1
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de Bem Matos AC, Telli EMRP, Camillo LC, da Silva GF, Gonçalves MJ, Casa R, Rufato L, de Lourdes Borba Magalhães M. Plant Defensin PgD1 a Biotechnological Alternative Against Plant Pathogens. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10333-0. [PMID: 39243352 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10333-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Plant defensins are small antimicrobial proteins (AMP) that participate in the immune defense of plants through their antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. PgD1 is a defensin from Picea glauca (Canadian Pine) and has antifungal activity against plant pathogens. This activity positions it as an alternative biotechnological agent to pesticides commonly used against these plant fungi diseases. The present study aimed to recombinantly produce PgD1 in Escherichia coli to characterize its in vitro antifungal potential against different phytopathogens. To achieve this, the coding gene was amplified and cloned into pET30a( +). Recombinant plasmid was subsequently introduced into E. coli for the soluble expression of defensin PgD1. To evaluate the antifungal activity of the expressed protein, the growth inhibition test was used in solid and liquid media for approximately 7 days against significant plant pathogens, that cause significant crop damage including: Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum graminicola and Fusarium oxysporum. Additionally, stability assessments included temperature variation experiments and inhibition tests using dithiothreitol (DTT). The results showed that there was significant inhibition of the fungal species tested when in the presence of PgD1. Furthermore, defensin proved to be resistant to temperature variations and demonstrated that part of its stability is due to its primary structure rich in cysteine residues through the denaturation test with dithiothreitol (DTT) where the antifungal activity of PgD1 defensin was inhibited. These data indicate that recombinant PgD1 could be utilized as a plant protection technology in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaide Cristina de Bem Matos
- Programa Multicêntrico de Pós-Graduação Em Bioquímica E Biologia Molecular, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | | | - Luana Coldebella Camillo
- Programa Multicêntrico de Pós-Graduação Em Bioquímica E Biologia Molecular, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | - Gustavo Felippe da Silva
- Programa Multicêntrico de Pós-Graduação Em Bioquímica E Biologia Molecular, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | | | - Ricardo Casa
- Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | - Leo Rufato
- Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil
| | - Maria de Lourdes Borba Magalhães
- Programa Multicêntrico de Pós-Graduação Em Bioquímica E Biologia Molecular, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil.
- Department of Food and Animal Science, State University of Santa Catarina, 2090 Luiz de Camões, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brazil.
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2
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Parisi K, McKenna JA, Lowe R, Harris KS, Shafee T, Guarino R, Lee E, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. Hyperpolarisation of Mitochondrial Membranes Is a Critical Component of the Antifungal Mechanism of the Plant Defensin, Ppdef1. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:54. [PMID: 38248963 PMCID: PMC10817573 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010054] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are a large family of small cationic proteins with diverse functions and mechanisms of action, most of which assert antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of fungi. The partial mechanism of action has been resolved for a small number of members of plant defensins, and studies have revealed that many act by more than one mechanism. The plant defensin Ppdef1 has a unique sequence and long loop 5 with fungicidal activity against a range of human fungal pathogens, but little is known about its mechanism of action. We screened the S. cerevisiae non-essential gene deletion library and identified the involvement of the mitochondria in the mechanism of action of Ppdef1. Further analysis revealed that the hyperpolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) activates ROS production, vacuolar fusion and cell death and is an important step in the mechanism of action of Ppdef1, and it is likely that a similar mechanism acts in Trichophyton rubrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Rohan Lowe
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Karen S. Harris
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Thomas Shafee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Rosemary Guarino
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Eunice Lee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Nicole L. van der Weerden
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
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3
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van der Weerden NL, Parisi K, McKenna JA, Hayes BM, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Wevrett SR, Veneer PK, McCorkelle O, Vasa S, Guarino R, Poon S, Gaspar YM, Baker MJ, Craik DJ, Turner RB, Brown MB, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The Plant Defensin Ppdef1 Is a Novel Topical Treatment for Onychomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1111. [PMID: 37998916 PMCID: PMC10672221 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infection, causes not only pain and discomfort but can also have psychological and social consequences for the patient. Treatment of onychomycosis is complicated by the location of the infection under the nail plate, meaning that antifungal molecules must either penetrate the nail or be applied systemically. Currently, available treatments are limited by their poor nail penetration for topical products or their potential toxicity for systemic products. Plant defensins with potent antifungal activity have the potential to be safe and effective treatments for fungal infections in humans. The cystine-stabilized structure of plant defensins makes them stable to the extremes of pH and temperature as well as digestion by proteases. Here, we describe a novel plant defensin, Ppdef1, as a peptide for the treatment of fungal nail infections. Ppdef1 has potent, fungicidal activity against a range of human fungal pathogens, including Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., dermatophytes, and non-dermatophytic moulds. In particular, Ppdef1 has excellent activity against dermatophytes that infect skin and nails, including the major etiological agent of onychomycosis Trichophyton rubrum. Ppdef1 also penetrates human nails rapidly and efficiently, making it an excellent candidate for a novel topical treatment of onychomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. van der Weerden
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Brigitte M. Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Prem K. Veneer
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Owen McCorkelle
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Rosemary Guarino
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Yolanda M. Gaspar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Michael J. Baker
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rob B. Turner
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Marc B. Brown
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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4
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Fernandes LA, Gomes AA, Guimarães BG, de Lourdes Borba Magalhães M, Ray P, da Silva GF. Engineering defensin α‐helix to produce high‐affinity
SARS‐CoV
‐2 spike protein binding ligands. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4355. [PMID: 35634778 PMCID: PMC9144876 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The binding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor expressed on the host cells is a critical initial step for viral infection. This interaction is blocked through competitive inhibition by soluble ACE2 protein. Therefore, developing high‐affinity and cost‐effective ACE2 mimetic ligands that disrupt this protein–protein interaction is a promising strategy for viral diagnostics and therapy. We employed human and plant defensins, a class of small (2–5 kDa) and highly stable proteins containing solvent‐exposed alpha‐helix, conformationally constrained by two disulfide bonds. Therefore, we engineered the amino acid residues on the constrained alpha‐helix of defensins to mimic the critical residues on the ACE2 helix 1 that interact with the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein. The engineered proteins (h‐deface2, p‐deface2, and p‐deface2‐MUT) were soluble and purified to homogeneity with a high yield from a bacterial expression system. The proteins demonstrated exceptional thermostability (Tm 70.7°C), high‐affinity binding to the spike protein with apparent Kd values of 54.4 ± 11.3, 33.5 ± 8.2, and 14.4 ± 3.5 nM for h‐deface2, p‐deface2, and p‐deface2‐MUT, respectively, and were used in a diagnostic assay that detected SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibodies. This work addresses the challenge of developing helical ACE2 mimetics by demonstrating that defensins provide promising scaffolds to engineer alpha‐helices in a constrained form for designing of high‐affinity ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Antônio Fernandes
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Center of Agroveterinary Sciences State University of Santa Catarina Lages Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - Anderson Albino Gomes
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Center of Agroveterinary Sciences State University of Santa Catarina Lages Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - Beatriz Gomes Guimarães
- Laboratory of Structural Biology and Protein Engineering Instituto Carlos Chagas ‐ ICC/FIOCRUZ Curitiba‐PR Brazil
| | | | - Partha Ray
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center University of California – San Diego Health La Jolla California USA
| | - Gustavo Felippe da Silva
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Center of Agroveterinary Sciences State University of Santa Catarina Lages Santa Catarina Brazil
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5
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Hein MJA, Kvansakul M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Hulett MD. Defensin-lipid interactions in membrane targeting: mechanisms of action and opportunities for the development of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:423-437. [PMID: 35015081 PMCID: PMC9022979 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a class of host defence peptides (HDPs) that often harbour antimicrobial and anticancer activities, making them attractive candidates as novel therapeutics. In comparison with current antimicrobial and cancer treatments, defensins uniquely target specific membrane lipids via mechanisms distinct from other HDPs. Therefore, defensins could be potentially developed as therapeutics with increased selectivity and reduced susceptibility to the resistance mechanisms of tumour cells and infectious pathogens. In this review, we highlight recent advances in defensin research with a particular focus on membrane lipid-targeting in cancer and infection settings. In doing so, we discuss strategies to harness lipid-binding defensins for anticancer and anti-infective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. A. Hein
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T. Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D. Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
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6
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Leannec-Rialland V, Atanasova V, Chereau S, Tonk-Rügen M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Richard-Forget F. Use of Defensins to Develop Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Synthetic Fungicides to Control Phytopathogenic Fungi and Their Mycotoxins. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:229. [PMID: 35330231 PMCID: PMC8950385 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Crops are threatened by numerous fungal diseases that can adversely affect the availability and quality of agricultural commodities. In addition, some of these fungal phytopathogens have the capacity to produce mycotoxins that pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. To facilitate the transition towards sustainable environmentally friendly agriculture, there is an urgent need to develop innovative methods allowing a reduced use of synthetic fungicides while guaranteeing optimal yields and the safety of the harvests. Several defensins have been reported to display antifungal and even-despite being under-studied-antimycotoxin activities and could be promising natural molecules for the development of control strategies. This review analyses pioneering and recent work addressing the bioactivity of defensins towards fungal phytopathogens; the details of approximately 100 active defensins and defensin-like peptides occurring in plants, mammals, fungi and invertebrates are listed. Moreover, the multi-faceted mechanism of action employed by defensins, the opportunity to optimize large-scale production procedures such as their solubility, stability and toxicity to plants and mammals are discussed. Overall, the knowledge gathered within the present review strongly supports the bright future held by defensin-based plant protection solutions while pointing out the obstacles that still need to be overcome to translate defensin-based in vitro research findings into commercial products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Leannec-Rialland
- Université de Bordeaux, UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), INRAE, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France;
| | - Vessela Atanasova
- UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), INRAE, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France; (V.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Sylvain Chereau
- UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), INRAE, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France; (V.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Miray Tonk-Rügen
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Justus Liebig University, Wilhelmstrasse 20, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR Parasitic Molecular Biology and Immunology (BIPAR), Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, 94700 Maison-Alfort, France
| | - Florence Richard-Forget
- UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), INRAE, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France; (V.A.); (S.C.)
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7
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Tick defensin γ-core reduces Fusarium graminearum growth and abrogates mycotoxins production with high efficiency. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7962. [PMID: 33846413 PMCID: PMC8042122 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86904-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is a major fungal pathogen affecting crops of worldwide importance. F. graminearum produces type B trichothecene mycotoxins (TCTB), which are not fully eliminated during food and feed processing. Therefore, the best way to minimize TCTB contamination is to develop prevention strategies. Herein we show that treatment with the reduced form of the γ-core of the tick defensin DefMT3, referred to as TickCore3 (TC3), decreases F. graminearum growth and abrogates TCTB production. The oxidized form of TC3 loses antifungal activity, but retains anti-mycotoxin activity. Molecular dynamics show that TC3 is recruited by specific membrane phospholipids in F. graminearum and that membrane binding of the oxidized form of TC3 is unstable. Capping each of the three cysteine residues of TC3 with methyl groups reduces its inhibitory efficacy. Substitutions of the positively-charged residues lysine (Lys) 6 or arginine 7 by threonine had the highest and the lesser impact, respectively, on the anti-mycotoxin activity of TC3. We conclude that the binding of linear TC3 to F. graminearum membrane phospholipids is required for the antifungal activity of the reduced peptide. Besides, Lys6 appears essential for the anti-mycotoxin activity of the reduced peptide. Our results provide foundation for developing novel and environment-friendly strategies for controlling F. graminearum.
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8
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Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Membrane-Interacting Antifungal Peptides. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649875. [PMID: 33912564 PMCID: PMC8074791 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is increasing worldwide, resulting in more than 1.6 million deaths every year. Due to growing antifungal drug resistance and the limited number of currently used antimycotics, there is a clear need for novel antifungal strategies. In this context, great potential is attributed to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are part of the innate immune system of organisms. These peptides are known for their broad-spectrum activity that can be directed toward bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or even cancer cells. Some AMPs act via rapid physical disruption of microbial cell membranes at high concentrations causing cell leakage and cell death. However, more complex mechanisms are also observed, such as interaction with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species, programmed cell death, and autophagy. This review summarizes the structure and mode of action of antifungal AMPs, thereby focusing on their interaction with fungal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Toledo EB, Lucas DR, Simão TLBV, Calixto SD, Lassounskaia E, Muzitano MF, Damica FZ, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. Design of improved synthetic antifungal peptides with targeted variations in charge, hydrophobicity and chirality based on a correlation study between biological activity and primary structure of plant defensin γ-cores. Amino Acids 2021; 53:219-237. [PMID: 33483849 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbial resistance to available drugs is a growing health threat imposing the need for the development of new drugs. The scaffold of plant defensins, including their γ-cores, are particularly good candidates for drug design. This work aimed to improve the antifungal activity of a previous design peptide, named A36,42,44γ32-46VuDef (for short DD) against yeasts by altering its biochemical parameters. We explore the correlation of the biological activity and structure of plant defensins and compared their primary structures by superimposition with VuDef1 and DD which indicated us the favorable position and the amino acid to be changed. Three new peptides with modifications in charge, hydrophobicity (RR and WR) and chirality (D-RR) were designed and tested against pathogenic yeasts. Inhibition was determined by absorbance. Viability of mammalian cells was determined by MTT. The three designed peptides had better inhibitory activity against the yeasts with better potency and spectrum of yeast species inhibition, with low toxicity to mammalian cells. WR, the most hydrophobic and cationic, exhibited better antifungal activity and lower toxicity. Our study provides experimental evidence that targeted changes in the primary structure of peptides based on plant defensins γ-core primary structures prove to be a good tool for the synthesis of new compounds that may be useful as alternative antifungal drugs. The method described did not have the drawback of synthesis of several peptides, because alterations are guided. When compared to other methods, the design process described is efficient and viable to those with scarce resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefany Braz Toledo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Douglas Ribeiro Lucas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Thatiana Lopes Biá Ventura Simão
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Sanderson Dias Calixto
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Elena Lassounskaia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Michele Frazão Muzitano
- Laboratório de Produtos Bioativos, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Pólo Novo Cavaleiro-IMMT, Macaé, RJ, 27933-378, Brazil
| | - Filipe Zanirati Damica
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil.
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10
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Nikoloudakis N, Pappi P, Markakis EA, Charova SN, Fanourakis D, Paschalidis K, Delis C, Tzortzakakis EA, Tsaniklidis G. Structural Diversity and Highly Specific Host-Pathogen Transcriptional Regulation of Defensin Genes Is Revealed in Tomato. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249380. [PMID: 33317090 PMCID: PMC7764197 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are small and rather ubiquitous cysteine-rich anti-microbial peptides. These proteins may act against pathogenic microorganisms either directly (by binding and disrupting membranes) or indirectly (as signaling molecules that participate in the organization of the cellular defense). Even though defensins are widespread across eukaryotes, still, extensive nucleotide and amino acid dissimilarities hamper the elucidation of their response to stimuli and mode of function. In the current study, we screened the Solanum lycopersicum genome for the identification of defensin genes, predicted the relating protein structures, and further studied their transcriptional responses to biotic (Verticillium dahliae, Meloidogyne javanica, Cucumber Mosaic Virus, and Potato Virus Y infections) and abiotic (cold stress) stimuli. Tomato defensin sequences were classified into two groups (C8 and C12). Our data indicate that the transcription of defensin coding genes primarily depends on the specific pathogen recognition patterns of V. dahliae and M. javanica. The immunodetection of plant defensin 1 protein was achieved only in the roots of plants inoculated with V. dahliae. In contrast, the almost null effects of viral infections and cold stress, and the failure to substantially induce the gene transcription suggest that these factors are probably not primarily targeted by the tomato defensin network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Nikoloudakis
- Department of Agricultural Science, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
- Correspondence: (N.N.); (G.T.)
| | - Polyxeni Pappi
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Mesa Katsabas, 71307 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (P.P.); (E.A.M.); (E.A.T.)
| | - Emmanouil A. Markakis
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Mesa Katsabas, 71307 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (P.P.); (E.A.M.); (E.A.T.)
| | - Spyridoula N. Charova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IMBB-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Fanourakis
- Giannakakis SA, Export Fruits and Vegetables, 70200 Tympaki, Crete, Greece;
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71004 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Paschalidis
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71004 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Costas Delis
- Department of Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology and Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Peloponnese, 24100 Antikalamos, Kalamata, Greece;
| | - Emmanuel A. Tzortzakakis
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Mesa Katsabas, 71307 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (P.P.); (E.A.M.); (E.A.T.)
| | - Georgios Tsaniklidis
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Mesa Katsabas, 71307 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (P.P.); (E.A.M.); (E.A.T.)
- Correspondence: (N.N.); (G.T.)
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11
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Histidine-Rich Defensins from the Solanaceae and Brasicaceae Are Antifungal and Metal Binding Proteins. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030145. [PMID: 32847065 PMCID: PMC7557933 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are best known for their antifungal activity and contribution to the plant immune system. The defining feature of plant defensins is their three-dimensional structure known as the cysteine stabilized alpha-beta motif. This protein fold is remarkably tolerant to sequence variation with only the eight cysteines that contribute to the stabilizing disulfide bonds absolutely conserved across the family. Mature defensins are typically 46–50 amino acids in length and are enriched in lysine and/or arginine residues. Examination of a database of approximately 1200 defensin sequences revealed a subset of defensin sequences that were extended in length and were enriched in histidine residues leading to their classification as histidine-rich defensins (HRDs). Using these initial HRD sequences as a query, a search of the available sequence databases identified over 750 HRDs in solanaceous plants and 20 in brassicas. Histidine residues are known to contribute to metal binding functions in proteins leading to the hypothesis that HRDs would have metal binding properties. A selection of the HRD sequences were recombinantly expressed and purified and their antifungal and metal binding activity was characterized. Of the four HRDs that were successfully expressed all displayed some level of metal binding and two of four had antifungal activity. Structural characterization of the other HRDs identified a novel pattern of disulfide linkages in one of the HRDs that is predicted to also occur in HRDs with similar cysteine spacing. Metal binding by HRDs represents a specialization of the plant defensin fold outside of antifungal activity.
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12
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Plant Defensins from a Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155307. [PMID: 32722628 PMCID: PMC7432377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins form a family of proteins with a broad spectrum of protective activities against fungi, bacteria, and insects. Furthermore, some plant defensins have revealed anticancer activity. In general, plant defensins are non-toxic to plant and mammalian cells, and interest in using them for biotechnological and medicinal purposes is growing. Recent studies provided significant insights into the mechanisms of action of plant defensins. In this review, we focus on structural and dynamics aspects and discuss structure-dynamics-function relations of plant defensins.
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13
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Zhao G, Chen Y, He Y, Chen F, Gong Y, Chen S, Xu Y, Su Y, Wang C, Wang J. Succinylated casein-coated peptide-mesoporous silica nanoparticles as an antibiotic against intestinal bacterial infection. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:2440-2451. [PMID: 30939184 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm00003h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Increasing drug resistance necessitates the discovery of novel bactericides. Human defensin (HD) peptides can eliminate resistant bacteria and are promising candidates for next-generation antibiotics. T7E21R-HD5 is a potent bactericide designed by site mutations at enteric HD5. To facilitate the development of T7E21R-HD5 into an intestinal antibiotic, we employed a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) as the peptide carrier. Despite its ineffectiveness at killing bacteria, the MSN intensified the outer membrane penetration and inner membrane permeabilization abilities of T7E21R-HD5 and thus enhanced its antibacterial action against multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli, which broadened the role of MSNs in drug delivery. For the reduction in T7E21R-HD5 losses in the stomach, we further modified MSN@T7E21R-HD5 with succinylated casein (SCN), a milk protein that can be specifically degraded by intestinal protease. SCN coating decreased T7E21R-HD5 release from the MSNs, especially in a highly acidic environment. The controlled release of MSN@T7E21R-HD5 from SCN encapsulation was confirmed in the presence of trypsin. MSN@T7E21R-HD5@SCN was nontoxic to host cells, and it was capable of inactivating MDR E. coli in vivo and alleviating intestinal inflammation by suppressing the production of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9. This study provides a peptide-based nanobiotic with efficacy to combat intestinal infection, especially against drug-resistant bacteria. The biocompatible and readily prepared MSN/SCN delivery system may benefit further intestinal antibiotic design and promote the drug transformation of additional enterogenic functional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaomei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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14
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Das K, Datta K, Karmakar S, Datta SK. Antimicrobial Peptides - Small but Mighty Weapons for Plants to Fight Phytopathogens. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:720-742. [PMID: 31215363 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190619112438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) have diverse structures, varied modes of actions, and can inhibit the growth of a wide range of pathogens at low concentrations. Plants are constantly under attack by a wide range of phytopathogens causing massive yield losses worldwide. To combat these pathogens, nature has armed plants with a battery of defense responses including Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). These peptides form a vital component of the two-tier plant defense system. They are constitutively expressed as part of the pre-existing first line of defense against pathogen entry. When a pathogen overcomes this barrier, it faces the inducible defense system, which responds to specific molecular or effector patterns by launching an arsenal of defense responses including the production of AMPs. This review emphasizes the structural and functional aspects of different plant-derived AMPs, their homology with AMPs from other organisms, and how their biotechnological potential could generate durable resistance in a wide range of crops against different classes of phytopathogens in an environmentally friendly way without phenotypic cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Das
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Karabi Datta
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhasis Karmakar
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Swapan K Datta
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
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15
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Rodríguez-Decuadro S, Dans PD, Borba MA, Benko-Iseppon AM, Cecchetto G. Gene isolation and structural characterization of a legume tree defensin with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. PLANTA 2019; 250:1757-1772. [PMID: 31428874 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03260-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The recombinant EcgDf1 defensin has an antimicrobial effect against both plant and human pathogens. In silico analyses predict that EcgDf1 is prone to form dimers capable of interacting with the membranes of microorganisms. Plant defensins comprise a large family of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) with a wide range of biological functions. They are cysteine-rich molecules, highly sequence diverse but with a conserved and stable structure. In this work, a defensin gene (EcgDf1) was isolated from Erythrina crista-galli, a legume tree native from South America. The predicted peptide presents eight cysteines, with a γ-core motif GXCX3-9C and six cysteines distributed like the typical defensin αβ motif. The mature EcgDf1 coding sequence was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli strains and purified by affinity chromatography. Possible dimer and oligomers of EcgDf1 were visible in SDS electrophoresis. Moreover, its 3D structure, determined by homology modeling, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, was found to be compatible with the formation of homodimers between the β3 and β1-loop-α1, leaving the β2-loop-β3 free to interact with lipid membranes. The purified recombinant peptide inhibited the growth of several critical plant and human pathogens, like the opportunistic fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger and the plant pathogens Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis, Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata. EcgDf1 is a promising candidate for the development of antimicrobial products for use in agriculture and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Rodríguez-Decuadro
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Garzón 780, 12900, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo D Dans
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Joint BSC-IRB Research Program in Computational Biology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Alejandra Borba
- Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias-Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Biociências, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Recife, PE, CEP 50.670-420, Brazil
| | - Gianna Cecchetto
- Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias-Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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16
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Screening the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nonessential Gene Deletion Library Reveals Diverse Mechanisms of Action for Antifungal Plant Defensins. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01097-19. [PMID: 31451498 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01097-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are a large family of proteins, most of which have antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of fungi. However, little is known about how they exert their activity. The mechanisms of action of only a few members of the family have been investigated and, in most cases, there are still a number of unknowns. To gain a better understanding of the antifungal mechanisms of a set of four defensins, NaD1, DmAMP1, NbD6, and SBI6, we screened a pooled collection of the nonessential gene deletion set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains with increased or decreased ability to survive defensin treatment were identified based on the relative abundance of the strain-specific barcode as determined by MiSeq next-generation sequencing. Analysis of the functions of genes that are deleted in strains with differential growth in the presence of defensin provides insight into the mechanism of action. The screen identified a novel role for the vacuole in the mechanisms of action for defensins NbD6 and SBI6. The effect of these defensins on vacuoles was further confirmed by using confocal microscopy in both S. cerevisiae and the cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum These results demonstrate the utility of this screening method to identify novel mechanisms of action for plant defensins.
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17
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The interaction with fungal cell wall polysaccharides determines the salt tolerance of antifungal plant defensins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5:100026. [PMID: 32743142 PMCID: PMC7389181 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2019.100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is the first point of contact between fungal pathogens and host organisms. It serves as a protective barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses and as a signal to the host that a fungal pathogen is present. The fungal cell wall is made predominantly of carbohydrates and glycoproteins, many of which serve as binding receptors for host defence molecules or activate host immune responses through interactions with membrane-bound receptors. Plant defensins are a large family of cationic antifungal peptides that protect plants against fungal disease. Binding of the plant defensin NaD1 to the fungal cell wall has been described but the specific component of the cell wall with which this interaction occurred was unknown. The effect of binding was also unclear, that is whether the plant defensin used fungal cell wall components as a recognition motif for the plant to identify potential pathogens or if the cell wall acted to protect the fungus against the defensin. Here we describe the interaction between the fungal cell wall polysaccharides chitin and β-glucan with NaD1 and other plant defensins. We discovered that the β-glucan layer protects the fungus against plant defensins and the loss of activity experienced by many cationic antifungal peptides at elevated salt concentrations is due to sequestration by fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This has limited the development of cationic antifungal peptides for the treatment of systemic fungal diseases in humans as the level of salt in serum is enough to inactivate most cationic peptides.
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18
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Lay FT, Ryan GF, Caria S, Phan TK, Veneer PK, White JA, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Structural and functional characterization of the membrane-permeabilizing activity of Nicotiana occidentalis defensin NoD173 and protein engineering to enhance oncolysis. FASEB J 2019; 33:6470-6482. [PMID: 30794440 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802540r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are an extensive family of host defense peptides found ubiquitously across plant and animal species. In addition to protecting against infection by pathogenic microorganisms, some defensins are selectively cytotoxic toward tumor cells. As such, defensins have attracted interest as potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. The mechanism of defensin action against microbes and tumor cells appears to be conserved and involves the targeting and disruption of cellular membranes. This has been best defined for plant defensins, which upon binding specific phospholipids, such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidic acid, form defensin-lipid oligomeric complexes that destabilize membranes, leading to cell lysis. In this study, to further define the anticancer and therapeutic properties of plant defensins, we have characterized a novel plant defensin, Nicotiana occidentalis defensin 173 (NoD173), from N. occidentalis. NoD173 at low micromolar concentrations selectively killed a panel of tumor cell lines over normal primary cells. To improve the anticancer activity of NoD173, we explored increasing cationicity by mutation, with NoD173 with the substitution of Q22 with lysine [NoD173(Q22K)], increasing the antitumor cell activity by 2-fold. NoD173 and the NoD173(Q22K) mutant exhibited only low levels of hemolytic activity, and both maintained activity against tumor cells in serum. The ability of NoD173 to inhibit solid tumor growth in vivo was tested in a mouse B16-F1 model, whereby injection of NoD173 into established subcutaneous tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth. Finally, we showed that NoD173 specifically targets PIP2 and determined by X-ray crystallography that a high-resolution structure of NoD173, which forms a conserved family-defining cysteine-stabilized-αβ motif with a dimeric lipid-binding conformation, configured into an arch-shaped oligomer of 4 dimers. These data provide insights into the mechanism of how defensins target membranes to kill tumor cells and provide proof of concept that defensins are able to inhibit tumor growth in vivo.-Lay, F. T., Ryan, G. F., Caria, S., Phan, T. K., Veneer, P. K., White, J. A., Kvansakul, M., Hulett M. D. Structural and functional characterization of the membrane-permeabilizing activity of Nicotiana occidentalis defensin NoD173 and protein engineering to enhance oncolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma F Ryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sofia Caria
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie A White
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sher Khan R, Iqbal A, Malak R, Shehryar K, Attia S, Ahmed T, Ali Khan M, Arif M, Mii M. Plant defensins: types, mechanism of action and prospects of genetic engineering for enhanced disease resistance in plants. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:192. [PMID: 31065492 PMCID: PMC6488698 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1725-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural antimicrobial peptides have been shown as one of the important tools to combat certain pathogens and play important role as a part of innate immune system in plants and, also adaptive immunity in animals. Defensin is one of the antimicrobial peptides with a diverse nature of mechanism against different pathogens like viruses, bacteria and fungi. They have a broad function in humans, vertebrates, invertebrates, insects, and plants. Plant defensins primarily interact with membrane lipids for their biological activity. Several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been overexpressed in plants for enhanced disease protection. The plants defensin peptides have been efficiently employed as an effective strategy for control of diseases in plants. They can be successfully integrated in plants genome along with some other peptide genes in order to produce transgenic crops for enhanced disease resistance. This review summarizes plant defensins, their expression in plants and enhanced disease resistance potential against phytopathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raham Sher Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Aneela Iqbal
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Radia Malak
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Kashmala Shehryar
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Attia
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Talaat Ahmed
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mubarak Ali Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Masahiro Mii
- Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University Japan, Chiba, Japan
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20
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Kerenga BK, McKenna JA, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Garcia-Ceron D, Lay FT, Phan TK, Veneer PK, Vasa S, Parisi K, Shafee TMA, van der Weerden NL, Hulett MD, Craik DJ, Anderson MA, Bleackley MR. Salt-Tolerant Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of the Corn Defensin ZmD32. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:795. [PMID: 31031739 PMCID: PMC6474387 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic microbes are developing resistance to established antibiotics, making the development of novel antimicrobial molecules paramount. One major resource for discovery of antimicrobials is the arsenal of innate immunity molecules that are part of the first line of pathogen defense in many organisms. Gene encoded cationic antimicrobial peptides are a major constituent of innate immune arsenals. Many of these peptides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity in vitro. However, a major hurdle that has impeded their development for use in the clinic is the loss of activity at physiological salt concentrations, attributed to weakening of the electrostatic interactions between the cationic peptide and anionic surfaces of the microbial cells in the presence of salt. Using plant defensins we have investigated the relationship between the charge of an antimicrobial peptide and its activity in media with elevated salt concentrations. Plant defensins are a large class of antifungal peptides that have remarkable stability at extremes of pH and temperature as well as resistance to protease digestion. A search of a database of over 1200 plant defensins identified ZmD32, a defensin from Zea mays, with a predicted charge of +10.1 at pH 7, the highest of any defensin in the database. Recombinant ZmD32 retained activity against a range of fungal species in media containing elevated concentrations of salt. In addition, ZmD32 was active against Candida albicans biofilms as well as both Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, combined with a low toxicity on human cells make ZmD32 an attractive lead for development of future antimicrobial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomai K Kerenga
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Donovan Garcia-Ceron
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Kumar M, Yusuf MA, Yadav P, Narayan S, Kumar M. Overexpression of Chickpea Defensin Gene Confers Tolerance to Water-Deficit Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:290. [PMID: 30915095 PMCID: PMC6423178 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Plant defensins are mainly known for their antifungal activity. However, limited information is available regarding their function in abiotic stresses. In this study, a defensin gene, Ca-AFP, from Cicer arietinum, commonly known as chickpea, was cloned and transformed in Arabidopsis thaliana for its functional characterization under simulated water-deficit conditions. Under simulated water-deficit conditions (mannitol and polyethylene glycol-6000 induced), the transgenic A. thaliana plants had higher accumulation of the Ca-AFP transcript compared to that under non-stress condition and showed higher germination rate, root length, and biomass than the wild-type (WT) plants. To get further insights into the role of Ca-AFP in conferring tolerance to water-deficit stress, we determined various physiological parameters and found significant reduction in the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance whereas the net photosynthesis and water use efficiency was increased in the transgenic plants compared to that in the WT plants under water deficit conditions. The transgenic plants showed enhanced superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase activities, had higher proline, chlorophyll, and relative water content, and exhibited reduced ion leakage and malondialdehyde content under water-deficit conditions. Overall, our results indicate that overexpression of Ca-AFP could be an efficient approach for conferring tolerance to water-deficit stress in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, India
- Department of Biotechnology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Mohd Aslam Yusuf
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow, India
| | - Pooja Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Shiv Narayan
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- *Correspondence: Manoj Kumar,
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Finkina EI, Ovchinnikova TV. Plant Defensins: Structure, Functions, Biosynthesis, and the Role in the Immune Response. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162018030056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Järvå M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Humble C, Poon IKH, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, Hulett MD, Kvansakul M. X-ray structure of a carpet-like antimicrobial defensin-phospholipid membrane disruption complex. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1962. [PMID: 29773800 PMCID: PMC5958116 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms as a first line of defense against pathogens. Membrane targeting and disruption is a crucial function of many defensins, however the precise mechanism remains unclear. Certain plant defensins form dimers that specifically bind the membrane phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, thereby triggering the assembly of defensin-lipid oligomers that permeabilize cell membranes. To understand this permeabilization mechanism, here we determine the crystal structure of the plant defensin NaD1 bound to PA. The structure reveals a 20-mer that adopts a concave sheet- or carpet-like topology where NaD1 dimers form one face and PA acyl chains form the other face of the sheet. Furthermore, we show that Arg39 is critical for PA binding, oligomerization and fungal cell killing. These findings identify a putative defensin-phospholipid membrane attack configuration that supports a longstanding proposed carpet mode of membrane disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Järvå
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Cassandra Humble
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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Boonpa K, Tantong S, Weerawanich K, Panpetch P, Pringsulaka O, Yingchutrakul Y, Roytrakul S, Sirikantaramas S. Heterologous expression and antimicrobial activity of OsGASR3 from rice (Oryza sativa L.). JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 224-225:95-102. [PMID: 29614397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
According to an in silico analysis, OsGASR3 (LOC_Os03g55290) from rice (Oryza sativa L.) was predicted to be involved in plant defense mechanisms. A semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay revealed that OsGASR3 is highly expressed in the inflorescences of Thai jasmine rice (O. sativa L. subsp. indica 'KDML 105'). To characterize the biological activity of OsGASR3, we produced an OsGASR3-glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami (DE3) cells for a final purified recombinant OsGASR3 yield of 0.65 mg/L. The purified OsGASR3 inhibited the hyphal growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense and Helminthosporium oryzae at a relatively low concentration (7.5 μg/mL). Furthermore, OsGASR3 exhibited in planta inhibitory activity against Xanthomonas campestris, suggesting its involvement in defense mechanisms, in addition to its previously reported functions affecting growth and development. These observations indicate that recombinant OsGASR3 may be useful for protecting agriculturally important crops against pathogenic microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krissana Boonpa
- Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Supaluk Tantong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Kamonwan Weerawanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Pawinee Panpetch
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Onanong Pringsulaka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand.
| | - Yodying Yingchutrakul
- Genome Institute, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Genome Institute, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Supaart Sirikantaramas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Omics Sciences and Bioinformatics Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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25
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Weerawanich K, Webster G, Ma JKC, Phoolcharoen W, Sirikantaramas S. Gene expression analysis, subcellular localization, and in planta antimicrobial activity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) defensin 7 and 8. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2018; 124:160-166. [PMID: 29414311 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a group of plant antimicrobial peptides. In a previous study, it was reported that two recombinant rice (Oryza sativa L.) defensin (OsDEF) genes (OsDEF7 and OsDEF8) produced heterologously by bacteria inhibited the growth of several phytopathogen. Here, we analyzed gene expression patterns in Thai jasmine rice (O. sativa L. ssp. indica 'KDML 105') using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and compared them with those in Japanese rice (O. sativa L. ssp. japonica 'Nipponbare'). Although the cultivars exhibited similar gene expression patterns at the developmental stages examined, the expression levels differed between organs. Upon Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae infection in the leaves, both OsDEFs were highly upregulated at 8 days post-infection, suggesting that they play a role in pathogen defense. Moreover, in silico analyses revealed that OsDEF expression levels were affected by drought, cold, imbibition, anoxia, and dehydration stress. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions, we found that both OsDEFs were in the extracellular compartment, confirming their functions against pathogen infection. However, when recombinant OsDEFs (without GFP) were produced in tobacco BY-2 cells or Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, they could not be detected in either the culture medium or the cells. Yet, N. benthamiana leaves infiltrated with OsDEF7 or OsDEF8 constructs exhibited in planta inhibitory activity against the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines, suggesting that recombinant OsDEFs were present. Additionally, when targeting them to the ER compartment, recombinant OsDEFs could be detected. Lower inhibitory activity was observed when recombinant OsDEFs were targeted to the ER. These results suggest that OsDEFs play a role in controlling plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamonwan Weerawanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gina Webster
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Julian K-C Ma
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supaart Sirikantaramas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Natural Product Biotechnology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Parisi K, Shafee TMA, Quimbar P, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The evolution, function and mechanisms of action for plant defensins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 88:107-118. [PMID: 29432955 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are an extensive family of small cysteine rich proteins characterised by a conserved cysteine stabilised alpha beta protein fold which resembles the structure of insect and vertebrate defensins. However, secondary structure and disulphide topology indicates two independent superfamilies of defensins with similar structures that have arisen via an extreme case of convergent evolution. Defensins from plants and insects belong to the cis-defensin superfamily whereas mammalian defensins belong to the trans-defensin superfamily. Plant defensins are produced by all species of plants and although the structure is highly conserved, the amino acid sequences are highly variable with the exception of the cysteine residues that form the stabilising disulphide bonds and a few other conserved residues. The majority of plant defensins are components of the plant innate immune system but others have evolved additional functions ranging from roles in sexual reproduction and development to metal tolerance. This review focuses on the antifungal mechanisms of plant defensins. The activity of plant defensins is not limited to plant pathogens and many of the described mechanisms have been elucidated using yeast models. These mechanisms are more complex than simple membrane permeabilisation induced by many small antimicrobial peptides. Common themes that run through the characterised mechanisms are interactions with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species and induction of cell wall stress. Links between sequence motifs and functions are highlighted where appropriate. The complexity of the interactions between plant defensins and fungi helps explain why this protein superfamily is ubiquitous in plant innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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27
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Järvå M, Lay FT, Hulett MD, Kvansakul M. Structure of the defensin NsD7 in complex with PIP 2 reveals that defensin : lipid oligomer topologies are dependent on lipid type. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:2482-2490. [PMID: 28741756 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are innate immune molecules that upon recognition of specific phospholipids can disrupt microbial membranes by forming oligomeric assemblies. Structures of two related plant defensins, NaD1 and NsD7, bound to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2 ) and phosphatidic acid (PA), respectively, revealed striking differences in their oligomeric topologies. To understand how NsD7 binds different phospholipids and rationalize the different topologies, we determined the structure of an NsD7-PIP2 complex. This structure reveals fundamental differences in phospholipid binding compared to NsD7-PA, and an oligomeric topology nearly identical to the previously determined NaD1-PIP2 complex, establishing that the PIP2 fibril topology is conserved between NaD1 and NsD7. Our findings highlight the remarkable ability of defensins to bind different types of phospholipids to form oligomeric fibrils with diverse topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Järvå
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
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28
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Guillén-Chable F, Arenas-Sosa I, Islas-Flores I, Corzo G, Martinez-Liu C, Estrada G. Antibacterial activity and phospholipid recognition of the recombinant defensin J1-1 from Capsicum genus. Protein Expr Purif 2017. [PMID: 28624494 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The gene of the four disulfide-bridged defensin J1-1 from Capsicum was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag as fusion protein. This construct was transfected into Origami strain of Escherichia coli and expressed after induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The level of expression was 4 mg/L of culture medium, and the His-tagged recombinant defensin (HisXarJ1-1) was expressed exclusively into inclusion bodies. After solubilization, HisXarJ1-1 was purified by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reverse-phase HPLC profile of the HisXarJ1-1 product obtained from the affinity chromatography step showed single main peptide fraction of molecular masses of 7050.6 Da and after treatment with DTT a single fraction of 7, 042.6 Da corresponding to the reduced peptide was observed. An in vitro folding step of the HisXarJ1-1 generated a distinct profile of oxidized forms of the peptide this oxidized peptide was capable of binding phosphatidic acid in vitro. Possible dimer and oligomer of HisXarJ1-1 were visible in gel electrophoresis and immunodetected with anti-His antibodies. Pure recombinant defensin HisXarJ1-1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guillén-Chable
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Iván Arenas-Sosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Ignacio Islas-Flores
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Cynthia Martinez-Liu
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Georgina Estrada
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México.
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29
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Cools TL, Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: increased insight in their mode of action as a basis for their use to combat fungal infections. Future Microbiol 2017; 12:441-454. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cationic peptides with a highly conserved 3D structure. They have been studied extensively in the past decades. Various biological activities have been attributed to plant defensins, such as anti-insect and antimicrobial activities, but they are also known to affect ion channels and display antitumor activity. This review focuses on the structure, biological activity and antifungal mode of action of some well-characterized plant defensins, with particular attention to their fungal membrane target(s), their induced cell death mechanisms as well as their antibiofilm activity. As plant defensins are, in general, not toxic to human cells, show in vivo efficacy and have low frequencies of resistance occurrence, they are of particular interest in the fight against fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno PA Cammue
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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30
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Ermakova E, Zuev Y. Interaction of Scots Pine Defensin with Model Membrane by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics. J Membr Biol 2017; 250:205-216. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-017-9950-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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31
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Montero-Alejo V, Corzo G, Porro-Suardíaz J, Pardo-Ruiz Z, Perera E, Rodríguez-Viera L, Sánchez-Díaz G, Hernández-Rodríguez EW, Álvarez C, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Perdomo-Morales R. Panusin represents a new family of β-defensin-like peptides in invertebrates. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 67:310-321. [PMID: 27616720 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Beta_defensin have been solely found in vertebrates until β-defensin-like peptides were described as transcript isoforms in two species of Panulirus genus. They were considered as putative antimicrobials since their biological activity have not been demonstrated. Here we purified and characterized a defensin-like peptide from the hemocytes of spiny lobster P. argus, hereafter named panusin. Structurally, panusin presents a cysteine-stabilized α/β motif, and is prone to form homodimers. Biological activity of panusin showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, characterized for being strikingly salt-resistant. Panusin did not showed hemolytic activity but was demonstrated its binding capacity to different lipid membrane models, indicating amphipathicity of β-sheet core as driving force for its antimicrobial activity. Panusin is considered a new kind of arthropod defensin which share structural and biological features with beta-defensin from vertebrates. The presence of beta-defensin like peptides in crustacean might suggest the emergence of the evolutionary relationship of β-defensins from vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Montero-Alejo
- Biochemistry Department, Center for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Javier Porro-Suardíaz
- Biochemistry Department, Center for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Havana, Cuba
| | - Zenia Pardo-Ruiz
- Biochemistry Department, Center for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Havana, Cuba
| | - Erick Perera
- Department of Fish Physiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain
| | | | - Gabriela Sánchez-Díaz
- Department for Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Medicine Faculty, Artemisa, Cuba; Laboratory of Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Erix Wiliam Hernández-Rodríguez
- Department for Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Medicine Faculty, Artemisa, Cuba; Laboratory of Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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32
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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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33
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Phan TK, Lay FT, Poon IKH, Hinds MG, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Human β-defensin 3 contains an oncolytic motif that binds PI(4,5)P2 to mediate tumour cell permeabilisation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2054-69. [PMID: 26657293 PMCID: PMC4811302 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs), including taxonomically diverse defensins, are innate defense molecules that display potent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Specific CAPs have also been shown to possess anticancer activities; however, their mechanisms of action are not well defined. Recently, the plant defensin NaD1 was shown to induce tumour cell lysis by directly binding to the plasma membrane phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). The NaD1–lipid interaction was structurally defined by X-ray crystallography, with the defensin forming a dimer that binds PI(4,5)P2 via its cationic β2-β3 loops in a ‘cationic grip’ conformation. In this study, we show that human β-defensin 3 (HBD-3) contains a homologous β2-β3 loop that binds phosphoinositides. The binding of HBD-3 to PI(4,5)P2 was shown to be critical for mediating cytolysis of tumour cells, suggesting a conserved mechanism of action for defensins across diverse species. These data not only identify an evolutionary conservation of CAP structure and function for lipid binding, but also suggest that PIP-binding CAPs could be exploited for novel multifunction therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark G Hinds
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
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Kvansakul M, Lay FT, Adda CG, Veneer PK, Baxter AA, Phan TK, Poon IKH, Hulett MD. Binding of phosphatidic acid by NsD7 mediates the formation of helical defensin-lipid oligomeric assemblies and membrane permeabilization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11202-11207. [PMID: 27647905 PMCID: PMC5056070 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607855113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that serve as important components of host innate immune defenses, often by targeting cell membranes of pathogens. Oligomerization of defensins has been linked to their antimicrobial activity; however, the molecular basis underpinning this process remains largely unclear. Here we show that the plant defensin NsD7 targets the phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA) to form oligomeric complexes that permeabilize PA-containing membranes. The crystal structure of the NsD7-PA complex reveals a striking double helix of two right-handed coiled oligomeric defensin fibrils, the assembly of which is dependent upon the interaction with PA at the interface between NsD7 dimers. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that key residues in this PA-binding site are required for PA-mediated NsD7 oligomerization and coil formation, as well as permeabilization of PA-containing liposomes. These data suggest that multiple lipids can be targeted to induce oligomerization of defensins during membrane permeabilization and demonstrate the existence of a "phospholipid code" that identifies target membranes for defensin-mediated attack as part of a first line of defense across multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Kvansakul
- 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
| | - Christopher G Adda
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Amy A Baxter
- 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
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- 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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Tantong S, Pringsulaka O, Weerawanich K, Meeprasert A, Rungrotmongkol T, Sarnthima R, Roytrakul S, Sirikantaramas S. Two novel antimicrobial defensins from rice identified by gene coexpression network analyses. Peptides 2016; 84:7-16. [PMID: 27527801 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Defensins form an antimicrobial peptides (AMP) family, and have been widely studied in various plants because of their considerable inhibitory functions. However, their roles in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have not been characterized, even though rice is one of the most important staple crops that is susceptible to damaging infections. Additionally, a previous study identified 598 rice genes encoding cysteine-rich peptides, suggesting there are several uncharacterized AMPs in rice. We performed in silico gene expression and coexpression network analyses of all genes encoding defensin and defensin-like peptides, and determined that OsDEF7 and OsDEF8 are coexpressed with pathogen-responsive genes. Recombinant OsDEF7 and OsDEF8 could form homodimers. They inhibited the growth of the bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, X. oryzae pv. oryzicola, and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.6 to 63μg/mL. However, these OsDEFs are weakly active against the phytopathogenic fungi Helminthosporium oryzae and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. This study describes a useful method for identifying potential plant AMPs with biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supaluk Tantong
- Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Onanong Pringsulaka
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
| | - Kamonwan Weerawanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Arthitaya Meeprasert
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Rakrudee Sarnthima
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44150, Thailand.
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Supaart Sirikantaramas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Omics Sciences and Bioinformatics Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Bleackley MR, Payne JAE, Hayes BME, Durek T, Craik DJ, Shafee TMA, Poon IKH, Hulett MD, van der Weerden NL, Anderson MA. Nicotiana alata Defensin Chimeras Reveal Differences in the Mechanism of Fungal and Tumor Cell Killing and an Enhanced Antifungal Variant. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6302-12. [PMID: 27503651 PMCID: PMC5038239 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01479-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The plant defensin NaD1 is a potent antifungal molecule that also targets tumor cells with a high efficiency. We examined the features of NaD1 that contribute to these two activities by producing a series of chimeras with NaD2, a defensin that has relatively poor activity against fungi and no activity against tumor cells. All plant defensins have a common tertiary structure known as a cysteine-stabilized α-β motif which consists of an α helix and a triple-stranded β-sheet stabilized by four disulfide bonds. The chimeras were produced by replacing loops 1 to 7, the sequences between each of the conserved cysteine residues on NaD1, with the corresponding loops from NaD2. The loop 5 swap replaced the sequence motif (SKILRR) that mediates tight binding with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and is essential for the potent cytotoxic effect of NaD1 on tumor cells. Consistent with previous reports, there was a strong correlation between PI(4,5)P2 binding and the tumor cell killing activity of all of the chimeras. However, this correlation did not extend to antifungal activity. Some of the loop swap chimeras were efficient antifungal molecules, even though they bound poorly to PI(4,5)P2, suggesting that additional mechanisms operate against fungal cells. Unexpectedly, the loop 1B swap chimera was 10 times more active than NaD1 against filamentous fungi. This led to the conclusion that defensin loops have evolved as modular components that combine to make antifungal molecules with variable mechanisms of action and that artificial combinations of loops can increase antifungal activity compared to that of the natural variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A E Payne
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brigitte M E Hayes
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Shafee TMA, Lay FT, Hulett MD, Anderson MA. The Defensins Consist of Two Independent, Convergent Protein Superfamilies. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:2345-56. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Rautenbach M, Troskie AM, Vosloo JA. Antifungal peptides: To be or not to be membrane active. Biochimie 2016; 130:132-145. [PMID: 27234616 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most antifungal peptides (AFPs), if not all, have membrane activity, while some also have alternative targets. Fungal membranes share many characteristics with mammalian membranes with only a few differences, such as differences in sphingolipids, phosphatidylinositol (PI) content and the main sterol is ergosterol. Fungal membranes are also more negative and a better target for cationic AFPs. Targeting just the fungal membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol and/or ergosterol by AFPs often translates into mammalian cell toxicity. Conversely, a specific AFP target in the fungal pathogen, such as glucosylceramide, mannosyldiinositol phosphorylceramide or a fungal protein target translates into high pathogen selectivity. However, a lower target concentration, absence or change in the specific fungal target can naturally lead to resistance, although such resistance in turn could result in reduced pathogen virulence. The question is then to be or not to be membrane active - what is the best choice for a successful AFP? In this review we deliberate on this question by focusing on the recent advances in our knowledge on how natural AFPs target fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rautenbach
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Anscha M Troskie
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - J Arnold Vosloo
- BIOPEP Peptide Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
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39
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Monitoring the progression of cell death and the disassembly of dying cells by flow cytometry. Nat Protoc 2016; 11:655-63. [PMID: 26938116 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2016.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The use of annexin A5 (A5) and either propidium iodide or 7-aminoactinomycin D (PI/7-AAD) stains to measure cell death by flow cytometry has been considered the gold standard by most investigators. However, this widely used method often makes the assumption that there are only three types of particles in a sample: viable, apoptotic and necrotic cells. To study the progression of cell death in greater detail, in particular how apoptotic cells undergo fragmentation to generate membrane-bound vesicles known as apoptotic bodies, we established a flow cytometry-based protocol to accurately and rapidly measure the cell death process. This protocol uses a combination of A5 and TO-PRO-3 (a commercially available nucleic acid-binding dye that stains early apoptotic and necrotic cells differentially), and a logical seven-stage analytical approach to distinguish six types of particles in a sample, including apoptotic bodies and cells at three different stages of cell death. The protocol requires 1-5 h for sample preparation (including induction of cell death), 20 min for staining and 5 min for data analysis.
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40
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Ermakova EA, Faizullin DA, Idiyatullin BZ, Khairutdinov BI, Mukhamedova LN, Tarasova NB, Toporkova YY, Osipova EV, Kovaleva V, Gogolev YV, Zuev YF, Nesmelova IV. Structure of Scots pine defensin 1 by spectroscopic methods and computational modeling. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 84:142-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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41
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Petersen A, Kull S, Rennert S, Becker WM, Krause S, Ernst M, Gutsmann T, Bauer J, Lindner B, Jappe U. Peanut defensins: Novel allergens isolated from lipophilic peanut extract. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 136:1295-301.e1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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42
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The phospholipid code: a key component of dying cell recognition, tumor progression and host-microbe interactions. Cell Death Differ 2015; 22:1893-905. [PMID: 26450453 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant effort is made by the cell to maintain certain phospholipids at specific sites. It is well described that proteins involved in intracellular signaling can be targeted to the plasma membrane and organelles through phospholipid-binding domains. Thus, the accumulation of a specific combination of phospholipids, denoted here as the 'phospholipid code', is key in initiating cellular processes. Interestingly, a variety of extracellular proteins and pathogen-derived proteins can also recognize or modify phospholipids to facilitate the recognition of dying cells, tumorigenesis and host-microbe interactions. In this article, we discuss the importance of the phospholipid code in a range of physiological and pathological processes.
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Dias RDO, Franco OL. Cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins: From a common fold to antibacterial activity. Peptides 2015; 72:64-72. [PMID: 25929172 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem to be promising alternatives to common antibiotics, which are facing increasing bacterial resistance. Among them are the cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins. These peptides are small, with a length ranging from 34 to 54 amino acid residues, cysteine-rich and extremely stable, normally composed of an α-helix and three β-strands stabilized by three or four disulfide bonds and commonly found in several organisms. Moreover, animal and plant CSαβ defensins present different specificities, the first being mainly active against bacteria and the second against fungi. The role of the CSαβ-motif remains unknown, but a common antibacterial mechanism of action, based on the inhibition of the cell-wall formation, has already been observed in some fungal and invertebrate defensins. In this context, the present work aims to group the data about CSαβ defensins, highlighting their evolution, conservation, structural characteristics, antibacterial activity and biotechnological perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata de Oliveira Dias
- S-Inova, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, 70719-100 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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The Tomato Defensin TPP3 Binds Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-Bisphosphate via a Conserved Dimeric Cationic Grip Conformation To Mediate Cell Lysis. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:1964-78. [PMID: 25802281 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00282-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins are a class of ubiquitously expressed cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) that play an important role in innate defense. Plant defensins are active against a broad range of microbial pathogens and act via multiple mechanisms, including cell membrane permeabilization. The cytolytic activity of defensins has been proposed to involve interaction with specific lipid components in the target cell wall or membrane and defensin oligomerization. Indeed, the defensin Nicotiana alata defensin 1 (NaD1) binds to a broad range of membrane phosphatidylinositol phosphates and forms an oligomeric complex with phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) that facilitates membrane lysis of both mammalian tumor and fungal cells. Here, we report that the tomato defensin TPP3 has a unique lipid binding profile that is specific for PIP2 with which it forms an oligomeric complex that is critical for cytolytic activity. Structural characterization of TPP3 by X-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that it forms a dimer in a "cationic grip" conformation that specifically accommodates the head group of PIP2 to mediate cooperative higher-order oligomerization and subsequent membrane permeabilization. These findings suggest that certain plant defensins are innate immune receptors for phospholipids and adopt conserved dimeric configurations to mediate PIP2 binding and membrane permeabilization. This mechanism of innate defense may be conserved across defensins from different species.
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Wang C, Shen M, Gohain N, Tolbert WD, Chen F, Zhang N, Yang K, Wang A, Su Y, Cheng T, Zhao J, Pazgier M, Wang J. Design of a potent antibiotic peptide based on the active region of human defensin 5. J Med Chem 2015; 58:3083-93. [PMID: 25782105 DOI: 10.1021/jm501824a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Human defensin 5 (HD5) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide with a C-terminal active region. To promote the development of this peptide into an antibiotic, we initially substituted Glu21 with Arg because it is an electronegative residue located around the active region. Although detrimental to dimer formation, the E21R substitution markedly enhanced the antibacterial activity of HD5 and increased its ability to penetrate cell membranes, demonstrating that increasing the electropositive charge compensated for the effect of dimer disruption. Subsequently, a partial Arg scanning mutagenesis was performed, and Thr7 was selected for replacement with Arg to further strengthen the antibacterial activity. The newly designed peptide, T7E21R-HD5, exhibited potent antibacterial activity, even in saline and serum solutions. In contrast to monomeric E21R-HD5, T7E21R-HD5 assembled into an atypical dimer with parallel β strands, thus expanding the role of increasing electropositive charge in bactericidal activity and providing a useful guide for further defensin-derived antibiotic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mingqiang Shen
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Neelakshi Gohain
- ‡Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - William D Tolbert
- ‡Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Fang Chen
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Naixin Zhang
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ke Yang
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.,§Department of Nephrology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Aiping Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yongping Su
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Tianmin Cheng
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jinghong Zhao
- §Department of Nephrology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- ‡Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Junping Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
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Meindre F, Lelièvre D, Loth K, Mith O, Aucagne V, Berthomieu P, Marquès L, Delmas AF, Landon C, Paquet F. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Structure of the Synthetic AhPDF1.1b Plant Defensin Evidences the Structural Feature within the γ-Motif. Biochemistry 2014; 53:7745-54. [DOI: 10.1021/bi501285k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Meindre
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Dominique Lelièvre
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Karine Loth
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Oriane Mith
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Vincent Aucagne
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Pierre Berthomieu
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Laurence Marquès
- Laboratoire de Biochimie & Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA/SupAgro, 2 Place P. Viala, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Agnès F. Delmas
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Céline Landon
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre
de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Rue Charles
Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
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47
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Vriens K, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: mechanisms of action and production. Molecules 2014; 19:12280-303. [PMID: 25153857 PMCID: PMC6271847 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190812280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides that possess biological activity towards a broad range of organisms. Their activity is primarily directed against fungi, but bactericidal and insecticidal actions have also been reported. The mode of action of various antifungal plant defensins has been studied extensively during the last decades and several of their fungal targets have been identified to date. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of well-characterized antifungal plant defensins, including RsAFP2, MsDef1, MtDef4, NaD1 and Psd1, and points out the variety by which antifungal plant defensins affect microbial cell viability. Furthermore, this review summarizes production routes for plant defensins, either via heterologous expression or chemical synthesis. As plant defensins are generally considered non-toxic for plant and mammalian cells, they are regarded as attractive candidates for further development into novel antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium.
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
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Porto WF, Fensterseifer GM, Franco OL. In silico identification, structural characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of MdesDEF-2: a novel defensin from the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor. J Mol Model 2014; 20:2339. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-014-2339-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Lacerda AF, Vasconcelos EAR, Pelegrini PB, Grossi de Sa MF. Antifungal defensins and their role in plant defense. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:116. [PMID: 24765086 PMCID: PMC3980092 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the 90s lots of cationic plant, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have been studied. However, Broekaert et al. (1995) only coined the term “plant defensin,” after comparison of a new class of plant antifungal peptides with known insect defensins. From there, many plant defensins have been reported and studies on this class of peptides encompass its activity toward microorganisms and molecular features of the mechanism of action against bacteria and fungi. Plant defensins also have been tested as biotechnological tools to improve crop production through fungi resistance generation in organisms genetically modified (OGM). Its low effective concentration towards fungi, ranging from 0.1 to 10 μM and its safety to mammals and birds makes them a better choice, in place of chemicals, to control fungi infection on crop fields. Herein, is a review of the history of plant defensins since their discovery at the beginning of 90s, following the advances on its structure conformation and mechanism of action towards microorganisms is reported. This review also points out some important topics, including: (i) the most studied plant defensins and their fungal targets; (ii) the molecular features of plant defensins and their relation with antifungal activity; (iii) the possibility of using plant defensin(s) genes to generate fungi resistant GM crops and biofungicides; and (iv) a brief discussion about the absence of products in the market containing plant antifungal defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane F Lacerda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil ; Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, Embrapa - Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Brasília, Brazil
| | - Erico A R Vasconcelos
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, Embrapa - Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Brasília, Brazil ; Catholic University of Brasilia Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Maria F Grossi de Sa
- Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory, Embrapa - Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Brasília, Brazil ; Catholic University of Brasilia Brasília, Brazil
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50
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Gaspar YM, McKenna JA, McGinness BS, Hinch J, Poon S, Connelly AA, Anderson MA, Heath RL. Field resistance to Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae in transgenic cotton expressing the plant defensin NaD1. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2014; 65:1541-50. [PMID: 24502957 PMCID: PMC3967090 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The plant defensin NaD1, from Nicotiana alata, has potent antifungal activity against a range of filamentous fungi including the two important cotton pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) and Verticillium dahliae. Transgenic cotton plants expressing NaD1 were produced and plants from three events were selected for further characterization. Homozygous plants were assessed in greenhouse bioassays for resistance to Fov. One line (D1) was selected for field trial testing over three growing seasons in soils naturally infested with Fov and over two seasons in soils naturally infested with V. dahliae. In the field trials with Fov-infested soil, line D1 had 2-3-times the survival rate, a higher tolerance to Fov (higher disease rank), and a 2-4-fold increase in lint yield compared to the non-transgenic Coker control. When transgenic line D1 was planted in V. dahliae-infested soil, plants had a higher tolerance to Verticillium wilt and up to a 2-fold increase in lint yield compared to the non-transgenic Coker control. Line D1 did not exhibit any detrimental agronomic features compared to the parent Coker control when plants were grown in non-diseased soil. This study demonstrated that the expression of NaD1 in transgenic cotton plants can provide substantial resistance to two economically important fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda M. Gaspar
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Hexima Limited, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Hexima Limited, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Bruce S. McGinness
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jillian Hinch
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Hexima Limited, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Angela A. Connelly
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- Hexima Limited, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Robyn L. Heath
- Hexima Limited, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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