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Liao F, Ye Z, Cheng J, Zhu J, Chen X, Zhou X, Wang T, Jiang Y, Ma C, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. Discovery and engineering of a novel peptide, Temporin-WY2, with enhanced in vitro and in vivo efficacy against multi-drug resistant bacteria. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18769. [PMID: 39138237 PMCID: PMC11322164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67777-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections by drug-resistant microorganisms are a threat to global health and antimicrobial peptides are considered to be a new hope for their treatment. Temporin-WY2 was identified from the cutaneous secretion of the Ranidae frog, Amolops wuyiensis. It presented with a potent anti-Gram-positive bacterial efficacy, but its activity against Gram-negative bacteria and cancer cell lines was unremarkable. Also, it produced a relatively high lytic effect on horse erythrocytes. For further improvement of its functions, a perfect amphipathic analogue, QUB-1426, and two lysine-clustered analogues, 6K-WY2 and 6K-1426, were synthesised and investigated. The modified peptides were found to be between 8- and 64-fold more potent against Gram-negative bacteria than the original peptide. Additionally, the 6K analogues showed a rapid killing rate. Also, their antiproliferation activities were more than 100-fold more potent than the parent peptide. All of the peptides that were examined demonstrated considerable biofilm inhibition activity. Moreover, QUB-1426, 6K-WY2 and 6K-1426, demonstrated in vivo antimicrobial activity against MRSA and E. coli in an insect larvae model. Despite observing a slight increase in the hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity of the modified peptides, they still demonstrated a improved therapeutic index. Overall, QUB-1426, 6K-WY2 and 6K-1426, with dual antimicrobial and anticancer functions, are proposed as putative drug candidates for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengting Liao
- School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, 526061, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, ShaoGuan University, Shaoguan, China
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Zhuming Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, ShaoGuan University, Shaoguan, China
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Jinsheng Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, ShaoGuan University, Shaoguan, China
| | - Jianhua Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, ShaoGuan University, Shaoguan, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Xiaowei Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, ShaoGuan University, Shaoguan, China.
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Tao Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Yangyang Jiang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
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Dimitrova D, Nemska V, Foteva T, Iliev I, Georgieva N, Danalev D. Synthesis and Biological Studies of New Temporin A Analogs Containing Unnatural Amino Acids in Position 7. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:716. [PMID: 38931840 PMCID: PMC11207040 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060716] [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] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Antimicrobial resistance is growing at an extreme pace and has proven to be an urgent topic, for research into alternative treatments. Such a prospective possibility is hidden in antimicrobial peptides because of their low to no toxicity, effectiveness at low concentrations, and most importantly their ability to be used for multiple treatments. This work was focused on the study of the effect of the modification in position 7 of Temporin A on its biological activity; (2) Methods: The targeted peptides were synthesized using Fmoc/Ot-Bu SPPS. The antibacterial activity of the analogs was determined using the broth microdilution method and disk-diffusion method. In vitro tests were performed to determine the cytotoxicity, phototoxicity, and antiproliferative activity of the peptide analogs on a panel of tumor and normal cell lines; (3) Results: All analogs except DTCit showed good antibacterial activity, with DTDab having the best activity according to the disk-diffusion method. However, DTCit had an acceptable cytotoxicity, combined with good selectivity against the test MCF-7 cell line; (4) Conclusions: The obtained results revealed the importance of the basicity and length of the side chain at position 7 in the Temporin A sequence for both tested activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilyana Dimitrova
- Biotechnology Department, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.D.); (V.N.); (T.F.); (N.G.)
| | - Veronica Nemska
- Biotechnology Department, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.D.); (V.N.); (T.F.); (N.G.)
| | - Tsvetelina Foteva
- Biotechnology Department, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.D.); (V.N.); (T.F.); (N.G.)
| | - Ivan Iliev
- Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 25, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Nelly Georgieva
- Biotechnology Department, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.D.); (V.N.); (T.F.); (N.G.)
| | - Dancho Danalev
- Biotechnology Department, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.D.); (V.N.); (T.F.); (N.G.)
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3
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Mangoni ML, Loffredo MR, Casciaro B, Ferrera L, Cappiello F. An Overview of Frog Skin-Derived Esc Peptides: Promising Multifunctional Weapons against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Pulmonary and Ocular Surface Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4400. [PMID: 38673985 PMCID: PMC11049899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic harming human health, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterium responsible for chronic pulmonary and eye infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. In this review, the in vitro/in vivo activities of the frog skin-derived AMP Esc(1-21) are shown. Esc(1-21) rapidly kills both the planktonic and sessile forms of P. aeruginosa and stimulates migration of epithelial cells, likely favoring repair of damaged tissue. However, to undertake preclinical studies, some drawbacks of AMPs (cytotoxicity, poor biostability, and limited delivery to the target site) must be overcome. For this purpose, the stereochemistry of two amino acids of Esc(1-21) was changed to obtain the diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c, which is more stable, less cytotoxic, and more efficient in treating P. aeruginosa-induced lung and cornea infections in mouse models. Incorporation of these peptides (Esc peptides) into nanoparticles or immobilization to a medical device (contact lens) was revealed to be an effective strategy to ameliorate and/or to prolong the peptides' antimicrobial efficacy. Overall, these data make Esc peptides encouraging candidates for novel multifunctional drugs to treat lung pathology especially in patients with cystic fibrosis and eye dysfunctions, characterized by both tissue injury and bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
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Bellavita R, Falanga A, Merlino F, D'Auria G, Molfetta N, Saviano A, Maione F, Galdiero U, Catania MR, Galdiero S, Grieco P, Roscetto E, Falcigno L, Buommino E. Unveiling the mechanism of action of acylated temporin L analogues against multidrug-resistant Candida albicans. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:36-50. [PMID: 36305289 PMCID: PMC9621209 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2134359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance of fungi to conventional antifungal drugs has prompted worldwide the search for new compounds. In this work, we investigated the antifungal properties of acylated Temporin L derivatives, Pent-1B and Dec-1B, against Candida albicans, including the multidrug-resistant strains. Acylated peptides resulted to be active both on reference and clinical strains with MIC values ranging from 6.5 to 26 µM, and they did not show cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes. In addition, we also observed a synergistic or additive effect with voriconazole for peptides Dec-1B and Pent-1B through the checkerboard assay on voriconazole-resistant Candida strains. Moreover, fluorescence-based assays, NMR spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy elucidated a potential membrane-active mechanism, consisting of an initial electrostatic interaction of acylated peptides with fungal membrane, followed by aggregation and insertion into the lipid bilayer and causing membrane perturbation probably through a carpeting effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Auria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Molfetta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Anella Saviano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Maione
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Galdiero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Catania
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Roscetto
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Falcigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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5
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Samgina TY, Vasileva ID, Trebše P, Torkar G, Surin AK, Meng Z, Zubarev RA, Lebedev AT. Tandem Mass Spectrometry de novo Sequencing of the Skin Defense Peptides of the Central Slovenian Agile Frog Rana dalmatina. Molecules 2023; 28:7118. [PMID: 37894596 PMCID: PMC10608968 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides released on frogs' skin in a stress situation represent their only weapon against micro-organisms and predators. Every species and even population of frog possesses its own peptidome being appropriate for their habitat. Skin peptides are considered potential pharmaceuticals, while the whole peptidome may be treated as a taxonomic characteristic of each particular population. Continuing the studies on frog peptides, here we report the peptidome composition of the Central Slovenian agile frog Rana dalmatina population. The detection and top-down de novo sequencing of the corresponding peptides was conducted exclusively by tandem mass spectrometry without using any chemical derivatization procedures. Collision-induced dissociation (CID), higher energy collision-induced dissociation (HCD), electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and combined MS3 method EThcD with stepwise increase of HCD energy were used for that purpose. MS/MS revealed the whole sequence of the detected peptides including differentiation between isomeric Leu/Ile, and the sequence portion hidden in the disulfide cycle. The array of the discovered peptide families (brevinins 1 and 2, melittin-related peptides (MRPs), temporins and bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs)) is quite similar to that of R. temporaria. Since the genome of this frog remains unknown, the obtained results were compared with the recently published transcriptome of R. dalmatina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Yu. Samgina
- Department of Materials Science, MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 517182, China
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Irina D. Vasileva
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Polonca Trebše
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana Zdravstvena Pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Gregor Torkar
- Department for Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics, University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education, Kardeljeva Ploščad 16, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Alexey K. Surin
- Pushchino Branch, Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki 6, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Biometry, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (Z.M.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Roman A. Zubarev
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Biometry, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (Z.M.); (R.A.Z.)
- The National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, 115478 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Albert T. Lebedev
- Department of Materials Science, MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 517182, China
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
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6
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Fodor A, Hess C, Ganas P, Boros Z, Kiss J, Makrai L, Dublecz K, Pál L, Fodor L, Sebestyén A, Klein MG, Tarasco E, Kulkarni MM, McGwire BS, Vellai T, Hess M. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) in the Cell-Free Culture Media of Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii Exert Anti-Protist Activity against Eukaryotic Vertebrate Pathogens including Histomonas meleagridis and Leishmania donovani Species. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1462. [PMID: 37760758 PMCID: PMC10525888 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091462] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-microbial peptides provide a powerful toolkit for combating multidrug resistance. Combating eukaryotic pathogens is complicated because the intracellular drug targets in the eukaryotic pathogen are frequently homologs of cellular structures of vital importance in the host organism. The entomopathogenic bacteria (EPB), symbionts of entomopathogenic-nematode species, release a series of non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides. Some may be potential drug candidates. The ability of an entomopathogenic-nematode/entomopathogenic bacterium symbiotic complex to survive in a given polyxenic milieu is a coevolutionary product. This explains that those gene complexes that are responsible for the biosynthesis of different non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial protective peptides (including those that are potently capable of inactivating the protist mammalian pathogen Leishmania donovanii and the gallinaceous bird pathogen Histomonas meleagridis) are co-regulated. Our approach is based on comparative anti-microbial bioassays of the culture media of the wild-type and regulatory mutant strains. We concluded that Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii are excellent sources of non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides that are efficient antagonists of the mentioned pathogens. Data on selective cytotoxicity of different cell-free culture media encourage us to forecast that the recently discovered "easy-PACId" research strategy is suitable for constructing entomopathogenic-bacterium (EPB) strains producing and releasing single, harmless, non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides with considerable drug, (probiotic)-candidate potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Fodor
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter. sétány 1C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.B.); (T.V.)
| | - Claudia Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.H.); (P.G.)
| | - Petra Ganas
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.H.); (P.G.)
| | - Zsófia Boros
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter. sétány 1C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.B.); (T.V.)
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Applied Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly utca 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary;
| | - János Kiss
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Applied Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly utca 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary;
| | | | - Károly Dublecz
- Institute of Physiology and Nutrition, Georgikon Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Deák Ferenc utca 16, H-8360 Keszthely, Hungary; (K.D.); (L.P.)
| | - László Pál
- Institute of Physiology and Nutrition, Georgikon Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Deák Ferenc utca 16, H-8360 Keszthely, Hungary; (K.D.); (L.P.)
| | - László Fodor
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Anna Sebestyén
- First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Michael G. Klein
- USDA-ARS & Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 13416 Claremont Ave, Cleveland, OH 44130, USA;
| | - Eustachio Tarasco
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Manjusha M. Kulkarni
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.M.K.); (B.S.M.)
| | - Bradford S. McGwire
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.M.K.); (B.S.M.)
| | - Tibor Vellai
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter. sétány 1C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.B.); (T.V.)
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.H.); (P.G.)
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7
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Li J, Liang Y, Su M, Wu J, Chai J, Xiong W, Mo G, Chen X, Xu X. Characterization of a novel LTA/LPS-binding antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory temporin peptide from the skin of Fejervary limnocharis (Anura: Ranidae). Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115471. [PMID: 36893813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115471] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Septic shock caused by Gram-positive bacteria continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units globally. Most Temporins are excellent growth inhibitors of gram-positive bacteria and candidates for developing antimicrobial treatments due to their biological action and small molecular weight. In this study, a novel Temporin peptide from the skin of Fejervarya limnocharis frog, named as Temporin-FL, was characterized. Temporin-FL was found to adopt typical α-helical conformation in SDS solution and to exhibit selective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria through a membrane destruction mechanism. Accordingly, Temporin-FL showed protective effects against Staphylococcus aureus-induced sepsis in mice. Finally, Temporin-FL was demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory effects by neutralizing the action of LPS/LTA and by inhibiting MAPK pathway activation. Therefore, Temporin-FL represents a novel candidate for moleculartherapy of Gram-positive bacterial sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiao Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Minhong Su
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Jiena Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Weichen Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guoxiang Mo
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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8
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Freitas GGD, Barbosa JM, Santana CJCD, Magalhães ACM, Macedo KWR, Souza JOD, Castro JSD, Vasconcelos IAD, Souza AA, Freitas SMD, Báo SN, Costa SR, Brand GD, Chaves IDM, Costa VV, Fontes W, Pires Júnior OR, Castro MS. Purification and Biological Properties of Raniseptins-3 and -6, Two Antimicrobial Peptides from Boana raniceps (Cope, 1862) Skin Secretion. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030576. [PMID: 36979510 PMCID: PMC10046390 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of multidrug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms has been growing in recent years, most of which is due to the inappropriate use of the commercial antibiotics that are currently available. The dissemination of antimicrobial resistance represents a serious global public health problem. Thus, it is necessary to search for and develop new drugs that can act as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial peptides are a promising alternative for the development of new therapeutic drugs. Anurans' skin glands are a rich source of broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds and hylids, a large and diverse family of tree frogs, are known as an important source of antimicrobial peptides. In the present study, two novel antimicrobial peptides, named Raniseptins-3 and -6, were isolated from Boana raniceps skin secretion and their structural and biological properties were evaluated. Raniseptins-3 and -6 are cationic, rich in hydrophobic residues, and adopt an α-helix conformation in the presence of SDS (35 mM). Both peptides are active against Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive pathogens, with low hemolytic activity at therapeutic concentrations. No activity was observed for yeasts, but the peptides are highly cytotoxic against B16F10 murine melanoma cells and NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. None of the tested compounds showed improvement trends in the MTT and LDH parameters of MHV-3 infected cells at the concentrations tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Gonçalves de Freitas
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - João Martins Barbosa
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Carlos José Correia de Santana
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Martins Magalhães
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Keven Wender Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Oliveira de Souza
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Jessica Schneider de Castro
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Isadora Alves de Vasconcelos
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Amanda Araújo Souza
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil
| | - Sonia Maria de Freitas
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Sônia Nair Báo
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Samuel Ribeiro Costa
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Analysis of Biomolecules, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Dotto Brand
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Analysis of Biomolecules, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Ian de Meira Chaves
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Wagner Fontes
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Júnior
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Mariana S Castro
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70.910-900, DF, Brazil
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9
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Punginelli D, Catania V, Abruscato G, Luparello C, Vazzana M, Mauro M, Cunsolo V, Saletti R, Di Francesco A, Arizza V, Schillaci D. New Bioactive Peptides from the Mediterranean Seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile and Their Impact on Antimicrobial Activity and Apoptosis of Human Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5650. [PMID: 36982723 PMCID: PMC10056643 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand for new molecules to counter bacterial resistance to antibiotics and tumor cell resistance is increasingly pressing. The Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica is considered a promising source of new bioactive molecules. Polypeptide-enriched fractions of rhizomes and green leaves of the seagrass were tested against Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), as well as towards the yeast Candida albicans. The aforementioned extracts showed indicative MIC values, ranging from 1.61 μg/mL to 7.5 μg/mL, against the selected pathogens. Peptide fractions were further analyzed through a high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search, which identified nine novel peptides. Some discovered peptides and their derivatives were chemically synthesized and tested in vitro. The assays identified two synthetic peptides, derived from green leaves and rhizomes of P. oceanica, which revealed interesting antibiofilm activity towards S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa (BIC50 equal to 17.7 μg/mL and 70.7 μg/mL). In addition, the natural and derivative peptides were also tested for potential cytotoxic and apoptosis-promoting effects on HepG2 cells, derived from human hepatocellular carcinomas. One natural and two synthetic peptides were proven to be effective against the "in vitro" liver cancer cell model. These novel peptides could be considered a good chemical platform for developing potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Punginelli
- Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Catania
- Department of Earth and Sea Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Abruscato
- Section of Cell Biology, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Luparello
- Section of Cell Biology, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Section of Animal Biology and Anthropology, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Section of Animal Biology and Anthropology, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cunsolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosaria Saletti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Francesco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Section of Animal Biology and Anthropology, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Schillaci
- Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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10
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Temporins: Multifunctional Peptides from Frog Skin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065426. [PMID: 36982501 PMCID: PMC10049141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporins are short peptides secreted by frogs from all over the world. They exert antimicrobial activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant pathogens; recent studies highlight other possible applications of these peptides as anticancer or antiviral agents. This review is meant to describe the main features of temporins produced by different ranid genera. Due to the abundance of published papers, we focus on the most widely investigated peptides. We report studies on their mechanism of action and three-dimensional structure in model systems mimicking bacterial membranes or in the presence of cells. The design and the antimicrobial activity of peptide analogues is also described, with the aim of highlighting elements that are crucial to improve the bioactivity of peptides while reducing their toxicity. Finally, a short section is dedicated to the studies aimed at applying these peptides as drugs, to produce new antimicrobial materials or in other technological uses.
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11
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Bellavita R, Leone L, Maione A, Falcigno L, D'Auria G, Merlino F, Grieco P, Nastri F, Galdiero E, Lombardi A, Galdiero S, Falanga A. Synthesis of temporin L hydroxamate-based peptides and evaluation of their coordination properties with iron(III ). Dalton Trans 2023; 52:3954-3963. [PMID: 36744636 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt04099a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Ferric iron is an essential nutrient for bacterial growth. Pathogenic bacteria synthesize iron-chelating entities known as siderophores to sequestrate ferric iron from host organisms in order to colonize and replicate. The development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) conjugated to iron chelators represents a promising strategy for reducing the iron availability, inducing bacterial death, and enhancing simultaneously the efficacy of AMPs. Here we designed, synthesized, and characterized three hydroxamate-based peptides Pep-cyc1, Pep-cyc2, and Pep-cyc3, derived from a cyclic temporin L peptide (Pep-cyc) developed previously by some of us. The Fe3+ complex formation of each ligand was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR and NMR spectroscopies. In addition, the effect of Fe3+ on the stabilization of the α-helix conformation of hydroxamate-based peptides and the cotton effect were examined by CD spectroscopy. Moreover, the antimicrobial results obtained in vitro on some Gram-negative strains (K. pneumoniae and E. coli) showed the ability of each peptide to chelate efficaciously Fe3+ obtaining a reduction of MIC values in comparison to their parent peptide Pep-cyc. Our results demonstrated that siderophore conjugation could increase the efficacy and selectivity of AMPs used for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Linda Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Falcigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella D'Auria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Flavia Nastri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy.
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12
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Silva PSE, Guindo AS, Oliveira PHC, de Moraes LFRN, Boleti APDA, Ferreira MA, de Oliveira CFR, Macedo MLR, Rossato L, Simionatto S, Migliolo L. Evaluation of the Synthetic Multifunctional Peptide Hp-MAP3 Derivative of Temporin-PTa. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:42. [PMID: 36668862 PMCID: PMC9866994 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, antimicrobial peptides isolated from amphibian toxins have gained attention as new multifunctional drugs interacting with different molecular targets. We aimed to rationally design a new peptide from temporin-PTa. Hp-MAP3 (NH2-LLKKVLALLKKVL-COOH), net charge (+4), hydrophobicity (0.69), the content of hydrophobic residues (69%), and hydrophobic moment (0.73). For the construction of the analog peptide, the physicochemical characteristics were reorganized into hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues with the addition of lysines and leucines. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 2.7 to 43 μM against the growth of Gram-negative and positive bacteria, and the potential for biofilm eradication was 173.2 μM. Within 20 min, the peptide Hp-MAP3 (10.8 μM) prompted 100% of the damage to E. coli cells. At 43.3 μM, eliminated 100% of S. aureus within 5 min. The effects against yeast species of the Candida genus ranged from 5.4 to 86.6 μM. Hp-MAP3 presents cytotoxic activity against tumor HeLa at a concentration of 21.6 μM with an IC50 of 10.4 µM. Furthermore, the peptide showed hemolytic activity against murine erythrocytes. Structural studies carried out by circular dichroism showed that Hp-MAP3, while in the presence of 50% trifluoroethanol or SDS, an α-helix secondary structure. Finally, Amphipathic Hp-MAP3 building an important model for the design of new multifunctional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Souza e Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alexya Sandim Guindo
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Cardoso Oliveira
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula de Araújo Boleti
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio Ferreira
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luana Rossato
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados UFGD, Dourados 79825-070, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Simone Simionatto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados UFGD, Dourados 79825-070, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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13
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Zeng Z, Zhu J, Deng X, Chen H, Jin Y, Miclet E, Alezra V, Wan Y. Customized Reversible Stapling for Selective Delivery of Bioactive Peptides. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:23614-23621. [PMID: 36530144 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a new concept for reversible peptide stapling that involves macrocyclization between two amino groups and decyclization promoted via dual 1,4-elimination. Depending on the trigger moiety, this strategy could be employed to selectively deliver peptides to either intracellular or extracellular targets. As a proof of concept, a peptide inhibitor targeting a lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) was temporarily cyclized to enhance its stability and ability to cross the cell membrane. Once inside the cells, the biologically active linear peptide was released under reducing environment. Moreover, we have developed reversibly stapled peptides using antimicrobial peptides (RStAMPs) whose bioactive helical conformation can be temporarily destabilized by stapling the peptide backbone. The resulting helix-distorted RStAMPs are nontoxic and highly resistant to protease hydrolysis, while at the infection site, RStAMPs can be rapidly activated by the overproduced H2O2 through the dual 1,4-elimination. The latter restored the helical structure of the native peptide and its antimicrobial activity. This work illustrates a highly valuable macrocyclization strategy for the peptide community and should greatly benefit the field of peptide delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Zeng
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Jibao Zhu
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Deng
- Minist Educ, Key Lab Modern Preparat TCM, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Huanwen Chen
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Yi Jin
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Emeric Miclet
- Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, 4 Place Jussieu, Cedex 05, Paris 75252, France
| | - Valérie Alezra
- Laboratoire de Méthodologie, Synthèse et Molécules Thérapeutiques, ICMMO, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Yang Wan
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China
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14
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Punginelli D, Catania V, Vazzana M, Mauro M, Spinello A, Barone G, Barberi G, Fiorica C, Vitale M, Cunsolo V, Saletti R, Di Francesco A, Arizza V, Schillaci D. A Novel Peptide with Antifungal Activity from Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121792. [PMID: 36551449 PMCID: PMC9774249 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The defense system of freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii as a diversified source of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial properties was studied. Antimicrobial activity of two polypeptide-enriched extracts obtained from hemocytes and hemolymph of P. clarkii were assessed against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria and toward the yeast Candida albicans. The two peptide fractions showed interesting MIC values (ranging from 11 to 700 μg/mL) against all tested pathogens. Polypeptide-enriched extracts were further investigated using a high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search and 14 novel peptides were identified. Some peptides and their derivatives were chemically synthesized and tested in vitro against the bacterial and yeast pathogens. The analysis identified a synthetic derivative peptide, which showed an interesting antifungal (MIC and MFC equal to 31.2 μg/mL and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively) and antibiofilm (BIC50 equal to 23.2 μg/mL) activities against Candida albicans and a low toxicity in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Punginelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Catania
- Department of Earth and Sea Science (DISTEM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Barberi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Fiorica
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cunsolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosaria Saletti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Francesco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Schillaci
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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15
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Tolpina MD, Vasileva ID, Samgina TY. Modern Approaches in de novo Sequencing of Nontryptic Peptides of Ranid and Hylid Frogs by Means of Mass Spectrometry: A Review. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1061934822130081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Biabangard A, Asoodeh A, Jaafari MR, Mashreghi M. Study of FA12 peptide-modified PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) as an effective ligand to target Muc1 in mice bearing C26 colon carcinoma: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo study. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:1710-1724. [PMID: 36373415 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2147505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study tried to achieve active targeting of Muc1 in cancer; the surface of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD/Doxil®) was decorated with FA12 peptide. METHODS According to docking results, FA12 was selected for this study, among four different peptides. MD simulation was also conducted as an additional confirmation of the binding interaction between FA12 and Muc1. Liposomal formulations were prepared; 1HNMR and HPLC techniques were used to verify peptide conjugation to DSPE-PEG2000-COOH. Afterward, DSPE-PEG2000-FA12 was post-inserted into the PLD at 50, 100, 200, and 400 peptides per liposome. The size, zeta potential, release profile, cytotoxicity (IC50), and cell uptake (using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry) were evaluated. In vivo biodistribution and antitumor activities were studied on mice bearing C-26 colon carcinoma. RESULTS Cell uptake and cytotoxicity results revealed that PLD-100 (targeted PLD with 100 FA12 per liposome) could significantly enhance cellular binding. Furthermore, PLD-100 demonstrated higher antitumor efficacy, indicating more remarkable survival compared to PLD and other targeted PLDs. PLD-100 exhibited higher doxorubicin tumor accumulation compared to PLD. CONCLUSIONS FA12 peptide is a promising targeting ligand for PLD to treat cancers with a high level of Muc1 expression and merits further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Biabangard
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Asoodeh
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mashreghi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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17
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Ouyang X, Li B, Yang Y, Ba Z, Zhang J, Zhang T, Chang L, Zhang F, Zhang Y, Liu H, Gou S, Ni J. Improving the Antimicrobial Performance of Amphiphilic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Using Glutamic Acid Full-Scan and Positive Charge Compensation Strategies. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13833-13851. [PMID: 36148510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nonselective toxicity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) needs to be solved urgently for their application. Temporin-PE (T-PE, FLPIVAKLLSGLL-NH2), an AMP extracted from skin secretions of frogs, has high toxicity and specific antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. To improve the antimicrobial performance of T-PE, a series of T-PE analogues were designed and synthesized by glutamic acid full-scan, and then their key positions were replaced with lysine. Finally, E11K4K10, the highest therapeutic indicial AMP, was screened out. E11K4K10 was not easy to induce and produce drug-resistant bacteria when used alone, as well as it could also inhibit the development of the drug resistance of traditional antibiotics when it was used in combination with the traditional antibiotics. In addition, E11K4K10 had an excellent therapeutic effect on a mouse model of pulmonary bacterial infection. Taken together, this study provides a new approach for the further improvement of new antimicrobial peptides against the antimicrobial-resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Beibei Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Yinyin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Tianyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Linlin Chang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
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18
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Synthetic Amphipathic β-Sheet Temporin-Derived Peptide with Dual Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11101285. [PMID: 36289944 PMCID: PMC9598925 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin family is one of the largest among antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which act mainly by penetrating and disrupting the bacterial membranes. To further understand the relationship between the physical-chemical properties and their antimicrobial activity and selectivity, an analogue of Temporin L, [Nle1, dLeu9, dLys10]TL (Nle-Phe-Val-Pro-Trp-Phe-Lys-Phe-dLeu-dLys-Arg-Ile-Leu-CONH2) has been developed in the present work. The design strategy consisted of the addition of a norleucine residue at the N-terminus of the lead peptide sequence, [dLeu9, dLys10]TL, previously developed by our group. This modification promoted an increase of peptide hydrophobicity and, interestingly, more efficient activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, without affecting human keratinocytes and red blood cells survival compared to the lead peptide. Thus, this novel compound was subjected to biophysical studies, which showed that the peptide [Nle1, dLeu9, dLys10]TL is unstructured in water, while it adopts β-type conformation in liposomes mimicking bacterial membranes, in contrast to its lead peptide forming α-helical aggregates. After its aggregation in the bacterial membrane, [Nle1, dLeu9, dLys10]TL induced membrane destabilization and deformation. In addition, the increase of peptide hydrophobicity did not cause a loss of anti-inflammatory activity of the peptide [Nle1, dLeu9, dLys10]TL in comparison with its lead peptide. In this study, our results demonstrated that positive net charge, optimum hydrophobic−hydrophilic balance, and chain length remain the most important parameters to be addressed while designing small cationic AMPs.
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19
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Juretić D. Designed Multifunctional Peptides for Intracellular Targets. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091196. [PMID: 36139975 PMCID: PMC9495127 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature’s way for bioactive peptides is to provide them with several related functions and the ability to cooperate in performing their job. Natural cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), such as penetratins, inspired the design of multifunctional constructs with CPP ability. This review focuses on known and novel peptides that can easily reach intracellular targets with little or no toxicity to mammalian cells. All peptide candidates were evaluated and ranked according to the predictions of low toxicity to mammalian cells and broad-spectrum activity. The final set of the 20 best peptide candidates contains the peptides optimized for cell-penetrating, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity. Their predicted features are intrinsic disorder and the ability to acquire an amphipathic structure upon contact with membranes or nucleic acids. In conclusion, the review argues for exploring wide-spectrum multifunctionality for novel nontoxic hybrids with cell-penetrating peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davor Juretić
- Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
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20
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Samgina TY, Vasileva ID, Trebse P, Torkar G, Surin AK, Meng Z, Zubarev RA, Lebedev AT. Mass Spectrometry Differentiation between Rana arvalis Populations Based on Their Skin Peptidome Composition. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2022; 33:1480-1491. [PMID: 35820801 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.2c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Skin secretion of amphibians often represents the only weapon of these species against pathogens and predators. Peptides constitute the major portion of active molecules of that weapon and may be treated as potential pharmaceuticals for future generations. The first step of their efficient use involves establishing of their primary structure, i.e., sequencing. De novo sequencing by means of mass spectrometry was applied to Rana arvalis species, collected in the spring 2021 in Central Slovenia (vicinity of Ljubljana). HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS with Orbitrap instruments was used to establish the skin peptidome of these species and compare it with the earlier identified skin peptidome of the Moscow population of Rana arvalis. Application of CID, HCD, ETD, and EThcD enabled detecting and sequencing 18 peptides; five of them were novel and may be treated as possible biomarkers of the Ljubljana population of Rana arvalis. Interestingly, representatives of two peptide families (temporins and brevinins 2) were not found in the Moscow population. MS3 modes, first of all EThcD, demonstrated their great potential in the de novo sequencing, including extraction of the sequence information from the intact peptides with disulfide cycle (rana box) in their structure and differentiation of isomeric Leu/Ile residues. Thus, all six isomeric residues were reliably distinguished in the novel melittin-related peptide AK-23-1. In addition, another post-translational modification dealing with carbonylation of the N-terminal Gly of novel temporin AVa was established using the MS3 mode. The obtained results demonstrate the efficiency of the use of MS3 tools in proteomics/peptidomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Yu Samgina
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Organic Chemistry, Moscow 119991 Russia
| | - Irina D Vasileva
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Organic Chemistry, Moscow 119991 Russia
| | - Polonca Trebse
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
- MASSECO d.o.o. Erazmova 20, Postojna 6230, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Torkar
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education, Department for Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics, Kardeljeva ploščad 16, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
| | - Alexey K Surin
- Pushchino Branch, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki 6, Pushchino, Moscow 142290, Russia
| | - Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Biometry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177 Sweden
| | - Roman A Zubarev
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Biometry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177 Sweden
| | - Albert T Lebedev
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Organic Chemistry, Moscow 119991 Russia
- MASSECO d.o.o. Erazmova 20, Postojna 6230, Slovenia
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21
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Kara Ş, Kürekci C, Akcan M. Design and modification of frog skin peptide brevinin-1GHa with enhanced antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacterial strains. Amino Acids 2022; 54:1327-1336. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03189-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Souza E Silva P, Ferreira MA, de Moraes LFR, de Barros E, Preza SLE, Cardoso MH, Franco OL, Migliolo L. Synthetic peptides bioinspired in temporin-PTa with antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. Chem Biol Drug Des 2022; 100:51-63. [PMID: 35377553 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been reported in amphibian toxins, as temporin-PTa from Hylarana picturata. The amino acid distribution within a helical structure of AMPs favors the design of new bioactive peptides. Therefore, this work reports the rational design of two new synthetic peptides denominated Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 derived from temporin-PTa. These peptides present an amphipathic helix with positive charges of +4 and +5, hydrophobic moment (<µH>) of 0.66 and 0.72 and hydrophobicity (<H>) of 0.49 and 0.41, respectively. Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 displayed in vitro activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria from 2.8 to 92 µM, without presenting hemolytic effects. Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that the parent and designed temporin-like peptides lack structural stability in an aqueous solution. By contrast, α-helical structures were predicted in hydrophobic and anionic environments. Additionally, the peptides were simulated on mimetic membranes composed of anionic and neutral phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoylsn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG-anionic), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-lyco-3 phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE-neutral). When in contact with DPPG/DPPE (90:10) and DPPG/DPPE (50:50) temporin-PTa, Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 established interactions guided by hydrogen and saline bounds. Therefore, the findings described here reveal that the optimization of the amphipathic α-helical cationic peptides Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 enabled the generation of new synthetic antimicrobial agents to combat pathogenic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Souza E Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Elizângela de Barros
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Ciências Genômicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Ciências Genômicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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23
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D’Auria FD, Casciaro B, De Angelis M, Marcocci ME, Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Mangoni ML. Antifungal Activity of the Frog Skin Peptide Temporin G and Its Effect on Candida albicans Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116345. [PMID: 35683025 PMCID: PMC9181532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs is a widespread concern, and a search for new compounds, active against different species of fungi, is demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promises in this context. Here we investigated the activity of the frog skin AMP Temporin G (TG) against a panel of fungal strains, by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. TG resulted to be active against (i) Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC50 between 4 µM and 64 µM after 24 h of incubation; (ii) dermatophytes with MIC80 ranging from 4 to 32 µM, and (iii) Aspergillus strains with MIC80 of 128 µM. In addition, our tests revealed that TG reduced the metabolic activity of Candida albicans cells, with moderate membrane perturbation, as proven by XTT and Sytox Green assays, respectively. Furthermore, TG was found to be effective against some C. albicans virulence factors; indeed, at 64 µM it was able to inhibit ~90% of yeast-mycelial switching, strongly prevented biofilm formation, and led to a 50% reduction of metabolic activity in mature biofilm cells, and ~30-35% eradication of mature biofilm biomass. Even though further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge of the mechanisms of TG antifungal activity, our results suggest this AMP as an attractive lead compound for treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Diodata D’Auria
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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24
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Ferguson PM, Clarke M, Manzo G, Hind CK, Clifford M, Sutton JM, Lorenz CD, Phoenix DA, Mason AJ. Temporin B Forms Hetero-Oligomers with Temporin L, Modifies Its Membrane Activity, and Increases the Cooperativity of Its Antibacterial Pharmacodynamic Profile. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1029-1040. [PMID: 35609188 PMCID: PMC9178791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The pharmacodynamic
profile of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and
their in vivo synergy are two factors that are thought
to restrict resistance evolution and ensure their conservation. The
frog Rana temporaria secretes a family of closely
related AMPs, temporins A–L, as an effective chemical dermal
defense. The antibacterial potency of temporin L has been shown to
increase synergistically in combination with both temporins B and
A, but this is modest. Here we show that the less potent temporin
B enhances the cooperativity of the in vitro antibacterial
activity of the more potent temporin L against EMRSA-15 and that this
may be associated with an altered interaction with the bacterial plasma
membrane, a feature critical for the antibacterial activity of most
AMPs. Addition of buforin II, a histone H2A fragment, can further
increase the cooperativity. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate
temporins B and L readily form hetero-oligomers in models of Gram-positive
bacterial plasma membranes. Patch-clamp studies show transmembrane
ion conductance is triggered with lower amounts of both peptides and
more quickly when used in combination, but conductance is of a lower
amplitude and pores are smaller. Temporin B may therefore act by forming
temporin L/B hetero-oligomers that are more effective than temporin
L homo-oligomers at bacterial killing and/or by reducing the probability
of the latter forming until a threshold concentration is reached.
Exploration of the mechanism of synergy between AMPs isolated from
the same organism may therefore yield antibiotic combinations with
advantageous pharmacodynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Ferguson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Clarke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgia Manzo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte K Hind
- Technology Development Group, UKHSA, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Clifford
- Technology Development Group, UKHSA, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - J Mark Sutton
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.,Technology Development Group, UKHSA, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Christian D Lorenz
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - David A Phoenix
- School of Applied Science, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - A James Mason
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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25
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Four temporin-derived peptides exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against methicillin-resistant. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 54:350-360. [PMID: 35538042 PMCID: PMC9828137 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin-GHa (GHa) was cloned from , showing a weak antimicrobial activity. In order to improve its bactericidal efficacy, GHaR6R, GHaR7R, GHaR8R and GHaR9W were designed and synthesized. Compared to the parent peptide, the GHa-derived peptides show potent antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant (MRSA), which is the main pathogen with high morbidity and mortality that causes various infections in humans. These peptides exert bactericidal actions on MRSA by permeabilizing the cytoplasmic membranes and damaging membrane integrity. All of the four peptides exhibit excellent stability under harsh conditions, including extreme temperature and salts. Furthermore, they inhibit the formation of biofilm and eradicate mature biofilm of MRSA. The GHa-derived peptides decrease bacterial surface hydrophobicity, autoaggregation and polysaccharide intercellular adhesion synthesis in concentration-dependent manner. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis revealed that the peptides downregulate the expression of adhesion genes involved in biofilm formation. Except for GHaR7R, the other three peptides have low hemolytic toxicity against human erythrocytes. In the presence of human erythrocytes, GHaR7R, GHaR8R and GHaR9W interact with MRSA preferentially. GHaR6R, GHaR8R and GHaR9W show less toxicity toward normal cells HL-7702 and hFOB1.19. These results suggest that the GHa-derived peptides may be promising antimicrobial candidates against MRSA infections.
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26
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Bellavita R, Maione A, Merlino F, Siciliano A, Dardano P, De Stefano L, Galdiero S, Galdiero E, Grieco P, Falanga A. Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activity of Cyclic Temporin L Peptide Analogues against Albicans and Non-Albicans Candida Species. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020454. [PMID: 35214187 PMCID: PMC8877061 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporins are one of the largest families of antimicrobial peptides with both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Herein, for a panel of cyclic temporin L isoform analogues, the antifungal and antibiofilm activities were determined against representative Candida strains, including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. auris, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. The outcomes indicated a significant anti-candida activity against planktonic and biofilm growth for four peptides (3, 7, 15 and 16). The absence of toxicity up to high concentrations and survival after infection were assessed in vivo by using Galleria mellonella larvae, and the correlation between conformation and cytotoxicity was investigated by fluorescence assays and circular dichroism (CD). By combining fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, dynamic light scattering, confocal and atomic force microscopy, the mode of action of four analogues was hypothesized. The results pinpointed that peptide 3 emerged as a non-toxic compound showing a potent antibiofilm activity and represents a promising compound for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.B.); (F.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.B.); (F.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Antonietta Siciliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Principia Dardano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.D.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Luca De Stefano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.D.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.B.); (F.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (E.G.); (P.G.); (A.F.); Tel.: +39-081-679182 (E.G.); +39-081-678620 (P.G.); +39-081-2534503 (A.F.)
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.B.); (F.M.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence: (E.G.); (P.G.); (A.F.); Tel.: +39-081-679182 (E.G.); +39-081-678620 (P.G.); +39-081-2534503 (A.F.)
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.G.); (P.G.); (A.F.); Tel.: +39-081-679182 (E.G.); +39-081-678620 (P.G.); +39-081-2534503 (A.F.)
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27
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Wang W, Yang W, Du S, Xi X, Ma C, Wang L, Zhou M, Chen T. Bioevaluation and Targeted Modification of Temporin-FL From the Skin Secretion of Dark-Spotted Frog ( Pelophylax nigromaculatus). Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:707013. [PMID: 34738013 PMCID: PMC8560897 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.707013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioactive proteins secreted by the granular glands of amphibian skin play a self-defensive role, and exhibit various bioactivities in vitro and in vivo. In light of the severity of the problem of antibiotic resistance for treating infections, many antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been developed and applied in clinical microbial treatments. We identified a naturally derived and potent antimicrobial peptide, temporin-FL, obtained from the skin secretion of Pelophylax nigromaculatus via “shotgun” cloning. Two truncated analogues of this peptide were chemically synthesized to explore their structural-functional relationships. The results of a functional evaluation showed that all of the tested AMPs were active against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi and demonstrated antibiofilm activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) but did not have an effect on Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, temporin-FLa demonstrated a higher level of hydrophobicity and enhanced antimicrobial efficiency, as well as hemolytic activity and cell cytotoxicity than the parent peptide. Temporin-FLb, which evidenced significantly less α-helicity, was less potent against various microbes but exhibited lower cytotoxicity relating to mammalian cells. Both of the synthesized analogues possessed a higher therapeutic index than the original peptide. Moreover, the membrane permeability assay and the measuring membrane depolarization assay declared that temporin-FL and its analogues induced membrane fracture and depolarization; the quantitative biofilm formation assay and the observations of MRSA biofilms using scanning electron microscopy revealed that the AMPs caused biofilm disruption and blocked biofilm formation, the former experiments all confirming their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. Hence, the optimization of temporin-FL offers insights for the discovery of new drugs for treating MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Wanqing Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shouying Du
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinping Xi
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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28
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Yadav V, Misra R. A review emphasizing on utility of heptad repeat sequence as a tool to design pharmacologically safe peptide-based antibiotics. Biochimie 2021; 191:126-139. [PMID: 34492334 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Extensive usage of antibiotics has created an unprecedented scenario of the rapid emergence of many drug-resistant bacteria, which has become an alarming public health concern around the globe. Search for better alternatives that are as efficacious as antibiotics led to the discovery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These small cationic amphiphilic peptides have emerged as a promising option as antimicrobial agents, owing to their multifaceted implications against varied pathogens. Recent years have witnessed tremendous growth in research on AMPs resulting in them being tested in clinical trials of which six got approved for topical application. The relatively less successful outcome has been attributed to the poor cell selectivity shown by most of the naturally occurring AMPs. This drawback needs to be circumvented by identifying strategies to design safe and effective peptides. In the present review, we have emphasized the importance of heptad repeat sequence (leucine and/or phenylalanine zipper motif) as a tool that has shown great promise in remodeling the toxic AMPs to safe antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Yadav
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA), University of Liège (ULiège), Liège, Belgium.
| | - Richa Misra
- Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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29
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Bellavita R, Casciaro B, Di Maro S, Brancaccio D, Carotenuto A, Falanga A, Cappiello F, Buommino E, Galdiero S, Novellino E, Grossmann TN, Mangoni ML, Merlino F, Grieco P. First-in-Class Cyclic Temporin L Analogue: Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Assessment. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11675-11694. [PMID: 34296619 PMCID: PMC8389922 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive peptides can be modulated by introducing conformational constraints such as intramolecular macrocyclizations, which can involve either the backbone and/or side chains. Herein, we aimed at increasing the α-helicity content of temporin L, an isoform of an intriguing class of linear antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), endowed with a wide antimicrobial spectrum, by the employment of diverse side-chain tethering strategies, including lactam, 1,4-substituted [1,2,3]-triazole, hydrocarbon, and disulfide linkers. Our approach resulted in a library of cyclic temporin L analogues that were biologically assessed for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antibiofilm activities, leading to the development of the first-in-class cyclic peptide related to this AMP family. Our results allowed us to expand the knowledge regarding the relationship between the α-helical character of temporin derivatives and their biological activity, paving the way for the development of improved antibiotic cyclic AMP analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Center
for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi
Vanvitelli”, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department
of Agricultural Sciences, University of
Naples “Federico II”, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Buommino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Tom N. Grossmann
- Department
of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Naples 80131, Italy
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30
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Hernández-Aristizábal I, Ocampo-Ibáñez ID. Antimicrobial Peptides with Antibacterial Activity against Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains: Classification, Structures, and Mechanisms of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7927. [PMID: 34360692 PMCID: PMC8347216 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics is of great concern in modern medicine because it renders ineffectiveness of the current empirical antibiotic therapies. Infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strains represent a serious threat to global health due to their considerable morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, there is an urgent need of research and development of new antimicrobial alternatives against these bacteria. In this context, the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is considered a promising alternative therapeutic strategy to control resistant strains. Therefore, a wide number of natural, artificial, and synthetic AMPs have been evaluated against VRSA and VISA strains, with great potential for clinical application. In this regard, we aimed to present a comprehensive and systematic review of research findings on AMPs that have shown antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-intermediate resistant strains and clinical isolates of S. aureus, discussing their classification and origin, physicochemical and structural characteristics, and possible action mechanisms. This is the first review that includes all peptides that have shown antibacterial activity against VRSA and VISA strains exclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iván Darío Ocampo-Ibáñez
- Research Group of Microbiology, Industry and Environment, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, Colombia;
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31
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Samgina TY, Vasileva ID, Kovalev SV, Trebse P, Torkar G, Surin AK, Zubarev RA, Lebedev AT. Differentiation of Central Slovenian and Moscow populations of Rana temporaria frogs using peptide biomarkers of temporins family. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:5333-5347. [PMID: 34235566 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03506-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Skin secretion represents the only means of defense for the majority of frog species. That phenomenon is based on the fact that the main components of the secretion are peptides demonstrating greatly varying types of bioactivity. They fulfill regulatory functions, fight microorganisms and may be even helpful against predators. These peptides are considered to be rather promising pharmaceuticals of future generation as according to the present knowledge microorganisms are unlikely to develop resistance to them. Mass spectrometry sequencing of these peptides is the most efficient first step of their study providing reliably their primary structures, i.e., amino acids sequence and S-S bond motif. Besides discovering new bioactive peptides, mass spectrometry appears to be an efficient tool of taxonomy studies, allowing for distinguishing not only between closely related species, but also between populations of the same species. Application of several tandem mass spectrometry tools (CID, HCD, ETD, EThcD) available with Orbitrap mass analyzer allowed us to obtain full sequence of about 60 peptides in the secretion of Slovenian population of brown ranid frog Rana temporaria. The problem of sequence inside C-terminal cycle formed by two Cys and differentiation of isomeric Leu and Ile residues was done in top-down mode without any derivatization steps. Besides general biomarkers of Rana temporaria species, Central Slovenian population of Rana temporaria demonstrates six novel temporins and one brevinin 1, which may be treated as biomarkers of that population.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Yu Samgina
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - I D Vasileva
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Kovalev
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - P Trebse
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - G Torkar
- Department for Biology, Chemistry and Home Economics, University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education, Kardeljeva ploščad 16, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - A K Surin
- Pushchino Branch, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki 6, Pushchino, Moscow, 142290, Russia
| | - R A Zubarev
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Biometry, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119146, Russia
| | - A T Lebedev
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
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32
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Di Somma A, Canè C, Moretta A, Duilio A. Interaction of Temporin-L Analogues with the E. coli FtsZ Protein. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10060704. [PMID: 34208230 PMCID: PMC8230800 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10060704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The research of new therapeutic agents to fight bacterial infections has recently focused on the investigation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), the most common weapon that all organisms produce to prevent invasion by external pathogens. Among AMPs, the amphibian Temporins constitute a well-known family with high antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, Temporin-L was shown to affect bacterial cell division by inhibiting FtsZ, a tubulin-like protein involved in the crucial step of Z-ring formation at the beginning of the division process. As FtsZ represents a leading target for new antibacterial compounds, in this paper we investigated in detail the interaction of Temporin L with Escherichia coli FtsZ and designed two TL analogues in an attempt to increase peptide-protein interactions and to better understand the structural determinants leading to FtsZ inhibition. The results demonstrated that the TL analogues improved their binding to FtsZ, originating stable protein-peptide complexes. Functional studies showed that both peptides were endowed with a high capability of inhibiting both the enzymatic and polymerization activities of the protein. Moreover, the TL analogues were able to inhibit bacterial growth at low micromolar concentrations. These observations may open up the way to the development of novel peptide or peptidomimetic drugs tailored to bind FtsZ, hampering a crucial process of bacterial life that might be proposed for future pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Di Somma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università Federico II di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.D.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Carolina Canè
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università Federico II di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.D.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Antonio Moretta
- Departiment of Science, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy;
| | - Angela Duilio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università Federico II di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.D.S.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence:
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33
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Kakar A, Holzknecht J, Dubrac S, Gelmi ML, Romanelli A, Marx F. New Perspectives in the Antimicrobial Activity of the Amphibian Temporin B: Peptide Analogs Are Effective Inhibitors of Candida albicans Growth. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:457. [PMID: 34200504 PMCID: PMC8226839 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporin B (TB) is a short, positively charged peptide secreted by the granular glands of the European frog Rana temporaria. While the antibacterial and antiviral efficacy of TB and some of its improved analogs are well documented, nothing is known about their antifungal potency so far. We dedicated this study to characterize the antifungal potential of the TB analog TB_KKG6K and the newly designed D-Lys_TB_KKG6K, the latter having the L-lysines replaced by the chiral counterpart D-lysines to improve its proteolytic stability. Both peptides inhibited the growth of opportunistic human pathogenic yeasts and killed planktonic and sessile cells of the most prevalent human pathogen, Candida albicans. The anti-yeast efficacy of the peptides coincided with the induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Their thermal, cation, pH and serum tolerance were similar, while the proteolytic stability of D-Lys_TB_KKG6K was superior to that of its template peptide. Importantly, both peptides lacked hemolytic activity and showed minimal in vitro cytotoxicity in primary human keratinocytes. The tolerance of both peptides in a reconstructed human epidermis model further supports their potential for topical application. Our results open up an exciting field of research for new anti-Candida therapeutic options based on amphibian TB analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Kakar
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Jeanett Holzknecht
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Sandrine Dubrac
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergy, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Maria Luisa Gelmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Romanelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.)
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34
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Cuesta SA, Reinoso C, Morales F, Pilaquinga F, Morán-Marcillo G, Proaño-Bolaños C, Blasco-Zúñiga A, Rivera M, Meneses L. Novel antimicrobial cruzioseptin peptides extracted from the splendid leaf frog, Cruziohyla calcarifer. Amino Acids 2021; 53:853-868. [PMID: 33942149 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02986-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute part of a broad range of bioactive compounds present on diverse organisms, including frogs. Peptides, produced in the granular glands of amphibian skin, constitute a component of their innate immune response, providing protection against pathogenic microorganisms. In this work, two novel cruzioseptins peptides, cruzioseptin-16 and -17, extracted from the splendid leaf frog Cruziohyla calcarifer are presented. These peptides were identified using molecular cloning and tandem mass spectrometry. Later, peptides were synthetized using solid-phase peptide synthesis, and their minimal inhibitory concentration and haemolytic activity were tested. Furthermore, these two cruzioseptins plus three previously reported (CZS-1, CZS-2, CZS-3) were computationally characterized. Results show that cruzioseptins are 21-23 residues long alpha helical cationic peptides, with antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans and low haemolytic effect. Docking results agree with the principal action mechanism of cationic AMPs that goes through cell membrane disruption due to electrostatic interactions between cationic residues in the cruzioseptins and negative phosphate groups in the pathogen cell membrane. An action mechanism through enzymes inhibition was also tried, but no conclusive results about this mechanism were obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Cuesta
- Laboratorio de Química Computacional, Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Camila Reinoso
- Laboratorio de Química Computacional, Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Felipe Morales
- Laboratorio de Química Computacional, Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda Pilaquinga
- Laboratorio de Química Computacional, Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Giovanna Morán-Marcillo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, 150150, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, 150150, Tena, Ecuador
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Ailín Blasco-Zúñiga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina-CISeAL, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
- Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad, Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador, Madrid 1159 y Andalucía, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Miryan Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina-CISeAL, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Lorena Meneses
- Laboratorio de Química Computacional, Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av. 12 de octubre 1076 Apartado: 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador.
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35
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Casciaro B, Loffredo MR, Cappiello F, Fabiano G, Torrini L, Mangoni ML. The Antimicrobial Peptide Temporin G: Anti-Biofilm, Anti-Persister Activities, and Potentiator Effect of Tobramycin Efficacy Against Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249410. [PMID: 33321906 PMCID: PMC7764207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are a serious threat for human health, and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is one of the microorganisms that can easily switch from a planktonic to a sessile lifestyle, providing protection from a large variety of adverse environmental conditions. Dormant non-dividing cells with low metabolic activity, named persisters, are tolerant to antibiotic treatment and are the principal cause of recalcitrant and resistant infections, including skin infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise as new anti-infective agents to treat such infections. Here for the first time, we investigated the activity of the frog-skin AMP temporin G (TG) against preformed S. aureus biofilm including persisters, as well as its efficacy in combination with tobramycin, in inhibiting S. aureus growth. TG was found to provoke ~50 to 100% reduction of biofilm viability in the concentration range from 12.5 to 100 µM vs ATCC and clinical isolates and to be active against persister cells (about 70–80% killing at 50–100 µM). Notably, sub-inhibitory concentrations of TG in combination with tobramycin were able to significantly reduce S. aureus growth, potentiating the antibiotic power. No critical cytotoxicity was detected when TG was tested in vitro up to 100 µM against human keratinocytes, confirming its safety profile for the development of a new potential anti-infective drug, especially for treatment of bacterial skin infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Casciaro
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (B.C.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Guendalina Fabiano
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Luisa Torrini
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.F.); (L.T.)
- Correspondence: (B.C.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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36
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Cunsolo V, Schicchi R, Chiaramonte M, Inguglia L, Arizza V, Cusimano MG, Schillaci D, Di Francesco A, Saletti R, Lo Celso F, Barone G, Vitale M. Identification of New Antimicrobial Peptides from Mediterranean Medical Plant Charybdis pancration (Steinh.) Speta. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E747. [PMID: 33126631 PMCID: PMC7694139 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work was designed to identify and characterize novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from Charybdis pancration (Steinh.) Speta, previously named Urginea maritima, is a Mediterranean plant, well-known for its biological properties in traditional medicine. Polypeptide-enriched extracts from different parts of the plant (roots, leaves and bulb), never studied before, were tested against two relevant pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With the aim of identifying novel natural AMPs, peptide fraction displaying antimicrobial activity (the bulb) that showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) equal to 30 µg/mL against the above mentioned strains, was analysed by high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search. Seventeen peptides, related to seven proteins present in the investigated database, were described. Furthermore, we focused on three peptides, which due to their net positive charge, have a better chance to be AMPs and they were investigated by molecular modelling approaches, in order to shed light on the solution properties of their equilibrium structures. Some of new detected peptides could represent a good platform for the development of new antimicrobials in the fight against antibiotic resistance phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cunsolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.C.); (A.D.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Rosario Schicchi
- Department of Agricultural Food and Forest Sciences (SAAF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Marco Chiaramonte
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Luigi Inguglia
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Maria Grazia Cusimano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Domenico Schillaci
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Antonella Di Francesco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.C.); (A.D.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Rosaria Saletti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.C.); (A.D.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Fabrizio Lo Celso
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DFC), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
- Ionic Liquids Laboratory, Institute of Structure of Matter, Italian National Research Council (ISM-CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (L.I.); (V.A.); (M.G.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
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Borocci S, Della Pelle G, Ceccacci F, Olivieri C, Buonocore F, Porcelli F. Structural Analysis and Design of Chionodracine-Derived Peptides Using Circular Dichroism and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1401. [PMID: 32092980 PMCID: PMC7073106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides have been identified as one of the alternatives to the extensive use of common antibiotics as they show a broad spectrum of activity against human pathogens. Among these is Chionodracine (Cnd), a host-defense peptide isolated from the Antarctic icefish Chionodraco hamatus, which belongs to the family of Piscidins. Previously, we demonstrated that Cnd and its analogs display high antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species). Herein, we investigate the interactions with lipid membranes of Cnd and two analogs, Cnd-m3 and Cnd-m3a, showing enhanced potency. Using a combination of Circular Dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we determined the structural basis for the different activity among these peptides. We show that all peptides are predominantly unstructured in water and fold, preferentially as α-helices, in the presence of lipid vesicles of various compositions. Through a series of MD simulations of 400 ns time scale, we show the effect of mutations on the structure and lipid interactions of Cnd and its analogs. By explaining the structural basis for the activity of these analogs, our findings provide structural templates to design minimalistic peptides for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (G.D.P.); (F.B.)
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Via Salaria, Km 29.500, 00015 Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Della Pelle
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (G.D.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cristina Olivieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (G.D.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (G.D.P.); (F.B.)
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