1
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Antunes B, Zanchi C, Johnston PR, Maron B, Witzany C, Regoes RR, Hayouka Z, Rolff J. The evolution of antimicrobial peptide resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is severely constrained by random peptide mixtures. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002692. [PMID: 38954678 PMCID: PMC11218975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has become a major threat to public health, requiring swift initiatives for discovering new strategies to control bacterial infections. Hence, antibiotic stewardship and rapid diagnostics, but also the development, and prudent use, of novel effective antimicrobial agents are paramount. Ideally, these agents should be less likely to select for resistance in pathogens than currently available conventional antimicrobials. The usage of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), key components of the innate immune response, and combination therapies, have been proposed as strategies to diminish the emergence of resistance. Herein, we investigated whether newly developed random antimicrobial peptide mixtures (RPMs) can significantly reduce the risk of resistance evolution in vitro to that of single sequence AMPs, using the ESKAPE pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) as a model gram-negative bacterium. Infections of this pathogen are difficult to treat due the inherent resistance to many drug classes, enhanced by the capacity to form biofilms. P. aeruginosa was experimentally evolved in the presence of AMPs or RPMs, subsequentially assessing the extent of resistance evolution and cross-resistance/collateral sensitivity between treatments. Furthermore, the fitness costs of resistance on bacterial growth were studied and whole-genome sequencing used to investigate which mutations could be candidates for causing resistant phenotypes. Lastly, changes in the pharmacodynamics of the evolved bacterial strains were examined. Our findings suggest that using RPMs bears a much lower risk of resistance evolution compared to AMPs and mostly prevents cross-resistance development to other treatments, while maintaining (or even improving) drug sensitivity. This strengthens the case for using random cocktails of AMPs in favour of single AMPs, against which resistance evolved in vitro, providing an alternative to classic antibiotics worth pursuing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Antunes
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Caroline Zanchi
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul R. Johnston
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Centre for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- University of St. Andrews, School of Medicine, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Roland R. Regoes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jens Rolff
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Centre for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Chen C, Shi J, Wang D, Kong P, Wang Z, Liu Y. Antimicrobial peptides as promising antibiotic adjuvants to combat drug-resistant pathogens. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:267-284. [PMID: 36890767 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2186215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) calls for the development of new antimicrobial strategies. Antibiotic adjuvant rescues antibiotic activity and increases the life span of the antibiotics, representing a more productive, timely, and cost-effective strategy in fighting drug-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from synthetic and natural sources are considered new-generation antibacterial agents. Besides their direct antimicrobial activity, growing evidence shows that some AMPs effectively enhance the activity of conventional antibiotics. The combinations of AMPs and antibiotics display an improved therapeutic effect on antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and minimize the emergence of resistance. In this review, we discuss the value of AMPs in the age of resistance, including modes of action, limiting evolutionary resistance, and their designing strategies. We summarise the recent advances in combining AMPs and antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as their synergistic mechanisms. Lastly, we highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of AMPs as potential antibiotic adjuvants. This will shed new light on the deployment of synergistic combinations to address the AMR crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jingru Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dejuan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Pan Kong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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3
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Zhao C, Yan S, Luo Y, Song Y, Xia X. Analyzing resistome in soil and Human gut: a study on the characterization and risk evaluation of antimicrobial peptide resistance. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1352531. [PMID: 38591036 PMCID: PMC10999558 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1352531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The limited existing knowledge regarding resistance to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is hindering their broad utilization. The aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of AMP resistance, a pivotal factor in the exploration of alternative drug development in response to the escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance. Methods We utilized metagenomic functional selection to analyze genes resistant to AMPs, with a specific focus on the microbiota in soil and the human gut. Through a combination of experimental methods and bioinformatics analyses, our investigation delved into the possibilities of the evolution of resistance to AMPs, as well as the transfer or interchange of resistance genes among the environment, the human body, and pathogens. Additionally, we examined the cross-resistance between AMPs and evaluated interactions among AMPs and conventional antibiotics. Results The presence of AMP resistance, including various resistance mechanisms, was observed in both soil and the human gut microbiota, as indicated by our findings. Significantly, the study underscored the facile evolution of AMP resistance and the potential for gene sharing or exchange among different environments. Notably, cross-resistance among AMPs was identified as a phenomenon, while cross-resistance between AMPs and antibiotics was found to be relatively infrequent. Conclusion The results of our study highlight the significance of taking a cautious stance when considering the extensive application of AMPs. It is imperative to thoroughly assess potential resistance risks, with a particular focus on the development of resistance to AMPs across diverse domains. A comprehensive grasp of these aspects is essential for making well-informed decisions and ensuring the responsible utilization of AMPs in the ongoing fight against antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yuzhu Song
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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4
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Lau JZ, Kuo SH, Belo Y, Malach E, Maron B, Caraway HE, Oh MW, Zhang Y, Ismail N, Lau GW, Hayouka Z. Antibacterial efficacy of an ultra-short palmitoylated random peptide mixture in mouse models of infection by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0057423. [PMID: 37819119 PMCID: PMC10648864 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00574-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has imposed a selective pressure for the rapid rise in bacterial resistance, creating an urgent need for novel therapeutics for managing bacterial infectious diseases while counteracting bacterial resistance. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains have become a major challenge in modern medicine due to their ability to cause an array of severe infections. Recently, we have shown that the 20-mer random peptide mixtures are effective therapeutics against three ESKAPEE pathogens. Here, we evaluated the toxicity, biodistribution, bioavailability, and efficacy of the ultra-short palmitoylated 5-mer phenylalanine:lysine (FK5P) random peptide mixtures against multiple clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca. We demonstrate the FK5P rapidly and effectively killed various strains of K. pneumoniae, inhibited the formation of biofilms, and disrupted mature biofilms. FK5P displayed strong toxicity profiles both in vitro and in mice, with prolonged favorable biodistribution and a long half-life. Significantly, FK5P reduced the bacterial burden in mouse models of acute pneumonia and bacteremia and increased the survival rate in a mouse model of bacteremia. Our results demonstrate that FK5P is a safe and promising therapy against Klebsiella species as well as other ESKAPEE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Z. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Shanny Hsuan Kuo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Yael Belo
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Einav Malach
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hannah E. Caraway
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Myung Whan Oh
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Nahed Ismail
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gee W. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Ioannou P, Baliou S, Kofteridis DP. Antimicrobial Peptides in Infectious Diseases and Beyond-A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1651. [PMID: 37629508 PMCID: PMC10455936 DOI: 10.3390/life13081651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent medical research and clinical practice developments, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly limits therapeutics for infectious diseases. Thus, novel treatments for infectious diseases, especially in this era of increasing AMR, are urgently needed. There is ongoing research on non-classical therapies for infectious diseases utilizing alternative antimicrobial mechanisms to fight pathogens, such as bacteriophages or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are evolutionarily conserved molecules naturally produced by several organisms, such as plants, insects, marine organisms, and mammals, aiming to protect the host by fighting pathogenic microorganisms. There is ongoing research regarding developing AMPs for clinical use in infectious diseases. Moreover, AMPs have several other non-medical applications in the food industry, such as preservatives, animal husbandry, plant protection, and aquaculture. This review focuses on AMPs, their origins, biology, structure, mechanisms of action, non-medical applications, and clinical applications in infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Ioannou
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stella Baliou
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Diamantis P. Kofteridis
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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6
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Tang R, Tan H, Dai Y, Li L, Huang Y, Yao H, Cai Y, Yu G. Application of antimicrobial peptides in plant protection: making use of the overlooked merits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1139539. [PMID: 37538059 PMCID: PMC10394246 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1139539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen infection is one of the major causes of yield loss in the crop field. The rapid increase of antimicrobial resistance in plant pathogens has urged researchers to develop both new pesticides and management strategies for plant protection. The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) showed potential on eliminating plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Here, we first summarize several overlooked advantages and merits of AMPs, which includes the steep dose-response relations, fast killing ability, broad synergism, slow resistance selection. We then discuss the possible application of AMPs for plant protection with above merits, and highlight how AMPs can be incorporated into a more efficient integrated management system that both increases the crop yield and reduce resistance evolution of pathogens.
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7
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Witzany C, Rolff J, Regoes RR, Igler C. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling framework as a tool to predict drug resistance evolution. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001368. [PMID: 37522891 PMCID: PMC10433423 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) models, which describe how drug concentrations change over time and how that affects pathogen growth, have proven highly valuable in designing optimal drug treatments aimed at bacterial eradication. However, the fast rise of antimicrobial resistance calls for increased focus on an additional treatment optimization criterion: avoidance of resistance evolution. We demonstrate here how coupling PKPD and population genetics models can be used to determine treatment regimens that minimize the potential for antimicrobial resistance evolution. Importantly, the resulting modelling framework enables the assessment of resistance evolution in response to dynamic selection pressures, including changes in antimicrobial concentration and the emergence of adaptive phenotypes. Using antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides as an example, we discuss the empirical evidence and intuition behind individual model parameters. We further suggest several extensions of this framework that allow a more comprehensive and realistic prediction of bacterial escape from antimicrobials through various phenotypic and genetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland R. Regoes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Igler
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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8
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Maron B, Rolff J, Friedman J, Hayouka Z. Antimicrobial Peptide Combination Can Hinder Resistance Evolution. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0097322. [PMID: 35862981 PMCID: PMC9430149 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00973-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant microbial pathogens are becoming a major threat to human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new alternatives to conventional antibiotics. One such promising alternative is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are produced by virtually all organisms and typically inhibit bacteria via membrane disruption. However, previous studies demonstrated that bacteria can rapidly develop AMP resistance. Here, we study whether combination therapy, known to be able to inhibit the evolution of resistance to conventional antibiotics, can also hinder the evolution of AMP resistance. To do so, we evolved the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of individual AMPs, AMP pairs, and a combinatorial antimicrobial peptide library. Treatment with some AMP pairs indeed hindered the evolution of resistance compared with individual AMPs. In particular, resistance to pairs was delayed when resistance to the individual AMPs came at a cost of impaired bacterial growth and did not confer cross-resistance to other tested AMPs. The lowest level of resistance evolved during treatment with the combinatorial antimicrobial peptide library termed random antimicrobial peptide mixture, which contains more than a million different peptides. A better understanding of how AMP combinations affect the evolution of resistance is a crucial step in order to design "resistant proof" AMP cocktails that will offer a sustainable treatment option for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. IMPORTANCE The main insights gleaned from this study are the following. (i) AMP combination treatment can delay the evolution of resistance in S. aureus. Treatment with some AMP pairs resulted in significantly lower resistance then treatment with either of the individual AMPs. Treatment with a random AMP library resulted in no detectable resistance. (ii) The rate at which resistance to combination arises correlates with the cost of resistance to individual AMPs and their cross-resistance. In particular, combinations to which the least resistance arose involved AMPs with high fitness cost of resistance and low cross-resistance. (iii) No broad-range AMP resistance evolved. Strains that evolved resistance to some AMPs typically remained sensitive to other AMPs, alleviating concerns regarding the evolution of resistance to immune system AMPs in response to AMP treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jens Rolff
- Institute of Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Freie University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan Friedman
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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9
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Caraway HE, Lau JZ, Maron B, Oh MW, Belo Y, Brill A, Malach E, Ismail N, Hayouka Z, Lau GW. Antimicrobial Random Peptide Mixtures Eradicate Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilms and Inhibit Mouse Models of Infection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030413. [PMID: 35326876 PMCID: PMC8944503 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest crises in human medicine. Increased incidents of antibiotic resistance are linked to clinical overuse and overreliance on antibiotics. Among the ESKAPE pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, especially carbapenem-resistant isolates, has emerged as a significant threat in the context of blood, urinary tract, lung, and wound infections. Therefore, new approaches that limit the emergence of antibiotic resistant A. baumannii are urgently needed. Recently, we have shown that random peptide mixtures (RPMs) are an attractive alternative class of drugs to antibiotics with strong safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. RPMs are antimicrobial peptide mixtures produced by incorporating two amino acids at each coupling step, rendering them extremely diverse but still defined in their overall composition, chain length, and stereochemistry. The extreme diversity of RPMs may prevent bacteria from evolving resistance rapidly. Here, we demonstrated that RPMs rapidly and efficiently kill different strains of A. baumannii, inhibit biofilm formation, and disrupt mature biofilms. Importantly, RPMs attenuated bacterial burden in mouse models of acute pneumonia and soft tissue infection and significantly reduced mouse mortality during sepsis. Collectively, our results demonstrate RPMs have the potential to be used as powerful therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Caraway
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (H.E.C.); (J.Z.L.); (M.W.O.)
| | - Jonathan Z. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (H.E.C.); (J.Z.L.); (M.W.O.)
| | - Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; (B.M.); (Y.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Myung Whan Oh
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (H.E.C.); (J.Z.L.); (M.W.O.)
| | - Yael Belo
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; (B.M.); (Y.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Aya Brill
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; (B.M.); (Y.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Einav Malach
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; (B.M.); (Y.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Nahed Ismail
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; (B.M.); (Y.B.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence: (Z.H.); (G.W.L.)
| | - Gee W. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (H.E.C.); (J.Z.L.); (M.W.O.)
- Correspondence: (Z.H.); (G.W.L.)
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10
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Howell M, Wenc AK, Donaghy CM, Wasche DV, Abissi I, Naing MD, Pierce S, Angeles-Boza AM. Exploring synergy and its role in antimicrobial peptide biology. Methods Enzymol 2022; 663:99-130. [PMID: 35168799 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides will be an essential component in combating the escalating issue of antibiotic resistance. Identifying synergistic combinations of two or more substances will increase the value of these peptides further. Several potential pitfalls in conducting synergy testing with peptides are discussed in detail. As case studies, we describe observations of AMP synergy with peptides, antibiotics, and metal ions as well as some of the mechanistic details that have been uncovered. The Bliss and Loewe models for synergy are presented prior to recommending protocols for conducting checkerboard, minimal inhibitory concentration, and time-kill assays. Establishing mechanisms of action and exploring the potential for resistance will be crucial to translate these studies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Howell
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Antonina K Wenc
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Caroline M Donaghy
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Devon V Wasche
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Izabela Abissi
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Marvin D Naing
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Scott Pierce
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Alfredo M Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.
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11
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Duong L, Gross SP, Siryaporn A. Developing Antimicrobial Synergy With AMPs. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 3:640981. [PMID: 35047912 PMCID: PMC8757689 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.640981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been extensively studied due to their vast natural abundance and ability to kill microbes. In an era critically lacking in new antibiotics, manipulating AMPs for therapeutic application is a promising option. However, bacterial pathogens resistant to AMPs remain problematic. To improve AMPs antimicrobial efficacy, their use in conjunction with other antimicrobials has been proposed. How might this work? AMPs kill bacteria by forming pores in bacterial membranes or by inhibiting bacterial macromolecular functions. What remains unknown is the duration for which AMPs keep bacterial pores open, and the extent to which bacteria can recover by repairing these pores. In this mini-review, we discuss various antimicrobial synergies with AMPs. Such synergies might arise if the antimicrobial agents helped to keep bacterial pores open for longer periods of time, prevented pore repair, perturbed bacterial intracellular functions at greater levels, or performed other independent bacterial killing mechanisms. We first discuss combinations of AMPs, and then focus on histones, which have antimicrobial activity and co-localize with AMPs on lipid droplets and in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Recent work has demonstrated that histones can enhance AMP-induced membrane permeation. It is possible that histones, histone fragments, and histone-like peptides could amplify the antimicrobial effects of AMPs, giving rise to antimicrobial synergy. If so, clarifying these mechanisms will thus improve our overall understanding of the antimicrobial processes and potentially contribute to improved drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leora Duong
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Steven P Gross
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Albert Siryaporn
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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12
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Han Y, Zhang M, Lai R, Zhang Z. Chemical modifications to increase the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial peptides. Peptides 2021; 146:170666. [PMID: 34600037 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The continued use of antibiotics has been accompanied by the rapid emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides, show multiple features as an ideal antimicrobial agent, including potent, rapid, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, low promotion of antimicrobial resistance, potent anti-biofilm activity, and lethality against metabolically inactive microorganisms. However, several crucial drawbacks constrain the use of AMPs as clinical drugs, e.g., liability in vivo, toxicity when used systemically, and high production costs. Based on recent findings and our own experiences, here we summarize some chemical modifications and key design strategies to increase the therapeutic potential of AMPs, including 1) enhancing antimicrobial activities, 2) improving in vivo effectiveness, and 3) reduction in toxicity, which may facilitate the design and optimization of AMPs for the development of drug candidates. We also discuss the present challenges in the optimization of AMPs and future concerns about the resistance and cross-resistance to AMPs in the development of AMPs as therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China
| | - Manli Zhang
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, The Second Part of First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 Jilin Province, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China.
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13
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Mendes RJ, Sario S, Luz JP, Tassi N, Teixeira C, Gomes P, Tavares F, Santos C. Evaluation of Three Antimicrobial Peptides Mixtures to Control the Phytopathogen Responsible for Fire Blight Disease. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122637. [PMID: 34961108 PMCID: PMC8705937 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Fire blight is a severe bacterial plant disease that affects important chain-of-value fruit trees such as pear and apple trees. This disease is caused by Erwinia amylovora, a quarantine phytopathogenic bacterium, which, although highly distributed worldwide, still lacks efficient control measures. The green revolution paradigm demands sustainable agriculture practices, for which antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have recently caught much attention. The goal of this work was to disclose the bioactivity of three peptides mixtures (BP100:RW-BP100, BP100:CA-M, and RW-BP100:CA-M), against three strains of E. amylovora representing distinct genotypes and virulence (LMG 2024, Ea 630 and Ea 680). The three AMPs' mixtures were assayed at eight different equimolar concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 6 μM (1:1). Results showed MIC and MBC values between 2.5 and 4 μM for every AMP mixture and strain. Regarding cell viability, flow cytometry and alamarBlue reduction, showed high reduction (>25%) of viable cells after 30 min of AMP exposure, depending on the peptide mixture and strain assayed. Hypersensitive response in tobacco plants showed that the most efficient AMPs mixtures and concentrations caused low to no reaction of the plant. Altogether, the AMPs mixtures studied are better treatment solutions to control fire blight disease than the same AMPs applied individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael J. Mendes
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CITAB—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- CIBIO—Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Associated Laboratory, Campus Agrário de Vairão, University of Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Sara Sario
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CITAB—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - João Pedro Luz
- QRural, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, School of Agriculture, 6000-909 Castelo Branco, Portugal;
| | - Natália Tassi
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Paula Gomes
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Fernando Tavares
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- CIBIO—Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Associated Laboratory, Campus Agrário de Vairão, University of Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Conceição Santos
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (S.S.); (C.T.); (P.G.); (F.T.); (C.S.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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14
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Teso-Pérez C, Martínez-Bueno M, Peralta-Sánchez JM, Valdivia E, Maqueda M, Fárez-Vidal ME, Martín-Platero AM. Enterocin Cross-Resistance Mediated by ABC Transport Systems. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071411. [PMID: 34208875 PMCID: PMC8306556 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In their struggle for life, bacteria frequently produce antagonistic substances against competitors. Antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria (known as bacteriocins) are active against other bacteria, but harmless to their producer due to an associated immunity gene that prevents self-inhibition. However, knowledge of cross-resistance between different types of bacteriocin producer remains very limited. The immune function of certain bacteriocins produced by the Enterococcus genus (known as enterocins) is mediated by an ABC transporter. This is the case for enterocin AS-48, a gene cluster that includes two ABC transporter-like systems (Transporter-1 and 2) and an immunity protein. Transporter-2 in this cluster shows a high similarity to the ABC transporter-like system in MR10A and MR10B enterocin gene clusters. The aim of our study was to determine the possible role of this ABC transporter in cross-resistance between these two different types of enterocin. To this end, we designed different mutants (Tn5 derivative and deletion mutants) of the as-48 gene cluster in Enterococcus faecalis and cloned them into the pAM401 shuttle vector. Antimicrobial activity assays showed that enterocin AS-48 Transporter-2 is responsible for cross-resistance between AS-48 and MR10A/B enterocin producers and allowed identification of the MR10A/B immunity gene system. These findings open the way to the investigation of resistance beyond homologous bacteriocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Teso-Pérez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (C.T.-P.); (M.E.F.-V.); (A.M.M.-P.)
| | - Manuel Martínez-Bueno
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Juan Manuel Peralta-Sánchez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Eva Valdivia
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Mercedes Maqueda
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - M. Esther Fárez-Vidal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica IBS, Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.T.-P.); (M.E.F.-V.); (A.M.M.-P.)
| | - Antonio M. Martín-Platero
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.M.-B.); (J.M.P.-S.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (C.T.-P.); (M.E.F.-V.); (A.M.M.-P.)
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15
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Caravaca-Fuentes P, Camó C, Oliveras À, Baró A, Francés J, Badosa E, Planas M, Feliu L, Montesinos E, Bonaterra A. A Bifunctional Peptide Conjugate That Controls Infections of Erwinia amylovora in Pear Plants. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113426. [PMID: 34198776 PMCID: PMC8201157 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, peptide conjugates were designed and synthesized by incorporating the antimicrobial undecapeptide BP16 at the C- or N-terminus of the plant defense elicitor peptide flg15, leading to BP358 and BP359, respectively. The evaluation of their in vitro activity against six plant pathogenic bacteria revealed that BP358 displayed MIC values between 1.6 and 12.5 μM, being more active than flg15, BP16, BP359, and an equimolar mixture of BP16 and flg15. Moreover, BP358 was neither hemolytic nor toxic to tobacco leaves. BP358 triggered the overexpression of 6 out of the 11 plant defense-related genes tested. Interestingly, BP358 inhibited Erwinia amylovora infections in pear plants, showing slightly higher efficacy than the mixture of BP16 and flg15, and both treatments were as effective as the antibiotic kasugamycin. Thus, the bifunctional peptide conjugate BP358 is a promising agent to control fire blight and possibly other plant bacterial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Caravaca-Fuentes
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (P.C.-F.); (C.C.); (À.O.); (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Cristina Camó
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (P.C.-F.); (C.C.); (À.O.); (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Àngel Oliveras
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (P.C.-F.); (C.C.); (À.O.); (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Aina Baró
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (A.B.); (J.F.); (E.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Jesús Francés
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (A.B.); (J.F.); (E.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Esther Badosa
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (A.B.); (J.F.); (E.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Marta Planas
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (P.C.-F.); (C.C.); (À.O.); (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Lidia Feliu
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (P.C.-F.); (C.C.); (À.O.); (M.P.); (L.F.)
| | - Emilio Montesinos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (A.B.); (J.F.); (E.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Anna Bonaterra
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, Campus Montilivi, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; (A.B.); (J.F.); (E.B.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-660719646
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16
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Bennett RC, Oh MW, Kuo SH, Belo Y, Maron B, Malach E, Lin J, Hayouka Z, Lau GW. Random Peptide Mixtures as Safe and Effective Antimicrobials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA in Mouse Models of Bacteremia and Pneumonia. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:672-680. [PMID: 33650856 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a daunting challenge in modern medicine, and novel approaches that minimize the emergence of resistant pathogens are desperately needed. Antimicrobial peptides are newer therapeutics that attempt to do this; however, they fall short because of low to moderate antimicrobial activity, low protease stability, susceptibility to resistance development, and high cost of production. The recently developed random peptide mixtures (RPMs) are promising alternatives. RPMs are synthesized by incorporating a defined proportion of two amino acids at each coupling step rather than just one, making them highly variable but still defined in their overall composition, chain length, and stereochemistry. Because RPMs have extreme diversity, it is unlikely that bacteria would be capable of rapidly evolving resistance. However, their efficacy against pathogens in animal models of human infectious diseases remained uncharacterized. Here, we demonstrated that RPMs have strong safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. RPMs rapidly killed both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus efficiently and disrupted preformed biofilms by both pathogens. Importantly, RPMs were efficacious against both pathogens in mouse models of bacteremia and acute pneumonia. Our results demonstrate that RPMs are potent broad-spectrum therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Bennett
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Myung Whan Oh
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Shanny Hsuan Kuo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Yael Belo
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Einav Malach
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jingjun Lin
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Gee W. Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
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17
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Melo-Braga MN, De Marco Almeida F, Dos Santos DM, de Avelar Júnior JT, Dos Reis PVM, de Lima ME. Antimicrobial Peptides From Lycosidae (Sundevall, 1833) Spiders. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:527-541. [PMID: 31951167 DOI: 10.2174/1389203721666200116091911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found in all organism taxa and may play an essential role as a host defense system. AMPs are organized in various conformations, such as linear peptides, disulfide bond-linked peptides, backbone-linked peptides and circular peptides. AMPs apparently act primarily on the plasma membrane, although an increasing number of works have shown that they may also target various intracellular sites. Spider venoms are rich sources of biomolecules that show several activities, including modulation or blockage of ion channels, anti-insect, anti-cancer, antihypertensive and antimicrobial activities, among others. In spider venoms from the Lycosidae family there are many linear AMPs with a wide range of activities against several microorganisms. Due to these singular activities, some Lycosidae AMPs have been modified to improve or decrease desirable or undesirable effects, respectively. Such modifications, especially with the aim of increasing their antibiotic activity, have led to the filing of many patent applications. This review explores the abundance of Lycosidae venom AMPs and some of their derivatives, and their use as new drug models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Nunes Melo-Braga
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávia De Marco Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Joaquim Teixeira de Avelar Júnior
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pablo Victor Mendes Dos Reis
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Santa Casa-Belo Horizonte: Ensino e Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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18
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Palman Y, De Leo R, Pulvirenti A, Green SJ, Hayouka Z. Antimicrobial peptide cocktail activity in minced turkey meat. Food Microbiol 2020; 92:103580. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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19
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Liu J, Chen F, Wang X, Peng H, Zhang H, Wang KJ. The Synergistic Effect of Mud Crab Antimicrobial Peptides Sphistin and Sph 12-38 With Antibiotics Azithromycin and Rifampicin Enhances Bactericidal Activity Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:572849. [PMID: 33194811 PMCID: PMC7645104 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.572849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overuse or abuse of antibiotics has undoubtedly accelerated the increasing prevalence of global antibiotic resistance crisis, and thus, people have been trying to explore approaches to decrease dosage of antibiotics or find new antibacterial agents for many years. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the ideal candidates that could kill pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics. In the study, the antimicrobial efficacy of mud crab Scylla paramamosain AMPs Sphistin and Sph12−38 in combination with eight selected antibiotics was evaluated using a clinical pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was interesting to note that the in vitro combination of rifampicin and azithromycin with Sphistin and Sph12−38 showed significant synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa. Moreover, an in vivo study was carried out using a mouse model challenged with P. aeruginosa, and the result showed that the combination of Sph12−38 with either rifampicin or azithromycin could significantly promote the healing of wounds and had the healing time shortened to 4–5 days compared with 7–8 days in control. The underlying mechanism might be due to the binding of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and subsequent promotion of the intracellular uptake of rifampicin and azithromycin. Taken together, the significant synergistic antibacterial effect on P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo conferred by the combination of low dose of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with low dose of rifampicin and azithromycin would be beneficial for the control of antibiotic resistance and effective treatment of P. aeruginosa-infected diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hui Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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20
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Cheriker H, Stern Bauer T, Oren Y, Nir S, Hayouka Z. Immobilized random peptide mixtures exhibit broad antimicrobial activity with high selectivity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:11022-11025. [PMID: 32959824 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc04759g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of randomly-sequenced peptide mixtures (RPMs) bearing hydrophobic and cationic residues that were immobilized on beads. We showed that these beads exhibit high and broad bactericidal activity against various pathogenic bacteria while possessing minimal hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadar Cheriker
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Tal Stern Bauer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Yuval Oren
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Shlomo Nir
- The Department of Soil and Water Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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21
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Lazzaro BP, Zasloff M, Rolff J. Antimicrobial peptides: Application informed by evolution. Science 2020; 368:368/6490/eaau5480. [PMID: 32355003 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau5480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 471] [Impact Index Per Article: 117.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components of immune defenses of multicellular organisms and are currently in development as anti-infective drugs. AMPs have been classically assumed to have broad-spectrum activity and simple kinetics, but recent evidence suggests an unexpected degree of specificity and a high capacity for synergies. Deeper evaluation of the molecular evolution and population genetics of AMP genes reveals more evidence for adaptive maintenance of polymorphism in AMP genes than has previously been appreciated, as well as adaptive loss of AMP activity. AMPs exhibit pharmacodynamic properties that reduce the evolution of resistance in target microbes, and AMPs may synergize with one another and with conventional antibiotics. Both of these properties make AMPs attractive for translational applications. However, if AMPs are to be used clinically, it is crucial to understand their natural biology in order to lessen the risk of collateral harm and avoid the crisis of resistance now facing conventional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Lazzaro
- Department of Entomology, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael Zasloff
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jens Rolff
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Institut für Biologie, Königin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany. .,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
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22
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Gerdol M, Schmitt P, Venier P, Rocha G, Rosa RD, Destoumieux-Garzón D. Functional Insights From the Evolutionary Diversification of Big Defensins. Front Immunol 2020; 11:758. [PMID: 32425943 PMCID: PMC7203481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Big defensins are antimicrobial polypeptides believed to be the ancestors of β-defensins, the most evolutionary conserved family of host defense peptides (HDPs) in vertebrates. Nevertheless, big defensins underwent several independent gene loss events during animal evolution, being only retained in a limited number of phylogenetically distant invertebrates. Here, we explore the evolutionary history of this fascinating HDP family and investigate its patchy distribution in extant metazoans. We highlight the presence of big defensins in various classes of lophotrochozoans, as well as in a few arthropods and basal chordates (amphioxus), mostly adapted to life in marine environments. Bivalve mollusks often display an expanded repertoire of big defensin sequences, which appear to be the product of independent lineage-specific gene tandem duplications, followed by a rapid molecular diversification of newly acquired gene copies. This ongoing evolutionary process could underpin the simultaneous presence of canonical big defensins and non-canonical (β-defensin-like) sequences in some species. The big defensin genes of mussels and oysters, two species target of in-depth studies, are subjected to gene presence/absence variation (PAV), i.e., they can be present or absent in the genomes of different individuals. Moreover, big defensins follow different patterns of gene expression within a given species and respond differently to microbial challenges, suggesting functional divergence. Consistently, current structural data show that big defensin sequence diversity affects the 3D structure and biophysical properties of these polypeptides. We discuss here the role of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain, lost during evolution toward β-defensins, in the big defensin stability to high salt concentrations and its mechanism of action. Finally, we discuss the potential of big defensins as markers for animal health and for the nature-based design of novel therapeutics active at high salt concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paulina Schmitt
- Laboratorio de Genética e Inmunología Molecular, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gustavo Rocha
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Rafael Diego Rosa
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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23
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El Shazely B, Yu G, Johnston PR, Rolff J. Resistance Evolution Against Antimicrobial Peptides in Staphylococcus aureus Alters Pharmacodynamics Beyond the MIC. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:103. [PMID: 32117132 PMCID: PMC7033599 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as a promising class of new antimicrobials partly because they are less susceptible to bacterial resistance evolution. This is possibly caused by their mode of action but also by their pharmacodynamic characteristics, which differ significantly from conventional antibiotics. Although pharmacodynamics of antibiotic resistant strains have been studied, such data are lacking for AMP resistant strains. Here, we investigated if the pharmacodynamics of the Gram-positive human pathogen Staphylococcous aureus evolve under antimicrobial peptide selection. Interestingly, the Hill coefficient (kappa κ) evolves together with the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Except for one genotype, strains harboring mutations in menF and atl, all mutants had higher kappa than the non-selected sensitive controls. Higher κ results in steeper pharmacodynamic curve and, importantly, in a narrower mutant selection window. S. aureus selected for resistance to melittin displayed cross resistant against pexiganan and had as steep pharmacodynamic curves (high κ) as pexiganan-selected lines. By contrast, the pexiganan-sensitive tenecin-selected lines displayed lower κ. Taken together, our data demonstrate that pharmacodynamic parameters are not fixed traits of particular drug/strain interactions but actually evolve under drug treatment. The contribution of factors such as κ and the maximum and minimum growth rates on the dynamics and probability of resistance evolution are open questions that require urgent attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baydaa El Shazely
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Guozhi Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Paul R Johnston
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
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24
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Zanocco M, Boschetto F, Zhu W, Marin E, McEntire BJ, Bal BS, Adachi T, Yamamoto T, Kanamura N, Ohgitani E, Yamamoto K, Mazda O, Pezzotti G. 3D-additive deposition of an antibacterial and osteogenic silicon nitride coating on orthopaedic titanium substrate. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2019; 103:103557. [PMID: 32090951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.103557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A 3D-additive manufacturing approach produced a dense Si3N4 ceramic coating on a biomedical grade commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) substrate by an automatic laser-sintering procedure. Si3N4 coatings could be prepared with thicknesses from the single to the tens of microns. A coating thickness, t = 15 ± 5 μm, was selected for this study, based on projections of homogeneity and scratching resistance. The Si3N4 coating met the 20 N threshold required for biomaterial applications, according to the standard scratch testing (ASTM C1624-05). The Si3N4 coating imparted both the antibacterial and osteogenic properties of bulk Si3N4 to the cp-Ti substrate. Both properties were comparable to those previously described for bulk Si3N4 biomedical implants. The newly developed Si3N4-coating was applied to commercially available Ti-alloy acetabular shells for total hip arthroplasty. A "glowing" test based on luciferase gene transformation was applied to visualize the colonization of gram-negative Escherichia coli on Si3N4-coated and uncoated Ti-alloy acetabular shells. The results showed that the coating technology conferred resistance to Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli adhesion onto the bulk acetabular sockets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Zanocco
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Francesco Boschetto
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Wenliang Zhu
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Elia Marin
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Bryan J McEntire
- SINTX Technologies Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84119, USA
| | - B Sonny Bal
- SINTX Technologies Corporation, 1885 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84119, USA
| | - Tetsuya Adachi
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Toshiro Yamamoto
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Narisato Kanamura
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Eriko Ohgitani
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kengo Yamamoto
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osam Mazda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Giuseppe Pezzotti
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan; The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0854, Japan.
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25
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Yakovlev AY, Kruglikova AA, Chernysh SI. Calliphoridae Flies in Medical Biotechnology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0013873819030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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El Shazely B, Urbański A, Johnston PR, Rolff J. In vivo exposure of insect AMP resistant Staphylococcus aureus to an insect immune system. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 110:60-68. [PMID: 31051236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important immune effectors in insects. Bacteria have a limited number of ways to resist AMPs, and AMP-resistance is often costly. Recently, it has become clear that AMP activities in vitro and in vivo differ. Although some studies have followed the in vivo survival of AMP resistant pathogens, studying a pathogen resistant to the AMPs of that particular host has never been reported. Here, we infected the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor with Staphylococcus aureus strains that were evolved in vitro in the presence of one or two antimicrobial peptides from T. molitor. We found that the Tenebrio immune system could clear mutant Tenecin resistant strains at least as efficiently as sensitive controls. The bacterial load of Tenecin resistant S. aureus segregated by mutation. Strains with mutations in both the pmt and rpo operons showed the highest in vivo survival and therefore showed the lowest fitness cost amongst the evolved resistance mutations. In contrast, Tenecin resistant strains with mutations in the nsa and rpo operons showed much lower survival within the hosts. Our study shows that Tenecin resistant strains are phagocytosed at a lower rate. The nsa/rpo mutants were phagocytosed at a higher rate than other Tenecin resistant S. aureus strains. The differences in resistance against AMPs and phagocytosis did not translate into changes in virulence. AMP resistance, while a prerequisite for an infection in vertebrates, does not provide a survival advantage to S. aureus in a host environment that is dominated by AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baydaa El Shazely
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Arkadiusz Urbański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Paul R Johnston
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany; Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany.
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27
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Amso Z, Hayouka Z. Antimicrobial random peptide cocktails: a new approach to fight pathogenic bacteria. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:2007-2014. [PMID: 30688322 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc09961h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has become a serious threat to public health, and therefore there is an urgent need to develop new classes of antimicrobial agents. Nowadays, natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic derivatives are considered as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. The broad molecular diversity of AMPs, in terms of sequences and structures, suggests that their activity does not depend on specific features of amino acid sequence or peptide conformation. We therefore selected two common properties of AMPs, (high percentage of hydrophobic and cationic amino acids), to develop a novel approach to synthesize random antimicrobial peptide mixtures (RPMs). Instead of incorporating a single amino acid at each coupling step, a mixture of hydrophobic and cationic amino acids in a defined proportion is coupled. This results in a mixture that contains up to 2n sequences, where n is the number of the coupling step, of random peptides with a defined composition, stereochemistry, and controlled chain length. We have discovered that RPMs of hydrophobic and cationic α-amino acids, such as phenylalanine and lysine, display strong and broad antimicrobial activity towards Gram-negative, Gram-positive, clinically isolated antibiotic resistant "superbugs", and several plant pathogenic bacteria. This review summarizes our efforts to explore the mode of action of RPMs and their potential as bioactive agents for multiple applications, including the prevention of biofilm formation and degradation of mature biofilm (related to human health), reduction of disease severity in plant bacterial disease models (related to crop protection), and inhibition of bacterial growth in milk (related to food preservation). All our findings illustrate the effectiveness of RPMs and their great potential for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Amso
- The Scripps Research Institute, d/b/a Calibr, a division of Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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28
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The pH-dependence of lipid-mediated antimicrobial peptide resistance in a model staphylococcal plasma membrane: A two-for-one mechanism of epithelial defence circumvention. Eur J Pharm Sci 2019; 128:43-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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29
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Yu G, Baeder DY, Regoes RR, Rolff J. Predicting drug resistance evolution: insights from antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. Proc Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29540517 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance constitutes one of the most pressing public health concerns. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of multicellular organisms are considered part of a solution to this problem, and AMPs produced by bacteria such as colistin are last-resort drugs. Importantly, AMPs differ from many antibiotics in their pharmacodynamic characteristics. Here we implement these differences within a theoretical framework to predict the evolution of resistance against AMPs and compare it to antibiotic resistance. Our analysis of resistance evolution finds that pharmacodynamic differences all combine to produce a much lower probability that resistance will evolve against AMPs. The finding can be generalized to all drugs with pharmacodynamics similar to AMPs. Pharmacodynamic concepts are familiar to most practitioners of medical microbiology, and data can be easily obtained for any drug or drug combination. Our theoretical and conceptual framework is, therefore, widely applicable and can help avoid resistance evolution if implemented in antibiotic stewardship schemes or the rational choice of new drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhi Yu
- Evolutionary Biology, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Koenigin-Luise Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Desiree Y Baeder
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Universitätsstrasse 16 ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland R Regoes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Universitätsstrasse 16 ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Koenigin-Luise Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany .,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
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30
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Wimley WC. Application of Synthetic Molecular Evolution to the Discovery of Antimicrobial Peptides. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1117:241-255. [PMID: 30980361 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-3588-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite long-standing promise and many known examples, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have failed, with few exceptions, to significantly impact human medicine. Impediments to the systemic activity of AMPs include proteolysis, host cell interactions, and serum protein binding, factors that are not often considered in the early stages of AMP development. Here we discuss how synthetic molecular evolution, iterative cycles of library design, and physiologically relevant screening can be used to evolve AMPs that do not have these impediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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31
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Genomics of experimental adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to a natural combination of insect antimicrobial peptides. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15359. [PMID: 30337550 PMCID: PMC6193990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are highly conserved immune effectors across the tree of life and are employed as combinations. In the beetle Tenebrio molitor, a defensin and a coleoptericin are highly expressed in vivo after inoculation with S. aureus. The defensin displays strong in vitro activity but no survival benefit in vivo. The coleoptericin provides a survival benefit in vivo, but no activity in vitro. This suggests a potentiating effect in vivo, and here we wanted to investigate the effects of this combination on resistance evolution using a bottom-approach in vitro starting with a combination of two abundant AMPs only. We experimentally evolved S. aureus in the presence of the defensin and a combination of the defensin and coleoptericin. Genome re-sequencing showed that resistance was associated with mutations in either the pmt or nsa operons. Strains with these mutations show longer lag phases, slower Vmax, and nsa mutants reach lower final population sizes. Mutations in the rpo operon showed a further increase in the lag phase in nsa mutants but not in pmt mutants. In contrast, final MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) do not differ according to mutation. All resistant lines display AMP but not antibiotic cross-resistance. Costly resistance against AMPs readily evolves for an individual AMP as well as a naturally occurring combination in vitro and provides broad protection against AMPs. Such non-specific resistance could result in strong selection on host immune systems that rely on cocktails of AMPs.
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32
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Lüthje P, Walker S, Kamolvit W, Mohanty S, Pütsep K, Brauner A. Statins influence epithelial expression of the anti-microbial peptide LL-37/hCAP-18 independently of the mevalonate pathway. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 195:265-276. [PMID: 30216432 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-microbial resistance increases among bacterial pathogens and new therapeutic avenues needs to be explored. Boosting innate immune mechanisms could be one attractive alternative in the defence against infectious diseases. The cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, have been demonstrated to also affect the immune system. Here we investigate the effect of statins on the expression of the human cathelicidin anti-microbial peptide (CAMP) LL-37/hCAP-18 [encoded by the CAMP gene] and explore the underlying mechanisms in four epithelial cell lines of different origin. Simvastatin induced CAMP expression in bladder epithelial cells telomerase-immortalized uroepithelial cells (TERT-NHUCs), intestinal cells HT-29 and keratinocytes HEKa, but not in airway epithelial cells A549. Gene induction in HEKa cells was reversible by mevalonate, while this effect was independent of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in TERT-NHUCs. Instead, inhibition of histone deacetylases by simvastatin seems to be involved. For HT-29 cells, both mechanisms may contribute. In addition, simvastatin increased transcription of the vitamin D-activating enzyme CYP27B1 which, in turn, may activate LL-37/hCAP-18 production. Taken together, simvastatin is able to promote the expression of LL-37/hCAP-18, but cell line-specific differences in efficacy and the involved signalling pathways exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lüthje
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - W Kamolvit
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Mohanty
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Pütsep
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Brauner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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33
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Reis PVM, Boff D, Verly RM, Melo-Braga MN, Cortés ME, Santos DM, Pimenta AMDC, Amaral FA, Resende JM, de Lima ME. LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:667. [PMID: 29681894 PMCID: PMC5897548 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo V M Reis
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daiane Boff
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M Verly
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil
| | - Marcella N Melo-Braga
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - María E Cortés
- Departamento de Odontologia Restauradora, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Santos
- Serviço de Proteômica e Aracnídeos - Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Adriano M de C Pimenta
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávio A Amaral
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jarbas M Resende
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria E de Lima
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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34
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Socarras KM, Theophilus PAS, Torres JP, Gupta K, Sapi E. Antimicrobial Activity of Bee Venom and Melittin against Borrelia burgdorferi. Antibiotics (Basel) 2017; 6:antibiotics6040031. [PMID: 29186026 PMCID: PMC5745474 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics6040031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is a tick-borne, multi-systemic disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Though antibiotics are used as a primary treatment, relapse often occurs after the discontinuation of antimicrobial agents. The reason for relapse remains unknown, however previous studies suggest the possible presence of antibiotic resistant Borrelia round bodies, persisters and attached biofilm forms. Thus, there is an urgent need to find antimicrobial agents suitable to eliminate all known forms of B. burgdorferi. In this study, natural antimicrobial agents such as Apis mellifera venom and a known component, melittin, were tested using SYBR Green I/PI, direct cell counting, biofilm assays combined with LIVE/DEAD and atomic force microscopy methods. The obtained results were compared to standalone and combinations of antibiotics such as Doxycycline, Cefoperazone, Daptomycin, which were recently found to be effective against Borrelia persisters. Our findings showed that both bee venom and melittin had significant effects on all the tested forms of B. burgdorferi. In contrast, the control antibiotics when used individually or even in combinations had limited effects on the attached biofilm form. These findings strongly suggest that whole bee venom or melittin could be effective antimicrobial agents for B. burgdorferi; however, further research is necessary to evaluate their effectiveness in vivo, as well as their safe and effective delivery method for their therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M Socarras
- Lyme Disease Research Group, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Priyanka A S Theophilus
- Lyme Disease Research Group, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Jason P Torres
- Lyme Disease Research Group, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Khusali Gupta
- Lyme Disease Research Group, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Eva Sapi
- Lyme Disease Research Group, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06519, USA.
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35
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Rolff J, Schmid-Hempel P. Perspectives on the evolutionary ecology of arthropod antimicrobial peptides. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 371:rstb.2015.0297. [PMID: 27160599 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important elements of the innate immune defence in multicellular organisms that target and kill microbes. Here, we reflect on the various points that are raised by the authors of the 11 contributions to a special issue of Philosophical Transactions on the 'evolutionary ecology of arthropod antimicrobial peptides'. We see five interesting topics emerging. (i) AMP genes in insects, and perhaps in arthropods more generally, evolve much slower than most other immune genes. One explanation refers to the constraints set by AMPs being part of a finely tuned defence system. A new view argues that AMPs are under strong stabilizing selection. Regardless, this striking observation still invites many more questions than have been answered so far. (ii) AMPs almost always are expressed in combinations and sometimes show expression patterns that are dependent on the infectious agent. While it is often assumed that this can be explained by synergistic interactions, such interactions have rarely been demonstrated and need to be studied further. Moreover, how to define synergy in the first place remains difficult and needs to be addressed. (iii) AMPs play a very important role in mediating the interaction between a host and its mutualistic or commensal microbes. This has only been studied in a very small number of (insect) species. It has become clear that the very same AMPs play different roles in different situations and hence are under concurrent selection. (iv) Different environments shape the physiology of organisms; especially the host-associated microbial communities should impact on the evolution host AMPs. Studies in social insects and some organisms from extreme environments seem to support this notion, but, overall, the evidence for adaptation of AMPs to a given environment is scant. (v) AMPs are considered or already developed as new drugs in medicine. However, bacteria can evolve resistance to AMPs. Therefore, in the light of our limited understanding of AMP evolution in the natural context, and also the very limited understanding of the evolution of resistance against AMPs in bacteria in particular, caution is recommended. What is clear though is that study of the ecology and evolution of AMPs in natural systems could inform many of these outstanding questions, including those related to medical applications and pathogen control.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evolutionary ecology of arthropod antimicrobial peptides'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Schmid-Hempel
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH-Zentrum CHN, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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36
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Arp AP, Hunter WB, Pelz-Stelinski KS. Annotation of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Genome Reveals a Reduced Innate Immune System. Front Physiol 2016; 7:570. [PMID: 27965582 PMCID: PMC5126049 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Citrus production worldwide is currently facing significant losses due to citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing. The citrus greening bacteria, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is a persistent propagative pathogen transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Hemipterans characterized to date lack a number of insect immune genes, including those associated with the Imd pathway targeting Gram-negative bacteria. The D. citri draft genome was used to characterize the immune defense genes present in D. citri. Predicted mRNAs identified by screening the published D. citri annotated draft genome were manually searched using a custom database of immune genes from previously annotated insect genomes. Toll and JAK/STAT pathways, general defense genes Dual oxidase, Nitric oxide synthase, prophenoloxidase, and cellular immune defense genes were present in D. citri. In contrast, D. citri lacked genes for the Imd pathway, most antimicrobial peptides, 1,3-β-glucan recognition proteins (GNBPs), and complete peptidoglycan recognition proteins. These data suggest that D. citri has a reduced immune capability similar to that observed in A. pisum, P. humanus, and R. prolixus. The absence of immune system genes from the D. citri genome may facilitate CLas infections, and is possibly compensated for by their relationship with their microbial endosymbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex P Arp
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - Wayne B Hunter
- U.S. Horticultural Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, United State Department of Agriculture Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - Kirsten S Pelz-Stelinski
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida Fort Pierce, FL, USA
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Bolouri Moghaddam MR, Tonk M, Schreiber C, Salzig D, Czermak P, Vilcinskas A, Rahnamaeian M. The potential of the Galleria mellonella innate immune system is maximized by the co-presentation of diverse antimicrobial peptides. Biol Chem 2016; 397:939-45. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ubiquitous components of the insect innate immune system. The model insect Galleria mellonella has at least 18 AMPs, some of which are still uncharacterized in terms of antimicrobial activity. To determine why G. mellonella secretes a repertoire of distinct AMPs following an immune challenge, we selected three different AMPs: cecropin A (CecA), gallerimycin and cobatoxin. We found that cobatoxin was active against Micrococcus luteus at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 120 μm, but at 60 μm when co-presented with 4 μm CecA. In contrast, the MIC of gallerimycin presented alone was 60 μm and the co-presentation of CecA did not affect this value. Cobatoxin and gallerimycin were both inactive against Escherichia coli at physiological concentrations, however gallerimycin could potentiate the sublethal dose of CecA (0.25 μm) at a concentration of 30 μm resulting in 100% lethality. The ability of gallerimycin to potentiate the CecA was investigated by flow cytometry, revealing that 30 μm gallerimycin sensitized E. coli cells by inducing membrane depolarization, which intensified the otherwise negligible effects of 0.25 μm CecA. We therefore conclude that G. mellonella maximizes the potential of its innate immune response by the co-presentation of different AMPs that become more effective at lower concentrations when presented simultaneously.
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38
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Ulm H, Schneider T. Targeting bactoprenol-coupled cell envelope precursors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:7815-25. [PMID: 27495122 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7732-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the bactoprenol-coupled cell wall precursor lipid II is a validated antibacterial strategy. In this review, selected prototype lipid II-binding antibiotics of different chemical classes are discussed. Although these compounds attack the same molecular target, they trigger nuanced and diverse cellular effects. Consequently, the mechanisms of antibacterial resistance and the likelihood of resistance development may vary substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ulm
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanja Schneider
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53105, Bonn, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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39
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Genomic Signatures of Experimental Adaptation to Antimicrobial Peptides in Staphylococcus aureus. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2016; 6:1535-9. [PMID: 27172179 PMCID: PMC4889650 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.023622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of resistance against antimicrobial peptides has long been considered unlikely due to their mechanism of action, yet experimental selection with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) results in rapid evolution of resistance in several species of bacteria. Although numerous studies have utilized mutant screens to identify loci that determine AMP susceptibility, there is a dearth of data concerning the genomic changes that accompany experimental evolution of AMP resistance. Using genome resequencing, we analyzed the mutations that arose during experimental evolution of resistance to the cationic AMPs iseganan, melittin, and pexiganan, as well as to a combination of melittin and pexiganan, or to the aminoglycoside antibiotic streptomycin. Analysis of 17 independently replicated Staphylococcus aureus selection lines, including unselected controls, showed that each AMP selected for mutations at distinct loci. We identify mutations in genes involved in the synthesis and maintenance of the cell envelope. These include genes previously identified from mutant screens for AMP resistance, and genes involved in the response to AMPs and cell-wall-active antibiotics. Furthermore, transposon insertion mutants were used to verify that a number of the identified genes are directly involved in determining AMP susceptibility. Strains selected for AMP resistance under controlled experimental evolution displayed consistent AMP-specific mutations in genes that determine AMP susceptibility. This suggests that different routes to evolve resistance are favored within a controlled genetic background.
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40
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Rahnamaeian M, Cytryńska M, Zdybicka-Barabas A, Dobslaff K, Wiesner J, Twyman RM, Zuchner T, Sadd BM, Regoes RR, Schmid-Hempel P, Vilcinskas A. Insect antimicrobial peptides show potentiating functional interactions against Gram-negative bacteria. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20150293. [PMID: 25833860 PMCID: PMC4426631 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and proteins are important components of innate
immunity against pathogens in insects. The production of AMPs is costly owing to
resource-based trade-offs, and strategies maximizing the efficacy of AMPs at low
concentrations are therefore likely to be advantageous. Here, we show the
potentiating functional interaction of co-occurring insect AMPs (the bumblebee
linear peptides hymenoptaecin and abaecin) resulting in more potent
antimicrobial effects at low concentrations. Abaecin displayed no detectable
activity against Escherichia coli when tested alone at
concentrations of up to 200 μM, whereas hymenoptaecin affected bacterial
cell growth and viability but only at concentrations greater than 2 μM.
In combination, as little as 1.25 μM abaecin enhanced the bactericidal
effects of hymenoptaecin. To understand these potentiating functional
interactions, we investigated their mechanisms of action using atomic force
microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based quenching assays.
Abaecin was found to reduce the minimal inhibitory concentration of
hymenoptaecin and to interact with the bacterial chaperone DnaK (an
evolutionarily conserved central organizer of the bacterial chaperone network)
when the membrane was compromised by hymenoptaecin. These naturally occurring
potentiating interactions suggest that combinations of AMPs could be used
therapeutically against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that have acquired
resistance to common antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rahnamaeian
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, Giessen 35394, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Cytryńska
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka Street 19, Lublin 20-033, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka Street 19, Lublin 20-033, Poland
| | - Kristin Dobslaff
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy and Center of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, University of Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Jochen Wiesner
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, Giessen 35394, Germany
| | - Richard M Twyman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, Giessen 35394, Germany TRM Ltd, PO Box 93, York YO43 3WE, UK
| | - Thole Zuchner
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy and Center of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, University of Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Ben M Sadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4120, Normal, IL 61790, USA
| | - Roland R Regoes
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH-Zentrum CHN, Universitätsstrasse 16, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Paul Schmid-Hempel
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH-Zentrum CHN, Universitätsstrasse 16, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, Giessen 35394, Germany Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Giessen 35392, Germany
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Fleitas O, Franco OL. Induced Bacterial Cross-Resistance toward Host Antimicrobial Peptides: A Worrying Phenomenon. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:381. [PMID: 27047486 PMCID: PMC4806371 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has reached alarming levels, threatening to return to the pre-antibiotic era. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial compounds that overcome the resistance phenomenon has become a priority. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear as one of the most promising antibiotic medicines. However, in recent years several AMP-resistance mechanisms have been described. Moreover, the AMP-resistance phenomenon has become more complex due to its association with cross-resistance toward AMP effectors of the host innate immune system. In this context, the use of AMPs as a therapeutic option could be potentially hazardous, since bacteria could develop resistance toward our innate immune system. Here, we review the findings of major studies that deal with the AMP cross-resistance phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmel Fleitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, S-Inova Biotech,Universidade Católica Dom BoscoCampo Grande, Brazil
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42
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Wu S, Zhu X, Liu Z, Shao E, Rebeca CL, Guo Y, Xiong Y, Mou Y, Xu R, Hu X, Liang G, Zou S, Guan X, Zhang F. Identification of Genes Relevant to Pesticides and Biology from Global Transcriptome Data of Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Larvae. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147855. [PMID: 26815657 PMCID: PMC4729689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monochamus alternatus Hope is the main vector in China of the Pine Wilt Disease caused by the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Although chemical control is traditionally used to prevent pine wilt disease, new strategies based in biological control are promising ways for the management of the disease. However, there is no deep sequence analysis of Monochamus alternatus Hope that describes the transcriptome and no information is available about gene function of this insect vector. We used next generation sequencing technology to sequence the whole fourth instar larva transcriptome of Monochamus alternatus Hope and successfully built a Monochamus alternatus Hope transcriptome database. In total, 105,612 unigenes were assigned for Gene Ontology (GO) terms, information for 16,730 classified unigenes was obtained in the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) database, and 13,024 unigenes matched with 224 predicted pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG). In addition, genes related to putative insecticide resistance-related genes, RNAi, the Bt receptor, intestinal digestive enzymes, possible future insect control targets and immune-related molecules are described. This study provides valuable basic information that can be used as a gateway to develop new molecular tools for Monochamus alternatus Hope control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songqing Wu
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxia Liu
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ensi Shao
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Carballar-Lejarazú Rebeca
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, United States of America
| | - Yajie Guo
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueting Xiong
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yani Mou
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Runxue Xu
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xia Hu
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Liang
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuangquan Zou
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guan
- Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (FPZ); (XG)
| | - Feiping Zhang
- College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (FPZ); (XG)
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Combination Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:1717-24. [PMID: 26729502 PMCID: PMC4775937 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02434-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ancient and conserved across the tree of life. Their efficacy over evolutionary time has been largely attributed to their mechanisms of killing. Yet, the understanding of their pharmacodynamics both in vivo and in vitro is very limited. This is, however, crucial for applications of AMPs as drugs and also informs the understanding of the action of AMPs in natural immune systems. Here, we selected six different AMPs from different organisms to test their individual and combined effects in vitro. We analyzed their pharmacodynamics based on the Hill function and evaluated the interaction of combinations of two and three AMPs. Interactions of AMPs in our study were mostly synergistic, and three-AMP combinations displayed stronger synergism than two-AMP combinations. This suggests synergism to be a common phenomenon in AMP interaction. Additionally, AMPs displayed a sharp increase in killing within a narrow dose range, contrasting with those of antibiotics. We suggest that our results could lead a way toward better evaluation of AMP application in practice and shed some light on the evolutionary consequences of antimicrobial peptide interactions within the immune system of organisms.
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44
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Schmitt P, Rosa RD, Destoumieux-Garzón D. An intimate link between antimicrobial peptide sequence diversity and binding to essential components of bacterial membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:958-70. [PMID: 26498397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) are widespread in the living kingdom. They are key effectors of defense reactions and mediators of competitions between organisms. They are often cationic and amphiphilic, which favors their interactions with the anionic membranes of microorganisms. Several AMP families do not directly alter membrane integrity but rather target conserved components of the bacterial membranes in a process that provides them with potent and specific antimicrobial activities. Thus, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), lipoteichoic acids (LTA) and the peptidoglycan precursor Lipid II are targeted by a broad series of AMPs. Studying the functional diversity of immune effectors tells us about the essential residues involved in AMP mechanism of action. Marine invertebrates have been found to produce a remarkable diversity of AMPs. Molluscan defensins and crustacean anti-LPS factors (ALF) are diverse in terms of amino acid sequence and show contrasted phenotypes in terms of antimicrobial activity. Their activity is directed essentially against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria due to their specific interactions with Lipid II or Lipid A, respectively. Through those interesting examples, we discuss here how sequence diversity generated throughout evolution informs us on residues required for essential molecular interaction at the bacterial membranes and subsequent antibacterial activity. Through the analysis of molecular variants having lost antibacterial activity or shaped novel functions, we also discuss the molecular bases of functional divergence in AMPs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Antimicrobial peptides edited by Karl Lohner and Kai Hilpert.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Schmitt
- Laboratorio de Genética e Inmunología Molecular, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Universidad 330, 2373223 Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Rafael D Rosa
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Delphine Destoumieux-Garzón
- CNRS, Ifremer, UPVD, Université de Montpellier. Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE), UMR5244, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34090 Montpellier cedex, France.
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Romanò CL, Scarponi S, Gallazzi E, Romanò D, Drago L. Antibacterial coating of implants in orthopaedics and trauma: a classification proposal in an evolving panorama. J Orthop Surg Res 2015; 10:157. [PMID: 26429342 PMCID: PMC4591707 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-015-0294-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Implanted biomaterials play a key role in current success of orthopedic and trauma surgery. However, implant-related infections remain among the leading reasons for failure with high economical and social associated costs. According to the current knowledge, probably the most critical pathogenic event in the development of implant-related infection is biofilm formation, which starts immediately after bacterial adhesion on an implant and effectively protects the microorganisms from the immune system and systemic antibiotics. A rationale, modern prevention of biomaterial-associated infections should then specifically focus on inhibition of both bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Nonetheless, currently available prophylactic measures, although partially effective in reducing surgical site infections, are not based on the pathogenesis of biofilm-related infections and unacceptable high rates of septic complications, especially in high-risk patients and procedures, are still reported.In the last decade, several studies have investigated the ability of implant surface modifications to minimize bacterial adhesion, inhibit biofilm formation, and provide effective bacterial killing to protect implanted biomaterials, even if there still is a great discrepancy between proposed and clinically implemented strategies and a lack of a common language to evaluate them.To move a step forward towards a more systematic approach in this promising but complicated field, here we provide a detailed overview and an original classification of the various technologies under study or already in the market. We may distinguish the following: 1. Passive surface finishing/modification (PSM): passive coatings that do not release bactericidal agents to the surrounding tissues, but are aimed at preventing or reducing bacterial adhesion through surface chemistry and/or structure modifications; 2. Active surface finishing/modification (ASM): active coatings that feature pharmacologically active pre-incorporated bactericidal agents; and 3. Local carriers or coatings (LCC): local antibacterial carriers or coatings, biodegradable or not, applied at the time of the surgical procedure, immediately prior or at the same time of the implant and around it. Classifying different technologies may be useful in order to better compare different solutions, to improve the design of validation tests and, hopefully, to improve and speed up the regulatory process in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Luca Romanò
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery of Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Scarponi
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery of Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
| | - Enrico Gallazzi
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery of Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
| | - Delia Romanò
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery of Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Drago
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Chernysh S, Gordya N, Suborova T. Insect Antimicrobial Peptide Complexes Prevent Resistance Development in Bacteria. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130788. [PMID: 26177023 PMCID: PMC4503414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades much attention has been paid to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as natural antibiotics, which are presumably protected from resistance development in bacteria. However, experimental evolution studies have revealed prompt resistance increase in bacteria to any individual AMP tested. Here we demonstrate that naturally occurring compounds containing insect AMP complexes have clear advantage over individual peptide and small molecule antibiotics in respect of drug resistance development. As a model we have used the compounds isolated from bacteria challenged maggots of Calliphoridae flies. The compound isolated from blow fly Calliphora vicina was found to contain three distinct families of cell membrane disrupting/permeabilizing peptides (defensins, cecropins and diptericins), one family of proline rich peptides and several unknown antimicrobial substances. Resistance changes under long term selective pressure of the compound and reference antibiotics cefotaxime, meropenem and polymyxin B were tested using Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains. All the strains readily developed resistance to the reference antibiotics, while no signs of resistance growth to the compound were registered. Similar results were obtained with the compounds isolated from 3 other fly species. The experiments revealed that natural compounds containing insect AMP complexes, in contrast to individual AMP and small molecule antibiotics, are well protected from resistance development in bacteria. Further progress in the research of natural AMP complexes may provide novel solutions to the drug resistance problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Chernysh
- Laboratory of Insect Biopharmacology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalia Gordya
- Laboratory of Insect Biopharmacology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatyana Suborova
- Research Center of Kirov Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
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47
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Tassanakajon A, Somboonwiwat K, Amparyup P. Sequence diversity and evolution of antimicrobial peptides in invertebrates. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 48:324-341. [PMID: 24950415 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionarily ancient molecules that act as the key components in the invertebrate innate immunity against invading pathogens. Several AMPs have been identified and characterized in invertebrates, and found to display considerable diversity in their amino acid sequence, structure and biological activity. AMP genes appear to have rapidly evolved, which might have arisen from the co-evolutionary arms race between host and pathogens, and enabled organisms to survive in different microbial environments. Here, the sequence diversity of invertebrate AMPs (defensins, cecropins, crustins and anti-lipopolysaccharide factors) are presented to provide a better understanding of the evolution pattern of these peptides that play a major role in host defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchalee Tassanakajon
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Kunlaya Somboonwiwat
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Piti Amparyup
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
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48
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Examination of bacterial inhibition using a catalytic DNA. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115640. [PMID: 25531274 PMCID: PMC4274092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Determination of accurate dosage of existing antibiotics and discovery of new antimicrobials or probiotics entail simple but effective methods that can conveniently track bacteria growth and inhibition. Here we explore the application of a previously reported fluorogenic E. coli-specific DNAzyme (catalytic DNA), RFD-EC1, as a molecular probe for monitoring bacterial inhibition exerted by antibiotics and for studying bacterial competition as a result of cohabitation. Because the DNAzyme method provides a convenient way to monitor the growth of E. coli, it is capable of determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics much faster than the conventional optical density (OD) method. In addition, since the target for RFD-EC1 is an extracellular protein molecule from E. coli, RFD-EC1 is able to identify pore-forming antibiotics or compounds that can cause membrane leakage. Finally, RFD-EC1 can be used to analyse the competition of cohabitating bacteria, specifically the inhibition of growth of E. coli by Bacillus subtilis. The current work represents the first exploration of a catalytic DNA for microbiological applications and showcases the utility of bacteria-sensing fluorogenic DNAzymes as simple molecular probes to facilitate antibiotic and probiotic research.
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49
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Rodríguez-Rojas A, Makarova O, Rolff J. Antimicrobials, stress and mutagenesis. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004445. [PMID: 25299705 PMCID: PMC4192597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides are ancient and ubiquitous immune effectors that multicellular organisms use to kill and police microbes whereas antibiotics are mostly employed by microorganisms. As antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) mostly target the cell wall, a microbial ‘Achilles heel’, it has been proposed that bacterial resistance evolution is very unlikely and hence AMPs are ancient ‘weapons’ of multicellular organisms. Here we provide a new hypothesis to explain the widespread distribution of AMPs amongst multicellular organism. Studying five antimicrobial peptides from vertebrates and insects, we show, using a classic Luria-Delbrück fluctuation assay, that cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) do not increase bacterial mutation rates. Moreover, using rtPCR and disc diffusion assays we find that AMPs do not elicit SOS or rpoS bacterial stress pathways. This is in contrast to the main classes of antibiotics that elevate mutagenesis via eliciting the SOS and rpoS pathways. The notion of the ‘Achilles heel’ has been challenged by experimental selection for AMP-resistance, but our findings offer a new perspective on the evolutionary success of AMPs. Employing AMPs seems advantageous for multicellular organisms, as it does not fuel the adaptation of bacteria to their immune defenses. This has important consequences for our understanding of host-microbe interactions, the evolution of innate immune defenses, and also sheds new light on antimicrobial resistance evolution and the use of AMPs as drugs. Cationic antimicrobial peptides are ancient and ubiquitous immune effectors that multicellular organisms use to kill and police microbes, whilst antibiotics are mostly employed by microorganisms. Here we provide a new hypothesis to explain this widespread adoption of antimicrobial peptides. We show that cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) do not increase bacterial mutagenesis, as they do not elicit bacterial stress pathways. Those stress pathways increase the mutation rate when bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Employing AMPs hence seems advantageous for multicellular organisms, as it does not fuel the adaptation of bacteria to their immune defenses. This has important consequences for our understanding of host-microbe interactions, the evolution of innate immune defenses, and also sheds new light on antimicrobial resistance evolution and the use of AMPs as drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Makarova
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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50
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Dobson AJ, Purves J, Rolff J. Increased survival of experimentally evolved antimicrobial peptide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an animal host. Evol Appl 2014; 7:905-12. [PMID: 25469169 PMCID: PMC4211720 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as new class of antimicrobial drugs, following the increasing prevalence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Synthetic AMPs are functional analogues of highly evolutionarily conserved immune effectors in animals and plants, produced in response to microbial infection. Therefore, the proposed therapeutic use of AMPs bears the risk of 'arming the enemy': bacteria that evolve resistance to AMPs may be cross-resistant to immune effectors (AMPs) in their hosts. We used a panel of populations of Staphylococcus aureus that were experimentally selected for resistance to a suite of individual AMPs and antibiotics to investigate the 'arming the enemy' hypothesis. We tested whether the selected strains showed higher survival in an insect model (Tenebrio molitor) and cross-resistance against other antimicrobials in vitro. A population selected for resistance to the antimicrobial peptide iseganan showed increased in vivo survival, but was not more virulent. We suggest that increased survival of AMP-resistant bacteria almost certainly poses problems to immune-compromised hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Dobson
- Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western BankSheffield, UK
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Joanne Purves
- Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western BankSheffield, UK
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of NottinghamNottingham, UK
| | - Jens Rolff
- Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western BankSheffield, UK
- Institute of Biology, Free University BerlinBerlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB)Berlin, Germany
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