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Finkina EI, Shevchenko OV, Fateeva SI, Tagaev AA, Ovchinnikova TV. Antifungal Plant Defensins as an Alternative Tool to Combat Candidiasis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1499. [PMID: 38891308 PMCID: PMC11174490 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the spread of fungal infections is becoming an urgent problem. Fungi of the Candida genus are opportunistic microorganisms that cause superficial and life-threatening systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. The list of antifungal drugs for the treatment of candidiasis is very limited, while the prevalence of resistant strains is growing rapidly. Therefore, the search for new antimycotics, including those exhibiting immunomodulatory properties, is of great importance. Plenty of natural compounds with antifungal activities may be extremely useful in solving this problem. This review evaluates the features of natural antimicrobial peptides, namely plant defensins as possible prototypes of new anticandidal agents. Plant defensins are important components of the innate immune system, which provides the first line of defense against pathogens. The introduction presents a brief summary regarding pathogenic Candida species, the pathogenesis of candidiasis, and the mechanisms of antimycotic resistance. Then, the structural features of plant defensins, their anticandidal activities, their mechanisms of action on yeast-like fungi, their ability to prevent adhesion and biofilm formation, and their combined action with conventional antimycotics are described. The possible mechanisms of fungal resistance to plant defensins, their cytotoxic activity, and their effectiveness in in vivo experiments are also discussed. In addition, for the first time for plant defensins, knowledge about their immunomodulatory effects is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina I. Finkina
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia (T.V.O.)
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Li H, Kalunke R, Tetorya M, Czymmek KJ, Shah DM. Modes of action and potential as a peptide-based biofungicide of a plant defensin MtDef4. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13458. [PMID: 38619888 PMCID: PMC11018249 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13458] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Due to rapidly emerging resistance to single-site fungicides in fungal pathogens of plants, there is a burgeoning need for safe and multisite fungicides. Plant antifungal peptides with multisite modes of action (MoA) have potential as bioinspired fungicides. Medicago truncatula defensin MtDef4 was previously reported to exhibit potent antifungal activity against fungal pathogens. Its MoA involves plasma membrane disruption and binding to intracellular targets. However, specific biochemical processes inhibited by this defensin and causing cell death have not been determined. Here, we show that MtDef4 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. It induced severe plasma membrane and organelle irregularities in the germlings of this pathogen. It bound to fungal ribosomes and inhibited protein translation in vitro. A MtDef4 variant lacking antifungal activity exhibited greatly reduced protein translation inhibitory activity. A cation-tolerant MtDef4 variant was generated that bound to β-glucan of the fungal cell wall with higher affinity than MtDef4. It also conferred a greater reduction in the grey mould disease symptoms than MtDef4 when applied exogenously on Nicotiana benthamiana plants, tomato fruits and rose petals. Our findings revealed inhibition of protein synthesis as a likely target of MtDef4 and the potential of its cation-tolerant variant as a peptide-based fungicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | | | - Kirk J. Czymmek
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Advanced Bioimaging LaboratoryDonald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Dilip M. Shah
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
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Breukers J, Ven K, Struyfs C, Ampofo L, Rutten I, Imbrechts M, Pollet F, Van Lent J, Kerstens W, Noppen S, Schols D, De Munter P, Thibaut HJ, Vanhoorelbeke K, Spasic D, Declerck P, Cammue BPA, Geukens N, Thevissen K, Lammertyn J. FLUIDOT: A Modular Microfluidic Platform for Single-Cell Study and Retrieval, with Applications in Drug Tolerance Screening and Antibody Mining. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201477. [PMID: 36642827 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201477] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in lab-on-a-chip technologies have revolutionized the single-cell analysis field. However, an accessible platform for in-depth screening and specific retrieval of single cells, which moreover enables studying diverse cell types and performing various downstream analyses, is still lacking. As a solution, FLUIDOT is introduced, a versatile microfluidic platform incorporating customizable microwells, optical tweezers and an interchangeable cell-retrieval system. Thanks to its smart microfluidic design, FLUIDOT is straightforward to fabricate and operate, rendering the technology widely accessible. The performance of FLUIDOT is validated and its versatility is subsequently demonstrated in two applications. First, drug tolerance in yeast cells is studied, resulting in the discovery of two treatment-tolerant populations. Second, B cells from convalescent COVID-19 patients are screened, leading to the discovery of highly affine, in vitro neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Owing to its performance, flexibility, and accessibility, it is foreseen that FLUIDOT will enable phenotypic and genotypic analysis of diverse cell samples and thus elucidate unexplored biological questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Breukers
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- LISCO, KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, ON4 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Karen Ven
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- LISCO, KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, ON4 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Louanne Ampofo
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, ON 2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Iene Rutten
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- LISCO, KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, ON4 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Maya Imbrechts
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, ON 2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Francesca Pollet
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Julie Van Lent
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Winnie Kerstens
- Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Rega - Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Rega - Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Rega - Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Paul De Munter
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, UZ Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, KU Leuven, UZ Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Rega - Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Karen Vanhoorelbeke
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, ON 2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, Kortrijk, 8500, Belgium
| | - Dragana Spasic
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Paul Declerck
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, ON 2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Nick Geukens
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, ON 2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- LISCO, KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, ON4 Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- MabMine: KU Leuven Single B Cell Mining Platform, KU Leuven, ON2 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- LIMNI, KU Leuven Institute for Micro- and Nanoscale Integration, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
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Histidine 19 Residue Is Essential for Cell Internalization of Antifungal Peptide SmAPα1-21 Derived from the α-Core of the Silybum marianum Defensin DefSm2-D in Fusarium graminearum. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11111501. [PMID: 36358156 PMCID: PMC9686561 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthetic peptide SmAPα1-21 (KLCEKPSKTWFGNCGNPRHCG) derived from DefSm2-D defensin α-core is active at micromolar concentrations against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum and has a multistep mechanism of action that includes alteration of the fungal cell wall and membrane permeabilization. Here, we continued the study of this peptide’s mode of action and explored the correlation between the biological activity and its primary structure. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural effects of SmAPα1-21 in conidial cells. New peptides were designed by modifying the parent peptide SmAPα1-21 (SmAPH19R and SmAPH19A, where His19 was replaced by Arg or Ala, respectively) and synthesized by the Fmoc solid phase method. Antifungal activity was determined against F. graminearum. Membrane permeability and subcellular localization in conidia were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy and CLSM. SmAPα1-21 induced peroxisome biogenesis and oxidative stress through ROS production in F. graminearum and was internalized into the conidial cells’ cytoplasm. SmAPH19R and SmAPH19A were active against F. graminearum with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 38 and 100 µM for SmAPH19R and SmAPH19A, respectively. The replacement of His19 by Ala produced a decrease in the net charge with a significant increase in the MIC, thus evidencing the importance of the positive charge in position 19 of the antifungal peptide. Like SmAPα1-21, SmAP2H19A and SmAP2H19R produced the permeabilization of the conidia membrane and induced oxidative stress through ROS production. However, SmAPH19R and SmAPH19A were localized in the conidia cell wall. The replacement of His19 by Ala turned all the processes slower. The extracellular localization of peptides SmAPH19R and SmAPH19A highlights the role of the His19 residue in the internalization.
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Streptomyces: Derived Active Extract Inhibits Candida albicans Biofilm Formation. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:332. [PMID: 36155861 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03013-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes biofilm-associated infections. C. albicans biofilms are known to display reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials and high rates of acquired antibiotic resistance, and biofilm forming in C. albicans further hampers treatment options and highlights the need for new antibiofilm strategies. Identifying active components from desert actinomycetes strains to inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms represents an effective treatment strategy. In this study, actinomycetes that can inhibit C. albicans biofilm formation were isolated from the Taklimakan Desert, and the underlying mechanisms were explored. After screening the anti-C.albicans biofilm activities of culture supernatants from 170 Actinomycete strains, six strains showed significant inhibition of C. albicans biofilm formation. Microscopic examination showed a reduction in biofilm formation of C. albicans treated with supernatants from actinomycetes. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the morphological changes in biofilm cells were caused by cell membrane rupture and cell material leakage. Then, C.albicans biofilms were destroyed by changing the content of extracellular polysaccharides or degrading extracellular DNA. Finally, a preliminary study on active substances extracted from a new species (TRM43335) showed that the substances that inhibited the formation of biofilms might be peptides. This study provides preliminary evidence that desert actinomyces strains have inhibitory effects on the biofilm development of C. albicans.
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Perez-Rodriguez A, Eraso E, Quindós G, Mateo E. Antimicrobial Peptides with Anti-Candida Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169264. [PMID: 36012523 PMCID: PMC9409312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoses are accountable for millions of infections yearly worldwide. Invasive candidiasis is the most usual, presenting a high morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans remains the prevalent etiologic agent, but the incidence of other species such as Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida auris keeps increasing. These pathogens frequently show a reduced susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs, including polyenes, triazoles and echinocandins, and the incidence of emerging multi-drug-resistant strains of these species continues to increase. Therefore, the need to search for new molecules that target these pathogenic species in a different manner is now more urgent than ever. Nature is an almost endless source of interesting new molecules that could meet this need. Among these molecules, antimicrobial peptides, present in different sources in nature, possess some advantages over conventional antifungal agents, even with their own drawbacks, and are considered as a promising pharmacological option against a wide range of microbial infections. In this review, we describe 20 antimicrobial peptides from different origins that possess an activity against Candida.
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Pandit S, Goel R, Mishra G. Phosphatidic acid binds to and stimulates the activity of ARGAH2 from Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 185:344-355. [PMID: 35752016 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.06.018] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidic acid (PA) has emerged as an important lipid signal during abiotic and biotic stress conditions such as drought, salinity, freezing, nutrient starvation, wounding and microbial elicitation. PA acts during stress responses primarily via binding and translocating target proteins or through modulating their activity. Owing to the importance of PA during stress signaling and developmental stages, it is imperative to identify PA interacting proteins and decipher their specific roles. In the present study, we have identified PA binding proteins from the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. Mass spectroscopy analysis led to the identification of 21 PA binding proteins with known roles in various cellular processes. One of the PA-binding proteins identified during this study, AtARGAH2, was further studied to unravel the role of PA interaction. Recombinant AtARGAH2 binding with immobilized PA on a solid support validated PA-AtARGAH2 binding invitro. PA binding to AtARGAH2 leads to the enhancement of arginase enzymatic activity in a dose dependent manner. Enzyme kinetics of recombinant AtARGAH2 demonstrated a lower Km value in presence of PA, suggesting role of PA in efficient enzyme-substrate binding. This simple approach could systematically be applied to perform an inclusive study on lipid binding proteins to elucidate their role in physiology of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatakshi Pandit
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Renu Goel
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, 121001, India.
| | - Girish Mishra
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
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Zhou D, Jing T, Chen Y, Yun T, Qi D, Zang X, Zhang M, Wei Y, Li K, Zhao Y, Wang W, Xie J. Biocontrol potential of a newly isolated Streptomyces sp. HSL-9B from mangrove forest on postharvest anthracnose of mango fruit caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Phosphatidic Acid in Plant Hormonal Signaling: From Target Proteins to Membrane Conformations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063227. [PMID: 35328648 PMCID: PMC8954910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells sense a variety of extracellular signals balancing their metabolism and physiology according to changing growth conditions. Plasma membranes are the outermost informational barriers that render cells sensitive to regulatory inputs. Membranes are composed of different types of lipids that play not only structural but also informational roles. Hormones and other regulators are sensed by specific receptors leading to the activation of lipid metabolizing enzymes. These enzymes generate lipid second messengers. Among them, phosphatidic acid (PA) is a well-known intracellular messenger that regulates various cellular processes. This lipid affects the functional properties of cell membranes and binds to specific target proteins leading to either genomic (affecting transcriptome) or non-genomic responses. The subsequent biochemical, cellular and physiological reactions regulate plant growth, development and stress tolerance. In the present review, we focus on primary (genome-independent) signaling events triggered by rapid PA accumulation in plant cells and describe the functional role of PA in mediating response to hormones and hormone-like regulators. The contributions of individual lipid signaling enzymes to the formation of PA by specific stimuli are also discussed. We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge and future perspectives needed to decipher the mode of action of PA in the regulation of cell functions.
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Hein MJA, Kvansakul M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Hulett MD. Defensin-lipid interactions in membrane targeting: mechanisms of action and opportunities for the development of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:423-437. [PMID: 35015081 PMCID: PMC9022979 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a class of host defence peptides (HDPs) that often harbour antimicrobial and anticancer activities, making them attractive candidates as novel therapeutics. In comparison with current antimicrobial and cancer treatments, defensins uniquely target specific membrane lipids via mechanisms distinct from other HDPs. Therefore, defensins could be potentially developed as therapeutics with increased selectivity and reduced susceptibility to the resistance mechanisms of tumour cells and infectious pathogens. In this review, we highlight recent advances in defensin research with a particular focus on membrane lipid-targeting in cancer and infection settings. In doing so, we discuss strategies to harness lipid-binding defensins for anticancer and anti-infective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. A. Hein
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T. Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Correspondence: Thanh Kha Phan () or Mark D. Hulett ()
| | - Mark D. Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Correspondence: Thanh Kha Phan () or Mark D. Hulett ()
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Bugli F, Massaro F, Buonocore F, Saraceni PR, Borocci S, Ceccacci F, Bombelli C, Di Vito M, Marchitiello R, Mariotti M, Torelli R, Sanguinetti M, Porcelli F. Design and Characterization of Myristoylated and Non-Myristoylated Peptides Effective against Candida spp. Clinical Isolates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042164. [PMID: 35216297 PMCID: PMC8875392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance of fungi to antibiotics is a severe challenge in public health, and newly effective drugs are required. Promising potential medications are lipopeptides, linear antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) conjugated to a lipid tail, usually at the N-terminus. In this paper, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of three short myristoylated and non-myristoylated peptides derived from a mutant of the AMP Chionodracine. We determined their interaction with anionic and zwitterionic membrane-mimicking vesicles and their structure during this interaction. We then investigated their cytotoxic and hemolytic activity against mammalian cells. Lipidated peptides showed a broad spectrum of activity against a relevant panel of pathogen fungi belonging to Candida spp., including the multidrug-resistant C. auris. The antifungal activity was also observed vs. biofilms of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. auris. Finally, a pilot efficacy study was conducted on the in vivo model consisting of Galleria mellonella larvae. Treatment with the most-promising myristoylated peptide was effective in counteracting the infection from C. auris and C. albicans and the death of the larvae. Therefore, this myristoylated peptide is a potential candidate to develop antifungal agents against human fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bugli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica Massaro
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Paolo Roberto Saraceni
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Area Della Ricerca di Roma 1, SP35d 9, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR—Institute For Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, c/o Università La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Cecilia Bombelli
- CNR—Institute For Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, c/o Università La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Maura Di Vito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Rosalba Marchitiello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Melinda Mariotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Riccardo Torelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.V.); (R.M.); (M.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (F.P.); Tel.: +39-063-015-4218 (M.S.); +39-076-135-7041 (F.P.)
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (F.M.); (F.B.); (P.R.S.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (F.P.); Tel.: +39-063-015-4218 (M.S.); +39-076-135-7041 (F.P.)
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12
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Struyfs C, Breukers J, Spasic D, Lammertyn J, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Multiplex Analysis to Unravel the Mode of Antifungal Activity of the Plant Defensin HsAFP1 in Single Yeast Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031515. [PMID: 35163438 PMCID: PMC8836000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Single cell analyses have gained increasing interest over bulk approaches because of considerable cell-to-cell variability within isogenic populations. Herein, flow cytometry remains golden standard due to its high-throughput efficiency and versatility, although it does not allow to investigate the interdependency of cellular events over time. Starting from our microfluidic platform that enables to trap and retain individual cells on a fixed location over time, here, we focused on unraveling kinetic responses of single Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells upon treatment with the antifungal plant defensin HsAFP1. We monitored the time between production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane permeabilization (MP) in single yeast cells for different HsAFP1 doses using two fluorescent dyes with non-overlapping spectra. Within a time frame of 2 min, only <0.3% cells displayed time between the induction of ROS and MP. Reducing the time frame to 30 s did not result in increased numbers of cells with time between these events, pointing to ROS and MP induction as highly dynamic and correlated processes. In conclusion, using an in-house developed continuous microfluidic platform, we investigated the mode of action of HsAFP1 at single cell level, thereby uncovering the close interdependency between ROS induction and MP in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (MS), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (C.S.); (B.P.A.C.)
| | - Jolien Breukers
- Biosensors Group, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.B.); (D.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Dragana Spasic
- Biosensors Group, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.B.); (D.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- Biosensors Group, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.B.); (D.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Bruno P. A. Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (MS), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (C.S.); (B.P.A.C.)
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (MS), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (C.S.); (B.P.A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-16-32-96-88
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13
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Fungicidal Activity of Recombinant Javanicin against Cryptococcus neoformans Is Associated with Intracellular Target(s) Involved in Carbohydrate and Energy Metabolic Processes. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26227011. [PMID: 34834105 PMCID: PMC8618071 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26227011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans, the human fungal pathogen that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, has been progressing at an alarming rate. The increased incidence of infection of C. neoformans with antifungal drugs resistance has become a global concern. Potential antifungal agents with extremely low toxicity are urgently needed. Herein, the biological activities of recombinant javanicin (r-javanicin) against C. neoformans were evaluated. A time-killing assay was performed and both concentration- and time-dependent antifungal activity of r-javanicin were indicated. The inhibitory effect of the peptide was initially observed at 4 h post-treatment and ultimately eradicated within 36 to 48 h. Fungal outer surface alteration was characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) whereas a negligible change with slight shrinkage of external morphology was observed in r-javanicin treated cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis implied that the target(s) of r-javanicin is conceivably resided in the cell thereby allowing the peptide to penetrate across the membrane and accumulate throughout the fungal body. Finally, cryptococcal cells coped with r-javanicin were preliminarily investigated using label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Combined with microscopic and proteomics analysis, it was clearly elucidated the peptide localized in the intracellular compartment where carbohydrate metabolism and energy production associated with glycolysis pathway and mitochondrial respiration, respectively, were principally interfered. Overall, r-javanicin would be an alternative candidate for further development of antifungal agents.
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14
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Liu Y, Hua YP, Chen H, Zhou T, Yue CP, Huang JY. Genome-scale identification of plant defensin ( PDF) family genes and molecular characterization of their responses to diverse nutrient stresses in allotetraploid rapeseed. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12007. [PMID: 34603847 PMCID: PMC8445089 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins (PDFs), short peptides with strong antibacterial activity, play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress resistance. However, there are few systematic analyses on PDFs in Brassica napus. Here, bioinformatics methods were used to identify genome-wide PDFs in Brassica napus, and systematically analyze physicochemical properties, expansion pattern, phylogeny, and expression profiling of BnaPDFs under diverse nutrient stresses. A total of 37 full-length PDF homologs, divided into two subgroups (PDF1s and PDF2s), were identified in the rapeseed genome. A total of two distinct clades were identified in the BnaPDF phylogeny. Clade specific conserved motifs were identified within each clade respectively. Most BnaPDFs were proved to undergo powerful purified selection. The PDF members had enriched cis-elements related to growth and development, hormone response, environmental stress response in their promoter regions. GO annotations indicate that the functional pathways of BnaPDFs are mainly involved in cells killing and plant defense responses. In addition, bna-miRNA164 and bna-miRNA172 respectively regulate the expression of their targets BnaA2.PDF2.5 and BnaC7.PDF2.6. The expression patterns of BnaPDFs were analyzed in different tissues. BnaPDF1.2bs was mainly expressed in the roots, whereas BnaPDF2.2s and BnaPDF2.3s were both expressed in stamen, pericarp, silique, and stem. However, the other BnaPDF members showed low expression levels in various tissues. Differential expression of BnaPDFs under nitrate limitation, ammonium excess, phosphorus starvation, potassium deficiency, cadmium toxicity, and salt stress indicated that they might participate in different nutrient stress resistance. The genome-wide identification and characterization of BnaPDFs will enrich understanding of their molecular characteristics and provide elite gene resources for genetic improvement of rapeseed resistance to nutrient stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying-Peng Hua
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huan Chen
- National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cai-Peng Yue
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin-Yong Huang
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Membrane-Interacting Antifungal Peptides. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649875. [PMID: 33912564 PMCID: PMC8074791 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is increasing worldwide, resulting in more than 1.6 million deaths every year. Due to growing antifungal drug resistance and the limited number of currently used antimycotics, there is a clear need for novel antifungal strategies. In this context, great potential is attributed to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are part of the innate immune system of organisms. These peptides are known for their broad-spectrum activity that can be directed toward bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or even cancer cells. Some AMPs act via rapid physical disruption of microbial cell membranes at high concentrations causing cell leakage and cell death. However, more complex mechanisms are also observed, such as interaction with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species, programmed cell death, and autophagy. This review summarizes the structure and mode of action of antifungal AMPs, thereby focusing on their interaction with fungal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Breukers J, Horta S, Struyfs C, Spasic D, Feys HB, Geukens N, Thevissen K, Cammue BPA, Vanhoorelbeke K, Lammertyn J. Tuning the Surface Interactions between Single Cells and an OSTE+ Microwell Array for Enhanced Single Cell Manipulation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:2316-2326. [PMID: 33411502 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c19657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Retrieving single cells of interest from an array of microwells for further off-chip analysis is crucial in numerous biological applications. To this end, several single cell manipulation strategies have been developed, including optical tweezers (OT). OT represent a unique approach for contactless cell retrieval, but their performance is often suboptimal due to nonspecific cell adhesion to the microwell surface. In this study, we focused on improving the surface chemistry of microwell arrays to ensure efficient single cell manipulation using OT. For this purpose, the surface of an off-stoichiometry thiol-ene-epoxy (OSTE+) microwell array was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules with different molecular weights: PEG 360, PEG 500, PEG 2000, and a PEG Mix (an equimolar ratio of PEG 500 and PEG 2000). Contact angle measurements showed that the PEG grafting process resulted in an increased surface energy, which was stable for at least 16 weeks. Next, cell adhesion of two cell types, baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and human B cells, to surfaces treated with different PEGs was evaluated by registering the presence of cellular motion inside microwells and the efficiency of optical lifting of cells that display motion. Optimal results were obtained for surfaces grafted with PEG 2000 and PEG Mix, reaching an average fraction of cells with motion of over 93% and an average lifting efficiency of over 96% for both cell types. Upon the integration of this microwell array with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel, PEG Mix resulted in proper washing of non-seeded cells. We further demonstrated the wide applicability of the platform by manipulating non-responding yeast cells to antifungal treatment and B cells expressing surface IgG antibodies. The combination of the optimized microwell surface with continuous microfluidics results in a powerful and versatile platform, allowing high-throughput single cell studies and retrieval of target cells for off-chip analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Breukers
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 42, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Sara Horta
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, IRF Life Sciences, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, Kortrijk 8500, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Dragana Spasic
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 42, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Hendrik B Feys
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders Ottergemsesteenweg 413, Gent 9000, Belgium
- Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, Gent 9000, Belgium
| | - Nick Geukens
- PharmAbs, The KU Leuven Antibody Center, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Karen Vanhoorelbeke
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, IRF Life Sciences, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, Kortrijk 8500, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- Department of Biosystems, Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 42, Leuven 3001, Belgium
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17
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Aguieiras MCL, Resende LM, Souza TAM, Nagano CS, Chaves RP, Taveira GB, Carvalho AO, Rodrigues R, Gomes VM, Mello ÉO. Potent Anti-Candida Fraction Isolated from Capsicum chinense Fruits Contains an Antimicrobial Peptide That is Similar to Plant Defensin and is Able to Inhibit the Activity of Different α-Amylase Enzymes. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 13:862-872. [PMID: 33454869 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-020-09739-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules present in several life forms, possess broad-spectrum of inhibitory activity against pathogenic microorganisms, and are a promising alternative to combat the multidrug resistant pathogens. The aim of this work was to identify and characterize AMPs from Capsicum chinense fruits and to evaluate their inhibitory activities against yeasts of the genus Candida and α-amylases. Initially, after protein extraction from fruits, the extract was submitted to anion exchange chromatography resulting two fractions. Fraction D1 was further fractionated by molecular exclusion chromatography, and three fractions were obtained. These fractions showed low molecular mass peptides, and in fraction F3, only two protein bands of approximately 6.5 kDa were observed. Through mass spectrometry, we identified that the lowest molecular mass protein band of fraction F3 showed similarity with AMPs from plant defensin family. We named this peptide CcDef3 (Capsicum chinense defensin 3). The antifungal activity of these fractions was analyzed against yeasts of the genus Candida. At 200 μg/mL, fraction F1 inhibited the growth of C. tropicalis by 26%, fraction F2 inhibited 35% of the growth of C. buinensis, and fraction F3 inhibited all tested yeasts, exhibiting greater inhibition activity on the growth of the yeast C. albicans (86%) followed by C. buinensis (69%) and C. tropicalis (21%). Fractions F1 and F2 promoted membrane permeabilization of all tested yeasts and increased the endogenous induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C. buinensis and C. tropicalis, respectively. We also observed that fraction F3 at a concentration of 50 µg/mL inhibited the α-amylase activities of Tenebrio molitor larvae by 96% and human salivary by 100%. Thus, our results show that fraction F3, which contains CcDef3, is a very promising protein fraction because it has antifungal potential and is able to inhibit the activity of different α-amylase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana C L Aguieiras
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Larissa M Resende
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaynã A M Souza
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Celso S Nagano
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Marinha, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Renata P Chaves
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Marinha, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gabriel B Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - André O Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosana Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Melhoramento E Genética Vegetal, Centro de Ciências E Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
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18
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Azmi S, Hussain MK. Analysis of structures, functions, and transgenicity of phytopeptides defensin and thionin: a review. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-020-00093-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial peptides are very primitive innate defense molecules of almost all organisms, from microbes to mammalians and vascular seed-bearing plants. Antimicrobial peptides of plants categorized into cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) and others and most of the antimicrobial peptides belong to CRPs group. These peptides reported showing the great extent of protecting property against bacteria, fungi, viruses, insect, nematode, and another kind of microbes. To develop a resistant plant against pathogenic fungi, there have been several studies executed to understand the efficiency of transgenicity of these antimicrobial peptides.
Main text
Apart from the intrinsic property of the higher organism for identifying and activating microbial attack defense device, it also involves innate defense mechanism and molecules. In the current review article, apart from the structural and functional characterization of peptides defensin and thionin, we have attempted to provide a succinct overview of the transgenic development of these defense peptides, that are expressed in a constitutive and or over-expressive manner when biotic and abiotic stress inflicted. Transgenic of different peptides show different competence in plants. Most of the transgenic studies made for defensin and thionin revealed the effective transgenic capacity of these peptides.
Conclusion
There have been several studies reported successful development of transgenic plants based on peptides defensin and thionin and observed diverse level of resistance-conferring potency in different plants against phytopathogenic fungi. But due to long regulatory process, there has not been marketed any antimicrobial peptides based transgenic plants yet. However, success report state that possibly in near future transgenic plants of AMPs would be released with devoid of harmful effect, with good efficiency, reproducibility, stability, and least production cost.
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19
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Yount NY, Weaver DC, de Anda J, Lee EY, Lee MW, Wong GCL, Yeaman MR. Discovery of Novel Type II Bacteriocins Using a New High-Dimensional Bioinformatic Algorithm. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1873. [PMID: 33013838 PMCID: PMC7494827 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial compounds first arose in prokaryotes by necessity for competitive self-defense. In this light, prokaryotes invented the first host defense peptides. Among the most well-characterized of these peptides are class II bacteriocins, ribosomally-synthesized polypeptides produced chiefly by Gram-positive bacteria. In the current study, a tensor search protocol-the BACIIα algorithm-was created to identify and classify bacteriocin sequences with high fidelity. The BACIIα algorithm integrates a consensus signature sequence, physicochemical and genomic pattern elements within a high-dimensional query tool to select for bacteriocin-like peptides. It accurately retrieved and distinguished virtually all families of known class II bacteriocins, with an 86% specificity. Further, the algorithm retrieved a large set of unforeseen, putative bacteriocin peptide sequences. A recently-developed machine-learning classifier predicted the vast majority of retrieved sequences to induce negative Gaussian curvature in target membranes, a hallmark of antimicrobial activity. Prototypic bacteriocin candidate sequences were synthesized and demonstrated potent antimicrobial efficacy in vitro against a broad spectrum of human pathogens. Therefore, the BACIIα algorithm expands the scope of prokaryotic host defense bacteriocins and enables an innovative bioinformatics discovery strategy. Understanding how prokaryotes have protected themselves against microbial threats over eons of time holds promise to discover novel anti-infective strategies to meet the challenge of modern antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannette Y. Yount
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - David C. Weaver
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jaime de Anda
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ernest Y. Lee
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michelle W. Lee
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Gerard C. L. Wong
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michael R. Yeaman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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20
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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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21
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Ong ST, Bajaj S, Tanner MR, Chang SC, Krishnarjuna B, Ng XR, Morales RAV, Chen MW, Luo D, Patel D, Yasmin S, Ng JJH, Zhuang Z, Nguyen HM, El Sahili A, Lescar J, Patil R, Charman SA, Robins EG, Goggi JL, Tan PW, Sadasivam P, Ramasamy B, Hartimath SV, Dhawan V, Bednenko J, Colussi P, Wulff H, Pennington MW, Kuyucak S, Norton RS, Beeton C, Chandy KG. Modulation of Lymphocyte Potassium Channel K V1.3 by Membrane-Penetrating, Joint-Targeting Immunomodulatory Plant Defensin. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:720-736. [PMID: 32832873 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe a cysteine-rich, membrane-penetrating, joint-targeting, and remarkably stable peptide, EgK5, that modulates voltage-gated KV1.3 potassium channels in T lymphocytes by a distinctive mechanism. EgK5 enters plasma membranes and binds to KV1.3, causing current run-down by a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent mechanism. EgK5 exhibits selectivity for KV1.3 over other channels, receptors, transporters, and enzymes. EgK5 suppresses antigen-triggered proliferation of effector memory T cells, a subset enriched among pathogenic autoreactive T cells in autoimmune disease. PET-CT imaging with 18F-labeled EgK5 shows accumulation of the peptide in large and small joints of rodents. In keeping with its arthrotropism, EgK5 treats disease in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. It was also effective in treating disease in a rat model of atopic dermatitis. No signs of toxicity are observed at 10-100 times the in vivo dose. EgK5 shows promise for clinical development as a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seow Theng Ong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Saumya Bajaj
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Mark R Tanner
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Shih Chieh Chang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Xuan Rui Ng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Rodrigo A V Morales
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ming Wei Chen
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Dahai Luo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Sabina Yasmin
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jeremy Jun Heng Ng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Zhong Zhuang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Hai M Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Abbas El Sahili
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine building, Singapore 636921
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine building, Singapore 636921
| | - Rahul Patil
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Edward G Robins
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667.,Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, NUS Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC), Centre for Life Sciences, Singapore 117599
| | - Julian L Goggi
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Peng Wen Tan
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Pragalath Sadasivam
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Boominathan Ramasamy
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Siddana V Hartimath
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Vikas Dhawan
- Peptides International, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky 40269, United States.,AmbioPharm Inc., North Augusta, South Carolina 29842, United States
| | - Janna Bednenko
- TetraGenetics Inc, Arlington, Massachusetts 02474, United States
| | - Paul Colussi
- TetraGenetics Inc, Arlington, Massachusetts 02474, United States
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Michael W Pennington
- Peptides International, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky 40269, United States.,AmbioPharm Inc., North Augusta, South Carolina 29842, United States
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christine Beeton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - K George Chandy
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
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22
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Struyfs C, Cools TL, De Cremer K, Sampaio-Marques B, Ludovico P, Wasko BM, Kaeberlein M, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. The antifungal plant defensin HsAFP1 induces autophagy, vacuolar dysfunction and cell cycle impairment in yeast. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183255. [PMID: 32145284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The plant defensin HsAFP1 is characterized by broad-spectrum antifungal activity and induces apoptosis in Candida albicans. In this study, we performed a transcriptome analysis on C. albicans cultures treated with HsAFP1 to gain further insight in the antifungal mode of action of HsAFP1. Various genes coding for cell surface proteins, like glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, and proteins involved in cation homeostasis, autophagy and in cell cycle were differentially expressed upon HsAFP1 treatment. The biological validation of these findings was performed in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To discriminate between events linked to HsAFP1's antifungal activity and those that are not, we additionally used an inactive HsAFP1 mutant. We demonstrated that (i) HsAFP1-resistent S. cerevisiae mutants that are characterized by a defect in processing GPI-anchors are unable to internalize HsAFP1, and (ii) moderate doses (FC50, fungicidal concentration resulting in 50% killing) of HsAFP1 induce autophagy in S. cerevisiae, while high HsAFP1 doses result in vacuolar dysfunction. Vacuolar function is an important determinant of replicative lifespan (RLS) under dietary restriction (DR). In line, HsAFP1 specifically reduces RLS under DR. Lastly, (iii) HsAFP1 affects S. cerevisiae cell cycle in the G2/M phase. However, the latter HsAFP1-induced event is not linked to its antifungal activity, as the inactive HsAFP1 mutant also impairs the G2/M phase. In conclusion, we demonstrated that GPI-anchored proteins are involved in HsAFP1's internalization, and that HsAFP1 induces autophagy, vacuolar dysfunction and impairment of the cell cycle. Collectively, all these data provide novel insights in the mode of action of HsAFP1 as well as in S. cerevisiae tolerance mechanisms against this peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat De Cremer
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Belém Sampaio-Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4700 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paula Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4700 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Brian M Wasko
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 98195 Seattle, USA
| | - Matt Kaeberlein
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 98195 Seattle, USA
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Wei H, Movahedi A, Xu C, Sun W, Wang P, Li D, Yin T, Zhuge Q. Characterization, Expression Profiling, and Functional Analysis of PtDef, a Defensin-Encoding Gene From Populus trichocarpa. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:106. [PMID: 32117134 PMCID: PMC7018670 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PtDef cloned from Populus trichocarpa contained eight cysteine domains specific to defensins. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that PtDef was expressed in all tissues tested, with lower expression in leaves and higher expression in petioles, stems, and roots. Purified fused PtDef inhibited Aspergillus niger, Alternaria Nees, Mucor corymbifer, Marssonina populi, Rhizopus sp., and Neurospora crassa. PtDef also inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli by triggering autolysis. PtDef overexpression in Nanlin895 poplar (Populus × euramericana cv. Nanlin895) enhanced the level of resistance to Septotinia populiperda. qRT-PCR analysis also showed that the expression of 13 genes related to salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction differed between transgenic and wild-type (WT) poplars before and after inoculation, and that PR1-1 (12–72 h), NPR1-2, TGA1, and MYC2-1 expression was higher in transgenic poplars than in WT. During the hypersensitivity response (HR), large amounts of H2O2 were produced by the poplar lines, particularly 12–24 h after inoculation; the rate and magnitude of the H2O2 concentration increase were greater in transgenic lines than in WT. Overall, our findings suggest that PtDef, a defensin-encoding gene of P. trichocarpa, could be used for genetic engineering of woody plants for enhanced disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wei
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ali Movahedi
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Special Biomass Resource Utilization, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weibo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dawei Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongming Yin
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Zhuge
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
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24
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Das K, Datta K, Karmakar S, Datta SK. Antimicrobial Peptides - Small but Mighty Weapons for Plants to Fight Phytopathogens. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:720-742. [PMID: 31215363 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190619112438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) have diverse structures, varied modes of actions, and can inhibit the growth of a wide range of pathogens at low concentrations. Plants are constantly under attack by a wide range of phytopathogens causing massive yield losses worldwide. To combat these pathogens, nature has armed plants with a battery of defense responses including Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). These peptides form a vital component of the two-tier plant defense system. They are constitutively expressed as part of the pre-existing first line of defense against pathogen entry. When a pathogen overcomes this barrier, it faces the inducible defense system, which responds to specific molecular or effector patterns by launching an arsenal of defense responses including the production of AMPs. This review emphasizes the structural and functional aspects of different plant-derived AMPs, their homology with AMPs from other organisms, and how their biotechnological potential could generate durable resistance in a wide range of crops against different classes of phytopathogens in an environmentally friendly way without phenotypic cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Das
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Karabi Datta
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhasis Karmakar
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Swapan K Datta
- Laboratory of Translational Research on Transgenic Crops, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
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25
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Antimicrobial peptide ROAD-1 triggers phase change in local membrane environment to execute its activity. J Mol Model 2019; 25:281. [PMID: 31468141 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-019-4163-8] [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: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has paved way for development of newer class of drugs that would not be susceptible to resistance. Antimicrobial peptides such as defensins that target the microbial membrane are promising candidates. ROAD-1 is an alpha-defensin present in the oral cavity of rhesus macaque and shares very high sequence similarity to human enteric defensin 5. In this study we have performed microsecond long all atom molecular dynamic simulations to understand the mechanism of action of ROAD-1. We find that ROAD-1 is able to adopt an energetically stable conformation predominantly stabilized by electrostatic interactions only in presence of bacterial membranes. In mammalian membrane even though it gets absorbed onto the bilayer, it is unable to adopt an equilibrium conformation. Binding of ROAD-1 to bilayer induces clustering of POPG molecules up to 15 Å around the peptide. POPG molecules show higher order parameters than the neighboring POPE implying coexistence of different phases. Analysis of binding free energy of ROAD-1-membrane complex indicates Arg1, Arg2, Arg7, and Arg25 to play key role in its antimicrobial activity. Unlike its homolog HD5, ROAD-1 is not observed to form a dimer. Our study gives insight into the membrane-bound conformation of ROAD-1 and its mechanism of action that can aid in designing defensin-based therapeutics. Graphical abstract Antimicrobial peptide ROAD-1 adopts a different membrane-bound conformation as compared with HD5 even though they belong to the same family implying a different mechanism of action.
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26
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Lay FT, Ryan GF, Caria S, Phan TK, Veneer PK, White JA, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Structural and functional characterization of the membrane-permeabilizing activity of Nicotiana occidentalis defensin NoD173 and protein engineering to enhance oncolysis. FASEB J 2019; 33:6470-6482. [PMID: 30794440 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802540r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are an extensive family of host defense peptides found ubiquitously across plant and animal species. In addition to protecting against infection by pathogenic microorganisms, some defensins are selectively cytotoxic toward tumor cells. As such, defensins have attracted interest as potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. The mechanism of defensin action against microbes and tumor cells appears to be conserved and involves the targeting and disruption of cellular membranes. This has been best defined for plant defensins, which upon binding specific phospholipids, such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidic acid, form defensin-lipid oligomeric complexes that destabilize membranes, leading to cell lysis. In this study, to further define the anticancer and therapeutic properties of plant defensins, we have characterized a novel plant defensin, Nicotiana occidentalis defensin 173 (NoD173), from N. occidentalis. NoD173 at low micromolar concentrations selectively killed a panel of tumor cell lines over normal primary cells. To improve the anticancer activity of NoD173, we explored increasing cationicity by mutation, with NoD173 with the substitution of Q22 with lysine [NoD173(Q22K)], increasing the antitumor cell activity by 2-fold. NoD173 and the NoD173(Q22K) mutant exhibited only low levels of hemolytic activity, and both maintained activity against tumor cells in serum. The ability of NoD173 to inhibit solid tumor growth in vivo was tested in a mouse B16-F1 model, whereby injection of NoD173 into established subcutaneous tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth. Finally, we showed that NoD173 specifically targets PIP2 and determined by X-ray crystallography that a high-resolution structure of NoD173, which forms a conserved family-defining cysteine-stabilized-αβ motif with a dimeric lipid-binding conformation, configured into an arch-shaped oligomer of 4 dimers. These data provide insights into the mechanism of how defensins target membranes to kill tumor cells and provide proof of concept that defensins are able to inhibit tumor growth in vivo.-Lay, F. T., Ryan, G. F., Caria, S., Phan, T. K., Veneer, P. K., White, J. A., Kvansakul, M., Hulett M. D. Structural and functional characterization of the membrane-permeabilizing activity of Nicotiana occidentalis defensin NoD173 and protein engineering to enhance oncolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma F Ryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sofia Caria
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie A White
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Shwaiki LN, Arendt EK, Lynch KM, Thery TLC. Inhibitory effect of four novel synthetic peptides on food spoilage yeasts. Int J Food Microbiol 2019; 300:43-52. [PMID: 31035250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The spoilage of foods caused by the growth of undesirable yeast species is a problem in the food industry. Yeast species such as Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, Debaryomyces hansenii, Kluyveromyces lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been encountered in foods such as high sugar products, fruit juices, wine, mayonnaise, chocolate and soft drinks. The demand for new methods of preservations has increased because of the negative association attached to chemical preservatives. The sequence of a novel short peptide (KKFFRAWWAPRFLK-NH2) was modified to generate three versions of this original peptide. These peptides were tested for the inhibition of the yeasts mentioned above, allowing for the better understanding of their residue modifications. The range of the minimum inhibitory concentration was between 25 and 200 μg/mL. Zygosaccharomyces bailii was the most sensitive strain to the peptides, while Zygosaccharomyces rouxii was the most resistant. Membrane permeabilisation was found to be responsible for yeast inhibition at a level which was a two-fold increase of the MIC (400 μg/mL). The possibility of the production of reactive oxygen species was also assessed but was not recognised as a factor involved for the peptides' mode of action. Their stability in different environments was also tested, focusing on high salt, pH and thermal stability. The newly designed peptides showed good antifungal activity against some common food spoilage yeasts and has been proven effective in the application in Fanta Orange. These efficient novel peptides represent a new source of food preservation that can be used as an alternative for current controversial preservatives used in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila N Shwaiki
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Elke K Arendt
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Kieran M Lynch
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Thibaut L C Thery
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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28
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Yuan S, Ng T, Ye X. Purification of an Antifungal Peptide from Seeds of Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes and Investigation of Its Antifungal Activity and Mechanism of Action. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071337. [PMID: 30987412 PMCID: PMC6480268 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a 8.5-kDa antifungal peptide designated as BGAP was purified from the crude extract of the seeds of Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes by employing a protocol that comprised cation exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose, cation exchange chromatography on Mono S and gel filtration chromatography on Superdex peptide. BGAP showed the highest amino acid sequence similarity to defensin peptides by mass spectrometric analysis. BGAP showed a broad spectrum of antifungal activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration at 17.33 μg/mL, 12.37 μg/mL, 16.81 μg/mL, and 5.60 μg/mL toward Colletotrichum higginsianum, Exserohilum turcicum, Magnaporthe oryzae and Mycosphaerella arachidicola, respectively. The antifungal activity of BGAP remained stable (i) after heat treatment at 40–100 °C for 15 min; (ii) after exposure to solutions of pH 1–3 and 11–13 for 15 min; (iii) after incubation with solutions containing K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ or Fe3+ ions at the concentrations of 20–150 mmol/L for 2 h; and (iv) following treatment with 10% methyl alcohol, 10% ethanol, 10% isopropanol or 10% chloroform for 2 h. Fluorescence staining experiments showed that BGAP brought about an increase in cell membrane permeability, a rise in reactive oxygen species production, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and an accumulation of chitin at the hyphal tips of Mycosphaerella arachidicola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caicheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Susu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Tzibun Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Xiujuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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29
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Alex JM, Rennie ML, Engilberge S, Lehoczki G, Dorottya H, Fizil Á, Batta G, Crowley PB. Calixarene-mediated assembly of a small antifungal protein. IUCRJ 2019; 6:238-247. [PMID: 30867921 PMCID: PMC6400181 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252519000411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic macrocycles such as calixarenes and cucurbiturils are increasingly applied as mediators of protein assembly and crystallization. The macrocycle can facilitate assembly by providing a surface on which two or more proteins bind simultaneously. This work explores the capacity of the sulfonato-calix[n]arene (sclx n ) series to effect crystallization of PAF, a small, cationic antifungal protein. Co-crystallization with sclx4, sclx6 or sclx8 led to high-resolution crystal structures. In the absence of sclx n , diffraction-quality crystals of PAF were not obtained. Interestingly, all three sclx n were bound to a similar patch on PAF. The largest and most flexible variant, sclx8, yielded a dimer of PAF. Complex formation was evident in solution via NMR and ITC experiments, showing more pronounced effects with increasing macrocycle size. In agreement with the crystal structure, the ITC data suggested that sclx8 acts as a bidentate ligand. The contributions of calixarene size/conformation to protein recognition and assembly are discussed. Finally, it is suggested that the conserved binding site for anionic calixarenes implicates this region of PAF in membrane binding, which is a prerequisite for antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimi M. Alex
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Martin L. Rennie
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sylvain Engilberge
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Gábor Lehoczki
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Hajdu Dorottya
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ádám Fizil
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Peter B. Crowley
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland
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30
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de Oliveira Mello É, Taveira GB, de Oliveira Carvalho A, Gomes VM. Improved smallest peptides based on positive charge increase of the γ-core motif from PνD 1 and their mechanism of action against Candida species. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:407-420. [PMID: 30666103 PMCID: PMC6331069 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s187957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant defensins have a hallmark γ-core motif (GXCX3-9C) that is related to their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this work was to design synthetic peptides based on the region corresponding to the PvD1 defensin γ-core that are the smallest amino acid sequences that bear the strongest biological activity. METHODS We made rational substitutions of negatively charged amino acid residues with positively charged ones, and the reduction in length in the selected PvD1 γ-core sequence to verify whether the increased net positive charges and shortened length are related to the increase in antifungal activity. Herein, we opted to evaluate the action mechanism of γ33-41 PvD1 ++ peptide due to its significant inhibitory effect on tested yeasts. In addition, it is the smallest construct comprising only nine amino acid residues, giving it a better possibility to be a prototype for designing a new antifungal drug, with lower costs to the pharmaceutical industry while still maintaining the strongest antimicrobial properties. RESULTS The γ33-41 PvD1 ++ peptide caused the most toxic effects in the yeast Candida buinensis, leading to membrane permeabilization, viability loss, endogenous reactive oxygen species increase, the activation of metacaspase, and the loss of mitochondrial functionality, suggesting that this peptide triggers cell death via apoptosis. CONCLUSION We observed that the antifungal activity of PvD1 is not strictly localized in the structural domain, which comprises the γ-core region and that the increase in the net positive charge is directly related to the increase in antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica de Oliveira Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - Gabriel Bonan Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
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31
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Järvå M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Humble C, Poon IKH, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, Hulett MD, Kvansakul M. X-ray structure of a carpet-like antimicrobial defensin-phospholipid membrane disruption complex. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1962. [PMID: 29773800 PMCID: PMC5958116 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms as a first line of defense against pathogens. Membrane targeting and disruption is a crucial function of many defensins, however the precise mechanism remains unclear. Certain plant defensins form dimers that specifically bind the membrane phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, thereby triggering the assembly of defensin-lipid oligomers that permeabilize cell membranes. To understand this permeabilization mechanism, here we determine the crystal structure of the plant defensin NaD1 bound to PA. The structure reveals a 20-mer that adopts a concave sheet- or carpet-like topology where NaD1 dimers form one face and PA acyl chains form the other face of the sheet. Furthermore, we show that Arg39 is critical for PA binding, oligomerization and fungal cell killing. These findings identify a putative defensin-phospholipid membrane attack configuration that supports a longstanding proposed carpet mode of membrane disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Järvå
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Cassandra Humble
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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Regulated Cell Death as a Therapeutic Target for Novel Antifungal Peptides and Biologics. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:5473817. [PMID: 29854086 PMCID: PMC5944218 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5473817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The rise of microbial pathogens refractory to conventional antibiotics represents one of the most urgent and global public health concerns for the 21st century. Emergence of Candida auris isolates and the persistence of invasive mold infections that resist existing treatment and cause severe illness has underscored the threat of drug-resistant fungal infections. To meet these growing challenges, mechanistically novel agents and strategies are needed that surpass the conventional fungistatic or fungicidal drug actions. Host defense peptides have long been misunderstood as indiscriminant membrane detergents. However, evidence gathered over the past decade clearly points to their sophisticated and selective mechanisms of action, including exploiting regulated cell death pathways of their target pathogens. Such peptides perturb transmembrane potential and mitochondrial energetics, inducing phosphatidylserine accessibility and metacaspase activation in fungi. These mechanisms are often multimodal, affording target pathogens fewer resistance options as compared to traditional small molecule drugs. Here, recent advances in the field are examined regarding regulated cell death subroutines as potential therapeutic targets for innovative anti-infective peptides against pathogenic fungi. Furthering knowledge of protective host defense peptide interactions with target pathogens is key to advancing and applying novel prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures to fungal resistance and pathogenesis.
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Hayes BME, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, van der Weerden NL. The Plant Defensin NaD1 Enters the Cytoplasm of Candida Albicans via Endocytosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4010020. [PMID: 29415460 PMCID: PMC5872323 DOI: 10.3390/jof4010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are widespread in nature and are produced by many organisms as a first line of defence against pathogens. These peptides have a broad range of biological activities, such as antibacterial or antifungal activities and act with varied mechanisms of action. A large number of the peptides are amphipathic α-helices which act by disrupting plasma membranes and allowing leakage of intracellular contents. However, some peptides have more complex mechanisms of action that require internalisation into the target organisms’ cytoplasm. The method by which these peptides enter the cytoplasm varies, with some requiring the energy dependent processes of endocytosis or polyamine transport and others entering via passive transport. Here we describe the mechanism that the antimicrobial peptide, the plant defensin NaD1, uses to transverse the fungal membrane and gain access to the fungal cytoplasm. By inhibiting ATP synthesis and using an inhibitor of actin polymerisation, we show that NaD1 is internalised into C. albicans yeast cells by the energy-dependent process of endocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte M E Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, 3086 Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, 3086 Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, 3086 Melbourne, Australia.
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