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Yang H, Chen Y, Wang L, Gan B, Yu L, Ren R, Kwok HF, Wu Y, Cao Z. The Fungal Secretory Peptide Micasin Induces Itch by Activating MRGPRX1/C11/A1 on Peripheral Neurons. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)01871-2. [PMID: 38945438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.05.031] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Pruritus is the leading symptom of dermatophytosis. Microsporium canis is one of the predominant dermatophytes causing dermatophytosis. However, the pruritogenic agents and the related molecular mechanisms of the dermatophyte M canis remain poorly understood. In this study, the secretion of the dermatophyte M canis was found to dose-dependently evoke itch in mice. The fungal peptide micasin secreted from M canis was then identified to elicit mouse significant scratching and itching responses. The peptide micasin was further revealed to directly activate mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons to mediate the nonhistaminergic itch. Knockout and antagonistic experiments demonstrated that MRGPRX1/C11/A1 rather than MRGPRX2/b2 activated by micasin contributed to pruritus. The chimeras and single-amino acid variants of MRGPRX1 showed that 3 domains (extracellular loop 3, transmembrane helical domain 3, and transmembrane helical domain 6) and 4 hydrophobic residues (Y99, F237, L240, and W241) of MRGPRX1 played the key role in micasin-triggered MRGPRX1 activation. Our study sheds light on the dermatophytosis-associated pruritus and may provide potential therapeutic targets and strategies against pruritus caused by dermatophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Yang
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Shenzhen Research Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Shenzhen Research Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Shenzhen Research Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Gan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leiye Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruobing Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Shenzhen Research Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Kumar N, Bhagwat P, Singh S, Pillai S. A review on the diversity of antimicrobial peptides and genome mining strategies for their prediction. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00157-3. [PMID: 38944107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has become one of the most serious threats to human health in recent years. In response to the increasing microbial resistance to the antibiotics currently available, it is imperative to develop new antibiotics or explore new approaches to combat antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown considerable promise in this regard, as the microbes develop low or no resistance against them. The discovery and development of AMPs still confront numerous obstacles such as finding a target, developing assays, and identifying hits and leads, which are time-consuming processes, making it difficult to reach the market. However, with the advent of genome mining, new antibiotics could be discovered efficiently using tools such as BAGEL, antiSMASH, RODEO, etc., providing hope for better treatment of diseases in the future. Computational methods used in genome mining automatically detect and annotate biosynthetic gene clusters in genomic data, making it a useful tool in natural product discovery. This review aims to shed light on the history, diversity, and mechanisms of action of AMPs and the data on new AMPs identified by traditional as well as genome mining strategies. It further substantiates the various phases of clinical trials for some AMPs, as well as an overview of genome mining databases and tools built expressly for AMP discovery. In light of the recent advancements, it is evident that targeted genome mining stands as a beacon of hope, offering immense potential to expedite the discovery of novel antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Prashant Bhagwat
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Suren Singh
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Santhosh Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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3
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Jain M, Stitt G, Son L, Enioutina EY. Probiotics and Their Bioproducts: A Promising Approach for Targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2393. [PMID: 37894051 PMCID: PMC10608974 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a serious global health problem that poses a threat to the successful treatment of various bacterial infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Conventional treatment of MRSA and VRE infections is challenging and often requires alternative or combination therapies that may have limited efficacy, higher costs, and/or more adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Probiotics and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are two promising approaches that have shown potential benefits in various diseases. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. AMPs, usually produced with probiotic bacteria, are short amino acid sequences that have broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Both probiotics and AMPs can modulate the host immune system, inhibit the growth and adhesion of pathogens, disrupt biofilms, and enhance intestinal barrier function. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the role of probiotics and AMPs in targeting multi-drug-resistant bacteria, with a focus on MRSA and VRE. In addition, we discuss future directions for the clinical use of probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Y. Enioutina
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (M.J.); (G.S.); (L.S.)
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4
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Gao B, Zhu S. Enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain activity by two microbial defensins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1195156. [PMID: 37405160 PMCID: PMC10315472 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1195156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide binders are of great interest to both basic and biomedical research due to their unique properties in manipulating protein functions in a precise spatial and temporal manner. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is a ligand that captures human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to initiate infection. The development of binders of RBDs has value either as antiviral leads or as versatile tools to study the functional properties of RBDs dependent on their binding positions on the RBDs. In this study, we report two microbe-derived antibacterial defensins with RBD-binding activity. These two naturally occurring binders bind wild-type RBD (WT RBD) and RBDs from various variants with moderate-to-high affinity (7.6-1,450 nM) and act as activators that enhance the ACE2-binding activity of RBDs. Using a computational approach, we mapped an allosteric pathway in WT RBD that connects its ACE2-binding sites to other distal regions. The latter is targeted by the defensins, in which a cation-π interaction could trigger the peptide-elicited allostery in RBDs. The discovery of the two positive allosteric peptides of SARS-CoV-2 RBD will promote the development of new molecular tools for investigating the biochemical mechanisms of RBD allostery.
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Qiu H, Zhao X, Jiang Y, Liang W, Wang W, Jiang X, Jiang M, Wang X, Cui W, Li Y, Tang K, Zhang T, Zhao L, Liang H. Design and synthesis of fascaplysin derivatives as inhibitors of FtsZ with potent antibacterial activity and mechanistic study. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115348. [PMID: 37060755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The increase in antibiotic resistance has made it particularly urgent to develop new antibiotics with novel antibacterial mechanisms. Inhibition of bacterial cell division by disrupting filamentous temperature-sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ) function is an effective and promising approach. A series of novel fascaplysin derivatives with tunable hydrophobicity were designed and synthesized here. The in vitro bioactivity assessment revealed that these compounds could inhibit the tested Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (MIC = 0.049-25 μg/mL), B. subtilis (MIC = 0.024-12.5 μg/mL) and S. pneumoniae (MIC = 0.049-50 μg/mL). Among them, compounds B3 (MIC = 0.098 μg/mL), B6 (MIC = 0.098 μg/mL), B8 (MIC = 0.049 μg/mL) and B16 (MIC = 0.098 μg/mL) showed the best bactericidal activities against MRSA and no significant tendency to trigger bacterial resistance as well as rapid bactericidal properties. The cell surface integrity of bacteria was significantly disrupted by hydrophobic tails of fascaplysin derivatives. Further studies revealed that these highly active amphiphilic compounds showed low hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Preliminary mechanistic exploration suggests that B3, B6, B8 and B16 are potent FtsZ inhibitors to promote FtsZ polymerization and inhibit GTPase activity of FtsZ, leading to the death of bacterial cells by inhibiting bacterial division. Molecular docking simulations and structure-activity relationship (SAR) study reveal that appropriate increase in the hydrophobicity of fascaplysin derivatives and the addition of additional hydrogen bonds facilitated their binding to FtsZ proteins. These amphiphilic fascaplysin derivatives could serve as a novel class of FtsZ inhibitors, which not only gives new prospects for the application of compounds containing this skeleton but also provides new ideas for the discovery of new antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongda Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yinli Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Weida Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Weile Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xingyao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Mengying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Wei Cui
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yang Li
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Keqi Tang
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry, School of Materials Science & Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Lingling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Hongze Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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6
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Hong S, Sun Y, Chen H, Wang C. Suppression of the insect cuticular microbiomes by a fungal defensin to facilitate parasite infection. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1-11. [PMID: 36127432 PMCID: PMC9751272 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Insects can assemble defensive microbiomes on their body surfaces to defend against fungal parasitic infections. The strategies employed by fungal pathogens to combat host cuticular microbiotas remains unclear. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of the defensin-like antimicrobial gene BbAMP1 encoded by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The mature peptide of BbAMP1 can coat fungal spores and can be secreted by the fungus to target and damage Gram-positive bacterial cells. Significant differences in insect survival were observed between the wild-type and BbAMP1 mutant strains during topical infection but not during injection assays that bypassed insect cuticles. Thus, BbAMP1 deletion considerably reduced fungal virulence while gene overexpression accelerated the fungal colonization of insects compared with the wild-type strain in natural infections. Topical infection of axenic Drosophila adults evidenced no difference in fly survivals between strains. However, the gnotobiotic infections with the addition of Gram-positive but not Gram-negative bacterial cells in fungal spore suspensions substantially increased the survival of the flies treated with ∆BbAMP1 compared to those infected by the wild-type and gene-overexpression strains. Bacterial colony counts and microbiome analysis confirmed that BbAMP1 could assist the fungus to manipulate insect surface bacterial loads. This study reveals that fungal defensin can suppress the host surface defensive microbiomes, which underscores the importance to extend the research scope of fungus-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Hong
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanlei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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7
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Lopes BS, Hanafiah A, Nachimuthu R, Muthupandian S, Md Nesran ZN, Patil S. The Role of Antimicrobial Peptides as Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Agents in Tackling the Silent Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27092995. [PMID: 35566343 PMCID: PMC9105241 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Just over a million people died globally in 2019 due to antibiotic resistance caused by ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). The World Health Organization (WHO) also lists antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter and Helicobacter as bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to discover new antibiotics, new alternatives are needed to solve the crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacteria commonly found in complex communities enclosed within self-produced matrices called biofilms are difficult to eradicate and develop increased stress and antimicrobial tolerance. This review summarises the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in combating the silent pandemic of AMR and their application in clinical medicine, focusing on both the advantages and disadvantages of AMPs as antibiofilm agents. It is known that many AMPs display broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, but in a variety of organisms AMPs are not stable (short half-life) or have some toxic side effects. Hence, it is also important to develop new AMP analogues for their potential use as drug candidates. The use of one health approach along with developing novel therapies using phages and breakthroughs in novel antimicrobial peptide synthesis can help us in tackling the problem of AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno S. Lopes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Correspondence: (B.S.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Alfizah Hanafiah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: (B.S.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Ramesh Nachimuthu
- Antibiotic Resistance and Phage Therapy Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore 632014, India;
| | - Saravanan Muthupandian
- AMR and Nanotherapeutics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai 600077, India;
| | - Zarith Nameyrra Md Nesran
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Sandip Patil
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518038, China;
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8
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Boosting expression level of plectasin in recombinant Pichia pastoris via 2A self-processing peptide assembly. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:3669-3678. [PMID: 35503471 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11942-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Plectasin is a promising and potent antimicrobial peptide isolated from the fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella which has been heterologously expressed in various hosts. In this study, a four-copy cassette of plectasin was constructed via 2A peptide assembly to further increase its expression level in recombinant Pichia pastoris. The yeast transformant 4Ple-61 harboring four-copy cassette of plectasin could secrete 183.2 mg/L total protein containing 60.8% of plectasin at the flask level within 120 h, which was 2.3 times higher than that of the yeast transformant Ple-6 carrying one-copy cassette of plectasin. Western blot confirmed the significant peptide expression level in the transformant 4Ple-61. Furthermore, it yielded as high as 426.3 mg/L total protein within 120 h during a 5-L fermentation. The purified plectasin shows superior stability and good antimicrobial activity against conventional Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 26,001 and some food-borne antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains with the MICs ranging from 8 to 32 μg/mL. Therefore, the strategy based on 2A peptide assembly can enhance the expression of plectasin and further expand its application prospect. KEY POINTS: • A yeast transformant 4Ple-61 with four-copy cassette of plectasin was constructed. • The plectasin level yield by the transformant 4Ple-61 was boosted by 2.3 times. • The plectasin showed good activity against food-borne antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.
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9
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Lübeck M, Lübeck PS. Fungal Cell Factories for Efficient and Sustainable Production of Proteins and Peptides. Microorganisms 2022; 10:753. [PMID: 35456803 PMCID: PMC9025306 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are a large and diverse taxonomically group of microorganisms found in all habitats worldwide. They grow as a network of cells called hyphae. Since filamentous fungi live in very diverse habitats, they produce different enzymes to degrade material for their living, for example hydrolytic enzymes to degrade various kinds of biomasses. Moreover, they produce defense proteins (antimicrobial peptides) and proteins for attaching surfaces (hydrophobins). Many of them are easy to cultivate in different known setups (submerged fermentation and solid-state fermentation) and their secretion of proteins and enzymes are often much larger than what is seen from yeast and bacteria. Therefore, filamentous fungi are in many industries the preferred production hosts of different proteins and enzymes. Edible fungi have traditionally been used as food, such as mushrooms or in fermented foods. New trends are to use edible fungi to produce myco-protein enriched foods. This review gives an overview of the different kinds of proteins, enzymes, and peptides produced by the most well-known fungi used as cell factories for different purposes and applications. Moreover, we describe some of the challenges that are important to consider when filamentous fungi are optimized as efficient cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Lübeck
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, DK-9100 Aalborg, Denmark;
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10
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Qi S, Gao B, Zhu S. A Fungal Defensin Inhibiting Bacterial Cell-Wall Biosynthesis with Non-Hemolysis and Serum Stability. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020174. [PMID: 35205928 PMCID: PMC8877149 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are a class of cationic disulfide-bridged antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) present in many eukaryotic organisms and even in bacteria. They primarily include two distinct but evolutionarily related superfamilies (cis and trans). Defensins in fungi belong to the members of the cis-superfamily with the cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet fold. To date, many fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) have been found through gene mining of the genome resource, but only a few have been experimentally characterized. Here, we report the structural and functional characterization of Pyronesin4 (abbreviated as Py4), a fDLP previously identified by genomic sequencing of the basal filamentous ascomycete Pyronema confluens. Chemically, synthetic Py4 adopts a native-like structure and exhibits activity on an array of Gram-positive bacteria including some clinical isolates of Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus warneri, a conditioned pathogen inhabiting in human skin. Py4 markedly altered the bacterial morphology and caused cytoplasmic accumulation of the cell-wall synthesis precursor through binding to the membrane-bound Lipid II, indicating that it works as an inhibitor of cell-wall biosynthesis. Py4 showed no hemolysis and high mammalian serum stability. This work identified a new fungal defensin with properties relevant to drug exploration. Intramolecular epistasis between mutational sites of fDLPs is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudong Qi
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; (S.Q.); (B.G.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; (S.Q.); (B.G.)
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; (S.Q.); (B.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-6480-7112
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11
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Wang X, Qiu H, Yang N, Xie H, Liang W, Lin J, Zhu H, Zhou Y, Wang N, Tan X, Zhou J, Cui W, Teng D, Wang J, Liang H. Fascaplysin derivatives binding to DNA via unique cationic five-ring coplanar backbone showed potent antimicrobial/antibiofilm activity against MRSA in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114099. [PMID: 35007859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered as one of the most dangerous clinical pathogens. Biofilms forming ability of MRSA is also a major cause of drug resistance. Hence, it is in urgent need to develop novel antibacterial/antibiofilm drugs. Fascaplysin with a unique cationic five-ring coplanar backbone is emerging as a potential antibacterial compound. In this study, aiming at developing novel and more effective agents, a series of fascaplysin derivatives and their corresponding β-carboline precursors have been synthesized. Then their antibacterial/antibiofilm activity and mechanisms against MRSA were investigated for the first time. The results showed that most fascaplysins rather than β-carboline precursors exhibit superior antimicrobial activity against MRSA ATCC43300, demonstrating the important role of cationic five-ring coplanar backbone playing in antibacterial activity. Among them, 14 and 18 are the most potent compounds with MIC value of 0.098 μg/ml (10-fold lower than vancomycin), and 18 featuring the lowest toxicity. Subsequent mechanisms exploration indicates that 18 has relatively stronger ability to destroy bacterial cell wall and membrane, higher binding affinity to bacterial genomic DNA. Molecular docking study revealed that besides the key role of cationic five-ring coplanar backbone, introduction of N-aryl amide at 9-position of fascaplysin promoted the combination of compound 18 and DNA via additional π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding of the naphthyl group. Moreover, fascaplysins could inhibit MRSA biofilm formation in vitro and bacterial infection in vivo. All these results illustrate that fascaplysin derivative 18 is a strong and safe multi-target antibacterial agent, which makes it an attractive candidate for the treatment of MRSA and its biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Immunology Innovation Team, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Hongda Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Haoji Xie
- Immunology Innovation Team, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Weida Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiayu Lin
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Haifeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyi Tan
- Immunology Innovation Team, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Jiale Zhou
- Immunology Innovation Team, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Immunology Innovation Team, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Hongze Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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12
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Zhu S, Gao B, Umetsu Y, Peigneur S, Li P, Ohki S, Tytgat J. Adaptively evolved human oral actinomyces-sourced defensins show therapeutic potential. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 14:e14499. [PMID: 34927385 PMCID: PMC8819291 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of eukaryote‐derived antimicrobial peptides as systemically administered drugs has proven a challenging task. Here, we report the first human oral actinomyces‐sourced defensin—actinomycesin—that shows promise for systemic therapy. Actinomycesin and its homologs are only present in actinobacteria and myxobacteria, and share similarity with a group of ancient invertebrate‐type defensins reported in fungi and invertebrates. Signatures of natural selection were detected in defensins from the actinomyces colonized in human oral cavity and ruminant rumen and dental plaque, highlighting their role in adaptation to complex multispecies bacterial communities. Consistently, actinomycesin exhibited potent antibacterial activity against oral bacteria and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus and synergized with two classes of human salivary antibacterial factors. Actinomycesin specifically inhibited bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis and displayed weak immunomodulatory activity and low toxicity on human and mammalian cells and ion channels in the heart and central nervous system. Actinomycesin was highly efficient in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae and mice with MRSA‐induced experimental peritoneal infection. This work identifies human oral bacteria as a new source of systemic anti‐infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yoshitaka Umetsu
- Center for Nano Materials and Technology (CNMT), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi, Japan
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shinya Ohki
- Center for Nano Materials and Technology (CNMT), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi, Japan
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Bin Hafeez A, Jiang X, Bergen PJ, Zhu Y. Antimicrobial Peptides: An Update on Classifications and Databases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11691. [PMID: 34769122 PMCID: PMC8583803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are distributed across all kingdoms of life and are an indispensable component of host defenses. They consist of predominantly short cationic peptides with a wide variety of structures and targets. Given the ever-emerging resistance of various pathogens to existing antimicrobial therapies, AMPs have recently attracted extensive interest as potential therapeutic agents. As the discovery of new AMPs has increased, many databases specializing in AMPs have been developed to collect both fundamental and pharmacological information. In this review, we summarize the sources, structures, modes of action, and classifications of AMPs. Additionally, we examine current AMP databases, compare valuable computational tools used to predict antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action, and highlight new machine learning approaches that can be employed to improve AMP activity to combat global antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmer Bin Hafeez
- Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan;
| | - Xukai Jiang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Phillip J. Bergen
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Yan Zhu
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
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14
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Gao B, Zhu S. A Fungal Defensin Targets the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:553. [PMID: 34356932 PMCID: PMC8304516 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) elicited by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is calling for novel targeted drugs. Since the viral entry into host cells depends on specific interactions between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike protein and the membrane-bound monocarboxypeptidase angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the development of high affinity RBD binders to compete with human ACE2 represents a promising strategy for the design of therapeutics to prevent viral entry. Here, we report the discovery of such a binder and its improvement via a combination of computational and experimental approaches. The binder micasin, a known fungal defensin from the dermatophytic fungus Microsporum canis with antibacterial activity, can dock to the crevice formed by the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of RBD via an extensive shape complementarity interface (855.9 Å2 in area) with numerous hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Using microscale thermophoresis (MST) technique, we confirmed that micasin and its C-terminal γ-core derivative with multiple predicted interacting residues exhibited a low micromolar affinity to RBD. Expanding the interface area of micasin through a single point mutation to 970.5 Å2 accompanying an enhanced hydrogen bond network significantly improved its binding affinity by six-fold. Our work highlights the naturally occurring fungal defensins as an emerging resource that may be suitable for the development into antiviral agents for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China;
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15
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Dümig M, Binder J, Gaculenko A, Daul F, Winandy L, Hasenberg M, Gunzer M, Fischer R, Künzler M, Krappmann S. The infectious propagules of Aspergillus fumigatus are coated with antimicrobial peptides. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13301. [PMID: 33331054 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13301] [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: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fungal spores are unique cells that mediate dispersal and survival in the environment. For pathogenic fungi encountering a susceptible host, these specialised structures may serve as infectious particles. The main causative agent of the opportunistic disease aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus, produces asexual spores, the conidia, that become dissipated by air flows or water currents but also serve as propagules to infect a susceptible host. We demonstrate that the defX gene of this mould encodes putative antimicrobial peptides resembling cysteine-stabilised (CS)αβ defensins that are expressed in a specific spatial and temporal manner in the course of asexual spore formation. Localisation studies on strains expressing a fluorescent proxy or tagged defX alleles expose that these antimicrobial peptides are secreted to coat the conidial surface. Deletion mutants reveal that the spore-associated defX gene products delay the growth of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and demonstrate that the defX gene and presumably its encoded spore-associated defensins confer a growth advantage to the fungal opponent over bacterial competitors. These findings have implications with respect to the ecological niche of A. fumigatus that serves as a 'virulence school' for this human pathogenic mould; further relevance is given for the infectious process resulting in aspergillosis, considering competition with the host microbiome or co-infecting microorganisms to break colonisation resistance at host surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Dümig
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Binder
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anastasia Gaculenko
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Daul
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lex Winandy
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Imaging Centre Essen (IMCES) - Electron Microscopy Unit, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gunzer
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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16
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Kollakalnaduvil Raghavan RM, Ali Pannippara M, Kesav S, Mathew A, G Bhat S, Hatha Aa M, Kk E. MFAP9: Characterization of an extracellular thermostable antibacterial peptide from marine fungus with biofilm eradication potential. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 194:113808. [PMID: 33303270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An extracellular thermostable antibacterial peptide designated as MFAP9 was purified from marine Aspergillus fumigatus BTMF9 by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by ion exchange chromatography on a DEAE-sepharose column. The molecular weight of MFAP9 was found to be∼3 kDa in SDS-PAGE gel corresponding a single intensity peak in MALDI-TOF. The distinct peak with a retention time of 32.5 min appeared in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), further confirming the purity. Isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting were performed for the characterization of MFAP9. Functional analysis of purified MFAP9 exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus circulans (NCIM 2107) with MIC and MBC values of 0.525 μg/mL and 4.2 μg/mL, respectively. The in vitro antibiofilm effect of MFAP9 was analyzed against bacteria which have strong biofilm forming potential. The antibiofilm effect of MFAP9 treatment on Bacillus pumilus was examined using scanning electron microscopy. MFAP9 was found to be active at high temperatures and a wide range of pH (28). In addition, it showed varied sensitivity towards proteolytic enzymes. The peptide was nontoxic to human RBCs at higher concentrations. These results indicate that MFAP9 is an antibacterial peptide, suitable for the development of novel anti-infective agent with strong antibiofilm potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manzur Ali Pannippara
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 022, Kerala, India; Department of Biotechnology, MES College Marampally, Aluva, 683 107, Kerala, India.
| | - Sapna Kesav
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 022, Kerala, India; Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 016, Kerala, India
| | - Abraham Mathew
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 022, Kerala, India; P.G. and Research Department of Botany, St. Peter's College, Kolenchery, 682311, Kerala, India
| | - Sarita G Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 022, Kerala, India
| | - Mohamed Hatha Aa
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682 016, Kerala, India
| | - Elyas Kk
- Department of Biotechnology, Calicut University, Malappuram, 673 635, Kerala, India
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17
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Wu J, Qu C, Zhang S, Chen W, Wang S. The second N-terminal aromatic residue of the fungal defensin, blapersin, of Blastomyces percursus is essential for its antibacterial activity. Peptides 2020; 133:170400. [PMID: 32871207 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that the second N-terminal residue of fungal defensins is closely involved in the binding of defensins to lipid II, a bacterial cell wall precursor, and plays an important role in antibacterial activity. We found that the N-terminal residue is always aromatic in nature. In this study, 29 fungal defensin-like peptides were found via the genomic search strategy. Based on the type of aromatic residue at the second N-terminal site, we mainly divided these peptides into Phe, Trp, and Tyr types. We selected and characterized a defensin, blapersin, derived from Blastomyces percursus as a molecular model to investigate the functional significance of the N-terminal site. The native blapersin killed a wide spectrum of gram-positive bacteria at low molecular concentrations. Its aromatic mutants, W2F and W2Y, displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity, especially against the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The aromatic side chains containing Phe2 and Tyr2 seem to be more favorable for the antibacterial activity of blapersin those containing Trp2. However, the nonaromatic mutant W2A had almost no antibacterial activity. This indicates that the second N-terminal aromatic residue is essential for the antimicrobial action of blapersin. All these defensins have high stability and low toxicity. This is the first report on the enhancement of antibacterial activity by calibration of the N-terminal aromatic residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Chao Qu
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Shunliang Zhang
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Wenhua Chen
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Shouwei Wang
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China.
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18
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Shen B, Cao Z, Wu Y, Yi W, Zhu Z, Lv Z, Zhu C, Yu Y. Purlisin, a toxin‐like defensin derived from clinical pathogenic fungus
Purpureocillium lilacinum
with both antimicrobial and potassium channel inhibitory activities. FASEB J 2020; 34:15093-15107. [PMID: 32918769 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000029rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bingzheng Shen
- Department of Pharmacy Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Wei Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Zhanyong Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Zhihua Lv
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
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19
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Contreras G, Shirdel I, Braun MS, Wink M. Defensins: Transcriptional regulation and function beyond antimicrobial activity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:103556. [PMID: 31747541 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are one the largest group of antimicrobial peptides and are part of the innate defence. Defensins are produced by animals, plants and fungi. In animals and plants, defensins can be constitutively or differentially expressed both locally or systemically which confer defence before and a stronger response after infection. Immune signalling pathways regulate the gene expression of defensins. These pathways include cellular receptors, which recognise pathogen-associated molecular patterns and are found both in plants and animals. After recognition, signalling pathways and, subsequently, transcriptional factors are activated. There is an increasing number of novel functions in defensins, such as immunomodulators and immune cell attractors. Identification of defensin triggers could help us to elucidate other new functions. The present article reviews the different elicitors of defensins with a main focus on human, fish and marine invertebrate defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Contreras
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Iman Shirdel
- Marine Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran
| | - Markus Santhosh Braun
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Cabezas-Cruz A, Tonk M, Bleackley MR, Valdés JJ, Barrero RA, Hernández-Jarguín A, Moutailler S, Vilcinskas A, Richard-Forget F, Anderson MA, Rodriguez-Valle M. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101269. [PMID: 31445875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick innate immunity involves humoral and cellular responses. Among the humoral effector molecules in ticks are the defensins which are a family of small peptides with a conserved γ-core motif that is crucial for their antimicrobial activity. Defensin families have been identified in several hard and soft tick species. However, little is known about the presence and antimicrobial activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. In this study the I. holocyclus transcriptome was searched for the presence of defensins. Unique and non-redundant defensin sequences were identified and designated as holosins 1 - 5. The antimicrobial activity of holosins 2 and 3 and of the predicted γ-cores of holosins 1-4 (HoloTickCores 1-4), was assessed using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as the fungus Fusarium graminearum and the yeast Candida albicans. All holosins had molecular features that are conserved in other tick defensins. Furthermore holosins 2 and 3 were very active against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria grayi. Holosins 2 and 3 were also active against F. graminearum and C. albicans and 5 μM of peptide abrogate the growth of these microorganisms. The activity of the synthetic γ-cores was lower than that of the mature defensins apart from HoloTickCore 2 which had activity comparable to mature holosin 2 against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. This study reveals the presence of a multigene defensin family in I. holocyclus with wide antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France.
| | - Miray Tonk
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - James J Valdés
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roberto A Barrero
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse 2, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Marilyn A Anderson
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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21
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Yang N, Teng D, Mao R, Hao Y, Wang X, Wang Z, Wang X, Wang J. A recombinant fungal defensin-like peptide-P2 combats multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and biofilms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:5193-5213. [PMID: 31025073 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09785-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to discover new active drugs to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a serious threat to humans and animals and incompletely eliminated by antibiotics due to its intracellular accumulation in host cells, production of biofilms, and persisters. Fungal defensin-like peptides (DLPs) are emerging as a potential source of new antibacterial drugs due to their potent antibacterial activity. In this study, nine novel fungal DLPs were firstly identified by querying against UniProt databases and expressed in Pichia pastoris, and their antibacterial and anti-biofilm ability were tested against multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus. Results showed that among them, P2, the highest activity and expression level, showed low toxicity, no resistance, and high stability. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of P2 against Gram-positive bacteria were < 2 μg/mL. P2 exhibited the potent activity against intracellular MDR S. aureus (bacterial reduction in 80-97%) in RAW264.7 macrophages. P2 bound to/disrupted bacterial DNA, wrinkled outer membranes and permeabilized cytoplasmic membranes, but maintained the integrity of bacterial cells. P2 inhibited/eradicated the biofilm and killed 99% persister bacteria, which were resistant to 100× MIC vancomycin. P2 upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-1β) and chemokine (MCP-1) levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages and in mice, respectively. Five milligram per kilogram P2 enhanced the survival of S. aureus-infected mice (100%), superior to vancomycin (30 mg/kg), inhibited the bacterial translocation, and alleviated multiple-organ injuries (liver, spleen, kidney, and lung). These data suggest that P2 may be a candidate for novel antimicrobial agents against MDR staphylococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Teng
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Contreras G, Wang N, Schäfer H, Wink M. Oxidative stress and the presence of bacteria increase gene expression of the antimicrobial peptide aclasin, a fungal CSαβ defensin in Aspergillus clavatus. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6290. [PMID: 30828484 PMCID: PMC6394349 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a broad class of naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds. Plants, invertebrates and fungi produce various AMPs as, for example, defensins. Most of these defensins are characterised by the presence of a cysteine-stabilised α-helical and β-sheet (CSαβ) motif. The changes in gene expression of a fungal CSαβ defensin by stress conditions were investigated in Aspergillus clavatus. A. clavatus produces the CSαβ defensin Aclasin, which is encoded by the aclasin gene. Methods Aclasin expression was evaluated in submerged mycelium cultures under heat shock, osmotic stress, oxidative stress and the presence of bacteria by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Aclasin expression increased two fold under oxidative stress conditions and in the presence of viable and heat-killed Bacillus megaterium. Under heat shock and osmotic stress, aclasin expression decreased. Discussion The results suggest that oxidative stress and the presence of bacteria might regulate fungal defensin expression. Moreover, fungi might recognise microorganisms as plants and animals do.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Contreras
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Nessa Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Holger Schäfer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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23
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Deveau A, Bonito G, Uehling J, Paoletti M, Becker M, Bindschedler S, Hacquard S, Hervé V, Labbé J, Lastovetsky OA, Mieszkin S, Millet LJ, Vajna B, Junier P, Bonfante P, Krom BP, Olsson S, van Elsas JD, Wick LY. Bacterial-fungal interactions: ecology, mechanisms and challenges. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:335-352. [PMID: 29471481 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuy008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi and bacteria are found living together in a wide variety of environments. Their interactions are significant drivers of many ecosystem functions and are important for the health of plants and animals. A large number of fungal and bacterial families engage in complex interactions that lead to critical behavioural shifts of the microorganisms ranging from mutualism to antagonism. The importance of bacterial-fungal interactions (BFI) in environmental science, medicine and biotechnology has led to the emergence of a dynamic and multidisciplinary research field that combines highly diverse approaches including molecular biology, genomics, geochemistry, chemical and microbial ecology, biophysics and ecological modelling. In this review, we discuss recent advances that underscore the roles of BFI across relevant habitats and ecosystems. A particular focus is placed on the understanding of BFI within complex microbial communities and in regard of the metaorganism concept. We also discuss recent discoveries that clarify the (molecular) mechanisms involved in bacterial-fungal relationships, and the contribution of new technologies to decipher generic principles of BFI in terms of physical associations and molecular dialogues. Finally, we discuss future directions for research in order to stimulate synergy within the BFI research area and to resolve outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Deveau
- Université de Lorraine, INRA, UMR IAM, 54280 Champenoux, France
| | - Gregory Bonito
- Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jessie Uehling
- Biology Department, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27705, USA.,Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA
| | - Mathieu Paoletti
- Institut de Biologie et Génétique Cellulaire, UMR 5095 CNRS et Université de Bordeaux, 1 rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux cedex, France
| | - Matthias Becker
- IGZ, Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, 14979 Großbeeren, Germany
| | - Saskia Bindschedler
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Hacquard
- Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, 50829 Cologne, Germany
| | - Vincent Hervé
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Biogeosciences, Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jessy Labbé
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Olga A Lastovetsky
- Graduate Field of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Sophie Mieszkin
- Université de Lorraine, INRA, UMR IAM, 54280 Champenoux, France
| | - Larry J Millet
- Joint Institute for Biological Science, University of Tennessee, and the Biosciences Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Balázs Vajna
- Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bonfante
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Bastiaan P Krom
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Olsson
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jan Dirk van Elsas
- Microbial Ecology group, GELIFES, University of Groningen, 9747 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas Y Wick
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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24
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Luo X, Zhu W, Ding L, Ye X, Gao H, Tai X, Wu Z, Qian Y, Ruan X, Li J, Li S, Chen Z. Bldesin, the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22244. [PMID: 30381903 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fungus defensin is a kind of important natural peptide resource, such as plectasin from the soil fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella with potential application in the antimicrobial peptide lead drug discovery. Here, a fungus defensin named Bldesin with Kv1.3 channel and serine protease inhibitory activities was first explored. By GST-Bldesin fusion expression and enterokinase cleaving strategy, recombinant Bldesin was obtained successfully. Antimicrobial assays showed that Bldesin had potent activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, but had no effect on Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Electrophysiological experiments showed that Bldesin had Kv1.3 channel inhibitory activity. Serine protease inhibitory associated experiments showed that Bldesin had unique chymotrypsin protease inhibitory, elastase protease inhibitory, and serine protease-associated coagulation inhibitory activities. To the best of our knowledge, Bldesin is the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities and highlighted novel pharmacological effects of fungus-derived defensin peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Huanhuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuejiao Tai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuzhi Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
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25
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Recombinant AfusinC, an anionic fungal CSαβ defensin from Aspergillus fumigatus, exhibits antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205509. [PMID: 30308015 PMCID: PMC6181372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short and generally positively charged peptides found in a wide variety of organisms. CSαβ defensins are a group of AMPs. These defensins are composed of an α-helix and a β-sheet linked by three or four disulphide bridges. In this study, we describe the antimicrobial activity of an anionic CSαβ fungal defensin from Aspergillus fumigatus, AfusinC. AfusinC was recombinantly produced as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The tag was removed by proteolytic cleavage, and AfusinC was purified by size exclusion chromatography. About 0.8 mg of recombinant AfusinC was obtained from 1 L of culture. Recombinant AfusinC was active against mainly gram-positive bacteria including human pathogens and a multiresistant-strain of A. aureus. Additionally, AfusinC showed bactericidal effect against Micrococcus luteus.
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26
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27
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Shen B, Song J, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Liu G, Li X, Guo X, Li W, Cao Z, Wu Y. Triintsin, a human pathogenic fungus-derived defensin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Peptides 2018; 107:61-67. [PMID: 30102941 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Since there is a symbiotic and competitive relationship between microorganisms in the same ecological niche, fungal defensins have been found to be important resources for antimicrobial peptides. Here, a fungal defensin, triintsin, was characterized in a clinical isolate of Trichophyton interdigitale from a patient with onychomycosis. The comparison of its genomic and mRNA sequences showed the gene organization and structure of three coding exons separated by two introns. The precursor peptide of triintsin contained 85 amino acid residues, which were composed of three parts including an N-terminal signal domain of 21 residues, a pro-peptide of 47 residues that ended at lysine-arginine and a mature peptide of 38 residues at the C-terminus. The 3D-structure established by homology modeling revealed that triintsin presented a representative typical cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet fold. The reductive linear peptide of triintsin was obtained by chemical synthesis. After cyclization to form three pairs of disulfide bonds, the oxidative-type peptide displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also showed anti-fungal activity. Moreover, triintsin can effectively inhibit the growth of clinical strains. Altogether, the peptide is a human pathogenic fungus-derived defensin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingzheng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of pharmacy, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Jinchun Song
- Department of pharmacy, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yonghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yaoyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Gaomin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xueke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xingchen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research, Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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28
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Zhang S, Gao B, Wang X, Zhu S. Loop Replacement Enhances the Ancestral Antibacterial Function of a Bifunctional Scorpion Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10060227. [PMID: 29867003 PMCID: PMC6024585 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
On the basis of the evolutionary relationship between scorpion toxins targeting K+ channels (KTxs) and antibacterial defensins (Zhu S., Peigneur S., Gao B., Umetsu Y., Ohki S., Tytgat J. Experimental conversion of a defensin into a neurotoxin: Implications for origin of toxic function. Mol. Biol. Evol. 2014, 31, 546–559), we performed protein engineering experiments to modify a bifunctional KTx (i.e., weak inhibitory activities on both K+ channels and bacteria) via substituting its carboxyl loop with the structurally equivalent loop of contemporary defensins. As expected, the engineered peptide (named MeuTXKα3-KFGGI) remarkably improved the antibacterial activity, particularly on some Gram-positive bacteria, including several antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogens. Compared with the unmodified toxin, its antibacterial spectrum also enlarged. Our work provides a new method to enhance the antibacterial activity of bifunctional scorpion venom peptides, which might be useful in engineering other proteins with an ancestral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangfei Zhang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Xueli Wang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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29
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Meucin-49, a multifunctional scorpion venom peptide with bactericidal synergy with neurotoxins. Amino Acids 2018; 50:1025-1043. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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30
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Gao B, Zhu S. Mesobuthus Venom-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides Possess Intrinsic Multifunctionality and Differential Potential as Drugs. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:320. [PMID: 29599756 PMCID: PMC5863496 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are a mixture of peptides and proteins that serve two basic biological functions: predation and defense against both predators and microbes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a common component extensively present in various scorpion venoms (herein abbreviated as svAMPs). However, their roles in predation and defense against predators and potential as drugs are poorly understood. Here, we report five new venom peptides with antimicrobial activity from two Mesobuthus scorpion species. These α-helical linear peptides displayed highly bactericidal activity toward all the Gram-positive bacteria used here but differential activity against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. In addition to the antibiotic activity, these AMPs displayed lethality to houseflies and hemotoxin-like toxicity on mice by causing hemolysis, tissue damage and inducing inflammatory pain. Unlike AMPs from other origins, these venom-derived AMPs seem to be unsuitable as anti-infective drugs due to their high hemolysis and low serum stability. However, MeuTXKβ1, a known two-domain Mesobuthus AMP, is an exception since it exhibits high activity toward antibiotic resistant Staphylococci clinical isolates with low hemolysis and high serum stability. The findings that the classical AMPs play predatory and defensive roles indicate that the multifunctionality of scorpion venom components is an intrinsic feature likely evolved by natural selection from microbes, prey and predators of scorpions. This definitely provides an excellent system in which one can study how a protein adaptively evolves novel functions in a new environment. Meantimes, new strategies are needed to remove the toxicity of svAMPs on eukaryotic cells when they are used as leads for anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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31
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Wu J, Liu S, Wang H. Invasive fungi-derived defensins kill drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Peptides 2018; 99:82-91. [PMID: 29174563 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Fungi-derived defensins are a class of antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential due to their high antibacterial efficacy and low toxicity. Based on the genomic strategy, we have identified 68 fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) in five new genera, including Trichosporon, Apophysomyces, Lichtheimia, Beauveria and Scedosporium and characterized a new synthetic defensin (scedosporisin) from an invasive fungus. It was active against Gram-positive bacteria but not active against negative bacteria. Importantly, it killed several clinical resistant isolates such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci at low molecular concentrations. Scedosporisin showed low hemolysis and cytotoxicity and high serum stability. The killing kinetics of scedosporisin-2 against a clinical isolate of MRSA showed that it killed the bacteria more rapidly than that of vancomycin. Homology modeling analysis show that scedosporisin adopted a typical cysteine stabilized α-helical and β-sheet fold with a local hydrophobic patch. Scedosporisin significantly improved the survival rate of mice in the peritonitis model. This work has greatly expanded the library of fDLPs, and successfully selected leading molecules for antimicrobial drug reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shijie Liu
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
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Franzoi M, van Heuvel Y, Thomann S, Schürch N, Kallio PT, Venier P, Essig A. Structural Insights into the Mode of Action of the Peptide Antibiotic Copsin. Biochemistry 2017; 56:4992-5001. [PMID: 28825809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Defensins make up a class of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides, expressed by virtually all eukaryotes as part of their innate immune response. Because of their unique mode of action and rapid killing of pathogenic microbes, defensins are considered promising alternatives to clinically applied antibiotics. Copsin is a defensin-like peptide, previously identified in the mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea. It exerts its activity against a range of Gram-positive bacteria by binding to the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II and prevention of proper cell wall formation. In this study, we present a new workflow for the generation, production, and activity-driven selection of copsin derivatives, based on their expression in Pichia pastoris. One hundred fifty-two single-amino acid mutants and combinations thereof allowed the identification of k-copsin, a peptide variant exhibiting significantly enhanced activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, we performed in silico characterizations of membrane interactions of copsin and k-copsin, in the presence and absence of lipid II. The molecular dynamics data highlighted a high variability in lipid II binding, with a preference for the MurNAc moiety with 47 and 35% of the total contacts for copsin and k-copsin, respectively. Mutated amino acids were located in loop regions of k-copsin and shown to be crucial in the perturbation of the bacterial membrane. These structural studies provide a better understanding of how defensins can be developed toward antibacterial therapies less prone to resistance issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Franzoi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova , Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Yasemin van Heuvel
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Thomann
- Biology Division, Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection , CH-3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Schürch
- Biology Division, Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection , CH-3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Pauli T Kallio
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova , Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Andreas Essig
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Ageitos J, Sánchez-Pérez A, Calo-Mata P, Villa T. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs): Ancient compounds that represent novel weapons in the fight against bacteria. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 133:117-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Porto W, Pires A, Franco O. Computational tools for exploring sequence databases as a resource for antimicrobial peptides. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:337-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Shafee TMA, Lay FT, Phan TK, Anderson MA, Hulett MD. Convergent evolution of defensin sequence, structure and function. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:663-682. [PMID: 27557668 PMCID: PMC11107677 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2344-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a well-characterised group of small, disulphide-rich, cationic peptides that are produced by essentially all eukaryotes and are highly diverse in their sequences and structures. Most display broad range antimicrobial activity at low micromolar concentrations, whereas others have other diverse roles, including cell signalling (e.g. immune cell recruitment, self/non-self-recognition), ion channel perturbation, toxic functions, and enzyme inhibition. The defensins consist of two superfamilies, each derived from an independent evolutionary origin, which have subsequently undergone extensive divergent evolution in their sequence, structure and function. Referred to as the cis- and trans-defensin superfamilies, they are classified based on their secondary structure orientation, cysteine motifs and disulphide bond connectivities, tertiary structure similarities and precursor gene sequence. The utility of displaying loops on a stable, compact, disulphide-rich core has been exploited by evolution on multiple occasions. The defensin superfamilies represent a case where the ensuing convergent evolution of sequence, structure and function has been particularly extreme. Here, we discuss the extent, causes and significance of these convergent features, drawing examples from across the eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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Porto WF, Miranda VJ, Pinto MFS, Dohms SM, Franco OL. High-performance computational analysis and peptide screening from databases of cyclotides from poaceae. Biopolymers 2017; 106:109-18. [PMID: 26572696 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are a family of head-to-tail cyclized peptides containing three conserved disulfide bonds, in a structural scaffold also known as a cyclic cysteine knot. Due to the high degree of cysteine conservation, novel members from this peptide family can be identified in protein databases through a search through regular expression (REGEX). In this work, six novel cyclotide-like precursors from the Poaceae were identified from NCBI's non-redundant protein database by the use of REGEX. Two out of six sequences (named Zea mays L and M) showed an Asp residue in the C-terminal, which indicated that they could be cyclic. Gene expression in maize tissues was investigated, showing that the previously described cyclotide-like Z. mays J is expressed in the roots. According to molecular dynamics, the structure of Z. mays J seems to be stable, despite the putative absence of cyclization. As regards cyclotide evolution, it was hypothesized that this is an outcome from convergent evolution and/or horizontal gene transfer. The results showed that peptide screening from databases should be performed periodically in order to include novel sequences, which are deposited as the databases grow. Indeed, the advances in computational and experimental methods will together help to answer key questions and reach new horizons in defense-related peptide identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Porto
- Centro De Análises Proteômicas E Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas E Biotecnologia Universidade Católica De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Vivian J Miranda
- Centro De Análises Proteômicas E Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas E Biotecnologia Universidade Católica De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Michelle F S Pinto
- Centro De Análises Proteômicas E Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas E Biotecnologia Universidade Católica De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Stephan M Dohms
- Centro De Análises Proteômicas E Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas E Biotecnologia Universidade Católica De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Octavio L Franco
- Centro De Análises Proteômicas E Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas E Biotecnologia Universidade Católica De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Pos Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande MS, Brazil
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New fungal defensin-like peptides provide evidence for fold change of proteins in evolution. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160438. [PMID: 27913751 PMCID: PMC5234102 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins containing a consensus cystine framework, Cys[1]…Cys[2]X3Cys[3]…Cys[4]… Cys[5]X1Cys[6] (X, any amino acid except Cys; …, variable residue numbers), are extensively distributed in a variety of multicellular organisms (plants, fungi and invertebrates) and essentially involved in immunity as microbicidal agents. This framework is a prerequisite for forming the cysteine-stabilized α-helix and β-sheet (CSαβ) fold, in which the two invariant motifs, Cys[2]X3Cys[3]/Cys[5]X1Cys[6], are key determinants of fold formation. By using a computational genomics approach, we identified a large superfamily of fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) in the phytopathogenic fungal genus – Zymoseptoria, which includes 132 structurally typical and 63 atypical members. These atypical fDLPs exhibit an altered cystine framework and accompanying fold change associated with their secondary structure elements and disulfide bridge patterns, as identified by protein structure modelling. Despite this, they definitely are homologous with the typical fDLPs in view of their precise gene structure conservation and identical precursor organization. Sequence and structural analyses combined with functional data suggest that most of Zymoseptoria fDLPs might have lost their antimicrobial activity. The present study provides a clear example of fold change in the evolution of proteins and is valuable in establishing remote homology among peptide superfamily members with different folds.
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Positive selection in cathelicidin host defense peptides: adaptation to exogenous pathogens or endogenous receptors? Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 118:453-465. [PMID: 27925615 PMCID: PMC5564380 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cause of adaptive protein evolution includes internal (for example, co-evolution of ligand-receptor pairs) and external (for example, adaptation to different ecological niches) mechanisms. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are a class of vertebrate-specific cationic antimicrobial peptides evolving under positive selection. Besides their antibiotic activity, HDPs also exert an effect on multiple host immune cells, thus providing an ideal model to study selective agents driving their evolution. On the basis of a combination of computational and experimental approaches, we studied the evolution of LL-37-type HDPs in mammals, the mature peptide of cathelicidin CAP18 (herein termed CAP18-MP) and investigated the driving force behind the evolution. Using codon-substitution maximum likelihood models, we analyzed CAP18-MPs in 40 species belonging to nine mammalian Orders and identified four positively selected sites (PSSs) that all are located on two terminal unordered regions of CAP18-MPs. Grafting the two positively selected regions of human or whale CAP18-MP to the α-helical scaffold of a rabbit homolog (substituting its corresponding parts) led to no alterations in antibacterial activity, spectrum and action mode. Likewise, further deletion of the two terminal regions did not alter its functional features. Evolutionary conservation analysis of mammalian FPR2, a receptor known to interact with the C-terminal positively selected region of LL-37, revealed high evolutionary variability in its ligand-binding extracellular loop domains, matching sequence diversity of the unordered regions in CAP18-MPs. This is the first report describing that the signature of positive selection of cathelicidins is not associated with their direct bactericidal activity, but rather with the evolutionary variability of their endogenous receptors.
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Tarr DEK. Establishing a reference array for the CS-αβ superfamily of defensive peptides. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:490. [PMID: 27863510 PMCID: PMC5116183 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Invertebrate defensins" belong to the cysteine-stabilized alpha-beta (CS-αβ), also known as the scorpion toxin-like, superfamily. Some other peptides belonging to this superfamily of defensive peptides are indistinguishable from "defensins," but have been assigned other names, making it unclear what, if any, criteria must be met to qualify as an "invertebrate defensin." In addition, there are other groups of defensins in invertebrates and vertebrates that are considered to be evolutionarily unrelated to those in the CS-αβ superfamily. This complicates analyses and discussions of this peptide group. This paper investigates the criteria for classifying a peptide as an invertebrate defensin, suggests a reference cysteine array that may be helpful in discussing peptides in this superfamily, and proposes that the superfamily (rather than the name "defensin") is the appropriate context for studying the evolution of invertebrate defensins with the CS-αβ fold. METHODS CS-αβ superfamily sequences were identified from previous literature and BLAST searches of public databases. Sequences were retrieved from databases, and the relevant motifs were identified and used to create a conceptual alignment to a ten-cysteine reference array. Amino acid sequences were aligned in MEGA6 with manual adjustments to ensure accurate alignment of cysteines. Phylogenetic analyses were performed in MEGA6 (maximum likelihood) and MrBayes (Bayesian). RESULTS Across invertebrate taxa, the term "defensin" is not consistently applied based on number of cysteines, cysteine spacing pattern, spectrum of antimicrobial activity, or phylogenetic relationship. The analyses failed to reveal any criteria that unify "invertebrate defensins" and differentiate them from other defensive peptides in the CS-αβ superfamily. Sequences from various groups within the CS-αβ superfamily of defensive peptides can be described by a ten-cysteine reference array that aligns their defining structural motifs. CONCLUSIONS The proposed ten-cysteine reference array can be used in addition to current nomenclature to compare sequences in the CS-αβ superfamily and clarify their features relative to one another. This will facilitate analysis and discussion of "invertebrate defensins" in an appropriate evolutionary context, rather than relying on nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ellen K Tarr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
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Zhang S, Zhu L, Yu J, Xu J, Gao B, Zhou C, Zhu S. Evaluating the potential of a loop-extended scorpion toxin-like peptide as a protein scaffold. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:607-616. [PMID: 27672050 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Revised: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Grafting of exogenous bioactive sites or functional motifs onto structurally stable scaffolds to gain new functions represents an important research direction in protein engineering. Some engineered proteins have been developed into therapeutic drugs. MeuNaTxα-3 (abbreviated as MT-3) is a newly characterized scorpion sodium channel toxin-like peptide isolated from the venom of the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which contains a rigid scaffold highly similar to classical scorpion sodium channel toxins and an extension of eight amino acids in its J-loop region. This extended loop constitutes a flexible region extruded from the scaffold and could be substituted by exogenous functional sequences. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the scaffold potential of MT-3 through grafting two small antimicrobial motifs to replace residues within the loop. Functional assays showed that the two engineered molecules exhibited elevated antimicrobial potency, as compared with the unmodified scaffold, without structural disruption, providing experimental evidence in favor of MT-3 as a promising scaffold in protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangfei Zhang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Limei Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Changlin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 TongJiaXiang, 210009 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
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Gao B, Zhu S. The drosomycin multigene family: three-disulfide variants from Drosophila takahashii possess antibacterial activity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32175. [PMID: 27562645 PMCID: PMC4999892 DOI: 10.1038/srep32175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosomycin (DRS) is a strictly antifungal peptide in Drosophila melanogaster, which contains four disulfide bridges (DBs) with three buried in molecular interior and one exposed on molecular surface to tie the amino- and carboxyl-termini of the molecule together (called wrapper disulfide bridge, WDB). Based on computational analysis of genomes of Drosophila species belonging to the Oriental lineage, we identified a new multigene family of DRS in Drosphila takahashii that includes a total of 11 DRS-encoding genes (termed DtDRS-1 to DtDRS-11) and a pseudogene. Phylogenetic tree and synteny analyses reveal orthologous relationship between DtDRSs and DRSs, indicating that orthologous genes of DRS-1, DRS-2, DRS-3 and DRS-6 have undergone duplication in D. takahashii and three amplifications (DtDRS-9 to DtDRS-11) of DRS-3 have lost WDB. Among the 11 genes, five are transcriptionally active in adult fruitflies. The ortholog of DRS (DtDRS-1) shows high structural and functional similarity to DRS while two WDB-deficient members display antibacterial activity accompanying complete loss or remarkable reduction of antifungal activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of three-disulfide antibacterial DRSs in a specific Drosophila species, suggesting a potential role of DB loss in neofunctionalization of a protein via structural adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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Rodríguez-García MJ, García-Reina A, Machado V, Galián J. Identification, structural characterisation and expression analysis of a defensin gene from the tiger beetle Calomera littoralis (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Gene 2016; 589:56-62. [PMID: 27210512 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a defensin gene (Clit-Def) has been characterised in the tiger beetle Calomera littoralis for the first time. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the gene has an open reading frame of 246bp that contains a 46 amino acid mature peptide. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high variability in the coleopteran defensins analysed. The Clit-Def mature peptide has the features to be involved in the antimicrobial function: a predicted cationic isoelectric point of 8.94, six cysteine residues that form three disulfide bonds, and the typical cysteine-stabilized α-helix β-sheet (CSαβ) structural fold. Real time quantitative PCR analysis showed that Clit-Def was upregulated in the different body parts analysed after infection with lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli, and also indicated that has an expression peak at 12h post infection. The expression patterns of Clit-Def suggest that this gene plays important roles in the humoral system in the adephagan beetle Calomera littoralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Juliana Rodríguez-García
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Andrés García-Reina
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Vilmar Machado
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Galián
- University of Murcia, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
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Wu J, Gao B, Zhu S. Single‐point mutation‐mediated local amphipathic adjustment dramatically enhances antibacterial activity of a fungal defensin. FASEB J 2016; 30:2602-14. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Meng L, Xie Z, Zhang Q, Li Y, Yang F, Chen Z, Li W, Cao Z, Wu Y. Scorpion Potassium Channel-blocking Defensin Highlights a Functional Link with Neurotoxin. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:7097-106. [PMID: 26817841 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.680611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural similarity between defensins and scorpion neurotoxins suggests that they might have evolved from a common ancestor. However, there is no direct experimental evidence demonstrating a functional link between scorpion neurotoxins and defensins. The scorpion defensin BmKDfsin4 from Mesobuthus martensiiKarsch contains 37 amino acid residues and a conserved cystine-stabilized α/β structural fold. The recombinant BmKDfsin4, a classical defensin, has been found to have inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteusas well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Interestingly, electrophysiological experiments showed that BmKDfsin4,like scorpion potassium channel neurotoxins, could effectively inhibit Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv1.3 channel currents, and its IC50value for the Kv1.3 channel was 510.2 nm Similar to the structure-function relationships of classical scorpion potassium channel-blocking toxins, basic residues (Lys-13 and Arg-19) of BmKDfsin4 play critical roles in peptide-Kv1.3 channel interactions. Furthermore, mutagenesis and electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the channel extracellular pore region is the binding site of BmKDfsin4, indicating that BmKDfsin4 adopts the same mechanism for blocking potassium channel currents as classical scorpion toxins. Taken together, our work identifies scorpion BmKDfsin4 as the first invertebrate defensin to block potassium channels. These findings not only demonstrate that defensins from invertebrate animals are a novel type of potassium channel blockers but also provide evidence of a functional link between defensins and neurotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanxia Meng
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Zili Xie
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Qian Zhang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Yang Li
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Fan Yang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Zongyun Chen
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and
| | - Wenxin Li
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences and Center for BioDrug Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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45
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Wang X, Gao B, Zhu S. A single-point mutation enhances dual functionality of a scorpion toxin. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 179:72-8. [PMID: 26358403 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom represents a tremendous, hitherto partially explored peptide library that has been proven to be useful not only for understanding ion channels but also for drug design. MeuTXKα3 is a functionally unknown scorpion toxin-like peptide. Here we describe new transcripts of this gene arising from alternative polyadenylation and its biological function as well as a mutant with a single-point substitution at site 30. Native-like MeuTXKα3 and its mutant were produced in Escherichia coli and their toxic function against Drosophila Shaker K(+) channel and its mammalian counterparts (rKv1.1-rKv1.3) were assayed by two-electrode voltage clamp technique. The results show that MeuTXKα3 is a weak toxin with a wide-spectrum of activity on both Drosophila and mammalian K(+) channels. The substitution of a proline at site 30 by an asparagine, an evolutionarily conserved functional residue in the scorpion α-KTx family, led to an increased activity on rKv1.2 and rKv1.3 but a decreased activity on the Shaker channel without changing the potency on rKv1.1, suggesting a key role of this site in species selectivity of scorpion toxins. MeuTXKα3 was also active on a variety of bacteria with lethal concentrations ranging from 4.66 to 52.01μM and the mutant even had stronger activity on some of these bacterial species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a bi-functional short-chain peptide in the lesser Asian scorpion venom. Further extensive mutations of MeuTXKα3 at site 30 could help improve its K(+) channel-blocking and antibacterial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Wang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China.
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46
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Diversity, Antimicrobial Action and Structure-Activity Relationship of Buffalo Cathelicidins. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144741. [PMID: 26675301 PMCID: PMC4684500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathelicidins are an ancient class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad spectrum bactericidal activities. In this study, we investigated the diversity and biological activity of cathelicidins of buffalo, a species known for its disease resistance. A series of new homologs of cathelicidin4 (CATHL4), which were structurally diverse in their antimicrobial domain, was identified in buffalo. AMPs of newly identified buffalo CATHL4s (buCATHL4s) displayed potent antimicrobial activity against selected Gram positive (G+) and Gram negative (G-) bacteria. These peptides were prompt to disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria and induced specific changes such as blebing, budding, and pore like structure formation on bacterial membrane. The peptides assumed different secondary structure conformations in aqueous and membrane-mimicking environments. Simulation studies suggested that the amphipathic design of buCATHL4 was crucial for water permeation following membrane disruption. A great diversity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, and ability to induce an inflammatory response indicated the pleiotropic role of cathelicidins in innate immunity of buffalo. This study suggests short buffalo cathelicidin peptides with potent bactericidal properties and low cytotoxicity have potential translational applications for the development of novel antibiotics and antimicrobial peptidomimetics.
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47
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Hitting the sweet spot-glycans as targets of fungal defense effector proteins. Molecules 2015; 20:8144-67. [PMID: 25955890 PMCID: PMC6272156 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20058144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Organisms which rely solely on innate defense systems must combat a large number of antagonists with a comparably low number of defense effector molecules. As one solution of this problem, these organisms have evolved effector molecules targeting epitopes that are conserved between different antagonists of a specific taxon or, if possible, even of different taxa. In order to restrict the activity of the defense effector molecules to physiologically relevant taxa, these target epitopes should, on the other hand, be taxon-specific and easily accessible. Glycans fulfill all these requirements and are therefore a preferred target of defense effector molecules, in particular defense proteins. Here, we review this defense strategy using the example of the defense system of multicellular (filamentous) fungi against microbial competitors and animal predators.
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48
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Essig A, Hofmann D, Münch D, Gayathri S, Künzler M, Kallio PT, Sahl HG, Wider G, Schneider T, Aebi M. Copsin, a novel peptide-based fungal antibiotic interfering with the peptidoglycan synthesis. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:34953-64. [PMID: 25342741 PMCID: PMC4263892 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.599878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi and bacteria compete with an arsenal of secreted molecules for their ecological niche. This repertoire represents a rich and inexhaustible source for antibiotics and fungicides. Antimicrobial peptides are an emerging class of fungal defense molecules that are promising candidates for pharmaceutical applications. Based on a co-cultivation system, we studied the interaction of the coprophilous basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea with different bacterial species and identified a novel defensin, copsin. The polypeptide was recombinantly produced in Pichia pastoris, and the three-dimensional structure was solved by NMR. The cysteine stabilized α/β-fold with a unique disulfide connectivity, and an N-terminal pyroglutamate rendered copsin extremely stable against high temperatures and protease digestion. Copsin was bactericidal against a diversity of Gram-positive bacteria, including human pathogens such as Enterococcus faecium and Listeria monocytogenes. Characterization of the antibacterial activity revealed that copsin bound specifically to the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II and therefore interfered with the cell wall biosynthesis. In particular, and unlike lantibiotics and other defensins, the third position of the lipid II pentapeptide is essential for effective copsin binding. The unique structural properties of copsin make it a possible scaffold for new antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Hofmann
- the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Münch
- the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Section, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany, and
| | | | | | | | - Hans-Georg Sahl
- the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Section, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany, and
| | - Gerhard Wider
- the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Schneider
- the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Section, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany, and the German Centre for Infection Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn 53115, Germany
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Design and recombination expression of a novel plectasin-derived peptide MP1106 and its properties against Staphylococcus aureus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:2649-62. [PMID: 25261129 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6077-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel antimicrobial peptide MP1106 was designed based on the parental peptide plectasin with four mutational sites and a high level of expression in Pichia pastoris X-33 via the pPICZαA plasmid was achieved. The concentration of total secreted protein in the fermented supernatant was 2.134 g/l (29 °C), and the concentration of recombinant MP1106 (rMP1106) reached 1,808 mg/l after a 120-h induction in a 5-l fermentor. The rMP1106 was purified using a cation-exchange column, and the yield was 831 mg/l with 94.68 % purity. The sample exhibited a narrow spectrum against some Gram-positive bacteria and strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.014, 1.8, 0.45, and 0.91 μM to S. aureus strains ATCC 25923, 29213, 6538, and 43300, respectively. Meanwhile, rMP1106 showed potent activity (0.03-1.8 μM) against 20 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In addition, rMP1106 exhibited a broad range of thermostability from 20 to 100 °C. The higher antimicrobial activity of rMP1106 was maintained in neutral and alkaline environments (pH 6, 8, and 10), and its activity was slightly reduced in acidic environments (pH 2 and 4). The rMP1106 was resistant to the digestion of pepsin, snailase, and proteinase K and was sensitive to trypsin. It exhibited hemolytic activity of only 1.16 % at a concentration of 512 μg/ml and remained stable in human serum at 37 °C for 24 h. Furthermore, the activity of rMP1106 was minorly affected by 10 mM dithiothreitol and 20 % dimethylsulfoxide. Our results indicate that MP1106 can be produced on a large scale and has potential as a therapeutic drug against S. aureus.
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Wu J, Gao B, Zhu S. The fungal defensin family enlarged. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2014; 7:866-80. [PMID: 25230677 PMCID: PMC4165938 DOI: 10.3390/ph7080866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are an emerging source of peptide antibiotics. With the availability of a large number of model fungal genome sequences, we can expect that more and more fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) will be discovered by sequence similarity search. Here, we report a total of 69 new fDLPs encoded by 63 genes, in which a group of fDLPs derived from dermatophytes are defined as a new family (fDEF8) according to sequence and phylogenetic analyses. In the oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpine, fDLPs have undergone extensive gene expansion. Our work further enlarges the fungal defensin family and will help characterize new peptide antibiotics with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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