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Liang Q, Liu Z, Liang Z, Zhu C, Li D, Kong Q, Mou H. Development strategies and application of antimicrobial peptides as future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172150. [PMID: 38580107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The use of in-feed antibiotics has been widely restricted due to the significant environmental pollution and food safety concerns they have caused. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted widespread attention as potential future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics owing to their demonstrated antimicrobial activity and environment friendly characteristics. However, the challenges of weak bioactivity, immature stability, and low production yields of natural AMPs impede practical application in the feed industry. To address these problems, efforts have been made to develop strategies for approaching the AMPs with enhanced properties. Herein, we summarize approaches to improving the properties of AMPs as potential alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, mainly including optimization of structural parameters, sequence modification, selection of microbial hosts, fusion expression, and industrially fermentation control. Additionally, the potential for application of AMPs in animal husbandry is discussed. This comprehensive review lays a strong theoretical foundation for the development of in-feed AMPs to achieve the public health globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingping Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Zhemin Liu
- Fundamental Science R&D Center of Vazyme Biotech Co. Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Ziyu Liang
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Changliang Zhu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Dongyu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Qing Kong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Haijin Mou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China.
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2
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Gao B, Zhu S. The evolutionary novelty of insect defensins: from bacterial killing to toxin neutralization. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:230. [PMID: 38780625 PMCID: PMC11116330 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05273-5] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Insect host defense comprises two complementary dimensions, microbial killing-mediated resistance and microbial toxin neutralization-mediated resilience, both jointly providing protection against pathogen infections. Insect defensins are a class of effectors of innate immunity primarily responsible for resistance to Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we report a newly originated gene from an ancestral defensin via genetic deletion following gene duplication in Drosophila virilis, which confers an enhanced resilience to Gram-positive bacterial infection. This gene encodes an 18-mer arginine-rich peptide (termed DvirARP) with differences from its parent gene in its pattern of expression, structure and function. DvirARP specifically expresses in D. virilis female adults with a constitutive manner. It adopts a novel fold with a 310 helix and a two CXC motif-containing loop stabilized by two disulfide bridges. DvirARP exhibits no activity on the majority of microorganisms tested and only a weak activity against two Gram-positive bacteria. DvirARP knockout flies are viable and have no obvious defect in reproductivity but they are more susceptible to the DvirARP-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection than the wild type files, which can be attributable to its ability in neutralization of the S. aureus secreted toxins. Phylogenetic distribution analysis reveals that DvirARP is restrictedly present in the Drosophila subgenus, but independent deletion variations also occur in defensins from the Sophophora subgenus, in support of the evolvability of this class of immune effectors. Our work illustrates for the first time how a duplicate resistance-mediated gene evolves an ability to increase the resilience of a subset of Drosophila species against bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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3
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Fahmy L, Generalovic T, Ali YM, Seilly D, Sivanesan K, Kalmar L, Pipan M, Christie G, Grant AJ. A novel family of defensin-like peptides from Hermetia illucens with antibacterial properties. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:167. [PMID: 38755524 PMCID: PMC11097590 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03325-1] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The world faces a major infectious disease challenge. Interest in the discovery, design, or development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative approach for the treatment of bacterial infections has increased. Insects are a good source of AMPs which are the main effector molecules of their innate immune system. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) are being developed for large-scale rearing for food sustainability, waste reduction and as sustainable animal and fish feed. Bioinformatic studies have suggested that BSFL have the largest number of AMPs identified in insects. However, most AMPs identified in BSF have not yet undergone antimicrobial evaluation but are promising leads to treat critical infections. RESULTS Jg7197.t1, Jg7902.t1 and Jg7904.t1 were expressed into the haemolymph of larvae following infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and were predicted to be AMPs using the computational tool ampir. The genes encoding these proteins were within 2 distinct clusters in chromosome 1 of the BSF genome. Following removal of signal peptides, predicted structures of the mature proteins were superimposed, highlighting a high degree of structural conservation. The 3 AMPs share primary sequences with proteins that contain a Kunitz-binding domain; characterised for inhibitory action against proteases, and antimicrobial activities. An in vitro antimicrobial screen indicated that heterologously expressed SUMO-Jg7197.t1 and SUMO-Jg7902.t1 did not show activity against 12 bacterial strains. While recombinant SUMO-Jg7904.t1 had antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including the serious pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS We have cloned and purified putative AMPs from BSFL and performed initial in vitro experiments to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. In doing so, we have identified a putative novel defensin-like AMP, Jg7904.t1, encoded in a paralogous gene cluster, with antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Fahmy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tomas Generalovic
- Better Origin, Future Business Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Youssif M Ali
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Seilly
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kesavan Sivanesan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lajos Kalmar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miha Pipan
- Better Origin, Future Business Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Graham Christie
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew J Grant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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4
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He H, Huang X, Wen C, Liu C, Jiang B, Huang Y, Su Y, Li W. A novel defensin-like peptide C-13326 possesses protective effect against multidrug-resistant Aeromonas schubertii in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculate ♀ × Channa argus ♂). JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2024; 47:e13922. [PMID: 38204197 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13922] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide (C-13326 peptide) identified in Hermetia illucens could possess protective effect against multidrug-resistant Aeromonas schubertii in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculate ♀ × Channa argus ♂). The cDNA of C-13326 peptide comprised 243 nucleotides encoding 80 amino acids, with six conserved cysteine residues and the classical CSαβ structure. The recombinant expression plasmid pPIC9K-C-13326 was constructed and transformed into GS115 Pichia pastoris, and the C-13326 peptide was expressed by induction with 1% methanol. The crude extract of C-13326 peptide was precipitated by ammonium sulfate, assayed by Braford method, detected by tricine-SDS-PAGE, evaluated by BandScan software and identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The C-13326 peptide was shown to have inhibitory activity against the growth of multidrug-resistant A. schubertii DM210910 by using the minimum growth inhibitory concentration and Oxford cup method. In addition, scanning electron microscopy analysis suggested that C-13326 peptide inhibited the growth of A. schubertii DM210910 by damaging the bacterial cell membrane. To explore the role of peptide C-13326 in vivo, hybrid snakehead was fed with peptide C-13326 as feed additives for 7 days. The results revealed that C-13326 peptide could significantly down-regulate the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12 and TNF-α (p < .05), and significantly improved the survival rate of hybrid snakehead after challenging with A. schubertii DM210910. Therefore, the C-13326 peptide is a promising antimicrobial agent for A. schubertii treatment in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanrong He
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinzhi Huang
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caiyi Wen
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun Liu
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Jiang
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhua Huang
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youlu Su
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
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Gao B, Li P, Zhu S. Single Deletion Unmasks Hidden Anti-Gram-Negative Bacterial Activity of an Insect Defensin-Derived Peptide. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2512-2528. [PMID: 38335999 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Insect defensins are a large family of antimicrobial peptides primarily active against Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we explore their hidden anti-Gram-negative bacterial potential via a nature-guided strategy inspired by natural deletion variants of Drosophila defensins. Referring to these variants, we deleted the equivalent region of an insect defensin with the first cysteine-containing N-terminus, and the last three cysteine-containing C-terminal regions remained. This 15-mer peptide exhibits low solubility and specifically targets Gram-positive bacteria. Further deletion of alanine-9 remarkably improves its solubility, unmasks its hidden anti-Gram-negative bacterial activity, and alters its states in different environments. Intriguingly, compared with the oxidized form, the 14-mer reduced peptide shows increased activity on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through a membrane-disruptive mechanism. The broad-spectrum activity and tolerance to high-salt environments and human serum, together with no toxicity to mammalian or human cells, make it a promising candidate for the design of new peptide antibiotics against Gram-negative bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No.11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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Patyra E, Kwiatek K. Insect Meals and Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as an Alternative for Antibiotics and Growth Promoters in Livestock Production. Pathogens 2023; 12:854. [PMID: 37375544 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060854] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The extensive use of antibiotics in animal production has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and the search for alternative antimicrobial agents in animal production. One such compound may be antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are characterized by, among others, a wide range of biocidal activity. According to scientific data, insects produce the largest number of antimicrobial peptides, and the changing EU legislation has allowed processed animal protein derived from insects to be used in feed for farm animals, which, in addition to a protein supplement, may prove to be an alternative to antibiotics and antibiotic growth promoters due to their documented beneficial impact on livestock health. In animals that were fed feeds with the addition of insect meals, changes in their intestinal microbiota, strengthened immunity, and increased antibacterial activity were confirmed to be positive effects obtained thanks to the insect diet. This paper reviews the literature on sources of antibacterial peptides and the mechanism of action of these compounds, with particular emphasis on insect antibacterial peptides and their potential impact on animal health, and legal regulations related to the use of insect meals in animal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Patyra
- Department of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kwiatek
- Department of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
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7
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Dho M, Candian V, Tedeschi R. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides: Advancements, Enhancements and New Challenges. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:952. [PMID: 37370271 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12060952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several insects are known as vectors of a wide range of animal and human pathogens causing various diseases. However, they are also a source of different substances, such as the Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs), which can be employed in the development of natural bioactive compounds for medical, veterinary and agricultural applications. It is well known that AMP activity, in contrast to most classical antibiotics, does not lead to the development of natural bacterial resistance, or at least the frequency of resistance is considered to be low. Therefore, there is a strong interest in assessing the efficacy of the various peptides known to date, identifying new compounds and evaluating possible solutions in order to increase their production. Moreover, implementing AMP modulation in insect rearing could preserve insect health in large-scale production. This review describes the current knowledge on insect AMPs, presenting the validated ones for the different insect orders. A brief description of their mechanism of action is reported with focus on proposed applications. The possible effects of insect diet on AMP translation and synthesis have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Dho
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Valentina Candian
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Rosemarie Tedeschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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8
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Menk JJ, Matuhara YE, Sebestyen-França H, Henrique-Silva F, Ferro M, Rodrigues RS, Santos-Júnior CD. Antimicrobial Peptide Arsenal Predicted from the Venom Gland Transcriptome of the Tropical Trap-Jaw Ant Odontomachus chelifer. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050345. [PMID: 37235379 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
With about 13,000 known species, ants are the most abundant venomous insects. Their venom consists of polypeptides, enzymes, alkaloids, biogenic amines, formic acid, and hydrocarbons. In this study, we investigated, using in silico techniques, the peptides composing a putative antimicrobial arsenal from the venom gland of the neotropical trap-jaw ant Odontomachus chelifer. Focusing on transcripts from the body and venom gland of this insect, it was possible to determine the gland secretome, which contained about 1022 peptides with putative signal peptides. The majority of these peptides (75.5%) were unknown, not matching any reference database, motivating us to extract functional insights via machine learning-based techniques. With several complementary methodologies, we investigated the existence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the venom gland of O. chelifer, finding 112 non-redundant candidates. Candidate AMPs were predicted to be more globular and hemolytic than the remaining peptides in the secretome. There is evidence of transcription for 97% of AMP candidates across the same ant genus, with one of them also verified as translated, thus supporting our findings. Most of these potential antimicrobial sequences (94.8%) matched transcripts from the ant's body, indicating their role not solely as venom toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josilene J Menk
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Yan E Matuhara
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Henrique Sebestyen-França
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Milene Ferro
- Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro 01049-010, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata S Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uber-lândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
| | - Célio D Santos-Júnior
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
- Big Data Biology Laboratory, Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Makwana P, Rahul K, Ito K, Subhadra B. Diversity of Antimicrobial Peptides in Silkworm. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051161. [PMID: 37240807 DOI: 10.3390/life13051161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a phenomenon that the present-day world is witnessing that poses a serious threat to global health. The decline in the development of novel therapeutics over the last couple of decades has exacerbated the situation further. In this scenario, the pursuit of new alternative therapeutics to commonly used antibiotics has gained predominance amongst researchers across the world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from natural sources have drawn significant interest in the recent years as promising pharmacological substitutes over the conventional antibiotics. The most notable advantage of AMPs is that microorganisms cannot develop resistance to them. Insects represent one of the potential sources of AMPs, which are synthesized as part of an innate immune defence against invading pathogens. AMPs from different insects have been extensively studied, and silkworm is one of them. Diverse classes of AMPs (including attacins, cecropins, defensins, enbocins, gloverins, lebocins and moricins) were identified from silkworm that exhibit antimicrobial property against bacteria, fungi and viruses, indicating their potential therapeutic benefits. This review briefs about the immune responses of silkworm to invading pathogens, the isolation of AMPs from silkworms, AMPs reported in silkworms and their activity against various microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Makwana
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Kamidi Rahul
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Katsuhiko Ito
- Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Department of Science of Biological Production, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bindu Subhadra
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, New York, NY 11548, USA
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Fu Q, Cao D, Sun J, Liu X, Li H, Shu C, Liu R. Prediction and bioactivity of small-molecule antimicrobial peptides from Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124672. [PMID: 37007486 PMCID: PMC10060639 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely recognized as promising natural antimicrobial agents. Insects, as the group of animals with the largest population, have great potential as a source of AMPs. Thus, it is worthwhile to investigate potential novel AMPs from Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae, which is a saprophagous pest prevalent in China. In this study, comparing the whole-genome sequence of Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae with the Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD3) led to the identification of nine peptide templates that were potentially AMPs. Next, based on the peptide templates, 16 truncated sequences were predicted to the AMPs by bioinformatics software and then underwent structural and physicochemical property analysis. Thereafter, candidate small-molecule AMPs were artificially synthesized and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were assessed. A candidate peptide, designated FD10, exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi comprising Escherichia coli (MIC: 8 μg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 8 μg/mL), Bacillus thuringiensis (MIC: 8 μg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 16 μg/mL), and Candida albicans (MIC: 16 μg/mL). Additionally, two other candidate peptides, designated FD12 and FD15, exhibited antimicrobial activity against both E. coli (MIC: both 32 μg/mL) and S. aureus (MIC: both 16 μg/mL). Moreover, FD10, FD12, and FD15 killed almost all E. coli and S. aureus cells within 1 h, and the hemolytic effect of FD10 (0.31%) and FD12 (0.40%) was lower than that of ampicillin (0.52%). These findings indicate that FD12, FD15, and especially FD10 are promising AMPs for therapeutic application. This study promoted the development of antibacterial drugs and provided a theoretical basis for promoting the practical application of antimicrobial peptides in the Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Dengtian Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinbo Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Haitao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Changlong Shu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Changlong Shu,
| | - Rongmei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Rongmei Liu,
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Plant Antimicrobial Peptides (PAMPs): Features, Applications, Production, Expression, and Challenges. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123703. [PMID: 35744828 PMCID: PMC9229691 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The quest for an extraordinary array of defense strategies is imperative to reduce the challenges of microbial attacks on plants and animals. Plant antimicrobial peptides (PAMPs) are a subset of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). PAMPs elicit defense against microbial attacks and prevent drug resistance of pathogens given their wide spectrum activity, excellent structural stability, and diverse mechanism of action. This review aimed to identify the applications, features, production, expression, and challenges of PAMPs using its structure–activity relationship. The discovery techniques used to identify these peptides were also explored to provide insight into their significance in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and their expression against disease-causing pathogens. This review creates awareness for PAMPs as potential therapeutic agents in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, such as the sensitive treatment of bacterial and fungal diseases and others and their utilization in preserving crops using available transgenic methods in the agronomical field. PAMPs are also safe to handle and are easy to recycle with the use of proteases to convert them into more potent antimicrobial agents for sustainable development.
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12
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Pinto CPG, Walker AA, Robinson SD, King GF, Rossi GD. Proteotranscriptomics reveals the secretory dynamics of teratocytes, regulators of parasitization by an endoparasitoid wasp. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 139:104395. [PMID: 35413336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of host regulation that establish a favorable environment for the development of immature parasitoids. While maternal venom and symbiotic virus-like particles are well-known mechanisms of host regulation, another less-studied mechanism is the secretion of host regulation factors by cells called teratocytes, extra-embryonic cells released during parasitoid larval eclosion. Consequently, identification and characterization of teratocyte secretory products has not been reported in detail for any parasitoid wasp. We aimed to analyze teratocyte secretory products released into hemolymph of the larval sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by its biological control agent, the koinobiont endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes Cameron, 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Teratocytes were released upon eclosion of parasitoid larvae four days after parasitization (DAP) and increased in number and size until six DAP. Total D. saccharalis hemocyte viability was reduced immediately after parasitization until DAP 2, while total hemocyte count was lower from the third DAP, and phenoloxidase and lysozyme activity were disrupted compared to non-parasitized controls. To examine the secretory products of teratocytes, we generated a teratocyte transcriptome and compared its in silico translated open reading frames to mass spectra obtained from hemolymph from parasitized and unparasitized hosts. This led to the identification of 57 polypeptides secreted by teratocytes, the abundance of which we tracked over 0-10 DAP. Abundant teratocyte products included proteins similar to bracovirus proteins and multiple disulfide-rich peptides. Most teratocyte products accumulated in hemolymph, reaching their highest concentrations immediately before parasitoid pupation. Our results provide insights into host regulation by teratocytes and reveal molecules that may be useful in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro P G Pinto
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guilherme D Rossi
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
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Structural and Functional Characterization of a Novel Recombinant Antimicrobial Peptide from Hermetia illucens. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 44:1-13. [PMID: 35723380 PMCID: PMC8929087 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics are commonly used to treat pathogenic bacteria, but their prolonged use contributes to the development and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms raising the challenge to find new alternative drugs. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small/medium molecules ranging 10–60 residues synthesized by all living organisms and playing important roles in the defense systems. These features, together with the inability of microorganisms to develop resistance against the majority of AMPs, suggest that these molecules might represent effective alternatives to classical antibiotics. Because of their high biodiversity, with over one million described species, and their ability to live in hostile environments, insects represent the largest source of these molecules. However, production of insect AMPs in native forms is challenging. In this work we investigate a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide identified in the Hermetia illucens insect through a combination of transcriptomics and bioinformatics approaches. The C-15867 AMP was produced by recombinant DNA technology as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion peptide and purified by affinity chromatography. The free peptide was then obtained by thrombin proteolysis and structurally characterized by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism analyses. The antibacterial activity of the C-15867 peptide was evaluated in vivo by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Finally, crystal violet assays and SEM analyses suggested disruption of the cell membrane architecture and pore formation with leaking of cytosolic material.
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Structural and functional characterizations and heterogenous expression of the antimicrobial peptides, Hidefensins, from black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.). Protein Expr Purif 2021; 192:106032. [PMID: 34922007 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2021.106032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Insect defensins are effector components of the innate defense system. Defensins, which are widely distributed among insects, are a type of small cysteine-rich plant antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Here, the cDNAs of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), encoding six defensins, designated herein as Hidefensin1-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Moreover, Hidefensin1-1, 2, and 5 were identified for the first time by genome-targeted analysis. These Hidefensins were found to mainly adopt α-helix and β-sheet conformation homology as modeled by PRABI, Swiss-Model and ProFunc server. Six conserved cysteine residues that contribute to three disulfide bonds formed the spacing pattern "C-X12-C-X3-C-X9-C-X5-C-X-C", which play a vital role in the molecular stability of Hidefensins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the homology of five Hidefensins (except Hidefensin4) was about 59%-92% compared with other insect defensins, indicating that they are novel antimicrobial peptides genes in black soldier fly. Furthermore, the Hidefensin1-1 was expressed in the Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3) as a fusion protein with thioredoxin. Results showed that the purified TRX-Hidefensin1-1 exerted strong inhibitory effects against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. The inhibitory efficacy of TRX-Hidefensin1-1 against Gram-positive bacteria was better than that against Gram-negative bacteria. These results indicated that Hidefensin1-1 has potent antimicrobial activities against test pathogens.
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15
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Bruno D, Montali A, Mastore M, Brivio MF, Mohamed A, Tian L, Grimaldi A, Casartelli M, Tettamanti G. Insights Into the Immune Response of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Bacteria. Front Immunol 2021; 12:745160. [PMID: 34867970 PMCID: PMC8636706 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.745160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In insects, a complex and effective immune system that can be rapidly activated by a plethora of stimuli has evolved. Although the main cellular and humoral mechanisms and their activation pathways are highly conserved across insects, the timing and the efficacy of triggered immune responses can differ among different species. In this scenario, an insect deserving particular attention is the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Indeed, BSF larvae can be reared on a wide range of decaying organic substrates and, thanks to their high protein and lipid content, they represent a valuable source of macromolecules useful for different applications (e.g., production of feedstuff, bioplastics, and biodiesel), thus contributing to the development of circular economy supply chains for waste valorization. However, decaying substrates bring the larvae into contact with different potential pathogens that can challenge their health status and growth. Although these life strategies have presumably contributed to shape the evolution of a sophisticated and efficient immune system in this dipteran, knowledge about its functional features is still fragmentary. In the present study, we investigated the processes underpinning the immune response to bacteria in H. illucens larvae and characterized their reaction times. Our data demonstrate that the cellular and humoral responses in this insect show different kinetics: phagocytosis and encapsulation are rapidly triggered after the immune challenge, while the humoral components intervene later. Moreover, although both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are completely removed from the insect body within a few hours after injection, Gram-positive bacteria persist in the hemolymph longer than do Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the activity of two key actors of the humoral response, i.e., lysozyme and phenoloxidase, show unusual dynamics as compared to other insects. This study represents the first detailed characterization of the immune response to bacteria of H. illucens larvae, expanding knowledge on the defense mechanisms of this insect among Diptera. This information is a prerequisite to manipulating the larval immune response by nutritional and environmental factors to increase resistance to pathogens and optimize health status during mass rearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Bruno
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Aurora Montali
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Maristella Mastore
- Laboratory of Comparative Immunology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Maurizio Francesco Brivio
- Laboratory of Comparative Immunology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Laboratory of Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ling Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Annalisa Grimaldi
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Morena Casartelli
- Laboratory of Insect Physiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.,Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.,Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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16
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Díaz-Garrido P, Cárdenas-Guerra RE, Martínez I, Poggio S, Rodríguez-Hernández K, Rivera-Santiago L, Ortega-López J, Sánchez-Esquivel S, Espinoza B. Differential activity on trypanosomatid parasites of a novel recombinant defensin type 1 from the insect Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 139:103673. [PMID: 34700021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are one of the major families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are widely distributed in insects. In Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi the causative agent of Chagas disease, two large groups of defensin isoforms have been described: type 1 and type 4. The aim of this study was to analyze the trypanocidal activity of a type 1 recombinant defensin (rDef1.3) identified in Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis, an endemic specie from México. The trypanocidal activity of this defensin was evaluated in vitro, against the parasites T. cruzi, T. rangeli, and two species of Leishmania (L. mexicana and L. major) both causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our data demonstrated that the defensin was active against all the parasites although in different degrees. The defensin altered the morphology, reduced the viability and inhibited the growth of T.cruzi. When tested against T. rangeli (a parasite that infects a variety of mammalian species), stronger morphological effects where observed. Surprisingly the greatest effects were observed against the two Leishmania species, of which L. major was the parasite most affected with 50% of dead cells or with damaged membranes, in addition of a reduction in its proliferative capacity in culture. These results suggest that rDef1.3 has an important antimicrobial effect against trypanosomatids which cause some of the more important neglected tropical diseases transmitted by insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Díaz-Garrido
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Rosa Elena Cárdenas-Guerra
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Martínez
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Sebastián Poggio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Karla Rodríguez-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Lucio Rivera-Santiago
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Jaime Ortega-López
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN # 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, México City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Sánchez-Esquivel
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico.
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17
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Eleftherianos I, Zhang W, Heryanto C, Mohamed A, Contreras G, Tettamanti G, Wink M, Bassal T. Diversity of insect antimicrobial peptides and proteins - A functional perspective: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:277-287. [PMID: 34543628 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune response of insects provides a robust line of defense against pathogenic microbes and eukaryotic parasites. It consists of two types of overlapping immune responses, named humoral and cellular, which share protective molecules and regulatory mechanisms that closely coordinate to prevent the spread and replication of pathogens within the compromised insect hemocoel. The major feature of the humoral part of the insect immune system involves the production and secretion of antimicrobial peptides from the fat body, which is considered analogous to adipose tissue and liver in vertebrates. Previous research has identified and characterized the nature of antimicrobial peptides that are directed against various targets during the different stages of infection. Here we review this information focusing mostly on the diversity and mode of action of these host defense components, and their critical contribution to maintaining host homeostasis. Extending this knowledge is paramount for understanding the evolution of innate immune function and the physiological balance required to provide sufficient protection to the host against external enemies while avoiding overactivation signaling events that would severely undermine physiological stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Christa Heryanto
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Gabriela Contreras
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant, 3, Varese 21100, Italy; BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Taha Bassal
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.
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18
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Li Y, Cai J, Du C, Lin Y, Li S, Ma A, Qin Y. Bioinformatic analysis and antiviral effect of Periplaneta americana defensins. Virus Res 2021; 308:198627. [PMID: 34785275 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to the lack of an adaptive immune system, insects rely on innate immune mechanisms to fight against pathogenic infections. Two major innate immune pathways, Toll and IMD, orchestrate anti-pathogen responses by regulating the expression of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. Although the antifungal or antibacterial function of AMPs has been well characterized, the antiviral role of AMPs in insects remains largely unclear. Periplaneta americana (P. americana), or the American cockroach, is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antiviral agent; however, the underlying mechanism of action of P. americana extracts is unclear. Our previous study showed that the P. americana genome encodes multiple antimicrobial peptide genes. Based on these data, we predicted five novel P. americana defensins (PaDefensins) and analyzed their primary structure, secondary structure, and physicochemical properties. The putative antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer activities suggested that PaDefensin5 is a desirable therapeutic candidate against viral diseases. As the first experimental evidence of the antiviral effects of insect defensins, we also showed the antiviral effect of PaDefensin5 in Drosophila Kc cells and Drosophila embryos in vivo . In conclusion, results of both in silico predictions and subsequent antiviral experiments suggested PaDefensin5 a promising antiviral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Jie Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Chunyu Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Yuhua Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, China
| | - Anping Ma
- Insititution of chemical surveillance, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiru Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Insititution of chemical surveillance, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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19
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In Silico Characterization of a Transcript Code Based Screening of Antimicrobial Peptide from Trichogramma chilonis. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10295-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Ayala-Ortiz CO, Farriester JW, Pratt CJ, Goldkamp AK, Matts J, Hoback WW, Gustafson JE, Hagen DE. Effect of food source availability in the salivary gland transcriptome of the unique burying beetle Nicrophorus pustulatus (Coleoptera: Silphidae). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255660. [PMID: 34555059 PMCID: PMC8460033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicrophorus is a genus of beetles that bury and transform small vertebrate carcasses into a brood ball coated with their oral and anal secretions to prevent decay and that will serve as a food source for their young. Nicrophorus pustulatus is an unusual species with the ability to overtake brood of other burying beetles and whose secretions, unlike other Nicrophorus species, has been reported not to exhibit antimicrobial properties. This work aims to better understand how the presence or absence of a food source influences the expression of genes involved in the feeding process of N. pustulatus. To achieve that, total RNA was extracted from pooled samples of salivary gland tissue from N. pustulatus and sequenced using an Illumina platform. The resulting reads were used to assemble a de novo transcriptome using Trinity. Duplicates with more than 95% similarity were removed to obtain a "unigene" set. Annotation of the unigene set was done using the Trinotate pipeline. Transcript abundance was determined using Kallisto and differential gene expression analysis was performed using edgeR. A total of 651 genes were found to be differentially expressed, including 390 upregulated and 261 downregulated genes in fed insects compared to starved. Several genes upregulated in fed beetles are associated with the insect immune response and detoxification processes with only one transcript encoding for the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) defensin. These results confirm that N. pustulatus does not upregulate the production of genes encoding AMPs during feeding. This study provides a snapshot of the changes in gene expression in the salivary glands of N. pustulatus following feeding while providing a well described transcriptome for the further analysis of this unique burying beetle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian O. Ayala-Ortiz
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jacob W. Farriester
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Carrie J. Pratt
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Anna K. Goldkamp
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jessica Matts
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - W. Wyatt Hoback
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - John E. Gustafson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Darren E. Hagen
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
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21
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Omidvar R, Vosseler N, Abbas A, Gutmann B, Grünwald-Gruber C, Altmann F, Siddique S, Bohlmann H. Analysis of a gene family for PDF-like peptides from Arabidopsis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18948. [PMID: 34556705 PMCID: PMC8460643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, basic peptides that have a characteristic three-dimensional folding pattern which is stabilized by four disulfide bridges. We show here that Arabidopsis contains in addition to the proper plant defensins a group of 9 plant defensin-like (PdfL) genes. They are all expressed at low levels while GUS fusions of the promoters showed expression in most tissues with only minor differences. We produced two of the encoded peptides in E. coli and tested the antimicrobial activity in vitro. Both were highly active against fungi but had lower activity against bacteria. At higher concentrations hyperbranching and swollen tips, which are indicative of antimicrobial activity, were induced in Fusarium graminearum by both peptides. Overexpression lines for most PdfL genes were produced using the 35S CaMV promoter to study their possible in planta function. With the exception of PdfL4.1 these lines had enhanced resistance against F. oxysporum. All PDFL peptides were also transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves with agroinfiltration using the pPZP3425 vector. In case of PDFL1.4 this resulted in complete death of the infiltrated tissues after 7 days. All other PDFLs resulted only in various degrees of small necrotic lesions. In conclusion, our results show that at least some of the PdfL genes could function in plant resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Omidvar
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- Institute of Biotechnology in Plant Production, Department of Agrobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
| | - Nadine Vosseler
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Amjad Abbas
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Birgit Gutmann
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- RIVIERA Pharma and Cosmetics GmbH, Holzhackerstraße 1, Tulln, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friedrich Altmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shahid Siddique
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Holger Bohlmann
- Division of Plant Protection, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, UFT Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria.
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22
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Zhang QY, Yan ZB, Meng YM, Hong XY, Shao G, Ma JJ, Cheng XR, Liu J, Kang J, Fu CY. Antimicrobial peptides: mechanism of action, activity and clinical potential. Mil Med Res 2021; 8:48. [PMID: 34496967 PMCID: PMC8425997 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-021-00343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of bacterial infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. As an excellent candidate to overcome antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are produced from the synthetic and natural sources demonstrate a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with the high specificity and low toxicity. These peptides possess distinctive structures and functions by employing sophisticated mechanisms of action. This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of AMPs from the origin, structural characteristics, mechanisms of action, biological activities to clinical applications. We finally discuss the strategies to optimize and develop AMP-based treatment as the potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yu Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue-Ming Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Hong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Shao
- Department of Oncology, The 903rd Hospital of PLA, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun-Jie Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu-Rui Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jian Kang
- Oncogenic Signaling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Cai-Yun Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
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23
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Manniello MD, Moretta A, Salvia R, Scieuzo C, Lucchetti D, Vogel H, Sgambato A, Falabella P. Insect antimicrobial peptides: potential weapons to counteract the antibiotic resistance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4259-4282. [PMID: 33595669 PMCID: PMC8164593 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03784-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed in the last decades to a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance which is currently considered one of the principal threats to global public health by the World Health Organization. The aim to find alternative drugs has been demonstrated as a real challenge. Thanks to their biodiversity, insects represent the largest class of organisms in the animal kingdom. The humoral immune response includes the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are released into the insect hemolymph after microbial infection. In this review, we have focused on insect immune responses, particularly on AMP characteristics, their mechanism of action and applications, especially in the biomedical field. Furthermore, we discuss the Toll, Imd, and JAK-STAT pathways that activate genes encoding for the expression of AMPs. Moreover, we focused on strategies to improve insect peptides stability against proteolytic susceptibility such as D-amino acid substitutions, N-terminus modification, cyclization and dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Manniello
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - A Moretta
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - R Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff XFlies S.R.L, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - C Scieuzo
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff XFlies S.R.L, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - D Lucchetti
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - H Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - A Sgambato
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB), Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy
| | - P Falabella
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy.
- Spinoff XFlies S.R.L, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy.
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24
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Robles-Fort A, García-Robles I, Fernando W, Hoskin DW, Rausell C, Real MD. Dual Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activity of TcPaSK Peptide Derived from a Tribolium castaneum Insect Defensin. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020222. [PMID: 33499187 PMCID: PMC7912591 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in the innate immune system of a wide range of organisms might prove useful to fight infections, due to the reported slower development of resistance to AMPs. Increasing the cationicity and keeping moderate hydrophobicity of the AMPs have been described to improve antimicrobial activity. We previously found a peptide derived from the Tribolium castaneum insect defensin 3, exhibiting antrimicrobial activity against several human pathogens. Here, we analyzed the effect against Staphyloccocus aureus of an extended peptide (TcPaSK) containing two additional amino acids, lysine and asparagine, flanking the former peptide fragment in the original insect defensin 3 protein. TcPaSK peptide displayed higher antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, and additionally showed antiproliferative activity against the MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell line. A SWATH proteomic analysis revealed the downregulation of proteins involved in cell growth and tumor progression upon TcPaSK cell treatment. The dual role of TcPaSK peptide as antimicrobial and antiproliferative agent makes it a versatile molecule that warrants exploration for its use in novel therapeutic developments as an alternative approach to overcome bacterial antibiotic resistance and to increase the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Robles-Fort
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-F.); (I.G.-R.); (C.R.)
| | - Inmaculada García-Robles
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-F.); (I.G.-R.); (C.R.)
| | - Wasundara Fernando
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (W.F.); (D.W.H.)
| | - David W. Hoskin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (W.F.); (D.W.H.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Carolina Rausell
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-F.); (I.G.-R.); (C.R.)
| | - María Dolores Real
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (A.R.-F.); (I.G.-R.); (C.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-96-354-3397
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25
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Isolation, Identification, and Bioinformatic Analysis of Antibacterial Proteins and Peptides from Immunized Hemolymph of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010083. [PMID: 33440876 PMCID: PMC7826645 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, 1791, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a destructive pest of palms, rapidly extending its native geographical range and causing large economic losses worldwide. The present work describes isolation, identification, and bioinformatic analysis of antibacterial proteins and peptides from the immunized hemolymph of this beetle. In total, 17 different bactericidal or bacteriostatic compounds were isolated via a series of high-pressure liquid chromatography steps, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined by N-terminal sequencing or by mass spectrometry. The bioinformatic analysis of the results facilitated identification and description of corresponding nucleotide coding sequences for each peptide and protein, based on the recently published R. ferrugineus transcriptome database. The identified compounds are represented by several well-known bactericidal factors: two peptides similar to defensins, one cecropin-A1-like peptide, and one attacin-B-like protein. Interestingly, we have also identified some unexpected compounds comprising five isoforms of pheromone-binding proteins as well as seven isoforms of odorant-binding proteins. The particular role of these factors in insect response to bacterial infection needs further investigation.
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26
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Silva FJ, Muñoz-Benavent M, García-Ferris C, Latorre A. Blattella germanica displays a large arsenal of antimicrobial peptide genes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21058. [PMID: 33273496 PMCID: PMC7712779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77982-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Defence systems against microbial pathogens are present in most living beings. The German cockroach Blattella germanica requires these systems to adapt to unhealthy environments with abundance of pathogenic microbes, in addition to potentially control its symbiotic systems. To handle this situation, four antimicrobial gene families (defensins, termicins, drosomycins and attacins) were expanded in its genome. Remarkably, a new gene family (blattellicins) emerged recently after duplication and fast evolution of an attacin gene, which is now encoding larger proteins with the presence of a long stretch of glutamines and glutamic acids. Phylogenetic reconstruction, within Blattellinae, suggests that this duplication took place before the divergence of Blattella and Episymploce genera. The latter harbours a long attacin gene (pre-blattellicin), but the absence of the encoded Glx-region suggests that this element evolved recently in the Blattella lineage. A screening of AMP gene expression in available transcriptomic SR projects of B. germanica showed that, while some AMPs are expressed during almost the whole development, others are restricted to shorter periods. Blattellicins are highly expressed only in adult females. None of the available SR tissue projects could be associated with blattellicins’ expression, suggesting that it takes place in other tissues, maybe the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Silva
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain. .,Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Maria Muñoz-Benavent
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Ferris
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Latorre
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, Paterna, Spain.,Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research, Valencia, Spain
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27
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Reynaud S, Ciolek J, Degueldre M, Saez NJ, Sequeira AF, Duhoo Y, Brás JLA, Meudal H, Cabo Díez M, Fernández Pedrosa V, Verdenaud M, Boeri J, Pereira Ramos O, Ducancel F, Vanden Driessche M, Fourmy R, Violette A, Upert G, Mourier G, Beck-Sickinger AG, Mörl K, Landon C, Fontes CMGA, Miñambres Herráiz R, Rodríguez de la Vega RC, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Quinton L, De Pauw E, Vincentelli R, Servent D, Gilles N. A Venomics Approach Coupled to High-Throughput Toxin Production Strategies Identifies the First Venom-Derived Melanocortin Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:8250-8264. [PMID: 32602722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Animal venoms are rich in hundreds of toxins with extraordinary biological activities. Their exploitation is difficult due to their complexity and the small quantities of venom available from most venomous species. We developed a Venomics approach combining transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of 191 species and identified 20,206 venom toxin sequences. Two complementary production strategies based on solid-phase synthesis and recombinant expression in Escherichia coli generated a physical bank of 3597 toxins. Screened on hMC4R, this bank gave an incredible hit rate of 8%. Here, we focus on two novel toxins: N-TRTX-Preg1a, exhibiting an inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) motif, and N-BUTX-Ptr1a, a short scorpion-CSαβ structure. Neither N-TRTX-Preg1a nor N-BUTX-Ptr1a affects ion channels, the known targets of their toxin scaffolds, but binds to four melanocortin receptors with low micromolar affinities and activates the hMC1R/Gs pathway. Phylogenetically, these two toxins form new groups within their respective families and represent novel hMC1R agonists, structurally unrelated to the natural agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Reynaud
- Université Paris-Sud, 15 Rue Georges Clemenceau, Orsay 91405 France.,Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Justyna Ciolek
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Michel Degueldre
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium.,Department of Analytical Science Biologicals, UCB, Chemin du Foriest, Braine L'Alleud 1420 Belgium
| | - Natalie J Saez
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Ana Filipa Sequeira
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Joana L A Brás
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Hervé Meudal
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, rue Charles Sadron, Orléans 45071 France
| | - Miguel Cabo Díez
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | - Victoria Fernández Pedrosa
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | - Marion Verdenaud
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Julia Boeri
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Oscar Pereira Ramos
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Frédéric Ducancel
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département IDMIT, 18 route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Margot Vanden Driessche
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Rudy Fourmy
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, Montroeul-au-bois 7911 Belgium
| | - Aude Violette
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, Montroeul-au-bois 7911 Belgium
| | - Grégory Upert
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Gilles Mourier
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | | | - Karin Mörl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universitat Leipzig, Leipzig 04103 Germany
| | - Céline Landon
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, rue Charles Sadron, Orléans 45071 France
| | - Carlos M G A Fontes
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Rebeca Miñambres Herráiz
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | | | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Loïc Quinton
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium
| | - Renaud Vincentelli
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France
| | - Denis Servent
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Nicolas Gilles
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
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28
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Plant Defensins from a Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155307. [PMID: 32722628 PMCID: PMC7432377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins form a family of proteins with a broad spectrum of protective activities against fungi, bacteria, and insects. Furthermore, some plant defensins have revealed anticancer activity. In general, plant defensins are non-toxic to plant and mammalian cells, and interest in using them for biotechnological and medicinal purposes is growing. Recent studies provided significant insights into the mechanisms of action of plant defensins. In this review, we focus on structural and dynamics aspects and discuss structure-dynamics-function relations of plant defensins.
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29
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Li B, Yang N, Shan Y, Wang X, Hao Y, Mao R, Teng D, Fan H, Wang J. Therapeutic potential of a designed CSαβ peptide ID13 in Staphylococcus aureus-induced endometritis of mice. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6693-6705. [PMID: 32506158 PMCID: PMC7275135 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen that can cause clinical and subclinical endometritis in humans and animals. In this study, a designed CSαβ peptide ID13 from DLP4 exhibited high stable antibacterial activity in simulated gastric fluid (90.79%), serum (99.54%), and different pH buffers (> 99%) against S. aureus CVCC 546 and lower cytotoxicity (89.62% viability) than its parent peptide DLP4 (74.14% viability) toward mouse endometrial epithelial cells (MEECs). ID13 caused a depolarization of bacterial membrane and downregulation of the expression of genes involved in membrane potential maintenance and biofilm formation. The in vitro efficacy analysis of ID13 showed a synergistic effect with vancomycin, ampicillin, rifampin, and ciprofloxacin; intracellular antimicrobial activity against S. aureus CVCC 546 in MEECs; and the ability to inhibit lipoteichoic acid-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines from RAW 264.7. In the S. aureus-induced endometritis of mice, similar to vancomycin, ID13 remarkably alleviated pathological conditions, inhibited the production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10), and suppressed the TLR2-NF-κB signal pathway. Collectively, these results suggest that ID13 could be a potential candidate peptide for therapeutic application in S. aureus-induced endometritis. Key Points •Higher antibacterial activity and lower hemolysis of ID13 than DLP4. •ID13 could downregulate the genes of bacterial survival and infection. •ID13 could alleviate the S. aureus-induced endometritis of mice. •ID13 could regulate the cytokines and suppress the TLR2-NF-κB signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxue Shan
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Tianjin Animal Science and Veterinary Research Institute, Tianjin, 300381, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Da Teng
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huan Fan
- Tianjin Animal Science and Veterinary Research Institute, Tianjin, 300381, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Team of Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
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30
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Li B, Yang N, Wang X, Hao Y, Mao R, Li Z, Wang Z, Teng D, Wang J. An Enhanced Variant Designed From DLP4 Cationic Peptide Against Staphylococcus aureus CVCC 546. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1057. [PMID: 32582062 PMCID: PMC7291858 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect defensins are promising candidates for the development of potent antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). An insect defensin, DLP4, isolated from the hemolymph of Hermetia illucens larvae, showed low antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (G+) pathogens and high cytotoxicity, which limited its effective therapeutic application. To obtain more potent and low cytotoxicity molecules, a series of peptides was designed based on the DLP4 template by changing the conservative site, secondary structure, charge, or hydrophobicity. Among them, a variant designated as ID13 exhibited strong antibacterial activity at low MIC values of 4-8 μg/mL to G+ pathogens (S. aureus: 4 μg/mL; Staphylococcus epidermidis: 8 μg/mL; Streptococcus pneumoniae: 4 μg/mL; Streptococcus suis: 4 μg/mL), which were lower than those of DLP4 (S. aureus: 16 μg/mL; S. epidermidis: 64 μg/mL; S. pneumoniae: 32 μg/mL; S. suis: 16 μg/mL), and cytotoxicity of ID13 (71.4% viability) was less than that of DLP4 (63.8% viability). ID13 could penetrate and destroy the cell membrane of S. aureus CVCC 546, resulting in an increase in potassium ion leakage; it bound to genomic DNA (gDNA) and led to the change of gDNA conformation. After treatment with ID13, perforated, wrinkled, and collapsed S. aureus CVCC 546 cells were observed in electron microscopy. Additionally, ID13 killed over 99.99% of S. aureus within 1 h, 2 × MIC of ID13 induced a post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of 12.78 ± 0.28 h, and 10 mg/kg ID13 caused a 1.8 log10 (CFU/g) (CFU: colony-forming units) reduction of S. aureus in infected mouse thigh muscles and a downregulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels, which were superior to those of DLP4 or vancomycin. These findings indicate that ID13 may be a promising peptide antimicrobial agent for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Hao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanzhan Li
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
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Antimicrobial Peptides from Rat-Tailed Maggots of the Drone Fly Eristalis tenax Show Potent Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050626. [PMID: 32344933 PMCID: PMC7284870 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is an increasing threat to human health, because novel compound classes for the development of antibiotics have not been discovered for decades. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may provide a much-needed breakthrough because these immunity-related defense molecules protect many eukaryotes against Gram-negative pathogens. Recent concepts in evolutionary immunology predict the presence of potent AMPs in insects that have adapted to survive in habitats with extreme microbial contamination. For example, the saprophagous and coprophagous maggots of the drone fly Eristalis tenax (Diptera) can flourish in polluted aquatic habitats, such as sewage tanks and farmyard liquid manure storage pits. We used next-generation sequencing to screen the E. tenax immunity-related transcriptome for AMPs that are synthesized in response to the injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. We identified 22 AMPs and selected nine for larger-scale synthesis to test their activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Two cecropin-like peptides (EtCec1-a and EtCec2-a) and a diptericin-like peptide (EtDip) displayed strong activity against the pathogens, even under simulated physiological conditions, and also achieved a good therapeutic window. Therefore, these AMPs could be used as leads for the development of novel antibiotics.
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Jin J, Agwa AJ, Szanto TG, Csóti A, Panyi G, Schroeder CI, Walker AA, King GF. Weaponisation 'on the fly': Convergent recruitment of knottin and defensin peptide scaffolds into the venom of predatory assassin flies. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 118:103310. [PMID: 31870846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many arthropod venom peptides have potential as bioinsecticides, drug leads, and pharmacological tools due to their specific neuromodulatory functions. Assassin flies (Asilidae) are a family of predaceous dipterans that produce a unique and complex peptide-rich venom for killing insect prey and deterring predators. However, very little is known about the structure and function of their venom peptides. We therefore used an E. coli periplasmic expression system to express four disulfide-rich peptides that we previously reported to exist in venom of the giant assassin fly Dolopus genitalis. After purification, each recombinant peptide eluted from a C18 column at a position closely matching its natural counterpart, strongly suggesting adoption of the native tertiary fold. Injection of purified recombinant peptides into blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) and crickets (Acheta domestica) revealed that two of the four recombinant peptides, named rDg3b and rDg12, inhibited escape behaviour in a manner that was rapid in onset (<1 min) and reversible. Homonuclear NMR solution structures revealed that rDg3b and rDg12 adopt cystine-stabilised α/ß defensin and inhibitor cystine knot folds, respectively. Although the closest known homologues of rDg3b at the level of primary structure are dipteran antimicrobial peptides such as sapecin and lucifensin, a DALI search showed that the tertiary structure of rDg3b most closely resembles the KV11.1-specific α-potassium channel toxin CnErg1 from venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. This is mainly due to the deletion of a large, unstructured loop between the first and second cysteine residues present in Dg3b homologues from non-asiloid, but not existing in asiloid, species. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that rDg3b shifts the voltage-dependence of KV11.1 channel activation to more depolarised potentials, but has no effect on KV1.3, KV2.1, KV10.1, KCa1.1, or the Drosophila Shaker channel. Although rDg12 shares the inhibitor cystine knot structure of many gating modifier toxins, rDg12 did not affect any of these KV channel subtypes. Our results demonstrate that multiple disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds have been convergently recruited into asilid and other animal venoms, and they provide insight into the molecular evolution accompanying their weaponisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tibor G Szanto
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Agota Csóti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Dang X, Zheng X, Wang Y, Wang L, Ye L, Jiang J. Antimicrobial peptides from the edible insect
Musca domestica
and their preservation effect on chilled pork. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.14369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangli Dang
- School of Plant Protection Anhui Agricultural University Hefei China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaoxia Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Yansheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Lifang Wang
- School of Horticulture Anhui Agricultural University Hefei China
| | - Liang Ye
- School of Plant Protection Anhui Agricultural University Hefei China
| | - Junqi Jiang
- School of Plant Protection Anhui Agricultural University Hefei China
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Flores-Holguín N, Frau J, Glossman-Mitnik D. Calculation of the Global and Local Conceptual DFT Indices for the Prediction of the Chemical Reactivity Properties of Papuamides A-F Marine Drugs. Molecules 2019; 24:E3312. [PMID: 31514433 PMCID: PMC6767314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24183312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A well-behaved model chemistry previously validated for the study of the chemical reactivity of peptides was considered for the calculation of the molecular properties and structures of the Papuamide family of marine peptides. A methodology based on Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT) was chosen for the determination of the reactivity descriptors. The molecular active sites were associated with the active regions of the molecules related to the nucleophilic and electrophilic Parr functions. Finally, the drug-likenesses and the bioactivity scores for the Papuamide peptides were predicted through a homology methodology relating them with the calculated reactivity descriptors, while other properties such as the pKas were determined following a methodology developed by our group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Flores-Holguín
- Laboratorio Virtual NANOCOSMOS, Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Energía, Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31136, Mexico.
| | - Juan Frau
- Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Daniel Glossman-Mitnik
- Laboratorio Virtual NANOCOSMOS, Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Energía, Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31136, Mexico.
- Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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35
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Ceolin Mariano DO, de Oliveira ÚC, Zaharenko AJ, Pimenta DC, Rádis-Baptista G, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRDB. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080448. [PMID: 31362422 PMCID: PMC6722740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical-ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the "false" tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratorio of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60165-081, Brazil.
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36
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Koehbach J, Craik DJ. The Vast Structural Diversity of Antimicrobial Peptides. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:517-528. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Sheehan G, Garvey A, Croke M, Kavanagh K. Innate humoral immune defences in mammals and insects: The same, with differences ? Virulence 2019; 9:1625-1639. [PMID: 30257608 PMCID: PMC7000196 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1526531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The insect immune response demonstrates many similarities to the innate immune response of mammals and a wide range of insects is now employed to assess the virulence of pathogens and produce results comparable to those obtained using mammals. Many of the humoral responses in insects and mammals are similar (e.g. insect transglutaminases and human clotting factor XIIIa) however a number show distinct differences. For example in mammals, melanization plays a role in protection from solar radiation and in skin and hair pigmentation. In contrast, insect melanization acts as a defence mechanism in which the proPO system is activated upon pathogen invasion. Human and insect antimicrobial peptides share distinct structural and functional similarities, insects produce the majority of their AMPs from the fat body while mammals rely on production locally at the site of infection by epithelial/mucosal cells. Understanding the structure and function of the insect immune system and the similarities with the innate immune response of mammals will increase the attractiveness of using insects as in vivo models for studying host – pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sheehan
- a Department of Biology , Maynooth University , Maynooth , Ireland
| | - Amy Garvey
- a Department of Biology , Maynooth University , Maynooth , Ireland
| | - Michael Croke
- a Department of Biology , Maynooth University , Maynooth , Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- a Department of Biology , Maynooth University , Maynooth , Ireland
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Dash TS, Shafee T, Harvey PJ, Zhang C, Peigneur S, Deuis JR, Vetter I, Tytgat J, Anderson MA, Craik DJ, Durek T, Undheim EAB. A Centipede Toxin Family Defines an Ancient Class of CSαβ Defensins. Structure 2018; 27:315-326.e7. [PMID: 30554841 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptides (DRPs) play diverse physiological roles and have emerged as attractive sources of pharmacological tools and drug leads. Here we describe the 3D structure of a centipede venom peptide, U-SLPTX15-Sm2a, whose family defines a unique class of one of the most widespread DRP folds known, the cystine-stabilized α/β fold (CSαβ). This class, which we have named the two-disulfide CSαβ fold (2ds-CSαβ), contains only two internal disulfide bonds as opposed to at least three in all other confirmed CSαβ peptides, and constitutes one of the major neurotoxic peptide families in centipede venoms. We show the 2ds-CSαβ is widely distributed outside centipedes and is likely an ancient fold predating the split between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our results provide insights into the ancient evolutionary history of a widespread DRP fold and highlight the usefulness of 3D structures as evolutionary tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Dash
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Shafee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuchu Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Shafee T, Anderson MA. A quantitative map of protein sequence space for the cis-defensin superfamily. Bioinformatics 2018; 35:743-752. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Shafee
- Department of biochemistry and genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of biochemistry and genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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40
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Classes, Databases, and Prediction Methods of Pharmaceutically and Commercially Important Cystine-Stabilized Peptides. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10060251. [PMID: 29921767 PMCID: PMC6024828 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystine-stabilized peptides represent a large family of peptides characterized by high structural stability and bactericidal, fungicidal, or insecticidal properties. Found throughout a wide range of taxa, this broad and functionally important family can be subclassified into distinct groups dependent upon their number and type of cystine bonding patters, tertiary structures, and/or their species of origin. Furthermore, the annotation of proteins related to the cystine-stabilized family are under-represented in the literature due to their difficulty of isolation and identification. As a result, there are several recent attempts to collate them into data resources and build analytic tools for their dynamic prediction. Ultimately, the identification and delivery of new members of this family will lead to their growing inclusion into the repertoire of commercial viable alternatives to antibiotics and environmentally safe insecticides. This review of the literature and current state of cystine-stabilized peptide biology is aimed to better describe peptide subfamilies, identify databases and analytics resources associated with specific cystine-stabilized peptides, and highlight their current commercial success.
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