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Ding Y, Ting JP, Liu J, Al-Azzam S, Pandya P, Afshar S. Impact of non-proteinogenic amino acids in the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics. Amino Acids 2020; 52:1207-1226. [PMID: 32945974 PMCID: PMC7544725 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02890-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the development of modern chemistry and biology, non-proteinogenic amino acids (NPAAs) have become a powerful tool for developing peptide-based drug candidates. Drug-like properties of peptidic medicines, due to the smaller size and simpler structure compared to large proteins, can be changed fundamentally by introducing NPAAs in its sequence. While peptides composed of natural amino acids can be used as drug candidates, the majority have shown to be less stable in biological conditions. The impact of NPAA incorporation can be extremely beneficial in improving the stability, potency, permeability, and bioavailability of peptide-based therapies. Conversely, undesired effects such as toxicity or immunogenicity should also be considered. The impact of NPAAs in the development of peptide-based therapeutics is reviewed in this article. Further, numerous examples of peptides containing NPAAs are presented to highlight the ongoing development in peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ding
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Joey Paolo Ting
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Jinsha Liu
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Shams Al-Azzam
- Professional Scientific Services, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Lancaster, PA, 17605, USA
| | - Priyanka Pandya
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Sepideh Afshar
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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Lei S, Zhao H, Pang B, Qu R, Lian Z, Jiang C, Shao D, Huang Q, Jin M, Shi J. Capability of iturin from Bacillus subtilis to inhibit Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:4377-4392. [PMID: 30997554 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen that is difficult to cure clinically. The current clinic C. albicans-inhibiting drugs are very harmful to humans. This study revealed the potential of iturin fractions from Bacillus subtilis to inhibit C. albicans in free status (MIC = 32 μg/mL) and natural biofilm in vitro. The inhibition mechanism was identified as an apoptosis pathway via the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, the increase of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and the induction of nuclear condensation. For in vivo experiments, the C. albicans infection model was constructed via intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 108C. albicans cells into mice. One day after the infection, iturin was used to treat infected mice at different concentrations alone and in combination with amphotericin B (AmB) by intraperitoneal injection. The treatment with AmB alone could cause the death of infected mice, whereas treatment with 15 mg/kg iturin per day alone led to the survival of all infected mice throughout the study. After continuously treated for 6 days, all mice were sacrificed and analyzed. As results, the combination of 15 mg/kg iturin and AmB at a ratio of 2:1 had the most efficient effect to remove the fungal burden in the kidney and cure the infected mice by reversing the symptoms caused by C. albicans infection, such as the loss of body weight, change of immunology cells in blood and cytokines in serum, and damage of organ structure and functions. Overall, iturin had potential in the development of efficient and safe drugs to cure C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Lei
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Haobin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Bing Pang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Rui Qu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ziyang Lian
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chunmei Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Dongyan Shao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qingsheng Huang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Mingliang Jin
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Junling Shi
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Space Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy of Three New Cyclic Lipopeptides of the Class Bacillomycin from Bacillus subtilis RLID 12.1. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 62:AAC.01457-17. [PMID: 29038271 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01457-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New lipopeptide homologues (AF3, AF4, and AF5) with antifungal activities against Candida and Cryptococcus spp. were purified from a cell-free supernatant of Bacillus subtilis RLID 12.1. The lipopeptides AF3, AF4, and AF5 were identified with the same peptide sequence Asn-Pro-Tyr-Asn-Gln-Thr-Ser with variations in the fatty acid branching type and chain length (anteiso-C17, iso-C17, and iso-C18, respectively). Upon comparing the three homologues for MICs against 81 Candida (n = 64) and Cryptococcus (n = 17) clinical isolates and their cytotoxicities, we found that AF4 was the most promising antifungal lipopeptide, since it demonstrated 100% inhibition at geometric mean MICs of 3.31, 3.41, 3.48, and 2.83 μg/ml against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida auris, and Cryptococcus neoformans, respectively, with low hemolysis values (<6%) and 50% inhibitory concentrations (13.31 μg/ml). The additive effects among the homologues AF3, AF4, and AF5 were evaluated against three Candida species, along with the cytotoxicity studies. Five combinations exhibited good additive interaction effects: AF3/AF4 (at corresponding concentrations of 4 and 4 μg/ml [4/4 μg/ml]), AF3/AF5 (4/4 μg/ml), AF3/AF5 (2/4 μg/ml), AF4/AF5 (4/4 μg/ml), and AF4/AF5 (2/4 μg/ml) in planktonic cell inhibition and AF3/AF4 (4/4 μg/ml), AF3/AF5 (4/4 μg/ml), and AF3/AF5 (2/4 μg/ml) in the inhibition of biofilm formation. However, combinations AF3/AF4 and AF3/AF5, which showed >70% cell survival with low hemolysis (<5%), were found to be comparatively effective. We describe here the additive effects of lipopeptide homologues showing reduced cytotoxicity against mammalian cells; these combinations might serve as a potent antibiofilm-forming substitute.
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Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological Activity of Antimicrobial--Pro-Proliferative Peptide Conjugates. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140377. [PMID: 26473368 PMCID: PMC4608580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin represents the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in its protection from the negative impact of the outside environment, maintains its homeostasis, enables sensory interaction and thermoregulation. The traumatized skin tissue undergoes several phenotype switches due to progressive reoxygenation and release of cytokine and growth factors, that activate mechanisms of reparative processes. However, in case of wounds colonized with pathogenic microflora natural regenerative mechanisms become substantially impaired, that could lead to chronic inflammatory states with non-healing skin lesions. Herein, we present the initial results of our studies aimed at the design of bifunctional peptide-based compounds. The chemical approach, that was utilized in this work, was based on the conjugation of antimicrobial peptides with the peptides, that have potential pro-proliferative and/or cytoprotective activity towards human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, in order to obtain antimicrobials with reduced cytotoxicity or compounds that maintain both activities, i.e. inhibit bacterial or fungi growth and activate cell proliferation/migration in in vitro tests. As a result, we obtained a group of peptide conjugates that effectively inhibited the growth of selected bacterial and fungi strains and were able to stimulate proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts under their effective microbicidal concentrations.
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Tabbene O, Di Grazia A, Azaiez S, Ben Slimene I, Elkahoui S, Alfeddy MN, Casciaro B, Luca V, Limam F, Mangoni ML. Synergistic fungicidal activity of the lipopeptide bacillomycin D with amphotericin B against pathogenic Candida species. FEMS Yeast Res 2015; 15:fov022. [PMID: 25956541 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fov022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the synergism of the lipopeptide bacillomycin D in combination with the polyene amphotericin B against pathogenic Candida species is described along with their potential cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Bacillomycin D inhibited the growth of various Candida species at minimal concentrations from 12.5 to 25 μg ml(-1). Furthermore, it showed a synergistic effect with the antifungal drug amphotericin B in inhibiting the growth of Candida strains, with fractional inhibitory concentration indices ranging from 0.28 to 0.5. Time killing studies revealed a >2-log reduction in the viability of Candida albicans ATCC 10231 cells after 3 h incubation with the combination amphotericin B plus bacillomycin D, at their subinhibitory concentration. Interestingly, when the two drugs were used together at those dosages displaying a synergism in the anti-Candida activity, no cytotoxic effect was observed against mammalian cells. Therefore, the combination bacillomycin D/amphotericin B may represent a valid alternative to conventional antifungals for topical treatment of C. albicans infections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the in vitro interaction between the antifungal drug amphotericin B and bacillomycin D against pathogenic Candida species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olfa Tabbene
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology, Ecopark of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Sana Azaiez
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology, Ecopark of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Imen Ben Slimene
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology, Ecopark of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Salem Elkahoui
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology, Ecopark of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Najib Alfeddy
- Laboratory of Phytobacteriology, National Institute for Agricultural Research, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Luca
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Ferid Limam
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology, Ecopark of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Luca V, Olivi M, Di Grazia A, Palleschi C, Uccelletti D, Mangoni ML. Anti-Candida activity of 1-18 fragment of the frog skin peptide esculentin-1b: in vitro and in vivo studies in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2535-46. [PMID: 24221134 PMCID: PMC11113354 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1500-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent species causing life-threatening fungal infections. Current treatments to defeat Candida albicans have become quite difficult, due to their toxic side effects and the emergence of resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are fascinating molecules with a potential role as novel anti-infective agents. However, only a few studies have been performed on their efficacy towards the most virulent hyphal phenotype of this pathogen. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the anti-Candida activity of the N-terminal 1-18 fragment of the frog skin AMP esculentin-1b, Esc(1-18), under both in vitro and in vivo conditions using Caenorhabditis elegans as a simple host model for microbial infections. Our results demonstrate that Esc(1-18) caused a rapid reduction in the number of viable yeast cells and killing of the hyphal population. Esc(1-18) revealed a membrane perturbing effect which is likely the basis of its mode of action. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the ability of a frog skin AMP-derived peptide (1) to kill both growing stages of Candida; (2) to promote survival of Candida-infected living organisms and (3) to inhibit transition of these fungal cells from the roundish yeast shape to the more dangerous hyphal form at sub-inhibitory concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Luca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Olivi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Palleschi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Uccelletti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Park BT, Na KH, Jung EC, Park JW, Kim HH. Antifungal and Anticancer Activities of a Protein from the Mushroom Cordyceps militaris. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2009; 13:49-54. [PMID: 19885026 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2009.13.1.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The mushroom Cordyceps militaris has been used for a long time in eastern Asia as a nutraceutical and in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for cancer patients. In the present study, a cytotoxic antifungal protease was purified from the dried fruiting bodies of C. militaris using anion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-Sepharose column. Electrophoretic analyses indicated that this protein, designated C. militaris protein (CMP), has a molecular mass of 12 kDa and a pI of 5.1. The optimum conditions for protease activity were a temperature of 37 and pH of 7.0~9.0. The enzyme activity was specifically inhibited by the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Amino acid composition of intact CMP and amino acid sequences of three major peptides from a tryptic digest of CMP were determined. CMP exerted strong antifungal effect against the growth of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, and exhibited cytotoxicity against human breast and bladder cancer cells. These results indicate that C. militaris represents a source of a novel protein that might be applied in diverse biological and medicinal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Tae Park
- Physical Pharmacy Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
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Hamad M. Antifungal Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation: A Double-hitter Approach to Deal with Invasive Fungal Infections. Scand J Immunol 2008; 67:533-43. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02101.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Sung WS, Lee J, Lee DG. Fungicidal Effect of Piscidin on Candida albicans: Pore Formation in Lipid Vesicles and Activity in Fungal Membranes. Biol Pharm Bull 2008; 31:1906-10. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.31.1906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Woo Sang Sung
- School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University
| | - Juneyoung Lee
- School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University
| | - Dong Gun Lee
- School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University
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Yadav V, Mandhan R, Dabur R, Chhillar AK, Gupta J, Sharma GL. A fraction from Escherichia coli with anti-Aspergillus properties. J Med Microbiol 2005; 54:375-379. [PMID: 15770023 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.45748-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The products of various strains of Escherichia coli (BL21, DH5alpha, HB101 and XL Blue) were investigated for antimycotic properties using pathogenic isolates of Aspergillus. Co-culture experiments revealed that E. coli strains exhibited variable activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. The lysates prepared from DH5alpha, HB101 and XL Blue strains of E. coli showed inhibitory activity against A. fumigatus in the protein concentration range of 62.50 to 250.00 microg ml(-1). The highest activity was seen in the lysate of BL21, which inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus completely at a concentration of 31.25 microg protein ml(-1). The MIC of BL21 lysate against Aspergillus niger was found to be 62.50 microg ml(-1). The in vitro toxicity of BL21 lysate was evaluated using a haemolytic assay. A BL21 lysate protein concentration of 1250.00 microg ml(-1) was found to be nontoxic to human erythrocytes. The standard drug amphotericin B lysed 100 % of erythrocytes at a concentration of 37.50 microg ml(-1). SDS-PAGE showed the presence of at least 15 major proteins in the lysate of BL21. Ion-exchange chromatography resolved the BL21 lysate into five fractions and fraction III was found to be endowed with anti-Aspergillus properties. The MIC of this fraction was found to be 3.90 microg ml(-1). Further work on the purification of the active molecule and its characterization is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Yadav
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
| | - R Mandhan
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
| | - Rajesh Dabur
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
| | - A K Chhillar
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
| | - J Gupta
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
| | - G L Sharma
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi University Campus, Delhi, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Bundelkhund University, Jhansi, India
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Choi SJ, Sung JH, Kim JA, Lee DY, Lee JH, Lee ES, Yang JM. In vitro antifungal activity of membrane-active peptides against dermatophytes and yeasts using broth microdilution method. J Dermatol Sci 2004; 35:64-7. [PMID: 15194149 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2004.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2003] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Oard S, Rush MC, Oard JH. Characterization of antimicrobial peptides against a US strain of the rice pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. J Appl Microbiol 2004; 97:169-80. [PMID: 15186454 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02291.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To identify antimicrobial peptides with high lytic activity against Rhizoctonia solani strain LR172, causal agent of rice sheath blight and aerial blight of soyabeans in the US. METHODS AND RESULTS Among 12 natural and synthetic antimicrobial peptides tested in vitro, the wheat-seed peptide, purothionin, showed the strongest inhibitory activity that was similar to the antifungal antibiotics, nystatin and nikkomycin Z. Cecropin B, a natural peptide from cecropia moth, and synthetic peptide D4E1 produced the highest inhibitory activity against R. solani among linear peptides. Membrane permeabilization levels strongly correlated with antifungal activity of the peptides. Noticeable changes in membrane integrity were observed at concentrations of >/=0.5 micromol l(-1) for purothionin, 2 micromol l(-1) for cecropin B, D4E1, D2A21, melittin, and phor21, and 8 micromol l(-1) for magainin II and phor14. An increase of nuclear membrane permeabilization was observed in fungal cells treated with cecropin B, but not with purothionin. Diffusion of nuclear content was observed by fluorescent microscopy 10 min after adding a lethal concentration of cecropin B. Evaluation by electron microscopy confirmed severe cytoplasmic degradation and plasma membrane vesiculation. Purothionin and cecropin B were the most stable against proteolytic degradation when added to liquid cultures of R. solani. CONCLUSIONS Purothionin, cecropin B, D4E1 and phor21 were shown to exhibit high in vitro lytic activity against R. solani strain LR172 for rice and soyabean. These peptides are greater than 16 amino acids long and rapidly increase fungal membrane permeabilization. Resistance to proteolysis is important for sufficient antifungal activity of antimicrobial peptides. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Selected antimicrobial peptides offer an attractive alternative to traditional chemicals that could be utilized in molecular breeding to develop crops resistant to rice sheath blight and aerial blight of soyabean.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Oard
- LSU AgCenter Biotechnology Laboratory, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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van 't Hof W, Veerman EC, Helmerhorst EJ, Amerongen AV. Antimicrobial peptides: properties and applicability. Biol Chem 2001; 382:597-619. [PMID: 11405223 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2001.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
All organisms need protection against microorganisms, e. g. bacteria, viruses and fungi. For many years, attention has been focused on adaptive immunity as the main antimicrobial defense system. However, the adaptive immune system, with its network of humoral and cellular responses is only found in higher animals, while innate immunity is encountered in all living creatures. The turning point in the appreciation of the innate immunity was the discovery of antimicrobial peptides in the early eighties. In general these peptides act by disrupting the structural integrity of the microbial membranes. It has become clear that membrane-active peptides and proteins play a crucial role in both the innate and the adaptive immune system as antimicrobial agents. This review is focused on the functional and structural features of the naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, and discusses their potential as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- W van 't Hof
- Department of Oral Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides are an important component of host defense in animals ranging from insects to mammals. They do not target specific molecular receptors on the microbial surface, but rather assume amphipathic structures that allow them to interact directly with microbial membranes, which they can rapidly permeabilize. They are thus perceived to be one promising solution to the growing problem of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics. A particularly abundant and widespread class of antimicrobial peptides are those with amphipathic, alpha-helical domains. Due to their relatively small size and synthetic accessibility, these peptides have been extensively studied and have generated a substantial amount of structure-activity relationship (SAR) data. In this review, alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides are considered from the point of view of six interrelated structural and physicochemical parameters that modulate their activity and specificity: sequence, size, structuring, charge, amphipathicity, and hydrophobicity. It begins by providing an overview of how these vary in peptides from different natural sources. It then analyzes how they relate to the currently accepted model for the mode of action of alpha-helical peptides, and discusses what the numerous SAR studies that have been carried out on these compounds and their analogues can tell us. A comparative analysis of the many alpha-helical, antimicrobial peptide sequences that are now available then provides further information on how these parameters are distributed and interrelated. Finally, the systematic variation of parameters in short model peptides is used to throw light on their role in antimicrobial potency and specificity. The review concludes with some considerations on the potentials and limitations for the development of alpha-helical, antimicrobial peptides as antiinfective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tossi
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Chimica delle Macromolecole, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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Hossain MA, Ghannoum MA. New investigational antifungal agents for treating invasive fungal infections. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2000; 9:1797-813. [PMID: 11060778 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.9.8.1797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Systemic fungal infections have been recognised as a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the last two decades. There are only a few therapeutic options for these infections. Severe toxicity, such as impairment of renal function, limits the use of amphotericin B. Flucytosine is associated with side effects and drug resistance. Fluconazole and itraconazole are safer, though emergence of resistance and innate resistance in some fungal pathogens is a concern in their use. Therefore, there is a need for developing novel drugs and/or treatment strategies to combat these infections. In recent years, increased efforts by the pharmaceutical industry and academia have led to the discovery of new re-engineered or reconsidered antifungal agents that are more efficacious, safer and have a broad spectrum of activity. Lipid formulations of polyene antifungal agents, amphotericin B and nystatin, have the advantage of improved therapeutic index. Activity against resistant fungi, high bioavailability, safety and longer half-life are the properties that encourage development of the newer triazoles (e.g., voriconazole, ravuconazole and posaconazole). Echinocandin-like lipopeptide antibiotics are among the antifungal agents with a novel mode of action. In addition to these lead investigational compounds, development of newer antifungal agents is underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Hossain
- Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, OH 44106-5028, USA
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De Lucca AJ. Antifungal peptides: potential candidates for the treatment of fungal infections. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2000; 9:273-99. [PMID: 11060677 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.9.2.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Many diversely produced natural peptides, as well as those produced semisynthetically and synthetically, have been found to inhibit the growth or even be lethal to a wide range of fungi. Some of these have the potential to aid mankind in combating mycoses caused by emerging pathogens or as a result of the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant fungi. Antifungal peptides may also assist in non-medical fields such as agriculture. For example, introduction by transgenic research of antifungal peptides could improve crop production yields by increasing host resistance to fungal invasion. The aim of this review is to provide information on research on these important peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J De Lucca
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA, ARS 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.
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Oh JE, Lee KH. Synthesis of novel unnatural amino acid as a building block and its incorporation into an antimicrobial peptide. Bioorg Med Chem 1999; 7:2985-90. [PMID: 10658605 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0896(99)00247-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Considering the biological mechanism and in vivo stability of antimicrobial peptides, we designed and synthesized novel unnatural amino acids with more positively charged and bulky side chain group than lysine residue. The unusual amino acids, which were synthesized by either solution phase or solid phase, were incorporated into an antimicrobial peptide. Its effect on the stability, activity, and the structure of the peptide was studied to evaluate the potential of these novel unnatural amino acids as a building block for antimicrobial peptides. The incorporation of this unusual amino acid increased the resistance of the peptide against serum protease more than three times without a decrease in the activity. Circular dichroism spectra of the peptides indicated that all novel unnatural amino acids must have lower alpha helical forming propensities than lysine. Our results indicated that the unnatural amino acids synthesized in this study could be used not only as a novel building block for combinatorial libraries of antimicrobial peptides, but also for structure-activity relationship studies about antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Oh
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute, Yongin-City, Kyunggi-Do, South Korea
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