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La Corte C, Catania V, Dara M, Parrinello D, Staropoli M, Trapani MR, Cammarata M, Parisi MG. Equinins as Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptides Isolated from the Cnidarian Actinia equina (Linnaeus, 1758). Mar Drugs 2024; 22:172. [PMID: 38667789 PMCID: PMC11051070 DOI: 10.3390/md22040172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sea anemones are valuable for therapeutic research as a diversified source of bioactive molecules, due to their diverse bioactive molecules linked to predation and defence mechanisms involving toxins and antimicrobial peptides. Acid extracts from Actinia equina tentacles and body were examined for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The peptide fractions showed interesting minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (up to 0.125 µg/mL) against the tested pathogens. Further investigation and characterization of tentacle acid extracts with significant antimicrobial activity led to the purification of peptides through reverse phase chromatography on solid phase and HPLC. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide activity was found in 40% acetonitrile fractions. The resulting peptides had a molecular mass of 2612.91 and 3934.827 Da and MIC ranging from 0.06 to 0.20 mg/mL. Sequencing revealed similarities to AMPs found in amphibians, fish, and Cnidaria, with anti-Gram+, Gram-, antifungal, candidacidal, anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenemase-producing, vancomycin-resistant bacteria, and multi-drug resistant activity. Peptides 6.2 and 7.3, named Equinin A and B, respectively, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro towards the above-mentioned bacterial pathogens. Equinin B exerted interesting antibacterial activity (MIC and bactericidal concentrations of 1 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively) and gene organization supporting its potential in applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia La Corte
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Valentina Catania
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariano Dara
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Daniela Parrinello
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Mariele Staropoli
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Maria Rosa Trapani
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Maria Giovanna Parisi
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.L.C.); (M.D.); (D.P.); (M.S.); (M.R.T.); (M.G.P.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
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Thomas AM, Antony SP. Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: An Emerging Nightmare to the Life-Threatening Pathogens. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024; 16:552-578. [PMID: 37022565 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10061-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens due to improper usage of conventional antibiotics has created a global health crisis. Alternatives to antibiotics being an urgent need, the scientific community is forced to search for new antimicrobials. This exploration has led to the discovery of antimicrobial peptides, a group of small peptides occurring in different phyla such as Porifera, Cnidaria, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Chordata, as a component of their innate immune system. The marine environment, possessing immense diversity of organisms, is undoubtedly one of the richest sources of unique potential antimicrobial peptides. The distinctiveness of marine antimicrobial peptides lies in their broad-spectrum activity, mechanism of action, less cytotoxicity, and high stability, which form the benchmark for developing a potential therapeutic. This review aims to (1) synthesise the available information on the distinctive antimicrobial peptides discovered from marine organisms, particularly over the last decade, and (2) discuss the distinctiveness of marine antimicrobial peptides and their prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Maria Thomas
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India
| | - Swapna P Antony
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India.
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Zhang C, Li X, Xing Z, Zhong H, Yu D, Yu R, Deng X. Plasma metabolites-based design of long-acting peptides and their anticancer evaluation. Int J Pharm 2023; 631:122483. [PMID: 36509220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122483] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are generally small cationic amphipathic peptides, which are thought to be ideal antineoplastic agents, owing to their favorable selectivity to cancer cells and the ability to overcome drug-resistance. In this study, an anticancer AMP (Mastoparan (INLKALAALAKKIL-NH2)) was selected as the lead compound and a series of Mastoparan derivatives were designed. Preliminary studies verified that an analogue of Mastoparan, KM8 (KLLKINLKALAALAKKIL-NH2), exhibited prominent selective antitumor effects. Instead, it presents a significant defect of metabolic instability, with a half-life in plasma of only about 0.5 h. Metabolite profiling of KM8 was performed and indicated the structure 9AL10 in peptide sequence could be the fragile site for KM8. Thus, the Aib (unnatural amnio acid) was employed to substitute the 9Ala residue in KM8, and generating a long-acting KM8 derivative, namely KM8-Aib. Further investigations revealed KM8-Aib possessed higher metabolic stability, more potent anticancer activity in vitro & in vivo, and lower toxicity. Therefore, KM8-Aib is suggested be a potential antimalignant agent that worthy of more in-depth study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China; Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, 62 Hengzhigang Road, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, 62 Hengzhigang Road, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Zhenjian Xing
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, 62 Hengzhigang Road, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Honglan Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, 62 Hengzhigang Road, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Dianbao Yu
- Analytical Applications Center, Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Branch, 230 Gaotang Road, Guangzhou 510656, China
| | - Rui Yu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China.
| | - Xin Deng
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China.
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Antitumor Activity and Mechanism of Action of the Antimicrobial Peptide AMP-17 on Human Leukemia K562 Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228109. [PMID: 36432210 PMCID: PMC9697079 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228109] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in the world. Hence, there is an urgent need to search for novel drugs with antitumor activity against cancer cells. AMP-17, a natural antimicrobial peptide derived from Musca domestica, has antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. However, its antitumor activity and potential mechanism of action in cancer cells remain unclear. In this study, we focused on evaluating the in vitro antitumor activity and mechanism of AMP-17 on leukemic K562 cells. The results showed that AMP-17 exhibited anti-proliferative activity on K562 cells with an IC50 value of 58.91 ± 3.57 μg/mL. The membrane integrity of K562 was disrupted and membrane permeability was increased after AMP-17 action. Further observation using SEM and TEM images showed that the cell structure of AMP-17-treated cells was disrupted, with depressions and pore-like breaks on the cell surface, and vacuolated vesicles in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, further mechanistic studies indicated that AMP-17 induced excessive production of reactive oxygen species and calcium ions release in K562 cells, which led to disturbance of mitochondrial membrane potential and blocked ATP synthesis, followed by activation of Caspase-3 to induce apoptosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the antitumor activity of AMP-17 may be achieved by disrupting cell structure and inducing apoptosis. Therefore, AMP-17 is expected to be a novel potential agent candidate for leukemia treatment.
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Antimicrobial peptides from freshwater invertebrate species: potential for future applications. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:9797-9811. [PMID: 35716292 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07483-1] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Invertebrates are a significant source of antimicrobial peptides because they lack an adaptive immune system and must rely on their innate immunity to survive in a pathogen-infested environment. Various antimicrobial peptides that represent major components of invertebrate innate immunity have been described in a number of investigations over the last few decades. In freshwater invertebrates, antimicrobial peptides have been identified in arthropods, annelids, molluscs, crustaceans, and cnidarians. Freshwater invertebrate species contain antimicrobial peptides from the families astacidin, macin, defensin, and crustin, as well as other antimicrobial peptides that do not belong to these families. They show broad spectrum activities greatly directed against bacteria and to a less extent against fungi and viruses. This review focuses on antimicrobial peptides found in freshwater invertebrates, highlighting their features, structure-activity connections, antimicrobial processes, and possible applications in the food industry, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and medicine. The methods for their synthesis, purification, and characterization, as well as the obstacles and strategies for their development and application, are also discussed.
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Antimicrobial Peptide Brevinin-1RL1 from Frog Skin Secretion Induces Apoptosis and Necrosis of Tumor Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26072059. [PMID: 33916789 PMCID: PMC8038347 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26072059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has always been one of the most common malignant diseases in the world. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find potent agents with selective antitumor activity against cancer cells. It has been reported that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can selectively target tumor cells. In this study, we focused on the anti-tumor activity and mechanism of Brevivin-1RL1, a cationic α-helical AMP isolated from frog Rana limnocharis skin secretions. We found that Brevivin-1RL1 preferentially inhibits tumor cells rather than non-tumor cells with slight hemolytic activity. Cell viability assay demonstrated the intermolecular disulfide bridge contributes to the inhibitory activity of the peptide as the antitumor activity was abolished when the disulfide bridge reduced. Further mechanism studies revealed that both necrosis and apoptosis are involved in Brevivin-1RL1 mediated tumor cells death. Moreover, Brevivin-1RL1 induced extrinsic and mitochondria intrinsic apoptosis is caspases dependent, as the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK rescued Brevinin-1RL1 induced tumor cell proliferative inhibition. Immunohistology staining showed Brevivin-1RL1 mainly aggregated on the surface of the tumor cells. These results together suggested that Brevivin-1RL1 preferentially converges on the cancer cells to trigger necrosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis and Brevivin-1RL1 could be considered as a pharmacological candidate for further development as anti-cancer agent.
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