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Zhang P, Luo W, Zhang Z, Lv M, Sang L, Wen Y, Wang L, Ding C, Wu K, Li F, Nie Y, Zhu J, Liu X, Yi Y, Ding X, Zeng Y, Liu Z. A Lipid-Sensitive Spider Peptide Toxin Exhibits Selective Anti-Leukemia Efficacy through Multimodal Mechanisms. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2404937. [PMID: 38962935 PMCID: PMC11348133 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202404937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) represent a promising potential for cancer treatment, although their mechanisms need to be further elucidated to improve their application in cancer therapy. Lycosin-I, a linear amphipathic peptide isolated from the venom of Lycosa singorensis, shows significant anticancer potential. Herein, it is found that Lycosin-I, which can self-assemble into a nanosphere structure, has a multimodal mechanism of action involving lipid binding for the selective and effective treatment of leukemia. Mechanistically, Lycosin-I selectively binds to the K562 cell membrane, likely due to its preferential interaction with negatively charged phosphatidylserine, and rapidly triggers membrane lysis, particularly at high concentrations. In addition, Lycosin-I induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and ferroptosis in K562 cells by suppressing the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and activating cell autophagy at low concentrations. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of Lycosin-I inhibits tumor growth of K562 cells in a nude mouse xenograft model without causing side effects. Collectively, the multimodal effect of Lycosin-I can provide new insights into the mechanism of ACPs, and Lycosin-I, which is characterized by high potency and specificity, can be a promising lead for the development of anti-leukemia drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Wu Luo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- College of BiologyHunan UniversityChangshaHunan410082China
| | - Zixin Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Mingchong Lv
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Longkang Sang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Yuhan Wen
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Lingxiang Wang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Changhao Ding
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Kun Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Yueqi Nie
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Jiaoyue Zhu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Department of HematologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410011China
| | - Yan Yi
- Department of HematologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversitySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510630China
| | - Xiaofeng Ding
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
| | - Youlin Zeng
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petrochemical Materials and Fine Utilization of ResourcesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug DevelopmentCollege of Life SciencesHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunan410081China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong LaboratoryChangshaHunan410081China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary StudiesHunan Normal UniversityChangsha410081China
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Antony A, Purayil AK, Olakkaran S, Dhannura S, Shekh S, Gowd KH, Gurushankara HP. Antimicrobial and antitumor properties of anuran peptide temporin-SHf induce apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. Amino Acids 2024; 56:12. [PMID: 38319435 PMCID: PMC10847208 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03373-3] [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] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Temporin-SHf is a linear, ultra-short, hydrophobic, α-helix, and phe-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide. The antitumor activities and mechanism of temporin-SHf-induced cancer cell death are unknown. The temporin-SHf was synthesized by solid-phase Fmoc chemistry and antimicrobial and antitumor activities were investigated. Temporin-SHf was microbiocidal, non-hemolytic, and cytotoxic to human cancer cells but not to non-tumorigenic cells. It affected the cancer cells' lysosomal integrity and caused cell membrane damage. The temporin-SHf inhibited A549 cancer cell proliferation and migration. It is anti-angiogenic and causes cancer cell death through apoptosis. The molecular mechanism of action of temporin-SHf confirmed that it kills cancer cells by triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis through an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Owing to its short length and broad spectrum of antitumor activity, temporin-SHf is a promising candidate for developing a new class of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anet Antony
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Malappuram, Kerala, 673 635, India
| | - Anupama Kizhakke Purayil
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Molecular Biology, Kannur University, Dr. Janakiammal Campus, Thalasserry, Palayad, Kerala, 670 661, India
| | - Shilpa Olakkaran
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Malappuram, Kerala, 673 635, India
| | - Shweta Dhannura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
| | - Shamasoddin Shekh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
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Dong Z, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Tangthianchaichana J, Guo M, Du S, Lu Y. Anticancer Mechanisms and Potential Anticancer Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Nano Agents. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:1017-1039. [PMID: 38317847 PMCID: PMC10840538 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s445333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional chemotherapy is one of the main methods of cancer treatment, which is largely limited by severe side effects and frequent development of multi-drug resistance by cancer cells. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with high efficiency and low toxicity, as one of the most promising new drugs to replace chemoradiotherapy, have become a current research hotspot, attracting the attention of worldwide researchers. AMPs are natural-source small peptides from the innate immune system, and certain AMPs can selectively kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells while exhibiting less damage to normal cells. Although it involves intracellular mechanisms, AMPs exert their anti-cancer effects mainly through membrane destruction effect; thus, AMPs also hold unique advantages in fighting drug-resistant cancer cells. However, the poor stability and hemolytic toxicity of peptides limit their clinical application. Fortunately, functionalized nanoparticles have many possibilities in overcoming the shortcomings of AMPs, which provides a huge prospect for better application of AMPs. In this paper, we briefly introduce the characteristics and different sources of AMPs, review and summarize the mechanisms of action and the research status of AMPs used as an anticancer therapy, and finally focus on the further use of AMPs nano agents in the anti-cancer direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Dong
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Research and Development Centre in Beijing, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jakkree Tangthianchaichana
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Mingxue Guo
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shouying Du
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Liu Q, Wang L, He D, Wu Y, Liu X, Yang Y, Chen Z, Dong Z, Luo Y, Song Y. Application Value of Antimicrobial Peptides in Gastrointestinal Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16718. [PMID: 38069041 PMCID: PMC10706433 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer is a common clinical malignant tumor disease that seriously endangers human health and lacks effective treatment methods. As part of the innate immune defense of many organisms, antimicrobial peptides not only have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity but also can specifically kill tumor cells. The positive charge of antimicrobial peptides under neutral conditions determines their high selectivity to tumor cells. In addition, antimicrobial peptides also have unique anticancer mechanisms, such as inducing apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, membrane destruction, and inhibition of metastasis, which highlights the low drug resistance and high specificity of antimicrobial peptides. In this review, we summarize the related studies on antimicrobial peptides in the treatment of digestive tract tumors, mainly oral cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. This paper describes the therapeutic advantages of antimicrobial peptides due to their unique anticancer mechanisms. The length, net charge, and secondary structure of antimicrobial peptides can be modified by design or modification to further enhance their anticancer effects. In summary, as an emerging cancer treatment drug, antimicrobial peptides need to be further studied to realize their application in gastrointestinal cancer diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Dongxia He
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yuewei Wu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xian Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yahan Yang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhizhi Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhan Dong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Ying Luo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yuzhu Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Medical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
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5
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Chen Q, Wu J, Li X, Ye Z, Yang H, Mu L. Amphibian-Derived Natural Anticancer Peptides and Proteins: Mechanism of Action, Application Strategies, and Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13985. [PMID: 37762285 PMCID: PMC10530844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813985] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major diseases that seriously threaten human life. Traditional anticancer therapies have achieved remarkable efficacy but have also some unavoidable side effects. Therefore, more and more research focuses on highly effective and less-toxic anticancer substances of natural origin. Amphibian skin is rich in active substances such as biogenic amines, alkaloids, alcohols, esters, peptides, and proteins, which play a role in various aspects such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer functions, and are one of the critical sources of anticancer substances. Currently, a range of natural anticancer substances are known from various amphibians. This paper aims to review the physicochemical properties, anticancer mechanisms, and potential applications of these peptides and proteins to advance the identification and therapeutic use of natural anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hailong Yang
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lixian Mu
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
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Fandiño-Devia E, Santa-González GA, Klaiss-Luna MC, Guevara-Lora I, Tamayo V, Manrique-Moreno M. ΔM4: Membrane-Active Peptide with Antitumoral Potential against Human Skin Cancer Cells. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:671. [PMID: 37505037 PMCID: PMC10385147 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have become attractive potential agents due to their affinity to cancer cells. In this work, the biological activity of the peptide ΔM4 against melanoma cancer cell line A375, epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431, and non-tumoral HaCaT cells was evaluated. The cytotoxic MTT assay demonstrates that ΔM4 show five times more activity against cancer than non-cancer cells. The potential membrane effect of ΔM4 was evaluated through lactate dehydrogenase release and Sytox uptake experiments. The results show a higher membrane activity of ΔM4 against A431 in comparison with the A375 cell line at a level of 12.5 µM. The Sytox experiments show that ΔM4 has a direct effect on the permeability of cancer cells in comparison with control cells. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the affinity of the peptide to membranes resembling the composition of tumoral and non-tumoral cells. The results show that ΔM4 induces a fluidization effect on the tumoral lipid system over 5% molar concentration. Finally, to determine the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the surface of the cell, flow cytometry analyses were performed employing an annexin V-PE conjugate. The results suggest that 12.5 µM of ΔM4 induces phosphatidylserine translocation in A375 and A431 cancer cells. The findings of this study support the potential of ΔM4 as a selective agent for targeting cancer cells. Its mechanism of action demonstrated selectivity, membrane-disrupting effects, and induction of phosphatidylserine translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Fandiño-Devia
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gloria A Santa-González
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, A.A. 54959, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Maria C Klaiss-Luna
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Ibeth Guevara-Lora
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Verónica Tamayo
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Marcela Manrique-Moreno
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
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Yang XF, Liu X, Yan XY, Shang DJ. Effects of frog skin peptide temporin-1CEa and its analogs on ox-LDL induced macrophage-derived foam cells. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1139532. [PMID: 37021059 PMCID: PMC10067733 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1139532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Atherosclerosis is one of the most important pathological foundations of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that macrophages play important roles in lipid accumulation in the vascular wall and thrombosis formation in atherosclerotic plaques. This study aimed to explore the effect of frog skin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) temporin-1CEa and its analogs on ox-LDL induced macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods: CCK-8, ORO staining, and intracellular cholesterol measurements were used to study cellular activity, lipid droplet formation and cholesterol levels, respectively. ELISA, real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry analysis were used to study the expression of inflammatory factors, mRNA and proteins associated with ox-LDL uptake and cholesterol efflux in macrophage-derived foam cells, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of AMPs on inflammation signaling pathways were studied.Results: Frog skin AMPs could significantly increase the cell viability of the ox-LDL-induced foaming macrophages and decrease the formation of intracellular lipid droplets and the levels of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester (CE). Frog skin AMPs inhibited foaming formation by reducing the protein expression of CD36, which regulates ox-LDL uptake but had no effect on the expression of efflux proteins ATP binding cassette subfamily A/G member 1 (ABCA1/ABCG1). Then, decreased mRNA expression of NF-κB and protein expression of p-NF-κB p65, p-IκB, p-JNK, p-ERK, p-p38 and the release of TNF-α and IL-6 occurred after exposure to the three frog skin AMPs.Conclusion: Frog skin peptide temporin-1CEa and its analogs can improve the ox-LDL induced formation of macrophage-derived foam cells, in addition, inhibit inflammatory cytokine release through inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Feng Yang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Yan
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - De-Jing Shang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: De-Jing Shang,
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Temporins: Multifunctional Peptides from Frog Skin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065426. [PMID: 36982501 PMCID: PMC10049141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporins are short peptides secreted by frogs from all over the world. They exert antimicrobial activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant pathogens; recent studies highlight other possible applications of these peptides as anticancer or antiviral agents. This review is meant to describe the main features of temporins produced by different ranid genera. Due to the abundance of published papers, we focus on the most widely investigated peptides. We report studies on their mechanism of action and three-dimensional structure in model systems mimicking bacterial membranes or in the presence of cells. The design and the antimicrobial activity of peptide analogues is also described, with the aim of highlighting elements that are crucial to improve the bioactivity of peptides while reducing their toxicity. Finally, a short section is dedicated to the studies aimed at applying these peptides as drugs, to produce new antimicrobial materials or in other technological uses.
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Nguyen T, Guo R, Chai J, Wu J, Liu J, Chen X, Abdel-Rahman MA, Xia H, Xu X. Smp24, a Scorpion-Venom Peptide, Exhibits Potent Antitumor Effects against Hepatoma HepG2 Cells via Multi-Mechanisms In Vivo and In Vitro. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100717. [PMID: 36287985 PMCID: PMC9607800 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion-venom-derived peptides have become a promising anticancer agent due to their cytotoxicity against tumor cells via multiple mechanisms. The suppressive effect of the cationic antimicrobial peptide Smp24, which is derived from the venom of ScorpioMaurus palmatus, on the proliferation of the hepatoma cell line HepG2 has been reported earlier. However, its mode of action against HepG2 hepatoma cells remains unclear. In the current research, Smp24 was discovered to suppress the viability of HepG2 cells while having a minor effect on normal LO2 cells. Moreover, endocytosis and pore formation were demonstrated to be involved in the uptake of Smp24 into HepG2 cells, which subsequently interacted with the mitochondrial membrane and caused the decrease in its potential, cytoskeleton reorganization, ROS accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and alteration of apoptosis- and autophagy-related signaling pathways. The protecting activity of Smp24 in the HepG2 xenograft mice model was also demonstrated. Therefore, our data suggest that the antitumor effect of Smp24 is closely related to the induction of cell apoptosis, cycle arrest, and autophagy via cell membrane disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting a potential alternative in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tienthanh Nguyen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ruiyin Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiena Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Junfang Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | | | - Hu Xia
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (X.X.); Tel.: +86-20-61648537 (X.X.)
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (X.X.); Tel.: +86-20-61648537 (X.X.)
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10
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Valenti GE, Alfei S, Caviglia D, Domenicotti C, Marengo B. Antimicrobial Peptides and Cationic Nanoparticles: A Broad-Spectrum Weapon to Fight Multi-Drug Resistance Not Only in Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116108. [PMID: 35682787 PMCID: PMC9181033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, antibiotic resistance and, analogously, anticancer drug resistance have increased considerably, becoming one of the main public health problems. For this reason, it is crucial to find therapeutic strategies able to counteract the onset of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this review, a critical overview of the innovative tools available today to fight MDR is reported. In this direction, the use of membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs), such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), has received particular attention, due to their high selectivity and to their limited side effects. Moreover, similarities between bacteria and cancer cells are herein reported and the hypothesis of the possible use of AMPs also in anticancer therapies is discussed. However, it is important to take into account the limitations that could negatively impact clinical application and, in particular, the need for an efficient delivery system. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is proposed as a potential strategy to improve therapy; moreover, among polymeric NPs, cationic ones are emerging as promising tools able to fight the onset of MDR both in bacteria and in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia E. Valenti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-353-8830
| | - Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
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11
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Antony A, Olakkaran S, Purayil AK, Shekh S, Gowd KH, Gurushankara HP. Antitumor activity of Tigerinin-1: Necroptosis mediates toxicity in A549 cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Behuria HG, Dash S, Sahu SK. Phospholipid Scramblases: Role in Cancer Progression and Anticancer Therapeutics. Front Genet 2022; 13:875894. [PMID: 35422844 PMCID: PMC9002267 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.875894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phospholipid scramblases (PLSCRs) that catalyze rapid mixing of plasma membrane lipids result in surface exposure of phosphatidyl serine (PS), a lipid normally residing to the inner plasma membrane leaflet. PS exposure provides a chemotactic eat-me signal for phagocytes resulting in non-inflammatory clearance of apoptotic cells by efferocytosis. However, metastatic tumor cells escape efferocytosis through alteration of tumor microenvironment and apoptotic signaling. Tumor cells exhibit altered membrane features, high constitutive PS exposure, low drug permeability and increased multidrug resistance through clonal evolution. PLSCRs are transcriptionally up-regulated in tumor cells leading to plasma membrane remodeling and aberrant PS exposure on cell surface. In addition, PLSCRs interact with multiple cellular components to modulate cancer progression and survival. While PLSCRs and PS exposed on tumor cells are novel drug targets, many exogenous molecules that catalyze lipid scrambling on tumor plasma membrane are potent anticancer therapeutic molecules. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of scramblase mediated signaling events, membrane alteration specific to tumor development and possible therapeutic implications of scramblases and PS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himadri Gourav Behuria
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo University, Baripada, India
| | - Sabyasachi Dash
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Santosh Kumar Sahu
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo University, Baripada, India
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13
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Wang C, Huang L, Li R, Wang Y, Wu X, Shang D. Synergistic Therapy of Doxorubicin with Cationic Anticancer Peptide L-K6 Reverses Multidrug Resistance in MCF-7/ADR Cancer Cells In Vitro via P-glycoprotein Inhibition. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10253-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Soon TN, Chia AYY, Yap WH, Tang YQ. Anticancer Mechanisms of Bioactive Peptides. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 27:823-830. [PMID: 32271692 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200409102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite technological advancement, there is no 100% effective treatment against metastatic cancer. Increasing resistance of cancer cells towards chemotherapeutic drugs along with detrimental side effects remained a concern. Thus, the urgency in developing new anticancer agents has been raised. Anticancer peptides have been proven to display potent activity against a wide variety of cancer cells. Several mode of actions describing their cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on cancer cells have been proposed which involves cell surface binding leading to membranolysis or internalization to reach their intracellular target. Understanding the mechanism of action of these anticancer peptides is important in achieving full therapeutic success. In the present article, we discuss the anticancer action of peptides accompanied by the mechanisms underpinning their toxicity to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuey Ning Soon
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Adeline Yoke Yin Chia
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Wei Hsum Yap
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Yin-Quan Tang
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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15
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Hammond K, Ryadnov MG, Hoogenboom BW. Atomic force microscopy to elucidate how peptides disrupt membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1863:183447. [PMID: 32835656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy is an increasingly attractive tool to study how peptides disrupt membranes. Often performed on reconstituted lipid bilayers, it provides access to time and length scales that allow dynamic investigations with nanometre resolution. Over the last decade, AFM studies have enabled visualisation of membrane disruption mechanisms by antimicrobial or host defence peptides, including peptides that target malignant cells and biofilms. Moreover, the emergence of high-speed modalities of the technique broadens the scope of investigations to antimicrobial kinetics as well as the imaging of peptide action on live cells in real time. This review describes how methodological advances in AFM facilitate new insights into membrane disruption mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Hammond
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK; London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Maxim G Ryadnov
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK; Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand Lane, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Bart W Hoogenboom
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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16
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Xie M, Liu D, Yang Y. Anti-cancer peptides: classification, mechanism of action, reconstruction and modification. Open Biol 2020; 10:200004. [PMID: 32692959 PMCID: PMC7574553 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) are a series of short peptides composed of 10-60 amino acids that can inhibit tumour cell proliferation or migration, or suppress the formation of tumour blood vessels, and are less likely to cause drug resistance. The aforementioned merits make ACPs the most promising anti-cancer candidate. However, ACPs may be degraded by proteases, or result in cytotoxicity in many cases. To overcome these drawbacks, a plethora of research has focused on reconstruction or modification of ACPs to improve their anti-cancer activity, while reducing their cytotoxicity. The modification of ACPs mainly includes main chain reconstruction and side chain modification. After summarizing the classification and mechanism of action of ACPs, this paper focuses on recent development and progress about their reconstruction and modification. The information collected here may provide some ideas for further research on ACPs, in particular their modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Dijia Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China.,Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
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17
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Chiangjong W, Chutipongtanate S, Hongeng S. Anticancer peptide: Physicochemical property, functional aspect and trend in clinical application (Review). Int J Oncol 2020; 57:678-696. [PMID: 32705178 PMCID: PMC7384845 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is currently ineffectively treated using therapeutic drugs, and is also able to resist drug action, resulting in increased side effects following drug treatment. A novel therapeutic strategy against cancer cells is the use of anticancer peptides (ACPs). The physicochemical properties, amino acid composition and the addition of chemical groups on the ACP sequence influences their conformation, net charge and orientation of the secondary structure, leading to an effect on targeting specificity and ACP-cell interaction, as well as peptide penetrating capability, stability and efficacy. ACPs have been developed from both naturally occurring and modified peptides by substituting neutral or anionic amino acid residues with cationic amino acid residues, or by adding a chemical group. The modified peptides lead to an increase in the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Due to this effectiveness, ACPs have recently been improved to form drugs and vaccines, which have sequentially been evaluated in various phases of clinical trials. The development of the ACPs remains focused on generating newly modified ACPs for clinical application in order to decrease the incidence of new cancer cases and decrease the mortality rate. The present review could further facilitate the design of ACPs and increase efficacious ACP therapy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wararat Chiangjong
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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18
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Parvy JP, Yu Y, Dostalova A, Kondo S, Kurjan A, Bulet P, Lemaître B, Vidal M, Cordero JB. The antimicrobial peptide defensin cooperates with tumour necrosis factor to drive tumour cell death in Drosophila. eLife 2019; 8:45061. [PMID: 31358113 PMCID: PMC6667213 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small cationic molecules best known as mediators of the innate defence against microbial infection. While in vitro and ex vivo evidence suggest AMPs’ capacity to kill cancer cells, in vivo demonstration of an anti-tumour role of endogenous AMPs is lacking. Using a Drosophila model of tumourigenesis, we demonstrate a role for the AMP Defensin in the control of tumour progression. Our results reveal that Tumour Necrosis Factor mediates exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS), which makes tumour cells selectively sensitive to the action of Defensin remotely secreted from tracheal and fat tissues. Defensin binds tumour cells in PS-enriched areas, provoking cell death and tumour regression. Altogether, our results provide the first in vivo demonstration for a role of an endogenous AMP as an anti-cancer agent, as well as a mechanism that explains tumour cell sensitivity to the action of AMPs. Animals have a natural defence system – the immune system – that is needed to fight off disease-causing microbes, known as pathogens. One way the immune system attacks pathogens is by producing small microbe-killing molecules called antimicrobial peptides. These antimicrobial peptides carry a positive charge, which allows them to interact with and disrupt the negatively charged cell surfaces of many microbes. Healthy animal cells do not have these negatively charged components on their cell surface, which means they are invisible to antimicrobial peptides. Studies have reported that antimicrobial peptides can attack cancer cells grown in a dish. However, it was unclear whether they could fight cancer cells in a live animal. Parvy et al. have now addressed this issue by studying tumours in the larvae of fruit flies. Flies with tumours made an antimicrobial peptide called Defensin, which normally helps to fight infections. When Parvy et al. deleted the gene coding for Defensin, less tumour cells were dying and the tumours became bigger. This result indicated that Defensin was protecting the fruit flies from tumours. Examining the tumours under the microscope showed that Defensin protein interacted with the membranes of tumour cells. Defensin was not, however, interacting with healthy cells. Further analysis revealed that a negatively charged component of cell membranes called phosphatidylserine, which normally faces the inside of healthy cells, is exposed to the outer surface of tumour cells. This negatively charged molecule renders cancer cells visible to positively charged Defensin. Importantly, the exposure of the phosphatidylserine is mediated by the fly equivalent of a protein called Tumour Necrosis Factor, a key player in cancer biology. Defensin binding to tumour cells leads to their death. These experiments in the fruit fly highlight key molecular mechanisms that allow antimicrobial peptides to fight cancer cells in a living organism. Because human tumour cells can also expose phosphatidylserine, these latest findings may open up the possibility of a new kind of anti-cancer therapy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yachuan Yu
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Dostalova
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Shu Kondo
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Alina Kurjan
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Bulet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Immunologie Analytique des Pathologies Chroniques, Grenoble, France
| | - Bruno Lemaître
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia B Cordero
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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19
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Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C, Prachayasittikul V, Shoombuatong W. ACPred: A Computational Tool for the Prediction and Analysis of Anticancer Peptides. Molecules 2019; 24:E1973. [PMID: 31121946 PMCID: PMC6571645 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a new class of therapeutic agent for cancer treatment due to their lower toxicity as well as greater efficacy, selectivity and specificity when compared to conventional small molecule drugs. However, the experimental identification of ACPs still remains a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Therefore, it is desirable to develop and improve upon existing computational models for predicting and characterizing ACPs. In this study, we present a bioinformatics tool called the ACPred, which is an interpretable tool for the prediction and characterization of the anticancer activities of peptides. ACPred was developed by utilizing powerful machine learning models (support vector machine and random forest) and various classes of peptide features. It was observed by a jackknife cross-validation test that ACPred can achieve an overall accuracy of 95.61% in identifying ACPs. In addition, analysis revealed the following distinguishing characteristics that ACPs possess: (i) hydrophobic residue enhances the cationic properties of α-helical ACPs resulting in better cell penetration; (ii) the amphipathic nature of the α-helical structure plays a crucial role in its mechanism of cytotoxicity; and (iii) the formation of disulfide bridges on β-sheets is vital for structural maintenance which correlates with its ability to kill cancer cells. Finally, for the convenience of experimental scientists, the ACPred web server was established and made freely available online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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20
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Camó C, Bonaterra A, Badosa E, Baró A, Montesinos L, Montesinos E, Planas M, Feliu L. Antimicrobial peptide KSL-W and analogues: Promising agents to control plant diseases. Peptides 2019; 112:85-95. [PMID: 30508634 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent strong restrictions on the use of pesticides has prompted the search for safer alternatives, being antimicrobial peptides promising candidates. Herein, with the aim of identifying new agents, 15 peptides reported as plant defense elicitors, promiscuous, multifunctional or antimicrobial were selected and tested against six plant pathogenic bacteria of economic importance. Within this set, KSL-W (KKVVFWVKFK-NH2) displayed high antibacterial activity against all the tested pathogens, low hemolysis and low phytotoxicity in tobacco leaves. This peptide was taken as a lead and 49 analogues were designed and synthesized, including N-terminal deletion sequences, peptides incorporating a d-amino acid and lipopeptides. The screening of these sequences revealed that a nine amino acid length was the minimum for activity. The presence of a d-amino acid significantly decreased the hemolysis and endowed KSL-W with the capacity to induce the expression of defense-related genes in tomato plants. The incorporation of an acyl chain led to sequences with high activity against Xanthomonas strains, low hemolysis and phytotoxicity. Therefore, this study demonstrates that KSL-W constitutes an excellent candidate as new agent to control plant diseases and can be considered as a lead to develop derivatives with multifunctional properties, including antimicrobial and plant defense elicitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Camó
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Bonaterra
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Esther Badosa
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Aina Baró
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Montesinos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Emilio Montesinos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Planas
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain.
| | - Lidia Feliu
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain.
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21
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Aronson MR, Simonson AW, Orchard LM, Llinás M, Medina SH. Lipopeptisomes: Anticancer peptide-assembled particles for fusolytic oncotherapy. Acta Biomater 2018; 80:269-277. [PMID: 30240951 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are cationic amphiphiles that preferentially kill cancer cells through folding-dependent membrane disruption. Although ACPs represent attractive therapeutic candidates, particularly against drug-resistant cancers, their successful translation into clinical practice has gone unrealized due to their poor bioavailability, serum instability and, most importantly, severe hemolytic toxicity. Here, we exploit the membrane-specific interactions of ACPs to prepare a new class of peptide-lipid particle, we term a lipopeptisome (LP). This design sequesters loaded ACPs within a lipid lamellar corona to avoid contact with red blood cells and healthy tissues, while affording potent lytic destruction of cancer cells following LP-membrane fusion. Biophysical studies show ACPs rapidly fold at, and integrate into, liposomal membranes to form stable LPs with high loading efficiencies (>80%). Rational design of the particles to possess lipid combinations mimicking that of the aberrant cancer cell outer leaflet allows LPs to rapidly fuse with tumor cell membranes and afford localized assembly of loaded ACPs within the bilayer. This leads to preferential fusolytic killing of cancer cells with minimal collateral toxicity towards non-cancerous cells and erythrocytes, thereby imparting clinically relevant therapeutic indices to otherwise toxic ACPs. Thus, integration of ACPs into self-assembled LPs represents a new delivery strategy to improve the therapeutic utility of oncolytic agents, and suggests this technology may be added to targeted combinatorial approaches in precision medicine. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite their significant clinical potential, the therapeutic utility of many ACPs has been limited by their collateral hemolysis during administration. Leveraging the membrane-specific interactions of ACPs, here we prepare self-assembled peptide-lipid nanoparticles, or 'lipopeptisomes' (LPs), capable of preferentially fusing with and lysing cancer cell membranes. Key to this fusolytic action is the construction of LPs from lipids simulating the cancer cell outer leaflet. This design recruits the oncolytic peptide payload into the carrier lamella and allows for selective destruction of cancer cells without disrupting healthy cells. Consequently, LPs impart clinically relevant therapeutic indexes to previously toxic ACPs, and thus open new opportunities to improve the clinical translation of oncolytics challenged by narrow therapeutic windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Aronson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Andrew W Simonson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Lindsey M Orchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Scott H Medina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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22
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Wan X, Zhu Y, Zhang L, Hou W. Gefitinib inhibits malignant melanoma cells through the VEGF/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:7351-7355. [PMID: 29568946 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is caused by melanophore cancerization in tissue pigmentation regions, leading to skin, mucous membrane, eye and central nervous system carcinogenesis. The incidence of MM has increased in previous years, and it has become the primary cause of skin cancer‑associated mortality in developed countries. MM is characterized as highly malignant and readily metastasized, and has a poor prognosis. Targeting angiogenesis is an important method for MM treatment. As an important proangiogenic factor in tumor growth and metastasis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can promote neovascularization and increase vascular permeability. Gefitinib is a novel drug targeting VEGF. The effect and mechanism of gefitinib on MM remain to be elucidated, and were investigated in the present study. The A375 MM cell line was used in the present study; it was cultured in vitro and divided into gefitinib groups (5 and 10 µM) and a control group. Cell proliferation was measured using an MTT assay and the activity of caspase‑3 was assessed using a kit. Cell invasive ability was determined using a Transwell chamber. The mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF and AKT were detected using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Gefitinib significantly inhibited MM cell proliferation, enhanced the activity of caspase 3 and suppressed tumor cell invasion (P<0.05). In addition, gefitinib significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF and AKT, and these changes were dose‑dependent (P<0.05). Taken together, gefitinib suppressed MM cell proliferation and invasion in vitro by regulating the VEGF/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Wan
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Yalin Zhu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
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23
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Antimicrobial peptides, nanotechnology, and natural metabolites as novel approaches for cancer treatment. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 183:160-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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24
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Roudi R, Syn NL, Roudbary M. Antimicrobial Peptides As Biologic and Immunotherapeutic Agents against Cancer: A Comprehensive Overview. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1320. [PMID: 29081781 PMCID: PMC5645638 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a pervasive and evolutionarily ancient component of innate host defense which is present in virtually all classes of life. In recent years, evidence has accumulated that parallel or de novo mechanisms by which AMPs curb infectious pathologies are also effective at restraining cancer cell proliferation and dissemination, and have consequently stimulated significant interest in their deployment as novel biologic and immunotherapeutic agents against human malignancies. In this review, we explicate the biochemical underpinnings of their tumor-selectivity, and discuss results of recent clinical trials (outside of oncologic indications) which substantiate their safety and tolerability profiles. Next, we present evidence for their preclinical antitumor activity, systematically organized by the major and minor classes of natural AMPs. Finally, we discuss the barriers to their clinical implementation and envision directions for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Roudi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nicholas L Syn
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maryam Roudbary
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Cell surface binding, uptaking and anticancer activity of L-K6, a lysine/leucine-rich peptide, on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8293. [PMID: 28811617 PMCID: PMC5557901 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell surface binding and internalization are critical for the specific targeting and biofunctions of some cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) with anticancer activities. However, the detailed cellular process for CAPs interacting with cancer cells and the exact molecular basis for their anticancer effects are still far from being fully understood. In the present study, we examined the cell surface binding, uptaking and anti-cancer activity of L-K6, a lysine/leucine-rich CAP, in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We found that L-K6 preferentially interact with MCF-7 cells. This tumor-targeting property of L-K6 might be partially due to its interactions with the surface exposed and negatively charged phosphatidylserine. Subsequently, L-K6 could internalize into MCF-7 cells mainly through a clathrin-independent macropinocytosis, without significant cell surface disruption. Finally, the internalized L-K6 induced a dramatic nuclear damage and MCF-7 cell death, without significant cytoskeleton disruption and mitochondrial impairment. This cytotoxicity of L-K6 against MCF-7 cancer cells could be further confirmed by using a mouse xenograft model. In summary, all these findings outlined the cellular process and cytotoxicity of L-K6 in MCF-7 cancer cells, and might help understand the complicated interactions between CAPs and cancer cells.
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Tonk M, Vilcinskas A, Rahnamaeian M. Insect antimicrobial peptides: potential tools for the prevention of skin cancer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:7397-405. [PMID: 27418360 PMCID: PMC4980408 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7718-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are biologically active molecules with diverse structural properties that are produced by mammals, plants, insects, ticks, and microorganisms. They have a range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and even anticancer activities, and their biological properties could therefore be exploited for therapeutic and prophylactic applications. Cancer and cancer drug resistance are significant current health challenges, so the development of innovative cancer drugs with minimal toxicity toward normal cells and novel modes of action that can evade resistance may provide a new direction for anticancer therapy. The skin is the first line of defense against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, and skin cancer is thus the most common type of cancer. The skin that has been exposed to sunlight is particularly susceptible, but lesions can occur anywhere on the body. Skin cancer awareness and self-efficacy are necessary to improve sun protection behavior, but more effective preventative approaches are also required. AMPs may offer a new prophylactic approach against skin cancer. In this mini review, we draw attention to the potential use of insect AMPs for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk
- LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse, 35394, Giessen, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mohammad Rahnamaeian
- LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse, 35394, Giessen, Germany.
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