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Antimicrobial Peptides as New Combination Agents in Cancer Therapeutics: A Promising Protocol against HT-29 Tumoral Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186964. [PMID: 32971958 PMCID: PMC7555805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are molecules synthetized by a large variety of organisms as an innate defense against pathogens. These natural compounds have been identified as promising alternatives to widely used molecules to treat infections and cancer cells. Antimicrobial peptides could be viewed as future chemotherapeutic alternatives, having the advantage of low propensity to drug resistance. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin A (GA) and the anticancer drug, doxorubicin (Doxo) against the spheroids from colorectal cancer cells (HT-29). The two drugs were applied separately against HT-29 spheroids as well as together to determine if they can act synergistically. The spheroid evolution, cell viability, and ATP levels were monitored at 24 and 48 h after the applied treatments. The results show significant drops in cell viability and cellular ATP levels for all the experimental treatments. The simultaneous use of the two compounds (GA and Doxo) seems to cause a synergistic effect against the spheroids.
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Chen T, Wang Y, Yang Y, Yu K, Cao X, Su F, Xu H, Peng Y, Hu Y, Qian F, Wang Z. Gramicidin inhibits human gastric cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Biol Res 2019; 52:57. [PMID: 31767027 PMCID: PMC6878685 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-019-0264-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, which seriously affects human health. Gramicidin is a short peptide antibiotic which could be used for treating infection induced by bacteria or fungi. However, the anti-cancer effect of gramicidin on gastric cancer cells and its underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Results Gastric cancer cells SGC-7901, BGC-823 and normal gastric mucosal cells GES-1 were treated with different concentrations of gramicidin respectively. The results of CCK-8 experiment revealed cellular toxicity of gramicidin to cancer cells while cell colony formation assay showed that gramicidin significantly inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, but had little effect on normal gastric mucosal cells. In addition, the wound healing assay showed that gramicidin inhibited the migration of SGC-7901 cell. Meanwhile, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis revealed that gramicidin induced cell apoptosis with G2/M cell cycle inhibition. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that gramicidin down-regulated the expression of cyclinD1 and Bcl-2 as well as the FoxO1 phosphorylation. Conclusions The current study illustrated the anti-tumor activity of gramicidin on gastric cancer cells, providing a possibility for gramicidin to be applied in clinical practice for the treatment of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhoupu Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaikai Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangliao Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Su
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanbai Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongde Peng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Hu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Qian
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China. .,Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zishu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research (Bengbu Medical College), 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China.
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Gramicidin A: A New Mission for an Old Antibiotic. J Kidney Cancer VHL 2015; 2:15-24. [PMID: 28326255 PMCID: PMC5345515 DOI: 10.15586/jkcvhl.2015.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gramicidin A (GA) is a channel-forming ionophore that renders biological membranes permeable to specific cations which disrupts cellular ionic homeostasis. It is a well-known antibiotic, however it’s potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer has not been widely evaluated. In two recently published studies, we showed that GA treatment is toxic to cell lines and tumor xenografts derived from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a devastating disease that is highly resistant to conventional therapy. GA was found to possess the qualities of both a cytotoxic drug and a targeted angiogenesis inhibitor, and this combination significantly compromised RCC growth in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we summarize our recent research on GA, discuss the possible mechanisms whereby it exerts its anti-tumor effects, and share our perspectives on the future opportunities and challenges to the use of GA as a new anticancer agent.
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David JM, Owens TA, Barwe SP, Rajasekaran AK. Gramicidin A induces metabolic dysfunction and energy depletion leading to cell death in renal cell carcinoma cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:2296-307. [PMID: 24006494 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ionophores are lipid-soluble organic molecules that disrupt cellular transmembrane potential by rendering biologic membranes permeable to specific ions. They include mobile-carriers that complex with metal cations and channel-formers that insert into the membrane to form hydrophilic pores. Although mobile-carriers possess anticancer properties, investigations on channel-formers are limited. Here, we used the channel-forming ionophore gramicidin A to study its effects on the growth and survival of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. RCC is a histologically heterogeneous malignancy that is highly resistant to conventional treatments. We found that gramicidin A reduced the in vitro viability of several RCC cell lines at submicromolar concentrations (all IC50 < 1.0 μmol/L). Gramicidin A exhibited similar toxicity in RCC cells regardless of histologic subtype or the expression of either the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene or its downstream target, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. Gramicidin A decreased cell viability equal to or greater than the mobile-carrier monensin depending on the cell line. Mechanistic examination revealed that gramicidin A blocks ATP generation by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, leading to cellular energy depletion and nonapoptotic cell death. Finally, gramicidin A effectively reduced the growth of RCC tumor xenografts in vivo. These results show a novel application of gramicidin A as a potential therapeutic agent for RCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M David
- Corresponding Author: Ayyappan K. Rajasekaran, Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1701 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.
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Li Q, Dong C, Deng A, Katsumata M, Nakadai A, Kawada T, Okada S, Clayberger C, Krensky AM. Hemolysis of erythrocytes by granulysin-derived peptides but not by granulysin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:388-97. [PMID: 15616319 PMCID: PMC538851 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.1.388-397.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulysin, a 9-kDa protein localized in human cytolytic T lymphocytes and natural killer cell granules, is cytolytic against tumors and microbes but not against red blood cells. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the central region of granulysin recapitulate the lytic activity of the intact molecule, and some peptides cause hemolysis of red blood cells. Peptides in which cysteine residues were replaced by serine maintain their activity against microbes but lose activity against human cells, suggesting their potential as antibiotics. Studies were undertaken to determine the mechanism of resistance of red blood cells to granulysin and sensitivity to a subset of granulysin-derived peptides. Granulysin lyses immature reticulocytes, which have mitochondria, but not red blood cells. Granulysin lyses U937 cells but not U937 cells lacking mitochondrial DNA and a functional respiratory chain (U937rho(o) degrees cells), further demonstrating the requirement of intact mitochondria for granulysin-mediated death. Peptide G8, which corresponds to helix 2/loop 2/helix 3, lyses red blood cells, while peptide G9, which is identical except that the cysteine residues were replaced by serine, does not lyse red blood cells. Granulysin peptide-induced hemolysis is markedly inhibited by an anion transporter inhibitor and by Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+) channel blockers but not by Na(+)/K(+) pump, cotransport, or Cl(-) channel blockers. Although recombinant granulysin and G9 peptide do not induce hemolysis, they both competitively inhibit G8-induced hemolysis. The finding that some derivatives of granulysin are hemolytic may have important implications for the design of granulysin-based antimicrobial therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/pharmacology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Erythrocytes/drug effects
- Hemolysis/drug effects
- Humans
- Ion Channels/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides/chemical synthesis
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Rabbits
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Division of Immunology and Transplantation Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Otten-Kuipers MA, Franssen FF, Nieuwenhuijs H, Overdulve JP, Roelofsen B, Op den Kamp JA. Effect of tryptophan-N-formylated gramicidin on growth of Plasmodium berghei in mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1997; 41:1778-82. [PMID: 9257760 PMCID: PMC164004 DOI: 10.1128/aac.41.8.1778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of tryptophan-N-formylated gramicidin (NFG) on the growth of Plasmodium berghei in mice was tested in three different experiments. NFG was shown to be capable of inhibiting the growth of the parasite in a dose-dependent way, although its action did not result in elimination of the parasite and was only temporary, preventing mice from early death, presumably due to cerebral malaria, but not from fatal generalized malaria. Intriguingly, a similar observation was made with two other drugs, (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine, an inhibitor of viral and eukaryotic DNA polymerases, and the presumed topoisomerase II inhibitor, a bisquaternary quinolinium salt. A rise in the level of parasitemia after 8 days, despite continued treatment, was not due to parasite-induced reticulocytosis, as demonstrated in experiments in which this condition was induced artificially. NFG was added in the form of lipid vesicles in which the peptide had been incorporated. The inhibitory action of NFG was not modulated by the lipid composition of the vesicles. Control experiments did not demonstrate any toxicity of NFG when it was administered in lipid vesicles. The main observation is that NFG is able to inhibit the growth of a malaria parasite in vivo at concentrations that are well tolerated by the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Otten-Kuipers
- Department of Lipid Biochemistry, Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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