1
|
Chakrapani S, Panigrahi A, Palanichamy E, Thangaraj SK, Radhakrishnan N, Panigrahi P, Nagarathnam R. Evaluation of Therapeutic Efficiency of Stylicin against Vibrio parahaemolyticus Infection in Shrimp Penaeus vannamei through Comparative Proteomic Approach. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024; 16:76-92. [PMID: 36459385 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-022-10006-w] [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] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The shrimp immune system defends and protects against infection by its naturally expressing antimicrobial peptides. Stylicin is a proline-rich anionic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that exhibits potent antimicrobial activity. In this study, stylicin gene was isolated from Penaeus vannamei, cloned into vector pET-28a ( +), and overexpressed in Escherichia coli SHuffle T7 cells. The protein was purified and tested for its antibiofilm activity against shrimp pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus. It was resulted that the recombinant stylicin significantly reduced the biofilm formation of V. parahaemolyticus at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 µg. Cell aggregation was observed by using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, and it was resulted that stylicin administration significantly affects the cell structure and biofilm density of V. parahaemolyticus. In addition, real-time PCR confirmed the downregulation (p < 0.05) of genes responsible for growth and colonization. The efficacy of stylicin was tested by injecting it into shrimp challenged with V. parahaemolyticus and 7 days after infection, stylicin-treated animals recovered and survived better in both treatments (T2-100 µg stylicin, - 68.8%; T1-50 µg stylicin, 60%) than in control (7%) (p < 0.01). Comparative proteomic and mass spectrometry analysis of shrimp hemolymph resulted that the expressed proteins were involved in cell cycle, signal transduction, immune pathways, and stress-related proteins representing infection and recovery, and were significantly different in the stylicin-treated groups. The result of this study suggests that the stylicin can naturally boost immunity and can be used as a choice for treating V. parahaemolyticus infections in shrimp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Chakrapani
- Crustacean Culture Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, 75, Santhome High Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai, 600028, India
| | - Akshaya Panigrahi
- Crustacean Culture Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, 75, Santhome High Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai, 600028, India.
| | - Esakkiraj Palanichamy
- Crustacean Culture Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, 75, Santhome High Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai, 600028, India
| | - Sathish Kumar Thangaraj
- Aquatic Animal Health & Environment Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, 75, Santhome High Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai, 600028, India
| | - Naveenkumar Radhakrishnan
- Crustacean Culture Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, 75, Santhome High Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai, 600028, India
| | - Puspamitra Panigrahi
- Centre for Clean Energy and Nano Convergence (CENCON), Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), Padur, Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cui Q, Yu HD, Xu QJ, Liu Y, Wang YT, Li PH, Kong LC, Zhang HP, Jiang XY, Giuliodori AM, Fabbretti A, He CG, Ma HX. Antibiotic synergist OM19r reverses aminoglycoside resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1144946. [PMID: 37143537 PMCID: PMC10151501 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1144946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The continued emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens require a new strategy to improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) could also be used as antibacterial synergists due to their unique mechanism of action. Methods Utilizing a series of experiments on membrane permeability, In vitro protein synthesis, In vitro transcription and mRNA translation, to further elucidate the synergistic mechanism of OM19r combined with gentamicin. Results A proline-rich antimicrobial peptide OM19r was identified in this study and its efficacy against Escherichia coli B2 (E. coli B2) was evaluated on multiple aspects. OM19r increased antibacterial activity of gentamicin against multidrug-resistance E. coli B2 by 64 folds, when used in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics. Mechanistically, OM19r induced change of inner membrane permeability and inhibited translational elongation of protein synthesis by entering to E. coli B2 via intimal transporter SbmA. OM19r also facilitated the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In animal models, OM19r significantly improved the efficacy of gentamicin against E. coli B2. Discussion Our study reveals that OM19r combined with GEN had a strong synergistic inhibitory effect against multi-drug resistant E. coli B2. OM19r and GEN inhibited translation elongation and initiation, respectively, and ultimately affected the normal protein synthesis of bacteria. These findings provide a potential therapeutic option against multidrug-resistant E. coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Han-Dong Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi-Jun Xu
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu-Ting Wang
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Peng-Hui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling-Cong Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hai-Peng Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Anna Maria Giuliodori
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Attilio Fabbretti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Cheng-Guang He
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Cheng-Guang He,
| | - Hong-Xia Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Hong-Xia Ma,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Telhig S, Ben Said L, Torres C, Rebuffat S, Zirah S, Fliss I. Evaluating the Potential and Synergetic Effects of Microcins against Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0275221. [PMID: 35543514 PMCID: PMC9241698 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02752-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of multidrug-resistant bacteria has hampered the development of new antibiotics, exacerbating their morbidity and mortality. In this context, the gastrointestinal tract reveals a valuable source of novel antimicrobials. Microcins are bacteriocins produced by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, which are endowed with a wide diversity of structures and mechanisms of action, and exert potent antibacterial activity against closely related bacteria. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activities of four microcins against 54 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from three species (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella enterica). The selected microcins, microcin C (McC, nucleotide peptide), microcin J25 (MccJ25, lasso peptide), microcin B17 (MccB17, linear azol(in)e-containing peptide), and microcin E492 (MccE492, siderophore peptide) carry different post-translational modifications and have distinct mechanisms of action. MICs and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the microcins were measured and the efficacy of combinations of the microcins together or with antibiotics was assessed to identify potential synergies. Every isolate showed sensitivity to at least one microcin with MIC values ranging between 0.02 μM and 42.5 μM. Among the microcins tested, McC exhibited the broadest spectrum of inhibition with 46 strains inhibited, closely followed by MccE492 with 38 strains inhibited, while MccJ25 showed the highest activity. In general, microcin activity was observed to be independent of antibiotic resistance profile and strain genus. Of the 42 tested combinations, 20 provided enhanced activity (18 out of 20 being microcin-antibiotic combinations), with two being synergetic. IMPORTANCE With their wide range of structures and mechanisms of action, microcins are shown to exert antibacterial activities against Enterobacteriaceae resistant to antibiotics together with synergies with antibiotics and in particular colistin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soufiane Telhig
- Food Science Department, Food and Agriculture Faculty, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Laboratoire Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
| | - Laila Ben Said
- Food Science Department, Food and Agriculture Faculty, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Carmen Torres
- Department of Food and Agriculture, University of La Rioja, Logrono, Spain
| | - Sylvie Rebuffat
- Laboratoire Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
| | - Séverine Zirah
- Laboratoire Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
| | - Ismail Fliss
- Food Science Department, Food and Agriculture Faculty, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Handley TNG, Li W, Welch NG, O’Brien-Simpson NM, Hossain MA, Wade JD. Evaluation of Potential DnaK Modulating Proline-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides Identified by Computational Screening. Front Chem 2022; 10:875233. [PMID: 35494637 PMCID: PMC9043238 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.875233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The day is rapidly approaching where current antibiotic therapies will no longer be effective due to the development of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of therapeutic agents which have the potential to help address this burgeoning problem. Proline-rich AMPs (PrAMPs) are a sub-class of AMPs, that have multiple modes of action including modulation of the bacterial protein folding chaperone, DnaK. They are highly effective against Gram-negative bacteria and have low toxicity to mammalian cells. Previously we used an in silico approach to identify new potential PrAMPs from the DRAMP database. Four of these peptides, antibacterial napin, attacin-C, P9, and PP30, were each chemically assembled and characterized. Together with synthetic oncocin as a reference, each peptide was then assessed for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative/Gram-positive bacteria and for in vitro DnaK modulation activity. We observed that these peptides directly modulate DnaK activity independently of eliciting or otherwise an antibiotic effect. Based on our findings, we propose a change to our previously established PrAMP definition to remove the requirement for antimicrobial activity in isolation, leaving the following classifiers: >25% proline, modulation of DnaK AND/OR the 70S ribosome, net charge of +1 or more, produced in response to bacterial infection AND/OR with pronounced antimicrobial activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas N. G. Handley
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wenyi Li
- ACTV Research Group, Centre for Oral Health Research, Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas G. Welch
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Neil M. O’Brien-Simpson
- ACTV Research Group, Centre for Oral Health Research, Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John D. Wade
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: John D. Wade,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Brakel A, Krizsan A, Itzenga R, Kraus CN, Otvos L, Hoffmann R. Influence of Substitutions in the Binding Motif of Proline-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide ARV-1502 on 70S Ribosome Binding and Antimicrobial Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063150. [PMID: 35328571 PMCID: PMC8950706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) are promising candidates to treat bacterial infections. The designer peptide ARV-1502 exhibits strong antimicrobial effects against Enterobacteriaceae both in vitro and in vivo. Since the inhibitory effects of ARV-1502 reported for the 70 kDa heat-shock protein DnaK do not fully explain the antimicrobial activity of its 176 substituted analogs, we further studied their effect on the bacterial 70S ribosome of Escherichia coli, a known target of PrAMPs. ARV-1502 analogues, substituted in positions 3, 4, and 8 to 12 (underlined) of the binding motif D3KPRPYLPRP12 with aspartic acid, lysine, serine, phenylalanine or leucine, were tested in a competitive fluorescence polarization (FP) binding screening assay using 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein-labeled (Cf-) ARV-1502 and the 70S ribosome isolated from E. coli BW25113. While their effect on ribosomal protein expression was studied for green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a cell-free expression system (in vitro translation), the importance of known PrAMP transporters SbmA and MdtM was investigated using E. coli BW25113 and the corresponding knockout mutants. The dissociation constant (Kd) of 201 ± 16 nmol/L obtained for Cf-ARV-1502 suggests strong binding to the E. coli 70S ribosome. An inhibitory binding assay indicated that the binding site overlaps with those of other PrAMPs including Onc112 and pyrrhocoricin as well as the non-peptidic antibiotics erythromycin and chloramphenicol. All these drugs and drug candidates bind to the exit-tunnel of the 70S ribosome. Substitutions of the C-terminal fragment of the binding motif YLPRP reduced binding. At the same time, inhibition of GFP expression increased with net peptide charge. Interestingly, the MIC values of wild-type and ΔsbmA and ΔmdtM knockout mutants indicated that substitutions in the ribosomal binding motif altered also the bacterial uptake, which was generally improved by incorporation of hydrophobic residues. In conclusion, most substituted ARV-1502 analogs bound weaker to the 70S ribosome than ARV-1502 underlining the importance of the YLPRP binding motif. The weaker ribosomal binding correlated well with decreased antimicrobial activity in vitro. Substituted ARV-1502 analogs with a higher level of hydrophobicity or positive net charge improved the ribosome binding, inhibition of translation, and bacterial uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Brakel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; (A.K.); (R.I.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (R.H.)
| | - Andor Krizsan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; (A.K.); (R.I.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Renke Itzenga
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; (A.K.); (R.I.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carl N. Kraus
- Aceragen Inc., Durham, NC 27709, USA; (C.N.K.); (L.O.J.)
| | - Laszlo Otvos
- Aceragen Inc., Durham, NC 27709, USA; (C.N.K.); (L.O.J.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; (A.K.); (R.I.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (R.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Translocation of non-lytic antimicrobial peptides and bacteria penetrating peptides across the inner membrane of the bacterial envelope. Curr Genet 2021; 68:83-90. [PMID: 34750687 PMCID: PMC8801401 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01217-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The increase in multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria has become a problem worldwide. Currently there is a strong focus on the development of novel antimicrobials, including antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and antimicrobial antisense agents. While the majority of AMP have membrane activity and kill bacteria through membrane disruption, non-lytic AMP are non-membrane active, internalize and have intracellular targets. Antimicrobial antisense agents such as peptide nucleic acids (PNA) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO), show great promise as novel antibacterial agents, killing bacteria by inhibiting translation of essential target gene transcripts. However, naked PNA and PMO are unable to translocate across the cell envelope of bacteria, to reach their target in the cytosol, and are conjugated to bacteria penetrating peptides (BPP) for cytosolic delivery. Here, we discuss how non-lytic AMP and BPP-PMO/PNA conjugates translocate across the cytoplasmic membrane via receptor-mediated transport, such as the cytoplasmic membrane transporters SbmA, MdtM/YjiL, and/or YgdD, or via a less well described autonomous process.
Collapse
|
7
|
Pacor S, Benincasa M, Musso MV, Krce L, Aviani I, Pallavicini A, Scocchi M, Gerdol M, Mardirossian M. The proline-rich myticalins from Mytilus galloprovincialis display a membrane-permeabilizing antimicrobial mode of action. Peptides 2021; 143:170594. [PMID: 34118363 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bivalve mollusks are continuously exposed to potentially pathogenic microorganisms living in the marine environment. Not surprisingly, these filter-feeders developed a robust innate immunity to protect themselves, which includes a broad panel of antimicrobial peptides. Among these, myticalins represent a recently discovered family of linear cationic peptides expressed in the gills of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Even though myticalins and insect and mammalian proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) share a similar amino acid composition, we here show that none of the tested mussel peptides use a non-lytic mode of action relying on the bacterial transporter SbmA. On the other hand, all the tested myticalins perturbed and permeabilized the membranes of E. coli BW25113, as shown by flow-cytometry and atomic force microscopy. Circular dichroism spectra revealed that most myticalins did not adopt recognizable secondary structures in the presence of amphipathic environments, such as biological membranes. To explore possible uses of myticalins for biotech, we assessed their biocompatibility with a human cell line. Non-negligible cytotoxic effects displayed by myticalins indicate that their optimization would be required before their further use as lead compounds in the development of new antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Pacor
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Monica Benincasa
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Maria Valentina Musso
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lucija Krce
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Soba B3-18, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Ivica Aviani
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Soba B3-18, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marco Scocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Mario Mardirossian
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Laboratorio Clinica Odontostomatologica, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, 34125 Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Steinberg R, Koch HG. The largely unexplored biology of small proteins in pro- and eukaryotes. FEBS J 2021; 288:7002-7024. [PMID: 33780127 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The large abundance of small open reading frames (smORFs) in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes and the plethora of smORF-encoded small proteins became only apparent with the constant advancements in bioinformatic, genomic, proteomic, and biochemical tools. Small proteins are typically defined as proteins of < 50 amino acids in prokaryotes and of less than 100 amino acids in eukaryotes, and their importance for cell physiology and cellular adaptation is only beginning to emerge. In contrast to antimicrobial peptides, which are secreted by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells for combatting pathogens and competitors, small proteins act within the producing cell mainly by stabilizing protein assemblies and by modifying the activity of larger proteins. Production of small proteins is frequently linked to stress conditions or environmental changes, and therefore, cells seem to use small proteins as intracellular modifiers for adjusting cell metabolism to different intra- and extracellular cues. However, the size of small proteins imposes a major challenge for the cellular machinery required for protein folding and intracellular trafficking and recent data indicate that small proteins can engage distinct trafficking pathways. In the current review, we describe the diversity of small proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, highlight distinct and common features, and illustrate how they are handled by the protein trafficking machineries in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Finally, we also discuss future topics of research on this fascinating but largely unexplored group of proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Steinberg
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zentrum für Biochemie und Molekulare Medizin (ZMBZ), Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Koch
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zentrum für Biochemie und Molekulare Medizin (ZMBZ), Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Welch NG, Li W, Hossain MA, Separovic F, O'Brien-Simpson NM, Wade JD. (Re)Defining the Proline-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide Family and the Identification of Putative New Members. Front Chem 2020; 8:607769. [PMID: 33335890 PMCID: PMC7736402 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.607769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
As we rapidly approach a post-antibiotic era in which multi-drug resistant bacteria are ever-pervasive, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising class of compounds to help address this global issue. AMPs are best-known for their membrane-disruptive mode of action leading to bacteria cell lysis and death. However, many AMPs are also known to be non-lytic and have intracellular modes of action. Proline-rich AMPs (PrAMPs) are one such class, that are generally membrane permeable and inhibit protein synthesis leading to a bactericidal outcome. PrAMPs are highly effective against Gram-negative bacteria and yet show very low toxicity against eukaryotic cells. Here, we review both the PrAMP family and the past and current definitions for this class of peptides. Computational analysis of known AMPs within the DRAMP database (http://dramp.cpu-bioinfor.org/) and assessment of their PrAMP-like properties have led us to develop a revised definition of the PrAMP class. As a result, we subsequently identified a number of unknown and unclassified peptides containing motifs of striking similarity to known PrAMP-based DnaK inhibitors and propose a series of new sequences for experimental evaluation and subsequent addition to the PrAMP family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Welch
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wenyi Li
- Centre for Oral Health Research, Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Neil M O'Brien-Simpson
- Centre for Oral Health Research, Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mardirossian M, Sola R, Beckert B, Valencic E, Collis DWP, Borišek J, Armas F, Di Stasi A, Buchmann J, Syroegin EA, Polikanov YS, Magistrato A, Hilpert K, Wilson DN, Scocchi M. Peptide Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis with Broad Spectrum and SbmA-Independent Bactericidal Activity against Clinical Pathogens. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9590-9602. [PMID: 32787108 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) are promising lead compounds for developing new antimicrobials; however, their narrow spectrum of action is limiting. PrAMPs kill bacteria binding to their ribosomes and inhibiting protein synthesis. In this study, 133 derivatives of the PrAMP Bac7(1-16) were synthesized to identify the crucial residues for ribosome inactivation and antimicrobial activity. Then, five new Bac7(1-16) derivatives were conceived and characterized by antibacterial and membrane permeabilization assays, X-ray crystallography, and molecular dynamics simulations. Some derivatives displayed broad spectrum activity, encompassing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Two peptides out of five acquired a weak membrane-perturbing activity while maintaining the ability to inhibit protein synthesis. These derivatives became independent of the SbmA transporter, commonly used by native PrAMPs, suggesting that they obtained a novel route to enter bacterial cells. PrAMP-derived compounds could become new-generation antimicrobials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mardirossian
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34125 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Sola
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bertrand Beckert
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Erica Valencic
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 30137 Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Federica Armas
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriana Di Stasi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Jan Buchmann
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Egor A Syroegin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Yury S Polikanov
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | | | - Kai Hilpert
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, St. George's, University of London, SW 17 0RE London, U.K
| | - Daniel N Wilson
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marco Scocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shemer B, Shpigel E, Glozman A, Yagur-Kroll S, Kabessa Y, Agranat AJ, Belkin S. Genome-wide gene-deletion screening identifies mutations that significantly enhance explosives vapor detection by a microbial sensor. N Biotechnol 2020; 59:65-73. [PMID: 32622861 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered microbial biosensors, capable of detecting traces of explosives residues above buried military ordnance and emitting an optical signal in response, may potentially serve for the standoff detection of buried landmines. A promising candidate for such an application is a previously reported Escherichia coli-based reporter strain that employs the yqjF gene promoter as its sensing element; however, for this sensor to be able to detect actual landmines reliably, it was necessary for its detection sensitivity and signal intensity to be enhanced. In this study, a high-throughput approach was employed to screen the effects of individual gene deletions on yqjF activation by 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). Several genes were identified, the deletion of which elicited a significant enhancement of yqjF induction by DNT. The most promising of these mutations were introduced into the sensor strain, individually or in pairs, yielding a considerable increase in signal intensity and a lowering of the detection threshold. A strain harboring two of the identified mutations, ygdD and eutE, appears to be the most sensitive microbial biosensor currently described for the detection of traces of landmine explosives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Etai Shpigel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anat Glozman
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharon Yagur-Kroll
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yosssef Kabessa
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aharon J Agranat
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rončević T, Čikeš-Čulić V, Maravić A, Capanni F, Gerdol M, Pacor S, Tossi A, Giulianini PG, Pallavicini A, Manfrin C. Identification and functional characterization of the astacidin family of proline-rich host defence peptides (PcAst) from the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard 1852). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 105:103574. [PMID: 31884202 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the identification of four novel proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PR-AMP) from the transcriptome of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. The newly identified putative peptides (PcAst-1b, -1c, -2 and -3), which are related with the previously identified hemocyte-specific PR-AMP astacidin-1, are encoded by the multi-genic astacidin gene family. The screening of available and proprietary transcriptomes allowed to define the taxonomical range of distribution of this gene family to Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. The antimicrobial properties of three synthetic PcAst peptides (PcAst-1a, -1b/c and -2), were characterized against reference bacteria or multidrug resistant clinical isolates, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated towards human transformed cell lines. The antimicrobial activity ranged from potent and broad-spectrum, in low-salt medium, to poor, whereas it was generally low in full nutrient broth. No significant toxic effects were observed on cultured human cells. RNA-seq data from 12 different tissues indicated a strong specificity for haemocytes under naïve physiological condition, with moderate expression (5-fold lower) in gills. Quantitative real time PCR revealed a rapid (within 2 h) and significant up-regulation of PcAst-1a (Astacidin 1) and PcAst-2 expression in response to LPS injection. Due to the variation in antimicrobial potency and inducibility, the roles of the other astacidins (PcAst-1b, -1c and -3) need to be further investigated to determine their significance to the immune responses of the red swamp crayfish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Rončević
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Rudera Boskovica 33, 21000, Split, Croatia; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Setaliste Ivana Mestrovica 63, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Čikeš-Čulić
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Soltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Ana Maravić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Rudera Boskovica 33, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Francesca Capanni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pacor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Piero G Giulianini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Manfrin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri, 5, IT-34127, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Design and Characterization of a Novel Hybrid Antimicrobial Peptide OM19R Based on Oncocin and MDAP-2. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09984-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
14
|
Moyer TB, Heil LR, Kirkpatrick CL, Goldfarb D, Lefever WA, Parsley NC, Wommack AJ, Hicks LM. PepSAVI-MS Reveals a Proline-rich Antimicrobial Peptide in Amaranthus tricolor. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:2744-2753. [PMID: 31557021 PMCID: PMC6874829 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Traditional medicinal plants are a rich source of antimicrobials; however, the bioactive peptide constituents of most ethnobotanical species remain largely unexplored. Herein, PepSAVI-MS, a mass spectrometry-based peptidomics pipeline, was implemented for antimicrobial peptide (AMP) discovery in the medicinal plant Amaranthus tricolor. This investigation revealed a novel 1.7 kDa AMP with strong activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, deemed Atr-AMP1. Initial efforts to determine the sequence of Atr-AMP1 utilized chemical derivatization and enzymatic digestion to provide information about specific residues and post-translational modifications. EThcD (electron-transfer/higher-energy collision dissociation) produced extensive backbone fragmentation and facilitated de novo sequencing, the results of which were consistent with orthogonal characterization experiments. Additionally, multistage HCD (higher-energy collisional dissociation) facilitated discrimination between isobaric leucine and isoleucine. These results revealed a positively charged proline-rich peptide present in a heterogeneous population of multiple peptidoforms, possessing several post-translational modifications including a disulfide bond, methionine oxidation, and proline hydroxylation. Additional bioactivity screening of a simplified fraction containing Atr-AMP1 revealed activity against Staphylococcus aureus LAC, demonstrating activity against both a Gram-negative and a Gram-positive bacterial species unlike many known short chain proline-rich antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tessa B. Moyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| | - Lilian R. Heil
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| | - Christine L. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| | - Dennis Goldfarb
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| | - William A. Lefever
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina United States
| | - Nicole C. Parsley
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| | - Andrew J. Wommack
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina United States
| | - Leslie M. Hicks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lai PK, Tresnak DT, Hackel BJ. Identification and elucidation of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides with enhanced potency and delivery. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:2439-2450. [PMID: 31209863 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) kill bacteria via a nonlytic mechanism in which they permeate through the outer membrane, utilize protein-mediated transport across the inner membrane, and target the ribosome to inhibit protein synthesis. We previously reported that substitutions of oncocin ( VDKPPYLPRPRPPRRIYNR - NH 2 ) with a pair of cationic residues improved the antimicrobial activity. In this study, we applied the design protocol to three other PrAMPs: apidaecin-1b, pyrrhocoricin, and bactenecin 7(1-16) and found that the substitutions (R4K and I8K/R) for apidaecin-1b improve the activity by twofold (p < .05) against nonpathogenic Escherichia coli. Moreover, the substitutions (L7K/R and R14K) for pyrrhocoricin improve the activity by 2-10-fold (p < .05) against some strains of E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. We also performed activity tests against inner membrane protein (SbmA or YgdD) knockout strains. The result is consistent with previous studies that SbmA is the major transporter for apidaecin-1b and pyrrhocoricin derivatives. However, bactenecin 7(1-16) functions independently of these transporters. In addition, several apidaecin-1b derivatives exhibit enhanced activity relative to wild-type only in the absence of SbmA, which is consistent with mutations that enhance transport across the inner membrane. A high performance liquid chromatography-based kinetic assay for cellular association and internalization demonstrates that the selected cationic mutations can improve cellular association in minimal media, but this enhanced association is not required for increased activity, which suggests the importance of inner membrane transport. These functional studies on cationic mutants of PrAMPs advance understanding of potency and mechanism and advance the ability to engineer improved antimicrobials as evidenced by the identification of the pyrrhocoricin mutant (L7R and R14K) with 10-fold elevated potency against pathogenic E. coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Kuang Lai
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel T Tresnak
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Goltermann L, Yavari N, Zhang M, Ghosal A, Nielsen PE. PNA Length Restriction of Antibacterial Activity of Peptide-PNA Conjugates in Escherichia coli Through Effects of the Inner Membrane. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1032. [PMID: 31178830 PMCID: PMC6542938 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)-peptide conjugates targeting essential bacterial genes are showing promise as antisense antimicrobials in drug discovery. Optimization has focused on selection of target genes and exact localization around the ribosome binding site, but surprisingly a length optimum around 10-12 nucleobases has been found. Addressing this observation, we have investigated the relationship between PNA-length, PNA-RNA duplex stability and antimicrobial activity in E. coli in more detail. For PNAs of identical length of ten nucleobases the expected reverse correlation between the thermal stability (Tm) of the PNA-RNA duplex and the MIC for single mismatched PNAs was found. Also the expected direct correlation between the length of the PNA and the PNA-RNA duplex stability was found. Nonetheless, 10-mer PNAs [in a 6-18 mer extension series of (KFF)3K- and (RXR)4 conjugates] were the most active as antisense antimicrobials in both wild type E. coli MG1655 and AS19, suggesting that the size constraint is related to the bacterial uptake of PNA-peptide conjugates. This conclusion was supported by flow cytometry data showing higher bacterial uptake of shorter PNA fluorophore labeled conjugates. Interestingly, the size-limited uptake seems independent on outer membrane integrity (AS19), and thus the results suggest that the inner membrane limits the molecular size for peptide-PNA passage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lise Goltermann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niloofar Yavari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Meiqin Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anubrata Ghosal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter E Nielsen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Price RL, Bugeon L, Mostowy S, Makendi C, Wren BW, Williams HD, Willcocks SJ. In vitro and in vivo properties of the bovine antimicrobial peptide, Bactenecin 5. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210508. [PMID: 30625198 PMCID: PMC6326515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP), part of the innate immune system, are well studied for their ability to kill pathogenic microorganisms. However, many also possess important immunomodulatory effects, and this area has potential for the development of novel therapies to supplement traditional methods such as the use of antibiotics. Here, we characterise the microbicidal and immunomodulatory potential of the proline-rich bovine AMP, Bactenecin 5 (Bac5). We demonstrate broad antimicrobial activity, including against some mycobacterial species, which are important pathogens of fish, cattle and humans. Bac5 is able to activate macrophage-like THP-1 cells and can synergistically trigger the upregulation of tnf-α when co-stimulated with M. marinum. Furthermore, Bac5 sensitises A549 epithelial cells to stimulation with TNF-α. For the first time, we characterise the activity of Bac5 in vivo, and show it to be a potent chemokine for macrophages in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model of infection. Bac5 also supports the early recruitment of neutrophils in the presence of M. marinum. In the absence of host adaptive immunity, exogenous injected Bac5 is able to slow, although not prevent, infection of zebrafish with M. marinum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R. L. Price
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - L. Bugeon
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S. Mostowy
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - C. Makendi
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - B. W. Wren
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - H. D. Williams
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S. J. Willcocks
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lai PK, Geldart K, Ritter S, Kaznessis YN, Hackel BJ. Systematic Mutagenesis of Oncocin Reveals Enhanced Activity and Insights into the Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Activity. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING 2018; 3:930-941. [PMID: 31105969 PMCID: PMC6519479 DOI: 10.1039/c8me00051d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Oncocin is a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide that inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosome. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of oncocin was improved by systematic peptide mutagenesis and activity evaluation. We found that a pair of cationic substitutions (P4K and L7K/R) improves the activity by 2-4 fold (p<0.05) against multiple Gram-negative bacteria. An in vitro transcription / translation assay indicated that the increased activity was not because of stronger ribosome binding. Rather a cellular internalization assay revealed a higher internalization rate for the optimized analogs thereby suggesting a mechanism to increase potency. In addition, we found that the optimized peptides' benefit is dependent upon nutrient-depleted media conditions. The molecular design and characterization strategies have broad potential for development of antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Kuang Lai
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kathryn Geldart
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Seth Ritter
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yiannis N Kaznessis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang LL, Zhan MY, Zhuo YL, Pan YM, Xu Y, Zhou XH, Yang PJ, Liu HL, Liang ZH, Huang XD, Yu XQ, Rao XJ. Antimicrobial activities of a proline-rich proprotein from Spodoptera litura. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 87:137-146. [PMID: 29935286 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced by the stimulated humoral immune system. Most mature AMPs contain less than 50 amino acid residues. Some of them are generated from proproteins upon microbial challenges. Here, we report the antimicrobial activities of a proline-rich proprotein, named SlLebocin1 (SlLeb1), from the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura. SlLebocin1 cDNA contains a 477-bp open reading frame (ORF). It is mainly expressed in hemocytes and the midgut in naïve larvae. The transcript level was significantly induced in hemocytes but repressed in the midgut and fat body by bacterial challenges. The proprotein contains 158 amino acids with 3 RXXR motifs that are characteristic of some Lepidopteral lebocin proproteins. Four peptides corresponding to the predicted processed fragments were synthesized chemically, and their antimicrobial activities against two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacterial strains were analyzed. The peptides showed differential antimicrobial activities. For Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, only the C-terminal fragment (124-158) showed strong inhibitory effects. For Staphylococcus aureus, all peptides showed partial inhibitions. None of them inhibited Serratia marcescens. Bacterial morphologies were examined by the scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The antimicrobial peptides either disrupted cellular membrane or inhibited cell division and caused elongated/enlarged morphologies. The results may provide ideas for designing novel antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ling Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ming-Yue Zhan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yu-Li Zhuo
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yue-Min Pan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Biotechnology Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Zhou
- Biotechnology Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Pei-Jin Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hong-Li Liu
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zi-Hao Liang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Huang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Unveiling the Multifaceted Mechanisms of Antibacterial Activity of Buforin II and Frenatin 2.3S Peptides from Skin Micro-Organs of the Orinoco Lime Treefrog ( Sphaenorhynchus lacteus). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082170. [PMID: 30044391 PMCID: PMC6121439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin is a rich source of natural compounds with diverse antimicrobial and immune defense properties. Our previous studies showed that the frog skin secretions obtained by skin micro-organs from various species of Colombian anurans have antimicrobial activities against bacteria and viruses. We purified for the first time two antimicrobial peptides from the skin micro-organs of the Orinoco lime treefrog (Sphaenorhynchus lacteus) that correspond to Buforin II (BF2) and Frenatin 2.3S (F2.3S). Here, we have synthesized the two peptides and tested them against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, observing an effective bactericidal activity at micromolar concentrations. Evaluation of BF2 and F2.3S membrane destabilization activity on bacterial cell cultures and synthetic lipid bilayers reveals a distinct membrane interaction mechanism. BF2 agglutinates E. coli cells and synthetic vesicles, whereas F2.3S shows a high depolarization and membrane destabilization activities. Interestingly, we found that F2.3S is able to internalize within bacterial cells and can bind nucleic acids, as previously reported for BF2. Moreover, bacterial exposure to both peptides alters the expression profile of genes related to stress and resistance response. Overall, these results show the multifaceted mechanism of action of both antimicrobial peptides that can provide alternative tools in the fight against bacterial resistance.
Collapse
|
21
|
Modulation of Global Transcriptional Regulatory Networks as a Strategy for Increasing Kanamycin Resistance of the Translational Elongation Factor-G Mutants in Escherichia coli. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:3955-3966. [PMID: 29046437 PMCID: PMC5714492 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Evolve and resequence experiments have provided us a tool to understand bacterial adaptation to antibiotics. In our previous work, we used short-term evolution to isolate mutants resistant to the ribosome targeting antibiotic kanamycin, and reported that Escherichia coli develops low cost resistance to kanamycin via different point mutations in the translation Elongation Factor-G (EF-G). Furthermore, we had shown that the resistance of EF-G mutants could be increased by second site mutations in the genes rpoD/cpxA/topA/cyaA Mutations in three of these genes had been discovered in earlier screens for aminoglycoside resistance. In this work, we expand our understanding of these second site mutations, the goal being to understand how these mutations affect the activities of the mutated gene products to confer resistance. We show that the mutation in cpxA most likely results in an active Cpx stress response. Further evolution of an EF-G mutant in a higher concentration of kanamycin than what was used in our previous experiments identified the cpxA locus as a primary target for a significant increase in resistance. The mutation in cyaA results in a loss of catalytic activity and probably results in resistance via altered CRP function. Despite a reduction in cAMP levels, the CyaAN600Y mutant has a transcriptome indicative of increased CRP activity, pointing to an unknown role for CyaA and / or cAMP in gene expression. From the transcriptomes of double and single mutants, we describe the epistasis between the mutation in EF-G and these second site mutations. We show that the large scale transcriptomic changes in the topoisomerase I (FusAA608E-TopAS180L) mutant likely result from increased negative supercoiling in the cell. Finally, genes with known roles in aminoglycoside resistance were present among the misregulated genes in the mutants.
Collapse
|
22
|
Schmidt R, Knappe D, Wende E, Ostorházi E, Hoffmann R. In vivo Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Optimized Apidaecin Analogs. Front Chem 2017; 5:15. [PMID: 28373972 PMCID: PMC5357639 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) represent promising alternative therapeutic options for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. PrAMPs are predominantly active against Gram-negative bacteria by inhibiting protein expression via at least two different modes of action, i.e., blocking the ribosomal exit tunnel of 70S ribosomes (oncocin-type binding) or inhibiting the assembly of the 50S ribosomal subunit (apidaecin-type binding). The in vivo efficacy and favorable biodistribution of oncocins confirmed the therapeutic potential of short PrAMPs for the first time, whereas the in vivo evaluation of apidaecins is still limited despite the promising efficacy of apidaecin-analog Api88 in an intraperitoneal murine infection model. Here, the in vivo efficacy of apidaecin-analog Api137 was studied, which rescued all NMRI mice from a lethal intraperitoneal infection with E. coli ATCC 25922 when administered three times intraperitoneal at doses of 0.6 mg/kg starting 1 h after infection. When Api88 and Api137 were administered intravenous or intraperitoneal at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg, their plasma levels were similarly low (<3 μg/mL) and four-fold lower than for oncocin-analog Onc72. This contradicted earlier expectation based on the very low serum stability of Api88 with a half-life time of only ~5 min compared to ~6 and ~3 h for Api137 and Onc72, respectively. Pharmacokinetic data relying on a sensitive mass spectrometry method utilizing multiple reaction monitoring and isotope-labeled peptides revealed that Api88 and Api137 were present in blood, urine, and kidney, and liver homogenates at similar levels accompanied by the same major metabolites comprising residues 1-16 and 1-17. The pretended discrepancy was solved, when all peptides were incubated in peritoneal lavage. Api137 was rapidly degraded at the C-terminus, while Api88 was rather stable despite releasing the same degradation products. Onc72 was very stable explaining its higher plasma levels compared to Api88 and Api137 after intraperitoneal administration illuminating its good in vivo efficacy. The data indicate that the degradation of therapeutic peptides should be studied in serum and further body fluids. Moreover, the high efficacy in murine infection models and the fast clearance of Api88 and Api137 within ~60 min after intravenous and ~90 min after intraperitoneal injections indicate that their in vivo efficacy relates to the maximal peptide concentration achieved in blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rico Schmidt
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Knappe
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Wende
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
| | - Eszter Ostorházi
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|