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Rojas-Pirela M, Kemmerling U, Quiñones W, Michels PAM, Rojas V. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Potential Therapeutic Strategy against Trypanosomiases? Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040599. [PMID: 37189347 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomiases are a group of tropical diseases that have devastating health and socio-economic effects worldwide. In humans, these diseases are caused by the pathogenic kinetoplastids Trypanosoma brucei, causing African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, and Trypanosoma cruzi, causing American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. Currently, these diseases lack effective treatment. This is attributed to the high toxicity and limited trypanocidal activity of registered drugs, as well as resistance development and difficulties in their administration. All this has prompted the search for new compounds that can serve as the basis for the development of treatment of these diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides synthesized by both prokaryotes and (unicellular and multicellular) eukaryotes, where they fulfill functions related to competition strategy with other organisms and immune defense. These AMPs can bind and induce perturbation in cell membranes, leading to permeation of molecules, alteration of morphology, disruption of cellular homeostasis, and activation of cell death. These peptides have activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including parasitic protists. Therefore, they are being considered for new therapeutic strategies to treat some parasitic diseases. In this review, we analyze AMPs as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of trypanosomiases, emphasizing their possible application as possible candidates for the development of future natural anti-trypanosome drugs.
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Santos FA, Cruz GS, Vieira FA, Queiroz BR, Freitas CD, Mesquita FP, Souza PF. Systematic Review of Antiprotozoal Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Adelman ZN, Kojin BB. Malaria-Resistant Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae); The Principle is Proven, But Will the Effectors Be Effective? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1997-2005. [PMID: 34018548 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, a substantial number of anti-malarial effector genes have been evaluated for their ability to block parasite infection in the mosquito vector. While many of these approaches have yielded significant effects on either parasite intensity or prevalence of infection, just a few have been able to completely block transmission. Additionally, many approaches, while effective against the parasite, also disrupt or alter important aspects of mosquito physiology, leading to corresponding changes in lifespan, reproduction, and immunity. As the most promising approaches move towards field-based evaluation, questions of effector gene robustness and durability move to the forefront. In this forum piece, we critically evaluate past effector gene approaches with an eye towards developing a deeper pipeline to augment the current best candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Bianca B Kojin
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Recombinant C-Terminal Domains from Scorpine-like Peptides Inhibit the Plasmodium berghei Ookinete Development In Vitro. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10130-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Dong Y, Simões ML, Dimopoulos G. Versatile transgenic multistage effector-gene combinations for Plasmodium falciparum suppression in Anopheles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay5898. [PMID: 32426491 PMCID: PMC7220273 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay5898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite's complex journey through the Anopheles mosquito vector provides multiple opportunities for targeting Plasmodium with recombinant effectors at different developmental stages and different host tissues. We have designed and expressed transgenes that efficiently suppress Plasmodium infection by targeting the parasite with multiple independent endogenous and exogenous effectors at multiple infection stages to potentiate suppression and minimize the probability for development of resistance to develop. We have also addressed the fitness impact of transgene expression on the mosquito. We show that highly potent suppression can be achieved by targeting both pre-oocyst stages by transgenically overexpressing either the endogenous immune deficiency immune pathway transcription factor Rel2 or a polycistronic mRNA encoding multiple antiparasitic effectors and simultaneously targeting the sporozoite stages with an anti-sporozoite single-chain antibody fused to the antiparasitic protein Scorpine. Expression of the selected endogenous effector systems appears to pose a lower fitness cost than does the use of foreign genes.
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Yamamoto K, Takahashi K, Ato M, Iwanaga S, Ohta N. Antimalarial activity of vitamin D3 (VD3) does not result from VD3-induced antimicrobial agents including nitric oxide or cathelicidin. Exp Parasitol 2019; 201:67-77. [PMID: 30904694 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3), the active form of vitamin D, inhibits microbial proliferation. Previously, we used in vivo murine models to investigate the antimalarial activity of VD3 and confirmed potent antimalarial activity in the acute phase. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the antimalarial activity of VD3 in vivo, particularly extensive inhibition of parasitemia in the acute phase, focusing on nitric oxide (NO), a potent antimalarial molecule. VD3 is a good NO inducer. When most Plasmodium chabaudi AS (PcAS)-infected mice treated with VD3 survived, NO was present in blood samples obtained from VD3-treated mice at a significantly higher rate at 2 and/or 3 days post-infection than that in vehicle-treated control mice. To verify the involvement of NO in the antimalarial activity of VD3, we used aminoguanidine (AG), an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, to abrogate the antimalarial activity of VD3. However, despite AG-induced reductions in NO levels, parasitemia remained inhibited during the acute phase, even in the presence of AG, and the antiplasmodial faculty of VD3 was not ablated. VD3-mediated antimalarial activity irrelevant of NO compelled us to consider another candidate. In a pilot experiment, we used cathelicidin (CAMP), an antimicrobial peptide, since it is known that VD3 induces CAMP synthesis. Serum CAMP levels increased on days 4 or 5 post-infection with or without VD3 administration, but experiments using exogenous CAMP did not display curative effects in PcAS-infected mice. The present study using VD3 to target the malarial parasite thus suggests a potential novel approach to treat malarial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiichi Yamamoto
- Section of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Takahashi
- Department of Bio-informational Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
| | - Manabu Ato
- Department of Mycobacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Section of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
| | - Nobuo Ohta
- Section of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan; Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Japan
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Jafari M, Mehrnejad F, Doustdar F. Insight into the interactions, residue snorkeling, and membrane disordering potency of a single antimicrobial peptide into different lipid bilayers. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187216. [PMID: 29125878 PMCID: PMC5695277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pardaxin, with a bend-helix-bend-helix structure, is a membrane-active antimicrobial peptide that its membrane activity depends on the lipid bilayer composition. Herein, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to provide further molecular insight into the interactions, structural dynamics, orientation behavior, and cationic residues snorkeling of pardaxin in the DMPC, DPPC, POPC, POPG, POPG/POPE (3:1), and POPG/POPE (1:3) lipid bilayers. The results showed that the C-terminal helix of the peptide was maintained in all six types of the model-bilayers and pardaxin was tilted into the DMPC, DPPC, and POPG/POPE mixed bilayers more than the POPC and POPG bilayers. As well as, the structure of zwitterionic membranes was more affected by the peptide than the anionic bilayers. Taken together, the study demonstrated that the cationic residues of pardaxin snorkeled toward the interface of lipid bilayers and all phenylalanine residues of the peptide played important roles in the peptide-membrane interactions. We hope that this work will provide a better understanding of the interactions of antimicrobial peptides with the membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Jafari
- Department of Life Sciences Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faramarz Mehrnejad
- Department of Life Sciences Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farahnoosh Doustdar
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Jafari M, Mehrnejad F, Aghdami R, Chaparzadeh N, Razaghi Moghadam Kashani Z, Doustdar F. Identification of the Crucial Residues in the Early Insertion of Pardaxin into Different Phospholipid Bilayers. J Chem Inf Model 2017; 57:929-941. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.6b00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Jafari
- Department of Life Sciences Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 14395-1561, Iran
| | - Faramarz Mehrnejad
- Department of Life Sciences Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 14395-1561, Iran
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran 19395-5746, Iran
| | - Raheleh Aghdami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz 53714-161, Iran
| | - Nader Chaparzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz 53714-161, Iran
| | - Zahra Razaghi Moghadam Kashani
- Department of Life Sciences Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 14395-1561, Iran
| | - Farahnoosh Doustdar
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of
Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran
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Li L, Song F, Sun J, Tian X, Xia S, Le G. Membrane damage as first and DNA as the secondary target for anti-candidal activity of antimicrobial peptide P7 derived from cell-penetrating peptide ppTG20 against Candida albicans. J Pept Sci 2016; 22:427-33. [PMID: 27197902 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
P7, a peptide analogue derived from cell-penetrating peptide ppTG20, possesses antibacterial and antitumor activities without significant hemolytic activity. In this study, we investigated the antifungal effect of P7 and its anti-Candida acting mode in Candida albicans. P7 displayed antifungal activity against the reference C. albicans (MIC = 4 μM), Aspergilla niger (MIC = 32 μM), Aspergillus flavus (MIC = 8 μM), and Trichopyton rubrum (MIC = 16 μM). The effect of P7 on the C. albicans cell membrane was examined by investigating the calcein leakage from fungal membrane models made of egg yolk l-phosphatidylcholine/ergosterol (10 : 1, w/w) liposomes. P7 showed potent leakage effects against fungal liposomes similar to Melittin-treated cells. C. albicans protoplast regeneration assay demonstrated that P7 interacted with the C. albicans plasma membrane. Flow cytometry of the plasma membrane potential and integrity of C. albicans showed that P7 caused 60.9 ± 1.8% depolarization of the membrane potential of intact C. albicans cells and caused 58.1 ± 3.2% C. albicans cell membrane damage. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that part of FITC-P7 accumulated in the cytoplasm. DNA retardation analysis was also performed, which showed that P7 interacted with C. albicans genomic DNA after penetrating the cell membrane, completely inhibiting the migration of genomic DNA above the weight ratio (peptide : DNA) of 6. Our results indicated that the plasma membrane was the primary target, and DNA was the secondary intracellular target of the mode of action of P7 against C. albicans. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirong Li
- Yunnan Institute of Food Safety, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Fengxia Song
- Yunnan Institute of Food Safety, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xu Tian
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shufang Xia
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Guowei Le
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
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Pretzel J, Mohring F, Rahlfs S, Becker K. Antiparasitic peptides. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 135:157-92. [PMID: 23615879 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
: The most important parasitic diseases, malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis, are a great burden to mankind, threatening the life of millions of people worldwide and mostly affecting the poorest. Because drug resistance is increasing and vaccines are rarely available, novel chemotherapeutic compounds are necessary in order to treat these devastating diseases. Insects serve as vectors of many human parasitic diseases and have been shown to express a huge variety of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Therefore, research activity on insect-derived AMPs has been increasing in the last 40 years. This chapter summarizes the current state of research on the possible role of AMPs as potential chemotherapeutic compounds against human parasitic diseases. As a representative antimicrobial peptide with antiparasitic activity, the structure of insect defensin A is shown [PDB accession code: 1ICA]. The molecule is surrounded by schematic representations of the human pathogenic parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanosoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jette Pretzel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Sinha S, Singh A, Medhi B, Sehgal R. Systematic Review: Insight into Antimalarial Peptide. Int J Pept Res Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-016-9512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Silva AF, Torres MDT, Silva LDS, Alves FL, Pinheiro AADS, Miranda A, Capurro ML, Oliveira VX. New linear antiplasmodial peptides related to angiotensin II. Malar J 2015; 14:433. [PMID: 26537730 PMCID: PMC4634797 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0974-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antiplasmodial activities of angiotensin II and its analogues have been extensively investigated in Plasmodium gallinaceum and Plasmodium falciparum parasite species. Due to its vasoconstrictor property angiotensin II cannot be used as an anti-malarial drug. Methods This work presents the solid-phase syntheses and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry characterization of ten linear peptides related to angiotensin II against mature P. gallinaceum sporozoites and erythrocyte invasion by P. falciparum. Conformational analyses were performed by circular dichroism. IC50 assays were performed to identify the ideal concentration used on the biological tests and haemolytical erythrocytic assays were made to verify the viability of the biological experiments. The contractile responses of the analogues were made to evaluate if they are promising candidates to be applied as antiplasmodial drugs. Results The results indicate two short-peptides constituted by hydrophobic residues (5 and 6) with antiplasmodial activity in these models, 89 and 94 % of biological activity against P. gallinaceum sporozoite, respectively, and around 50 % of activity against P. falciparum. Circular dichroism spectra suggested that all the peptides adopted β-turn conformation in different solutions, except peptide 3. Besides the biological assays IC50, the haemolysis assays and contractile response activities were applied for peptides 5 and 6, which did not present expressive results. Conclusions The hydrophobic portion and the arginine, tyrosine, proline, and phenylalanine, when present on peptide primary sequence, tend to increase the antiplasmodial activity. This class of peptides can be explored, as anti-malarial drugs, after in vivo model tests.The most active peptide presented 94 % activity on P. gallinaceum sporozoites and 53 % inhibited P. falciparum ring forms invasion ![]() Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0974-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Farias Silva
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Der Torossian Torres
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil.
| | - Leandro de Souza Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Flávio Lopes Alves
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana Acácia de Sá Pinheiro
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Miranda
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Margareth Lara Capurro
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Vani Xavier Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil.
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Synthetic dendrimeric peptide active against biofilm and persister cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:8125-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6645-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Vale N, Aguiar L, Gomes P. Antimicrobial peptides: a new class of antimalarial drugs? Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:275. [PMID: 25566072 PMCID: PMC4271771 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A range of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) exhibit activity on malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp., in their blood or mosquito stages, or both. These peptides include a diverse array of both natural and synthetic molecules varying greatly in size, charge, hydrophobicity, and secondary structure features. Along with an overview of relevant literature reports regarding AMP that display antiplasmodial activity, this review makes a few considerations about those molecules as a potential new class of antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Vale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Centro de Investigação em Química, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Aguiar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Centro de Investigação em Química, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Centro de Investigação em Química, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
Recent advances in genetic engineering are bringing new promise for controlling mosquito populations that transmit deadly pathogens. Here we discuss past and current efforts to engineer mosquito strains that are refractory to disease transmission or are suitable for suppressing wild disease-transmitting populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Smidler
- />Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 021155 USA
- />Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- />Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 021155 USA
- />Department of Microbiology, Perugia University, Perugia, 06100 Italy
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McArthur CC, Meredith JM, Eggleston P. Transgenic Anopheles gambiae expressing an antimalarial peptide suffer no significant fitness cost. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88625. [PMID: 24516671 PMCID: PMC3916423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases present some of the greatest health challenges faced by the world today. In many cases, existing control measures are compromised by insecticide resistance, pathogen tolerance to drugs and the lack of effective vaccines. In light of these difficulties, new genetic tools for disease control programmes, based on the deployment of genetically modified mosquitoes, are seen as having great promise. Transgenic strains may be used to control disease transmission either by suppressing vector populations or by replacing susceptible with refractory genotypes. In practice, the fitness of the transgenic strain relative to natural mosquitoes will be a critical determinant of success. We previously described a transgenic strain of Anopheles gambiae expressing the Vida3 peptide into the female midgut following a blood-meal, which exhibited significant protection against malaria parasites. Here, we investigated the fitness of this strain relative to non-transgenic controls through comparisons of various life history traits. Experiments were designed, as far as possible, to equalize genetic backgrounds and heterogeneity such that fitness comparisons focussed on the presence and expression of the transgene cassette. We also employed reciprocal crosses to identify any fitness disturbance associated with inheritance of the transgene from either the male or female parent. We found no evidence that the presence or expression of the effector transgene or associated fluorescence markers caused any significant fitness cost in relation to larval mortality, pupal sex ratio, fecundity, hatch rate or longevity of blood-fed females. In fact, fecundity was increased in transgenic strains. We did, however, observe some fitness disturbances associated with the route of inheritance of the transgene. Maternal inheritance delayed male pupation whilst paternal inheritance increased adult longevity for both males and unfed females. Overall, in comparison to controls, there was no evidence of significant fitness costs associated with the presence or expression of transgenes in this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare C. McArthur
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Janet M. Meredith
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Eggleston
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Carter V, Underhill A, Baber I, Sylla L, Baby M, Larget-Thiery I, Zettor A, Bourgouin C, Langel Ü, Faye I, Otvos L, Wade JD, Coulibaly MB, Traore SF, Tripet F, Eggleston P, Hurd H. Killer bee molecules: antimicrobial peptides as effector molecules to target sporogonic stages of Plasmodium. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003790. [PMID: 24278025 PMCID: PMC3836994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A new generation of strategies is evolving that aim to block malaria transmission by employing genetically modified vectors or mosquito pathogens or symbionts that express anti-parasite molecules. Whilst transgenic technologies have advanced rapidly, there is still a paucity of effector molecules with potent anti-malaria activity whose expression does not cause detrimental effects on mosquito fitness. Our objective was to examine a wide range of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for their toxic effects on Plasmodium and anopheline mosquitoes. Specifically targeting early sporogonic stages, we initially screened AMPs for toxicity against a mosquito cell line and P. berghei ookinetes. Promising candidate AMPs were fed to mosquitoes to monitor adverse fitness effects, and their efficacy in blocking rodent malaria infection in Anopheles stephensi was assessed. This was followed by tests to determine their activity against P. falciparum in An. gambiae, initially using laboratory cultures to infect mosquitoes, then culminating in preliminary assays in the field using gametocytes and mosquitoes collected from the same area in Mali, West Africa. From a range of 33 molecules, six AMPs able to block Plasmodium development were identified: Anoplin, Duramycin, Mastoparan X, Melittin, TP10 and Vida3. With the exception of Anoplin and Mastoparan X, these AMPs were also toxic to an An. gambiae cell line at a concentration of 25 µM. However, when tested in mosquito blood feeds, they did not reduce mosquito longevity or egg production at concentrations of 50 µM. Peptides effective against cultured ookinetes were less effective when tested in vivo and differences in efficacy against P. berghei and P. falciparum were seen. From the range of molecules tested, the majority of effective AMPs were derived from bee/wasp venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Carter
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ann Underhill
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahima Baber
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Lakamy Sylla
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mounirou Baby
- Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine, Bamako, Mali
| | - Isabelle Larget-Thiery
- Institut Pasteur, Centre for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Parasitology and Mycology Department, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Zettor
- Institut Pasteur, Centre for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Parasitology and Mycology Department, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Bourgouin
- Institut Pasteur, Centre for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Parasitology and Mycology Department, Paris, France
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Neurochemistry Svante Arrhenius v. 21A, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Faye
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Svante Arrhenius v. 20C, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laszlo Otvos
- Temple University Department of Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - John D. Wade
- Howard Florey Research Laboratories, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mamadou B. Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sekou F. Traore
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Frederic Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Eggleston
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Hilary Hurd
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Paton D, Underhill A, Meredith J, Eggleston P, Tripet F. Contrasted Fitness Costs of Docking and Antibacterial Constructs in the EE and EVida3 Strains Validates Two-Phase Anopheles gambiae Genetic Transformation System. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67364. [PMID: 23840679 PMCID: PMC3694017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The deployment of transgenic mosquitoes carrying genes for refractoriness to malaria has long been seen as a futuristic scenario riddled with technical difficulties. The integration of anti-malarial effector genes and a gene-drive system into the mosquito genome without affecting mosquito fitness is recognized as critical to the success of this malaria control strategy. Here we conducted detailed fitness studies of two Anopheles gambiae s.s. transgenic lines recently developed using a two-phase targeted genetic transformation system. In replicated cage-invasion experiments, males and females of the EE Phase-1 docking strain and EVida3 Phase-2 strain loaded with an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expressed upon blood-feeding, were mixed with individuals of a recently-colonized strain of the Mopti chromosomal form. The experimental design enabled us to detect initial strain reproductive success differences, assortative mating and hybrid vigor that may characterize mosquito release situations. In addition, the potential fitness costs of the unloaded Phase-1 and loaded Phase-2 genetic constructs, independent of the strains' original genetic backgrounds, were estimated between the 1(st) instar larvae, pupae and adult stages over 10 generations. The Phase-1 unloaded docking cassette was found to have significantly lower allelic fitness relative to the wild type allele during larval development. However, overall genotypic fitness was comparable to the wild type allele across all stages leading to stable equilibrium in all replicates. In contrast, the Phase-2 construct expressing EVida3 disappeared from all replicates within 10 generations due to lower fitness of hemi- and homozygous larvae, suggesting costly background AMP expression and/or of the DsRed2 marker. This is the first study to effectively partition independent fitness stage-specific determinants in unloaded and loaded transgenic strains of a Phase-1-2 transformation system. Critically, the high fitness of the Phase-1 docking strain makes it the ideal model system for measuring the genetic load of novel candidate anti-malarial molecules in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug Paton
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Underhill
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Meredith
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Eggleston
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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20
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Abstract
AbstractIncreased prevalence of multi-drug resistance in pathogens has encouraged researchers to focus on finding novel forms of anti-infective agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in animal secretions are components of host innate immune response and have survived eons of pathogen evolution. Thus, they are likely to be active against pathogens and even those that are resistant to conventional drugs. Many peptides have been isolated and shown to be effective against multi-drug resistant pathogens. More than 500 AMPs have been identified from amphibians. The abundance of AMPs in frog skin is remarkable and constitutes a rich source for design of novel pharmaceutical molecules. Expression and post-translational modifications, discovery, activities and probable therapeutic application prospects of amphibian AMPs will be discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- 1Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Cunbao Liu
- 1Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Ren Lai
- 1Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
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21
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Meredith JM, Basu S, Nimmo DD, Larget-Thiery I, Warr EL, Underhill A, McArthur CC, Carter V, Hurd H, Bourgouin C, Eggleston P. Site-specific integration and expression of an anti-malarial gene in transgenic Anopheles gambiae significantly reduces Plasmodium infections. PLoS One 2011; 6:e14587. [PMID: 21283619 PMCID: PMC3026776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes have a devastating impact on global health and this is worsening due to difficulties with existing control measures and climate change. Genetically modified mosquitoes that are refractory to disease transmission are seen as having great potential in the delivery of novel control strategies. Historically the genetic modification of insects has relied upon transposable elements which have many limitations despite their successful use. To circumvent these limitations the Streptomyces phage phiC31 integrase system has been successfully adapted for site-specific transgene integration in insects. Here, we present the first site-specific transformation of Anopheles gambiae, the principal vector of human malaria. Mosquitoes were initially engineered to incorporate the phiC31 targeting site at a defined genomic location. A second phase of genetic modification then achieved site-specific integration of Vida3, a synthetic anti-malarial gene. Expression of Vida3, specifically in the midgut of bloodfed females, offered consistent and significant protection against Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis, reducing average parasite intensity by 85%. Similar protection was observed against Plasmodium falciparum in some experiments, although protection was inconsistent. In the fight against malaria, it is imperative to establish a broad repertoire of both anti-malarial effector genes and tissue-specific promoters for their expression, enabling those offering maximum effect with minimum fitness cost to be identified. In the future, this technology will allow effective comparisons and informed choices to be made, potentially leading to complete transmission blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M. Meredith
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Basu
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Derric D. Nimmo
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
- Oxitec Ltd, Milton Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Larget-Thiery
- Institut Pasteur, Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Paris, France
| | - Emma L. Warr
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Ann Underhill
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Clare C. McArthur
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Carter
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Hilary Hurd
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Bourgouin
- Institut Pasteur, Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Paris, France
| | - Paul Eggleston
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: .
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22
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Benitez LB, Caumo K, Brandelli A, Rott MB. Bacteriocin-like substance from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens shows remarkable inhibition of Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Parasitol Res 2010; 108:687-91. [PMID: 20967460 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2114-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of a bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was tested against Acanthamoeba polyphaga strains, and its cytotoxic potential on Vero cells was investigated. Amebicidal activity of the purified BLS was tested by plate bioassays with concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 6,400 AU mL(-1). Damage to A. pholyphaga cells was monitored using an inverted microscope and counted in a Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber after 24, 48, and 72 h. According to the results obtained, the BLS showed remarkable amebicidal and amebostatic effect on A. polyphaga and showed no cytotoxicity on the Vero cells. These results may have great relevance in the development of new acanthamoebicidal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisianne Brittes Benitez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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23
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Carter V, Hurd H. Choosing anti-Plasmodium molecules for genetically modifying mosquitoes: focus on peptides. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26:582-90. [PMID: 20800543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Revised: 07/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In the wake of the development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, novel strategies for halting malaria transmission are being developed. These include the genetic modification (GM) of mosquitoes to become incompetent vectors. Although mosquito GM technologies are progressing rapidly, the rationale behind choosing anti-parasite molecules to be expressed by mosquitoes has received less attention. Here, questions are explored that that should be addressed during the strategic selection of these anti-Plasmodium molecules, focusing on antimicrobial peptides. Properties that will enhance the likelihood of success are discussed, and the need to plan an initial strategy to eliminate molecules that cause fitness costs to the mosquito is considered. Effector molecules with proven anti-sporogonic stage activity are reviewed, and the activity of a selection of these molecules is detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Carter
- School of Life Sciences, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM), Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
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24
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Akaddar A, Doderer-Lang C, Marzahn MR, Delalande F, Mousli M, Helle K, Van Dorsselaer A, Aunis D, Dunn BM, Metz-Boutigue MH, Candolfi E. Catestatin, an endogenous chromogranin A-derived peptide, inhibits in vitro growth of Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:1005-15. [PMID: 20043183 PMCID: PMC2827800 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0235-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2009] [Revised: 12/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/11/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Catestatin, an endogenous peptide derived from bovine chromogranin A, and its active domain cateslytin display powerful antimicrobial activities. We have tested the activities of catestatin and other related peptides on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Catestatin inhibits growth of the chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum 3D7, exhibiting 88% inhibition at 20 microM. A similar partial inhibition of parasite growth was observed for the chloroquine-resistant strain, 7G8 (64%,) and the multidrug-resistant strain, W2 (62%). In the presence of parasite-specific lactate dehydrogenase, a specific protein-protein interaction between catestatin and plasmepsin II precursor was demonstrated. In addition, catestatin partially inhibited the parasite-specific proteases plasmepsin in vitro. A specific interaction between catestatin and plasmepsins II and IV from P. falciparum and plasmepsin IV from the three remaining species of Plasmodium known to infect man was observed, suggesting a catestatin-induced reduction in availability of nutrients for protein synthesis in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziza Akaddar
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, EA 4438, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Cécile Doderer-Lang
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, EA 4438, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Melissa R. Marzahn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 100245 Gainesville, FL USA
| | - François Delalande
- Développement et Physiopathologie de l’Intestin et du Pancréas, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM U682, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marc Mousli
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, EA 4438, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Karen Helle
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Alain Van Dorsselaer
- Laboratoire de spectrométrie de masse BioOrganique, IPHC-DSA, UDS, CNRS, UMR178, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Aunis
- Physiopathologie du Système Nerveux, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM U575, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ben M. Dunn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 100245 Gainesville, FL USA
| | | | - Ermanno Candolfi
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, EA 4438, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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25
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Design and characterization of novel hybrid peptides from LFB15(W4,10), HP(2-20), and cecropin A based on structure parameters by computer-aided method. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 82:1097-103. [PMID: 19148638 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-008-1839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Revised: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 12/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria requires development of new antimicrobial agents. The pivotal assets of the antimicrobial peptide include potential for rapid bactericidal activity and low propensity for resistance. The four new antimicrobial hybrid peptides were designed based on peptides LFB15(W4,10), HP(2-20), and cecropin A according to the structure-activity relationship of the amphipathic and cationic antimicrobial peptides. Their structural parameters were accessed by bioinformatics tools, and then two hybrids with the most potential candidates were synthesized. The hybrid peptide LH28 caused an increase in antibiotic activity (MIC(50)=1.56-3.13 microM) against given bacterial strains and did not cause obvious hemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes at concentration of 3.13 microM with effective antimicrobial activity. The results demonstrate that evaluating the structural parameters could be useful for designing novel antimicrobial peptides.
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26
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Cell-penetrating peptide TP10 shows broad-spectrum activity against both Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:3414-7. [PMID: 18519720 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01450-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria and trypanosomiasis are diseases which afflict millions and for which novel therapies are urgently required. We have tested two well-characterized cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) for antiparasitic activity. One CPP, designated TP10, has broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, both blood and mosquito stages, and against blood-stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei.
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27
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Yoshida S, Shimada Y, Kondoh D, Kouzuma Y, Ghosh AK, Jacobs-Lorena M, Sinden RE. Hemolytic C-type lectin CEL-III from sea cucumber expressed in transgenic mosquitoes impairs malaria parasite development. PLoS Pathog 2008; 3:e192. [PMID: 18159942 PMCID: PMC2151087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The midgut environment of anopheline mosquitoes plays an important role in the development of the malaria parasite. Using genetic manipulation of anopheline mosquitoes to change the environment in the mosquito midgut may inhibit development of the malaria parasite, thus blocking malaria transmission. Here we generate transgenic Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes that express the C-type lectin CEL-III from the sea cucumber, Cucumaria echinata, in a midgut-specific manner. CEL-III has strong and rapid hemolytic activity toward human and rat erythrocytes in the presence of serum. Importantly, CEL-III binds to ookinetes, leading to strong inhibition of ookinete formation in vitro with an IC50 of 15 nM. Thus, CEL-III exhibits not only hemolytic activity but also cytotoxicity toward ookinetes. In these transgenic mosquitoes, sporogonic development of Plasmodium berghei is severely impaired. Moderate, but significant inhibition was found against Plasmodium falciparum. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of stably engineered anophelines that affect the Plasmodium transmission dynamics of human malaria. Although our laboratory-based research does not have immediate applications to block natural malaria transmission, these findings have significant implications for the generation of refractory mosquitoes to all species of human Plasmodium and elucidation of mosquito–parasite interactions. Malaria is arguably the most important vector-borne disease worldwide, affecting 300 million people and killing 1–2 million people every year. The lack of an effective vaccine and the emergence of the parasites' resistance to many existing anti-malarial drugs have aggravated the situation. Clearly, development of novel strategies for control of the disease is urgently needed. Mosquitoes are obligatory vectors for the disease and inhibition of parasite development in the mosquito has considerable promise as a new approach in the fight against malaria. Based on recent advances in the genetic engineering of mosquitoes, the concept of generating genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes that hinder transmission by either killing or interfering with parasite development is a potential means of controlling the disease. To generate these GM mosquitoes, the authors focused on a unique lectin isolated from the sea cucumber, which has both hemolytic and cytotoxic activities, as an anti-parasite effector molecule. A transgenic mosquito expressing the lectin effectively caused erythrocyte lysis in the midgut after ingestion of an infectious blood meal and severely impaired parasite development. This laboratory-acquired finding may provide significant implications for future malaria control using GM mosquitoes refractory to the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeto Yoshida
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
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28
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Rodrigues FG, Santos MN, de Carvalho TXT, Rocha BC, Riehle MA, Pimenta PFP, Abraham EG, Jacobs-Lorena M, Alves de Brito CF, Moreira LA. Expression of a mutated phospholipase A2 in transgenic Aedes fluviatilis mosquitoes impacts Plasmodium gallinaceum development. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 17:175-83. [PMID: 18353106 PMCID: PMC4137777 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2008.00791.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The genetic manipulation of mosquito vectors is an alternative strategy in the fight against malaria. It was previously shown that bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibits ookinete invasion of the mosquito midgut although mosquito fitness was reduced. To maintain the PLA2 blocking ability without compromising mosquito biology, we mutated the protein-coding sequence to inactivate the enzyme while maintaining the protein's structure. DNA encoding the mutated PLA2 (mPLA2) was placed downstream of a mosquito midgut-specific promoter (Anopheles gambiae peritrophin protein 1 promoter, AgPer1) and this construct used to transform Aedes fluviatilis mosquitoes. Four different transgenic lines were obtained and characterized and all lines significantly inhibited Plasmodium gallinaceum oocyst development (up to 68% fewer oocysts). No fitness cost was observed when this mosquito species expressed the mPLA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Malária, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
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29
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The antimicrobial peptide NK-2, the core region of mammalian NK-lysin, kills intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:1713-20. [PMID: 18332165 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01342-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In a time of dramatically increasing resistance of microbes to all kinds of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial peptides and synthetic analogs thereof have emerged as compounds with potentially significant therapeutical applications against human pathogens. Only very few of these peptide antibiotics have been tested against protozoan pathogens that are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in large parts of the world. Here, we studied the effect of NK-2, a peptide representing the cationic core region of the lymphocytic effector protein NK-lysin, on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Whereas noninfected red blood cells were hardly affected, human erythrocytes infected with the parasite were rapidly permeabilized by NK-2 in the micromolar range. Loss of plasma membrane asymmetry and concomitant exposure of phosphatidylserine upon infection appears to be the molecular basis for the observed target preference of NK-2, as can be demonstrated by annexin V binding. The peptide also affects the viability of the intracellular parasite, as evidenced by the drop in DNA content of cultured parasites. Accumulated evidence derived from permeabilization assays using parasites and liposomes as targets and from fluorescence microscopy of infected erythrocytes treated with fluorescently labeled NK-2 indicates that the positively charged peptide electrostatically interacts with the altered and negatively charged plasma membrane of the infected host cell and traverses this membrane as well as the parasitophorous vacuole membrane to reach its final target, the intracellular parasite. The apparent affinity for foreign membranes that resulted in the death of a eukaryotic parasite residing in human host cells makes NK-2 a promising template for novel anti-infectives.
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30
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Sperança MA, Capurro ML. Perspectives in the control of infectious diseases by transgenic mosquitoes in the post-genomic era--a review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2008; 102:425-33. [PMID: 17612761 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762007005000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2006] [Accepted: 04/10/2007] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne diseases caused by a variety of microorganisms such as dengue virus and malaria parasites afflict billions of people worldwide imposing major economic and social burdens. Despite many efforts, vaccines against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, with the exception of yellow fever, are not available. Control of such infectious pathogens is mainly performed by vector management and treatment of affected individuals with drugs. However, the numbers of insecticide-resistant insects and drug-resistant parasites are increasing. Therefore, inspired in recent years by a lot of new data produced by genomics and post-genomics research, several scientific groups have been working on different strategies to control infectious arthropod-borne diseases. This review focuses on recent advances and perspectives towards construction of transgenic mosquitoes refractory to malaria parasites and dengue virus transmission.
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31
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Sabareesh V, Ranganayaki RS, Raghothama S, Bopanna MP, Balaram H, Srinivasan MC, Balaram P. Identification and characterization of a library of microheterogeneous cyclohexadepsipeptides from the fungus Isaria. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2007; 70:715-29. [PMID: 17477570 DOI: 10.1021/np060532e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Ten new cyclic hexadepsipeptides, six isariins and four isaridins, from the fungus Isaria have been identified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESIMS/MS). The isariins possess a beta-hydroxy acid residue and five alpha-amino acids, while isaridins contain a beta-amino acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, and four alpha-amino acids. One- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy confirmed the chemical identity of some of the isariin fractions. Mass spectral fragmentation patterns of [M + H]+ ions reveal clear diagnostic fragment ions for the isariins and isaridins. Previously described cyclic depsipeptides, isarfelins from Isaria felina (Guo, Y. X.; Liu, Q. H.; Ng, T. B.; Wang H. X. Peptides 2005, 26, 2384), are now reassigned as members of the isaridin family. Examination of isaridin sequences revealed significant similarities with cyclic hexadepsipeptides such as destruxins and roseotoxins. The structure of an isariin (isariin A) investigated by NMR spectroscopy indicated the presence of a hybrid alphabeta C11 turn, formed by the beta-hydroxy acid and glycine residues and a D Leu-L Ala type II' beta-turn. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of isariins and an isaridin on the intra-erythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sabareesh
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
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32
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Moreira CK, Rodrigues FG, Ghosh A, de P. Varotti F, Miranda A, Daffre S, Jacobs-Lorena M, Moreira LA. Effect of the antimicrobial peptide gomesin against different life stages of Plasmodium spp. Exp Parasitol 2007; 116:346-53. [PMID: 17376436 PMCID: PMC1978196 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2007.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Revised: 01/25/2007] [Accepted: 01/31/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
While seeking strategies for interfering with Plasmodium development in vertebrate/invertebrate hosts, we tested the activity of gomesin, an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the hemocytes of the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Gomesin was tested against asexual, sexual and pre-sporogonic forms of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei parasites. The peptide inhibited the in vitro growth of intraerythrocytic forms of P. falciparum. When gomesin was added to in vitro culture of P. berghei mature gametocytes, it significantly inhibited the exflagellation of male gametes and the formation of ookinetes. In vivo, the peptide reduced the number of oocysts of both Plasmodium species in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, and did not appear to affect the mosquitoes. These properties make gomesin an excellent candidate as a transmission blocking agent for the genetic engineering of mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina K. Moreira
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Flávia G. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil, CEP 30190-002
| | - Anil Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Fernando de P. Varotti
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil, CEP 30190-002
| | - Antonio Miranda
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de Maio, 100, São Paulo-SP, Brasil, CEP 04044-020
| | - Sirlei Daffre
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo-SP, Brasil, CEP 05508-900
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Luciano A. Moreira
- Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil, CEP 30190-002
- * Corresponding author. Mailing address: Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil, CEP 30190-002. Phone: 55 31 3349 7772. Fax: 55 31 3295 3115. E-mail:
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Pierrot C, Adam E, Hot D, Lafitte S, Capron M, George JD, Khalife J. Contribution of T Cells and Neutrophils in Protection of Young Susceptible Rats from Fatal Experimental Malaria. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 178:1713-22. [PMID: 17237421 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.3.1713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In human malaria, children suffer very high rates of morbidity and mortality. To analyze the mechanisms involved in age-dependent protection against malaria, we developed an experimental model of infection in rats, where young rats are susceptible to Plasmodium berghei and adult rats control blood parasites and survive thereafter. In this study, we showed that protection of young rats could be achievable by adoptive transfer of spleen cells from adult protected rats, among which T cells could transfer partial protection. Transcriptome analysis of spleen cells transferring immunity revealed the overexpression of genes mainly expressed by eosinophils and neutrophils. Evaluation of the role of neutrophils showed that these cells were able to transfer partial protection to young rats. This antiparasitic effect was shown to be mediated, at least in part, through the neutrophil protein-1 defensin. Further adoptive transfer experiments indicated an efficient cooperation between neutrophils and T cells in protecting all young recipients. These observations, together with those from in vitro studies in human malaria, suggest that the failure of children to control infection could be related not only to an immaturity of their adaptive immunity but also to a lack in an adequate innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Pierrot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 547, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
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Marrelli MT, Moreira CK, Kelly D, Alphey L, Jacobs-Lorena M. Mosquito transgenesis: what is the fitness cost? Trends Parasitol 2006; 22:197-202. [PMID: 16564223 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2006.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2005] [Revised: 01/18/2006] [Accepted: 03/08/2006] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The generation of transgenic mosquitoes with a minimal fitness load is a prerequisite for the success of strategies for controlling mosquito-borne diseases using transgenic insects. It is important to assemble as much information as possible on this subject because realistic estimates of transgene fitness costs are essential for modeling and planning release strategies. Transgenic mosquitoes must have minimal fitness costs, because such costs would reduce the effectiveness of the genetic drive mechanisms that are used to introduce the transgenes into field mosquito populations. Several factors affect fitness of transgenic mosquitoes, including the potential negative effect of transgene products and insertional mutagenesis. Studies to assess fitness of transgenic mosquitoes in the field (as opposed to the laboratory) are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro T Marrelli
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Malaria Research Institute, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Abraham EG, Donnelly-Doman M, Fujioka H, Ghosh A, Moreira L, Jacobs-Lorena M. Driving midgut-specific expression and secretion of a foreign protein in transgenic mosquitoes with AgAper1 regulatory elements. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 14:271-9. [PMID: 15926896 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2004.00557.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The Anopheles gambiae adult peritrophic matrix protein 1 (AgAper1) regulatory elements were used to drive the expression of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a protein known to disrupt malaria parasite development in mosquitoes. These AgAper1 regulatory elements were sufficient to promote the accumulation of PLA2 in midgut epithelial cells before a blood meal and its release into the lumen upon blood ingestion. Plasmodium berghei oocyst formation was reduced by approximately 80% (74-91% range) in transgenic mosquitoes. Blood-seeking behaviour and survival of AgAper1-PLA2 transgenic mosquitoes were comparable to sibling wild-type mosquitoes, while fertility was substantially lower. Ultrastructural studies suggest that decreased fitness is a consequence of internal damage to midgut epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Abraham
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important component of the natural defences of most living organisms against invading pathogens. These are relatively small (< 10kDa), cationic and amphipathic peptides of variable length, sequence and structure. During the past two decades several AMPs have been isolated from a wide variety of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates, and plants as well as from bacteria and fungi. Most of these peptides are obtained from different sources like macrophages, neutrophils, epithelial cells, haemocytes, fat body, reproductive tract, etc. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi and viruses. A few peptides have also been found to be cytotoxic to sperm and tumour cells. AMPs are classified based on the three dimensional structural studies carried out with the help of NMR. The peptides are broadly classified into five major groups namely (a) peptides that form alpha-helical structures, (b) peptides rich in cysteine residues, (c) peptides that form beta-sheet, (d) peptides rich in regular amino acids namely histatin, arginine and proline and (e) peptides composed of rare and modified amino acids. Most of these peptides are believed to act by disrupting the plasma membrane leading to the lysis of the cell. AMPs have been found to be excellent candidates for developing novel antimicrobial agents and a few of these peptides show antimicrobial activity against pathogens causing sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV/HSV. Peptides, namely magainin and nisin have been shown to demonstrate contraceptive properties in vitro and in vivo. A few peptides have already entered clinical trials for the treatment of impetigo, diabetic foot ulcers and gastric helicobacter infections. In this review, we discuss the source, structures and mode of action with special reference to therapeutic considerations of various AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V R Reddy
- Department of Immunology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, J.M. Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India.
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Alavi Y, Arai M, Mendoza J, Tufet-Bayona M, Sinha R, Fowler K, Billker O, Franke-Fayard B, Janse CJ, Waters A, Sinden RE. The dynamics of interactions between Plasmodium and the mosquito: a study of the infectivity of Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium gallinaceum, and their transmission by Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti. Int J Parasitol 2003; 33:933-43. [PMID: 12906877 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(03)00112-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of parasite-mosquito interactions is essential to develop strategies that will reduce malaria transmission through the mosquito vector. In this study we investigated the development of two model malaria parasites, Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium gallinaceum, in three mosquito species Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti. New methods to study gamete production in vivo in combination with GFP-expressing ookinetes were employed to measure the large losses incurred by the parasites during infection of mosquitoes. All three mosquito species transmitted P. gallinaceum; P. berghei was only transmitted by Anopheles spp. Plasmodium gallinaceum initiates gamete production with high efficiency equally in the three mosquito species. By contrast P. berghei is less efficiently activated to produce gametes, and in Ae. aegypti microgamete formation is almost totally suppressed. In all parasite/vector combinations ookinete development is inefficient, 500-100,000-fold losses were encountered. Losses during ookinete-to-oocyst transformation range from fivefold in compatible vector parasite combinations (P. berghei/An. stephensi), through >100-fold in poor vector/parasite combinations (P. gallinaceum/An. stephensi), to complete blockade (>1,500 fold) in others (P. berghei/Ae. aegypti). Plasmodium berghei ookinetes survive poorly in the bloodmeal of Ae. aegypti and are unable to invade the midgut epithelium. Cultured mature ookinetes of P. berghei injected directly into the mosquito haemocoele produced salivary gland sporozoites in An. stephensi, but not in Ae. aegypti, suggesting that further species-specific incompatibilities occur downstream of the midgut epithelium in Ae. aegypti. These results show that in these parasite-mosquito combinations the susceptibility to malarial infection is regulated at multiple steps during the development of the parasites. Understanding these at the molecular level may contribute to the development of rational strategies to reduce the vector competence of malarial vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Alavi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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