial action, but an increased tendency to aggregate promotes other undesirable effects such as hemolysis and membrane fusion. These results confirm the membranolytic and thereby toxic nature of amyloidogenic peptides, and emphasize the unpredictable role of peptide aggregation in the different assays used to study biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvesh Wadhwani
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe, Germany
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Yang QZ, Wang C, Lang L, Zhou Y, Wang H, Shang DJ. Design of potent, non-toxic anticancer peptides based on the structure of the antimicrobial peptide, temporin-1CEa. Arch Pharm Res 2013; 36:1302-10. [PMID: 23609760 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-013-0112-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in the search for novel anticancer agents have indicated that the positively charged antimicrobial peptides have emerged as promising agents offering several advantages over the conventional anticancer drugs. As a naturally occurring, cationic, α-helical antimicrobial peptide, temproin-1CEa has been proved to exhibit a potent anticancer effect and a moderate hemolytic activity. In order to reduce the hemolytic activity of temporin-1CEa and improve its anticancer potency towards a range of human breast cancer cells, in the present study, six analogs of temporin-1CEa were rationally designed and synthesized. The amphipathicity levels and α-helical structural patterns of peptides were reserved, while their cationic property and hydrophobicity were changed. The results of MTT and hemolysis assay indicated that the analog peptides displayed an improved anticancer activity and showed an overall optimized therapeutic index. The hydrophobicity of peptides was positively correlated with their hemolytic and antitumor activities. Moreover, the data suggest a strategy of increasing the cationicity while maintaining the moderate hydrophobicity of naturally occurring amphipathic α-helical peptides to generate analogs with improved cytotoxicity against tumor cells but decreased activity against non-neoplastic cells such as human erythrocytes. This work highlights the potential for rational design and synthesis of improved antimicrobial peptides that have the capability to be used therapeutically for treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Zhu Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China
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Yuan T, Zhang X, Hu Z, Wang F, Lei M. Molecular dynamics studies of the antimicrobial peptides piscidin 1 and its mutants with a DOPC lipid bilayer. Biopolymers 2012; 97:998-1009. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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35
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Role of helicity on the anticancer mechanism of action of cationic-helical peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:6849-6862. [PMID: 22837667 PMCID: PMC3397499 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13066849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Revised: 05/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the 26-residue amphipathic α-helical peptide A12L/A20L (Ac-KWKSFLKTFKSLKKTVLHTLLKAISS-amide) with strong anticancer activity and specificity was used as the framework to study the effects of helicity of α-helical anticancer peptides on biological activities. Helicity was systematically modulated by introducing d-amino acids to replace the original l-amino acids on the non-polar face or the polar face of the helix. Peptide helicity was measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy and was demonstrated to correlate with peptide hydrophobicity and the number of d-amino acid substitutions. Biological studies showed that strong hemolytic activity of peptides generally correlated with high hydrophobicity and helicity. Lower helicity caused the decrease of anti-HeLa activity of peptides. By introducing d-amino acids to replace the original l-amino acids on the non-polar face or the polar face of the helix, we improved the therapeutic index of A12L/A20L against HeLa cells by 9-fold and 22-fold, respectively. These results show that the helicity of anticancer peptides plays a crucial role for biological activities. This specific rational approach of peptide design could be a powerful method to improve the specificity of anticancer peptides as promising therapeutics in clinical practices.
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36
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Chandrappa S, Aravinda S, Raghothama S, Sonti R, Rai R, Harini VV, Shamala N, Balaram P. Helix and hairpin nucleation in short peptides using centrally positioned conformationally constrained dipeptide segments. Org Biomol Chem 2012; 10:2815-23. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ob06817f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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37
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Liao PC, Lin KH, Ko CL, Hwang SY. Molecular evolution of a family of resistance gene analogs of nucleotide-binding site sequences in Solanum lycopersicum. Genetica 2011; 139:1229-40. [PMID: 22203213 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-011-9624-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeats (NBS-LRR) gene families are one of the major plant resistance genes. Genomic NBS evolution was studied in many plant species for diverse arrays of NBS gene families. In this study, we focused on one family of NBS sequences in an attempt to understand how closely related NBS sequences evolved in the light of selection in domesticated plant species. A phylogenetic analysis revealed five major clades (A-E) and five subclades (A1-A5) within clade A of cloned NBS sequences. Positive selection was only detected in newly evolved NBS lineages in subclades of clade A. Positively selected codon sites were found among NBS sequences of clade A. A sliding-window analysis revealed that regions with Ka/Ks ratios of >1 were in the inter-motifs when paired clades were compared, but regions with Ka/Ks ratios of >1 were found across NBS sequences when subclades of clade A were compared. Our results based on a family of closely related NBS sequences showed that positive selection was first exerted on specific lineages across all NBS sequences after selective constraints. Subsequently, sequences with mutations in commonly conserved motifs were scrutinized by purifying selection. In the long term, conserved high frequency alleles in commonly conserved motifs and changes in inter-motifs were maintained in the investigated family of NBS sequences. Moreover, codons identified to be under positive selection in the inter-motifs were mainly located in regions involved in functions of ATP binding or hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chun Liao
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan, ROC
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Li GR, He LY, Liu XY, Liu AP, Huang YB, Qiu C, Zhang XY, Xu JQ, Yang W, Chen YX. Rational design of peptides with anti-HCV/HIV activities and enhanced specificity. Chem Biol Drug Des 2011; 78:835-43. [PMID: 21801309 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2011.01201.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lack of vaccines for HCV and HIV makes the antiviral drug development urgently needed. The recently identified HCV NS5A-derived virucidal peptide (C5A) demonstrated a wide spectrum of activities against viruses. In this study, the C5A sequence SWLRDIWDWICEVLSDFK was utilized as the framework to study the effect of the modulation of peptide helicity and hydrophobicity on its anti-HCV and anti-HIV activities. Peptide helicity and hydrophobicity were altered by substitutions of varying amino acids on the non-polar face of C5A. Peptide hydrophobicity has been proved to play a crucial role in peptide anti-HCV or anti-HIV activities. Peptide helicity was relatively independent with antiviral activity. However, peptide analogs with dimerized structure in an aqueous medium while maintaining the ability to be induced into a more helical structure in a hydrophobic environment may tend to show comparable or improved antiviral activity and specificity to C5A. By modulating peptide helicity and hydrophobicity, we improved the specificity of C5A against HCV and HIV by 23- and 69-fold, respectively, in terms of the ratio of hemolytic activity to antiviral activity. We demonstrated that obtained by de novo design approach, peptide I6L/I10L/V13L may be a promising candidate as a new anti-HCV and anti-HIV therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Rong Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Jiang Z, Higgins MP, Whitehurst J, Kisich KO, Voskuil MI, Hodges RS. Anti-tuberculosis activity of α-helical antimicrobial peptides: de novo designed L- and D-enantiomers versus L- and D-LL-37. Protein Pept Lett 2011; 18:241-52. [PMID: 20858205 DOI: 10.2174/092986611794578288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
With the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a new class of antimycobacterial agents with very different modes of action compared to classical antibiotics, are urgently needed. In this study, a series of 26-residue, amphipathic, α-helical antimicrobial peptides consisting of all D-amino acid residues and synthetic human L-LL37 (L-enantiomer) and D-LL37 (D-enantiomer) were investigated against M. tuberculosis susceptible strain (H37Rv) and a clinical multi-drug resistant strain (Vertulo). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined through a peptide killing assay. D5, the most active analog against M. tuberculosis had a MIC value of 11.2 μM (35.2 μg/ml) against H37Rv strain and 15.6 μM (49 μg/ml) against the MDR strain. Peptide D1 had similar activity as D5 against the MDR strain (57 μg/mL), a 9-fold improvement in hemolytic activity and a 7.4-fold better therapeutic index compared to D5. Surprisingly, LL37 enantiomers showed little to no activity compared to the de-novo designed α-helical antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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40
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Ma QQ, Shan AS, Dong N, Gu Y, Sun WY, Hu WN, Feng XJ. Cell selectivity and interaction with model membranes of Val/Arg-rich peptides. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:520-6. [PMID: 21425418 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are major components of the innate self-defence system and a large number of peptides have been designed to study the mechanism of action. In the present study, a small combinatorial library was designed to study whether the biological activity of Val/Arg-rich peptides is associated with targeted cell membranes. The peptides were produced by segregating hydrophilic residues on the polar side and hydrophobic residues on the opposite side. The peptides displayed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, but weak haemolysis even at a concentration of 256 µM. CD spectra showed that the peptides formed α-helical-rich structure in the presence of negatively charged membranes. The tryptophan fluorescence and quenching experiments indicated that the peptides bound preferentially to negatively charged phospholipids over zwitterionic phospholipids, which corresponds well with the biological activity data. In the in vivo experiment, the peptide G6 decreased the bacterial counts in the mouse peritoneum and increased survival after 7 days. Overall, a high binding affinity with negatively charged phospholipids correlated closely with the cell selectivity of the peptides and some peptides in this study may be likely candidates for the development of antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Quan Ma
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
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41
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Jiang Z, Vasil AI, Gera L, Vasil ML, Hodges RS. Rational design of α-helical antimicrobial peptides to target Gram-negative pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: utilization of charge, 'specificity determinants,' total hydrophobicity, hydrophobe type and location as design parameters to improve the therapeutic ratio. Chem Biol Drug Des 2011; 77:225-40. [PMID: 21219588 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2011.01086.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The rapidly growing problem of increased resistance to classical antibiotics makes the development of new classes of antimicrobial agents with lower rates of resistance urgent. Amphipathic cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptides have been proposed as a potential new class of antimicrobial agents. The goal of this study was to take a broad-spectrum, 26-residue, antimicrobial peptide in the all-D conformation, peptide D1 (K13) with excellent biologic properties and address the question of whether a rational design approach could be used to enhance the biologic properties if the focus was on Gram-negative pathogens only. To test this hypothesis, we used 11 and 6 diverse strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. We optimized the number and location of positively charged residues on the polar face, the number, location, and type of hydrophobe on the non-polar face and varied the number of 'specificity determinants' in the center of the non-polar face from 1 to 2 to develop four new antimicrobial peptides. We demonstrated not only improvements in antimicrobial activity, but also dramatic reductions in hemolytic activity and unprecedented improvements in therapeutic indices. Compared to our original starting peptide D1 (V13), peptide D16 had a 746-fold improvement in hemolytic activity (i.e. decrease), maintained antimicrobial activity, and improved the therapeutic indices by 1305-fold and 895-fold against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The resulting therapeutic indices for D16 were 3355 and 895 for A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, respectively. D16 is an ideal candidate for commercialization as a clinical therapeutic to treat Gram-negative bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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42
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Huang YB, Wang XF, Wang HY, Liu Y, Chen Y. Studies on mechanism of action of anticancer peptides by modulation of hydrophobicity within a defined structural framework. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:416-26. [PMID: 21252288 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the hydrophobicity of a 26-residue α-helical peptide (peptide P) was altered to study the effects of peptide hydrophobicity on the mechanism of action of cationic anticancer peptides. Hydrophobicity of the nonpolar face of the peptides was shown to correlate with peptide helicity. The self-association ability of peptides in aqueous environment, determined by the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography temperature profiling, showed strong influence on anticancer activity. The peptide analogues with greater hydrophobicity showed stronger anticancer activity determined by IC(50) values with a necrotic-like membrane disruption mechanism. Peptide analogues exhibited high specificity against cancer cells and much higher anticancer activity than widely-used anticancer chemical drugs. The mechanism of action of anticancer peptides was also investigated. The hydrophobicity of peptides plays a crucial role in the mechanism of action against cancer cells, which could present a way, using a de novo design approach, to create anticancer peptides as potential therapeutics in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Bing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Rm. 244, No. 3 Tang Ao-qing Bldg., 2699 Qianjin St., Changchun, Jilin, China
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43
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Zhang W, Li J, Liu LW, Wang KR, Song JJ, Yan JX, Li ZY, Zhang BZ, Wang R. A novel analog of antimicrobial peptide Polybia-MPI, with thioamide bond substitution, exhibits increased therapeutic efficacy against cancer and diminished toxicity in mice. Peptides 2010; 31:1832-8. [PMID: 20600424 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Polybia-MPI (MPI), a short cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptide, exhibited excellent anticancer activity and selectivity in vitro in our previous studies. To improve its in vivo application, we synthesized an analog (MPI-1) of MPI by replacing the C terminal amide -[CO-NH(2)] with thioamide -ψ[CS-NH(2)]. Although there is just one atom difference, the MPI-1 exhibited some surprising properties. In vitro studies revealed that MPI-1 exhibited relatively high lytic activity over MPI, whereas its stability to enzymatic degradation in serum was improved remarkably. Despite the enhanced toxicity in vitro, MPI-1 exhibited significantly lower mortality to mice than MPI at 75 mg/kg. Importantly, in vivo anticancer activity study indicated that MPI-1 could remarkably suppress the growth of sarcoma xenograft tumors more efficiently than MPI. Therefore, the significantly improved anticancer activity and predominantly lower in vivo toxicity might allow MPI-1 to be a good candidate for future anticancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
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44
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Huang Y, Huang J, Chen Y. Alpha-helical cationic antimicrobial peptides: relationships of structure and function. Protein Cell 2010; 1:143-52. [PMID: 21203984 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-010-0004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), with their extraordinary properties, such as broad-spectrum activity, rapid action and difficult development of resistance, have become promising molecules as new antibiotics. Despite their various mechanisms of action, the interaction of AMPs with the bacterial cell membrane is the key step for their mode of action. Moreover, it is generally accepted that the membrane is the primary target of most AMPs, and the interaction between AMPs and eukaryotic cell membranes (causing toxicity to host cells) limits their clinical application. Therefore, researchers are engaged in reforming or de novo designing AMPs as a 'single-edged sword' that contains high antimicrobial activity yet low cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells. To improve the antimicrobial activity of AMPs, the relationship between the structure and function of AMPs has been rigorously pursued. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge of α-helical cationic antimicrobial peptides, one of the most common types of AMPs in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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45
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Peacock A, Stuckey J, Pecoraro V. Switching the Chirality of the Metal Environment Alters the Coordination Mode in Designed Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200902166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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46
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Yongye AB, Li Y, Giulianotti MA, Yu Y, Houghten RA, Martínez-Mayorga K. Modeling of peptides containing D-amino acids: implications on cyclization. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2009; 23:677-89. [PMID: 19593648 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-009-9295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Accepted: 06/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides are therapeutically attractive due to their high bioavailability, potential selectivity, and scaffold novelty. Furthermore, the presence of D-residues induces conformational preferences not followed by peptides consisting of naturally abundant L-residues. Therefore, comprehending how amino acids induce turns in peptides, subsequently facilitating cyclization, is significant in peptide design. Here, we performed 20-ns explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations for three diastereomeric peptides with stereochemistries: LLLLL, LLLDL, and LDLDL. Experimentally LLLLL and LDLDL readily cyclize, whereas LLLDL cyclizes in low yield. Simulations at 310 K produced conformations with inter-terminal hydrogen bonds that correlated qualitatively with the experimental cyclization trend. Energies obtained for representative structures from quantum chemical (B3LYP/PCM/cc-pVTZ//HF/6-31G*) calculations predicted pseudo-cyclic and extended conformations as the most stable for LLLLL and LLLDL, respectively, in agreement with the experimental data. In contrast, the most stable conformer predicted for peptide LDLDL was not a pseudo-cyclic structure. Moreover, D-residues preferred the experimentally less populated alpha(L) rotamers even when simulations were performed at a higher temperature and with strategically selected starting conformations. Energies calculated with molecular mechanics were consistent only with peptide LLLLL. Thus, the conformational preferences obtained for the all L: -amino acid peptide were in agreement with the experimental observations. Moreover, refinement of the force field is expected to provide far-reaching conformational sampling of peptides containing D-residues to further develop force field-based conformational-searching methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin B Yongye
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
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47
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Jiang Z, Kullberg BJ, van der Lee H, Vasil AI, Hale JD, Mant CT, Hancock REW, Vasil ML, Netea MG, Hodges RS. Effects of hydrophobicity on the antifungal activity of alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides. Chem Biol Drug Des 2009; 72:483-95. [PMID: 19090916 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2008.00728.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We utilized a series of analogs of D-V13K (a 26-residue amphipathic alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide, denoted D1) to compare and contrast the role of hydrophobicity on antifungal and antibacterial activity to the results obtained previously with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Antifungal activity for zygomycota fungi decreased with increasing hydrophobicity (D-V13K/A12L/A20L/A23L, denoted D4, the most hydrophobic analog was sixfold less active than D1, the least hydrophobic analog). In contrast, antifungal activity for ascomycota fungi increased with increasing hydrophobicity (D4, the most hydrophobic analog was fivefold more active than D1). Hemolytic activity is dramatically affected by increasing hydrophobicity with peptide D4 being 286-fold more hemolytic than peptide D1. The therapeutic index for peptide D1 is 1569-fold and 62-fold better for zygomycota fungi and ascomycota fungi, respectively, compared with peptide D4. To reduce the hemolytic activity of peptide D4 and improve/maintain the antifungal activity of D4, we substituted another lysine residue in the center of the non-polar face (V16K) to generate D5 (D-V13K/V16K/A12L/A20L/A23L). This analog D5 decreased hemolytic activity by 13-fold, enhanced antifungal activity to zygomycota fungi by 16-fold and improved the therapeutic index by 201-fold compared with D4 and represents a unique approach to control specificity while maintaining high hydrophobicity in the two hydrophobic segments on the non-polar face of D5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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48
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Mant CT, Kovacs JM, Kim HM, Pollock DD, Hodges RS. Intrinsic amino acid side-chain hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity coefficients determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of model peptides: comparison with other hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity scales. Biopolymers 2009; 92:573-95. [PMID: 19795449 PMCID: PMC2792893 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
An accurate determination of the intrinsic hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of amino acid side-chains in peptides and proteins is fundamental in understanding many area of research, including protein folding and stability, peptide and protein function, protein-protein interactions and peptide/protein oligomerization, as well as the design of protocols for purification and characterization of peptides and proteins. Our definition of intrinsic hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of side-chains is the maximum possible hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of side-chains in the absence of any nearest-neighbor effects and/or any conformational effects of the polypeptide chain that prevent full expression of side-chain hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. In this review, we have compared an experimentally derived intrinsic side-chain hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity scale generated from RP-HPLC retention behavior of de novo designed synthetic model peptides at pH 2 and pH 7 with other RP-HPLC-derived scales, as well as scales generated from classic experimental and calculation-based methods of octanol/water partitioning of Nalpha-acetyl-amino-acid amides or free energy of transfer of free amino acids. Generally poor correlation was found with previous RP-HPLC-derived scales, likely due to the random nature of the peptide mixtures in terms of varying peptide size, conformation and frequency of particular amino acids. In addition, generally poor correlation with the classical approaches served to underline the importance of the presence of a polypeptide backbone when generating intrinsic values. We have shown that the intrinsic scale determined here is in full agreement with the structural characteristics of amino acid side-chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin T. Mant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James M. Kovacs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hyun-Min Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David D. Pollock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Robert S. Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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49
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Peacock AFA, Stuckey JA, Pecoraro VL. Switching the chirality of the metal environment alters the coordination mode in designed peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:7371-4. [PMID: 19579245 PMCID: PMC3014729 DOI: 10.1002/anie.200902166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The effects of switching the chirality of a single layer of amino acids in a three stranded coiled coil has been investigated. X-ray crystallography reveals that this modification is well tolerated and does not alter the designed structure. In contrast, spectroscopic studies of cadmium binding to both the L- and D- enantiomers of the penicillamine, provide evidence that this switch dramatically alters the metal binding capability, the resulting coordination environment and the position of binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna F. A. Peacock
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (USA)
| | - Jeanne A. Stuckey
- Life Sciences Institute, University and Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (USA)
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Mant CT, Hodges RS. Mixed-mode hydrophilic interaction/cation-exchange chromatography (HILIC/CEX) of peptides and proteins. J Sep Sci 2008; 31:2754-73. [PMID: 18668504 PMCID: PMC2774265 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200800243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This review represents a summary of the development and application of a novel mixed-mode HPLC approach to the separation and analysis of peptides and proteins termed hydrophilic interaction/cation-exchange chromatography (HILIC/CEX). This approach combines the most advantageous aspects of two widely different separation mechanisms, i.e. a separation based on hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity differences between polypeptides overlaid on a separation based on net charge. Applications described include HILIC/CEX separations of cyclic peptides, alpha-helical peptides, random coil peptides and modified or deletion products of synthetic peptides. In addition, the excellent resolving ability of HILIC/CEX for modified histone proteins is described. This approach is shown to represent an excellent complement to RP chromatography (RPC), as well as being a potent analytical tool in its own right.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin T Mant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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