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Guerra MES, Vieira B, Calazans APCT, Destro GV, Melo K, Rodrigues E, Waz NT, Girardello R, Darrieux M, Converso TR. Recent advances in the therapeutic potential of cathelicidins. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1405760. [PMID: 38989014 PMCID: PMC11233757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1405760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance in the last decades has prompted the search for alternatives to control infectious diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a heterogeneous class of molecules with ample antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. They can be found in many organisms, including all classes of vertebrates, providing a valuable source of new antimicrobial agents. The unique properties of AMPs make it harder for microbes develop resistance, while their immunomodulatory properties and target diversity reinforce their translational use in multiple diseases, from autoimmune disorders to different types of cancer. The latest years have witnessed a vast number of studies evaluating the use of AMPs in therapy, with many progressing to clinical trials. The present review explores the recent developments in the medicinal properties of cathelicidins, a vast family of AMPs with potent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. Cathelicidins from several organisms have been tested in disease models of viral and bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, and tumors, with encouraging results. Combining nanomaterials with active, natural antimicrobial peptides, including LL-37 and synthetic analogs like ceragenins, leads to the creation of innovative nanoagents with significant clinical promise. However, there are still important limitations, such as the toxicity of many cathelicidins to healthy host cells and low stability in vivo. The recent advances in nanomaterials and synthetic biology may help overcome the current limitations, enabling the use of cathelicidins in future therapeutics. Furthermore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of cathelicidin action in vivo and their synergy with other host molecules will contribute to the development of safer, highly effective therapies.
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Raj AK, Lokhande KB, Prasad TK, Nandangiri R, Choudhary S, Pal JK, Sharma NK. Intracellular Ellagic Acid Derived from Goat Urine DMSO Fraction (GUDF) Predicted as an Inhibitor of c-Raf Kinase. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:264-279. [PMID: 36642883 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230113141032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary chemicals and their gut-metabolized products are explored for their anti-proliferative and pro-cell death effects. Dietary and metabolized chemicals are different from ruminants such as goats over humans. METHODS Loss of cell viability and induction of death due to goat urine DMSO fraction (GUDF) derived chemicals were assessed by routine in vitro assays upon MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Intracellular metabolite profiling of MCF-7 cells treated with goat urine DMSO fraction (GUDF) was performed using an in-house designed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE) assisted methodology, followed by LC-HRMS. Next, identified intracellular dietary chemicals such as ellagic acid were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against transducers of the c-Raf signaling pathway employing molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. RESULTS GUDF treatment upon MCF-7 cells displayed significant loss of cell viability and induction of cell death. A set of dietary and metabolized chemicals in the intracellular compartment of MCF-7 cells, such as ellagic acid, 2-hydroxymyristic acid, artelinic acid, 10-amino-decanoic acid, nervonic acid, 2,4-dimethyl-2-eicosenoic acid, 2,3,4'- Trihydroxy,4-Methoxybenzophenone and 9-amino-nonanoic acid were identified. Among intracellular dietary chemicals, ellagic acid displayed a strong inhibitory affinity (-8.7 kcal/mol) against c-Raf kinase. The inhibitory potential of ellagic acid was found to be significantly comparable with a known c-Raf kinase inhibitor sorafenib with overlapping inhibitory site residues (ARG450, GLU425, TRP423, VA403). CONCLUSION Intracellular dietary-derived chemicals such as ellagic acid are suggested for the induction of cell death in MCF-7 cells. Ellagic acid is predicted as an inhibitor of c-Raf kinase and could be explored as an anti-cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Raj
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Kiran Bharat Lokhande
- Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Tanay Kondapally Prasad
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Rasika Nandangiri
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Sumitra Choudhary
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Jayanta Kumar Pal
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Nilesh Kumar Sharma
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
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Panteleev PV, Safronova VN, Duan S, Komlev AS, Bolosov IA, Kruglikov RN, Kombarova TI, Korobova OV, Pereskokova ES, Borzilov AI, Dyachenko IA, Shamova OV, Huang Y, Shi Q, Ovchinnikova TV. Novel BRICHOS-Related Antimicrobial Peptides from the Marine Worm Heteromastus filiformis: Transcriptome Mining, Synthesis, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:639. [PMID: 38132960 PMCID: PMC10745061 DOI: 10.3390/md21120639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine polychaetes represent an extremely rich and underexplored source of novel families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The rapid development of next generation sequencing technologies and modern bioinformatics approaches allows us to apply them for characterization of AMP-derived genes and the identification of encoded immune-related peptides with the aid of genome and transcriptome mining. Here, we describe a universal bioinformatic approach based on the conserved BRICHOS domain as a search query for the identification of novel structurally unique AMP families in annelids. In this paper, we report the discovery of 13 novel BRICHOS-related peptides, ranging from 18 to 91 amino acid residues in length, in the cosmopolitan marine worm Heteromastus filiformis with the assistance of transcriptome mining. Two characteristic peptides with a low homology in relation to known AMPs-the α-helical amphiphilic linear peptide, consisting of 28 amino acid residues and designated as HfBRI-28, and the 25-mer β-hairpin peptide, specified as HfBRI-25 and having a unique structure stabilized by two disulfide bonds-were obtained and analyzed as potential antimicrobials. Interestingly, both peptides showed the ability to kill bacteria via membrane damage, but mechanisms of their action and spectra of their activity differed significantly. Being non-cytotoxic towards mammalian cells and stable to proteolysis in the blood serum, HfBRI-25 was selected for further in vivo studies in a lethal murine model of the Escherichia coli infection, where the peptide contributed to the 100% survival rate in animals. A high activity against uropathogenic strains of E. coli (UPEC) as well as a strong ability to kill bacteria within biofilms allow us to consider the novel peptide HfBRI-25 as a promising candidate for the clinical therapy of urinary tract infections (UTI) associated with UPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel V. Panteleev
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
| | - Victoria N. Safronova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
| | - Shuting Duan
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen 518081, China; (Y.H.); (Q.S.)
| | - Alexey S. Komlev
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, WCRC “Center for Personalized Medicine”, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.K.); (O.V.S.)
| | - Ilia A. Bolosov
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
| | - Roman N. Kruglikov
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
| | - Tatiana I. Kombarova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (T.I.K.); (O.V.K.); (E.S.P.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Olga V. Korobova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (T.I.K.); (O.V.K.); (E.S.P.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Eugenia S. Pereskokova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (T.I.K.); (O.V.K.); (E.S.P.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Alexander I. Borzilov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (T.I.K.); (O.V.K.); (E.S.P.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Igor A. Dyachenko
- The Branch of M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Olga V. Shamova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, WCRC “Center for Personalized Medicine”, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.K.); (O.V.S.)
| | - Yu Huang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen 518081, China; (Y.H.); (Q.S.)
| | - Qiong Shi
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen 518081, China; (Y.H.); (Q.S.)
- Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (V.N.S.); (S.D.); (I.A.B.); (R.N.K.)
- Department of Biotechnology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Wang A, Zhou M, Chen Q, Jin H, Xu G, Guo R, Wang J, Lai R. Functional Analyses of Three Targeted DNA Antimicrobial Peptides Derived from Goats. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1453. [PMID: 37892141 PMCID: PMC10605153 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increase in drug-resistant bacteria, new antibacterial drugs have emerged as a prominent area of research and development. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as innate immune agents, have garnered significant attention due to their potent, rapid, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. This study focused on investigating the functionality of three AMPs (CATH 1, CATH 2, and MAP34-B) derived from goat submandibular glands. Among these AMPs, CATH 2 and MAP34-B exhibited direct antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, primarily targeting the bacterial membrane. Additionally, these two AMPs were found to have the potential to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in bacterial cells and interact with bacterial genome DNA, which may play a crucial role in their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, both CATH 1 and CATH 2 demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, and all three AMPs exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activity. Importantly, the cytotoxic activity of these AMPs against mammalian cells was found to be weak, and their hemolytic activity was extremely low. Overall, the characteristics of these three AMPs found in goat submandibular glands offer new insights for the study of host protection from an immunological perspective. They hold promise as potential candidates for the development of novel antibacterial agents, particularly in the context of combating drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili Wang
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
| | - Mengying Zhou
- Suzhou Guangji Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
| | - Hui Jin
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
| | - Gaochi Xu
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
| | - Ruiyin Guo
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271000, China;
| | - Ren Lai
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (A.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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5
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Bolosov IA, Panteleev PV, Sychev SV, Khokhlova VA, Safronova VN, Toropygin IY, Kombarova TI, Korobova OV, Pereskokova ES, Borzilov AI, Ovchinnikova TV, Balandin SV. Design of Protegrin-1 Analogs with Improved Antibacterial Selectivity. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2047. [PMID: 37631261 PMCID: PMC10458893 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Protegrin-1 (PG-1) is a cationic β-hairpin pore-forming antimicrobial peptide having a membranolytic mechanism of action. It possesses in vitro a potent antimicrobial activity against a panel of clinically relevant MDR ESKAPE pathogens. However, its extremely high hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells prevent the further development of the protegrin-based antibiotic for systemic administration. In this study, we rationally modulated the PG-1 charge and hydrophobicity by substituting selected residues in the central β-sheet region of PG-1 to design its analogs, which retain a high antimicrobial activity but have a reduced toxicity toward mammalian cells. In this work, eight PG-1 analogs with single amino acid substitutions and five analogs with double substitutions were obtained. These analogs were produced as thioredoxin fusions in Escherichia coli. It was shown that a significant reduction in hemolytic activity without any loss of antimicrobial activity could be achieved by a single amino acid substitution, V16R in the C-terminal β-strand, which is responsible for the PG-1 oligomerization. As the result, a selective analog with a ≥30-fold improved therapeutic index was obtained. FTIR spectroscopy analysis of analog, [V16R], revealed that the peptide is unable to form oligomeric structures in a membrane-mimicking environment, in contrast to wild-type PG-1. Analog [V16R] showed a reasonable efficacy in septicemia infection mice model as a systemic antibiotic and could be considered as a promising lead for further drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia A. Bolosov
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Pavel V. Panteleev
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Sergei V. Sychev
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Veronika A. Khokhlova
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Victoria N. Safronova
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Ilia Yu. Toropygin
- V. N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana I. Kombarova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Olga V. Korobova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Eugenia S. Pereskokova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Alexander I. Borzilov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
- Department of Biotechnology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Balandin
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.B.); (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
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6
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Panteleev PV, Safronova VN, Kruglikov RN, Bolosov IA, Ovchinnikova TV. Genomic Insights into Bacterial Resistance to Proline-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide Bac7. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:438. [PMID: 37103865 PMCID: PMC10145973 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13040438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) having a potent antimicrobial activity and a modest toxicity toward mammalian cells attract much attention as new templates for the development of antibiotic drugs. However, a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms of bacterial resistance development to PrAMPs is necessary before their clinical application. In this study, development of the resistance to the proline-rich bovine cathelicidin Bac71-22 derivative was characterized in the multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli clinical isolate causing the urinary tract infection. Three Bac71-22-resistant strains with ≥16-fold increase in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were selected by serially passaging after four-week experimental evolution. It was shown that in salt-containing medium, the resistance was mediated by inactivation of the SbmA transporter. The absence of salt in the selection media affected both dynamics and main molecular targets under selective pressure: a point mutation leading to the amino acid substitution N159H in the WaaP kinase responsible for heptose I phosphorylation in the LPS structure was also found. This mutation led to a phenotype with a decreased susceptibility to both the Bac71-22 and polymyxin B. Screening of antimicrobial activities with the use of a wide panel of known AMPs, including the human cathelicidin LL-37 and conventional antibiotics, against selected strains indicated no significant cross-resistance effects.
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Bolosov IA, Panteleev PV, Balandin SV, Shamova OV, Ovchinnikova TV. Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Proline-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide Minibactenecin from Leukocytes of Domestic Goat Capra hircus. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 174:440-445. [PMID: 36892673 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
We performed structural and functional studies of minibactenecin mini-ChBac7.5Nα, a natural proline-rich cathelicidin from domestic goat Capra hircus. To identify the key residues important for the biological action of the peptide, a panel of its alanine-substituted analogues was produced. The development of E. coli resistance to the natural minibactenecin, as well as to its analogues carrying substitutions for hydrophobic amino acids in the C-terminal residues was studied. The data obtained indicate the possibility of rapid development of the resistance to this class of peptides. The main factors in the formation of the antibiotic resistance are various mutations leading to inactivation of the SbmA transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Bolosov
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - P V Panteleev
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Balandin
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Shamova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - T V Ovchinnikova
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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Roca-Pinilla R, Lisowski L, Arís A, Garcia-Fruitós E. The future of recombinant host defense peptides. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:267. [PMID: 36544150 PMCID: PMC9768982 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial resistance crisis calls for the discovery and production of new antimicrobials. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are small proteins with potent antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities that are attractive for translational applications, with several already under clinical trials. Traditionally, antimicrobial peptides have been produced by chemical synthesis, which is expensive and requires the use of toxic reagents, hindering the large-scale development of HDPs. Alternatively, HDPs can be produced recombinantly to overcome these limitations. Their antimicrobial nature, however, can make them toxic to the hosts of recombinant production. In this review we explore the different strategies that are used to fine-tune their activities, bioengineer them, and optimize the recombinant production of HDPs in various cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Roca-Pinilla
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XTranslational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XTranslational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.415641.30000 0004 0620 0839Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Arís
- grid.8581.40000 0001 1943 6646Department of Ruminant Production, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries IRTA, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- grid.8581.40000 0001 1943 6646Department of Ruminant Production, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries IRTA, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
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Antoshina DV, Balandin SV, Bogdanov IV, Vershinina MA, Sheremeteva EV, Toropygin IY, Finkina EI, Ovchinnikova TV. Antimicrobial Activity and Immunomodulatory Properties of Acidocin A, the Pediocin-like Bacteriocin with the Non-Canonical Structure. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:1253. [PMID: 36557160 PMCID: PMC9780942 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12121253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pediocin-like bacteriocins are among the natural antimicrobial agents attracting attention as scaffolds for the development of a new generation of antibiotics. Acidocin A has significant structural differences from most other members of this subclass. We studied its antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, as well as effects on the permeability of E. coli membranes in comparison with avicin A, the typical pediocin-like bacteriocin. Acidocin A had a more marked tendency to form an alpha-helical structure upon contact with detergent micelles, as was shown by CD spectroscopy, and demonstrated considerably less specific mode of action: it inhibited growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, which were unsusceptible to avicin A, and disrupted the integrity of outer and inner membranes of E. coli. However, the peptide retained a low toxicity towards normal and tumor human cells. The effect of mutations in the pediocin box of acidocin A (on average, a 2-4-fold decrease in activity) was less pronounced than is usually observed for such peptides. Using multiplex analysis, we showed that acidocin A and avicin A modulated the expression level of a number of cytokines and growth factors in primary human monocytes. Acidocin A induced the production of a number of inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNFα, MIG/CXCL9, MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-3/CCL7, and MIP-1β) and inhibited the production of some anti-inflammatory factors (IL-1RA, MDC/CCL22). We assumed that the activity of acidocin A and similar peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria might affect the functional state of the human intestinal tract, not only through direct inhibition of various groups of symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria, but also via immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria V. Antoshina
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Balandin
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan V. Bogdanov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A. Vershinina
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elvira V. Sheremeteva
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilia Yu. Toropygin
- V.N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina I. Finkina
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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10
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Safronova VN, Bolosov IA, Kruglikov RN, Korobova OV, Pereskokova ES, Borzilov AI, Panteleev PV, Ovchinnikova TV. Novel β-Hairpin Peptide from Marine Polychaeta with a High Efficacy against Gram-Negative Pathogens. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20080517. [PMID: 36005520 PMCID: PMC9410094 DOI: 10.3390/md20080517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, new antibiotics targeting multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria have become urgently needed. Therefore, antimicrobial peptides are considered to be a novel perspective class of antibacterial agents. In this study, a panel of novel BRICHOS-related β-hairpin antimicrobial peptides were identified in transcriptomes of marine polychaeta species. Two of them—abarenicin from Abarenicola pacifica and UuBRI-21 from Urechis unicinctus—possess strong antibacterial potential in vitro against a wide panel of Gram-negative bacteria including drug-resistant strains. Mechanism of action assays demonstrate that peptides disrupt bacterial and mammalian membrane integrity. Considering the stronger antibacterial potential and a low ability of abarenicin to be bound by components of serum, this peptide was selected for further modification. We conducted an alanine and arginine scanning of abarenicin by replacing individual amino acids and modulating hydrophobicity so as to improve its antibacterial potency and membrane selectivity. This design approach allowed us to obtain the Ap9 analog displaying a high efficacy in vivo in the mice septicemia and neutropenic mice peritonitis models. We demonstrated that abarenicin analogs did not significantly induce bacterial resistance after a four-week selection experiment and acted on different steps of the biofilm formation: (a) killing bacteria at their planktonic stage and preventing biofilm formation and (b) degrading pre-formed biofilm and killing embedded bacteria. The potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the abarenicin analog Ap9 with its high efficacy in vivo against Gram-negative infection in mice models makes this peptide an attractive candidate for further preclinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N. Safronova
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilia A. Bolosov
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Roman N. Kruglikov
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Korobova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Eugenia S. Pereskokova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Alexander I. Borzilov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (SRCAMB), 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Pavel V. Panteleev
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M. M. Shemyakin & Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.V.P.); (T.V.O.)
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11
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Panteleev PV, Safronova VN, Kruglikov RN, Bolosov IA, Bogdanov IV, Ovchinnikova TV. A Novel Proline-Rich Cathelicidin from the Alpaca Vicugna pacos with Potency to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Mechanism of Action and the Functional Role of the C-Terminal Region. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12050515. [PMID: 35629841 PMCID: PMC9146984 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12050515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Over recent years, a growing number of bacterial species have become resistant to clinically relevant antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) having a potent antimicrobial activity and a negligible toxicity toward mammalian cells attract attention as new templates for the development of antibiotic drugs. Here, we mined genomes of all living Camelidae species and found a novel family of Bac7-like proline-rich cathelicidins which inhibited bacterial protein synthesis. The N-terminal region of a novel peptide from the alpaca Vicugna pacos named VicBac is responsible for inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis with an IC50 value of 0.5 µM in the E. coli cell-free system whereas the C-terminal region allows the peptide to penetrate bacterial membranes effectively. We also found that the full-length VicBac did not induce bacterial resistance after a two-week selection experiment, unlike the N-terminal truncated analog, which depended on the SbmA transport system. Both pro- and anti-inflammatory action of VicBac and its N-terminal truncated variant on various human cell types was found by multiplex immunoassay. The presence of the C-terminal tail in the natural VicBac does not provide for specific immune-modulatory effects in vitro but enhances the observed impact compared with the truncated analog. The pronounced antibacterial activity of VicBac, along with its moderate adverse effects on mammalian cells, make this molecule a promising scaffold for the development of peptide antibiotics.
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12
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Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Potential of the β-Hairpin Antimicrobial Peptide Capitellacin from the Marine Polychaeta Capitella teleta. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20030167. [PMID: 35323465 PMCID: PMC8953592 DOI: 10.3390/md20030167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the most potent and proteolytically resistant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of animal origin are molecules forming a β-hairpin structure stabilized by disulfide bonds. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action and therapeutic potential of the β-hairpin AMP from the marine polychaeta Capitella teleta, named capitellacin. The peptide exhibits a low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells and a pronounced activity against a wide range of bacterial pathogens including multi-resistant bacteria, but the mechanism of its antibacterial action is still obscure. In view of this, we obtained analogs of capitellacin and tachyplesin-inspired chimeric variants to identify amino acid residues important for biological activities. A low hydrophobicity of the β-turn region in capitellacin determines its modest membranotropic activity and slow membrane permeabilization. Electrochemical measurements in planar lipid bilayers mimicking the E. coli membrane were consistent with the detergent-like mechanism of action rather than with binding to a specific molecular target in the cell. The peptide did not induce bacterial resistance after a 21-day selection experiment, which also pointed at a membranotropic mechanism of action. We also found that capitellacin can both prevent E. coli biofilm formation and destroy preformed mature biofilms. The marked antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of capitellacin along with its moderate adverse effects on mammalian cells make this peptide a promising scaffold for the development of drugs for the treatment of chronic E. coli infections, in particular those caused by the formation of biofilms.
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13
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Analysis of Antibacterial Action of Mammalian Host-Defense Cathelicidins and Induction of Resistance to Them in MβL-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bull Exp Biol Med 2022; 172:447-452. [PMID: 35175466 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-022-05411-8] [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: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant analogs of a number of natural host-defense mammalian cathelicidins were obtained and predominant mechanism of their antibacterial action was studied. The ability of cathelicidins to suppress the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing metallo-β-lactamases (MβL) was studied, and the possibility of appearance of cathelicidin-resistant bacteria was evaluated. Among peptides with different structures and mechanisms of action, only the strains resistant to ChMAP-28 were not obtained, which indicated minimum risk of the development of natural resistance to this cathelicidin. High antibacterial activity, wide spectrum of action, and the absence of cross-resistance effects allow considering ChMAP-28 peptide as a candidate to be developed further as a therapeutic agent against MβL-producing bacteria.
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14
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Escobar‐Salom M, Torrens G, Jordana‐Lluch E, Oliver A, Juan C. Mammals' humoral immune proteins and peptides targeting the bacterial envelope: from natural protection to therapeutic applications against multidrug‐resistant
Gram
‐negatives. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1005-1037. [PMID: 35043558 PMCID: PMC9304279 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian innate immunity employs several humoral ‘weapons’ that target the bacterial envelope. The threats posed by the multidrug‐resistant ‘ESKAPE’ Gram‐negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are forcing researchers to explore new therapeutic options, including the use of these immune elements. Here we review bacterial envelope‐targeting (peptidoglycan and/or membrane‐targeting) proteins/peptides of the mammalian immune system that are most likely to have therapeutic applications. Firstly we discuss their general features and protective activity against ESKAPE Gram‐negatives in the host. We then gather, integrate, and discuss recent research on experimental therapeutics harnessing their bactericidal power, based on their exogenous administration and also on the discovery of bacterial and/or host targets that improve the performance of this endogenous immunity, as a novel therapeutic concept. We identify weak points and knowledge gaps in current research in this field and suggest areas for future work to obtain successful envelope‐targeting therapeutic options to tackle the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Escobar‐Salom
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Gabriel Torrens
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Elena Jordana‐Lluch
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Antonio Oliver
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Carlos Juan
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
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15
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Novel Antiproliferative Tripeptides Inhibit AP-1 Transcriptional Complex. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10244-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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16
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Zhang QY, Yan ZB, Meng YM, Hong XY, Shao G, Ma JJ, Cheng XR, Liu J, Kang J, Fu CY. Antimicrobial peptides: mechanism of action, activity and clinical potential. Mil Med Res 2021; 8:48. [PMID: 34496967 PMCID: PMC8425997 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-021-00343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of bacterial infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. As an excellent candidate to overcome antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are produced from the synthetic and natural sources demonstrate a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with the high specificity and low toxicity. These peptides possess distinctive structures and functions by employing sophisticated mechanisms of action. This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of AMPs from the origin, structural characteristics, mechanisms of action, biological activities to clinical applications. We finally discuss the strategies to optimize and develop AMP-based treatment as the potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yu Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue-Ming Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Hong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Shao
- Department of Oncology, The 903rd Hospital of PLA, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun-Jie Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu-Rui Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jian Kang
- Oncogenic Signaling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Cai-Yun Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
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17
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Bolosov IA, Panteleev PV, Sychev SV, Sukhanov SV, Mironov PA, Myshkin MY, Shenkarev ZO, Ovchinnikova TV. Dodecapeptide Cathelicidins of Cetartiodactyla: Structure, Mechanism of Antimicrobial Action, and Synergistic Interaction With Other Cathelicidins. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:725526. [PMID: 34484167 PMCID: PMC8415029 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.725526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, dodecapeptide cathelicidins were shown to be widespread antimicrobial peptides among the Cetruminantia clade. In particular, we investigated the dodecapeptide from the domestic goat Capra hircus, designated as ChDode and its unique ortholog from the sperm whale Physeter catodon (PcDode). ChDode contains two cysteine residues, while PcDode consists of two dodecapeptide building blocks and contains four cysteine residues. The recombinant analogs of the peptides were obtained by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli cells. The structures of the peptides were studied by circular dichroism (CD), FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that PcDode adopts a β-hairpin structure in water and resembles β-hairpin antimicrobial peptides, while ChDode forms a β-structural antiparallel covalent dimer, stabilized by two intermonomer disulfide bonds. Both peptides reveal a significant right-handed twist about 200 degrees per 8 residues. In DPC micelles ChDode forms flat β-structural tetramers by antiparallel non-covalent association of the dimers. The tetramers incorporate into the micelles in transmembrane orientation. Incorporation into the micelles and dimerization significantly diminished the amplitude of backbone motions of ChDode at the picosecond-nanosecond timescale. When interacting with negatively charged membranes containing phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), the ChDode peptide adopted similar oligomeric structure and was capable to form ion-conducting pores without membrane lysis. Despite modest antibacterial activity of ChDode, a considerable synergistic effect of this peptide in combination with another goat cathelicidin – the α-helical peptide ChMAP-28 was observed. This effect is based on an increase in permeability of bacterial membranes. In turn, this mechanism can lead to an increase in the efficiency of the combined action of the synergistic pair ChMAP-28 with the Pro-rich peptide mini-ChBac7.5Nα targeting the bacterial ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia A Bolosov
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel V Panteleev
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Sergei V Sychev
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stanislav V Sukhanov
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel A Mironov
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Yu Myshkin
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Zakhar O Shenkarev
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Ovchinnikova
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Panteleev PV, Tsarev AV, Safronova VN, Reznikova OV, Bolosov IA, Sychev SV, Shenkarev ZO, Ovchinnikova TV. Structure Elucidation and Functional Studies of a Novel β-hairpin Antimicrobial Peptide from the Marine Polychaeta Capitella teleta. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18120620. [PMID: 33291782 PMCID: PMC7761999 DOI: 10.3390/md18120620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionary ancient molecular factors of innate immunity that play a key role in host defense. Among the most active and stable under physiological conditions AMPs are the peptides of animal origin that adopt a β-hairpin conformation stabilized by disulfide bridges. In this study, a novel BRICHOS-domain related AMP from the marine polychaeta Capitella teleta, named capitellacin, was produced as the recombinant analogue and investigated. The mature capitellacin exhibits high homology with the known β-hairpin AMP family—tachyplesins and polyphemusins from the horseshoe crabs. The β-hairpin structure of the recombinant capitellacin was proved by CD and NMR spectroscopy. In aqueous solution the peptide exists as monomeric right-handed twisted β-hairpin and its structure does not reveal significant amphipathicity. Moreover, the peptide retains this conformation in membrane environment and incorporates into lipid bilayer. Capitellacin exhibits a strong antimicrobial activity in vitro against a wide panel of bacteria including extensively drug-resistant strains. In contrast to other known β-hairpin AMPs, this peptide acts apparently via non-lytic mechanism at concentrations inhibiting bacterial growth. The molecular mechanism of the peptide antimicrobial action does not seem to be related to the inhibition of bacterial translation therefore other molecular targets may be assumed. The reduced cytotoxicity against human cells and high antibacterial cell selectivity as compared to tachyplesin-1 make it an attractive candidate compound for an anti-infective drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel V. Panteleev
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Andrey V. Tsarev
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Victoria N. Safronova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Olesia V. Reznikova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Ilia A. Bolosov
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Sergei V. Sychev
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Zakhar O. Shenkarev
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
- M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.V.P.); (A.V.T.); (V.N.S.); (O.V.R.); (I.A.B.); (S.V.S.); (Z.O.S.)
- Department of Biotechnology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya str., 8–2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-495-336-44-44
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19
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Kopeikin PM, Zharkova MS, Kolobov AA, Smirnova MP, Sukhareva MS, Umnyakova ES, Kokryakov VN, Orlov DS, Milman BL, Balandin SV, Panteleev PV, Ovchinnikova TV, Komlev AS, Tossi A, Shamova OV. Caprine Bactenecins as Promising Tools for Developing New Antimicrobial and Antitumor Drugs. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:552905. [PMID: 33194795 PMCID: PMC7604311 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.552905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PR-AMPs) having a potent antimicrobial activity predominantly toward Gram-negative bacteria and negligible toxicity toward host cells, are attracting attention as new templates for developing antibiotic drugs. We have previously isolated and characterized several bactenecins that are promising in this respect, from the leukocytes of the domestic goat Capra hircus: ChBac5, miniChBac7.5N-α, and -β, as well as ChBac3.4. Unlike the others, ChBac3.4 shows a somewhat unusual pattern of activities for a mammalian PR-AMP: it is more active against bacterial membranes as well as tumor and, to the lesser extent, normal cells. Here we describe a SAR study of ChBac3.4 (RFRLPFRRPPIRIHPPPFYPPFRRFL-NH2) which elucidates its peculiarities and evaluates its potential as a lead for antimicrobial or anticancer drugs based on this peptide. A set of designed structural analogues of ChBac3.4 was explored for antibacterial activity toward drug-resistant clinical isolates and antitumor properties. The N-terminal region was found to be important for the antimicrobial action, but not responsible for the toxicity toward mammalian cells. A shortened variant with the best selectivity index toward bacteria demonstrated a pronounced synergy in combination with antibiotics against Gram-negative strains, albeit with a somewhat reduced ability to inhibit biofilm formation compared to native peptide. C-terminal amidation was examined for some analogues, which did not affect antimicrobial activity, but somewhat altered the cytotoxicity toward host cells. Interestingly, non-amidated peptides showed a slight delay in their impact on bacterial membrane integrity. Peptides with enhanced hydrophobicity showed increased toxicity, but in most cases their selectivity toward tumor cells also improved. While most analogues lacked hemolytic properties, a ChBac3.4 variant with two additional tryptophan residues demonstrated an appreciable activity toward human erythrocytes. The variant demonstrating the best tumor/nontumor cell selectivity was found to more actively initiate apoptosis in target cells, though its action was slower than that of the native ChBac3.4. Its antitumor effectiveness was successfully verified in vivo in a murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of structural modification to manage caprine bactenecins’ selectivity and activity spectrum and confirm that they are promising prototypes for antimicrobial and anticancer drugs design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel M Kopeikin
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria S Zharkova
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander A Kolobov
- Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry, State Research Institute of Highly Pure Biopreparations, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria P Smirnova
- Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry, State Research Institute of Highly Pure Biopreparations, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria S Sukhareva
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ekaterina S Umnyakova
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir N Kokryakov
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy S Orlov
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Boris L Milman
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergey V Balandin
- Science-Educational Center, M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel V Panteleev
- Science-Educational Center, M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Ovchinnikova
- Science-Educational Center, M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Biotechnology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksey S Komlev
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Olga V Shamova
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides, Department of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Wang A, Chao T, Ji Z, Xuan R, Liu S, Guo M, Wang G, Wang J. Transcriptome analysis reveals potential immune function-related regulatory genes/pathways of female Lubo goat submandibular glands at different developmental stages. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9947. [PMID: 33083113 PMCID: PMC7547598 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The submandibular glands, as major salivary glands, participate in rumen digestion in goats. Sialic acid, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin and other biologically active substances secreted in the submandibular glands were reported in succession, which suggests that the submandibular gland may have immune functions in addition to participating in digestion. The aim of this study was to map the expression profile of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at three different stages by transcriptome sequencing, screen immune-related genes and pathways by bioinformatics methods, and predict the immune function of submandibular glands at different developmental stages. Methods Nine submandibular gland tissue samples were collected from groups of 1-month-old kids, 12-month-old adolescent goats and 24-month-old adult goats (3 samples from each group), and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was conducted on these samples. The DEGs among the three stages were screened and analysed. Key genes and signalling pathways were selected via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Results The results revealed 2,706, 2,525 and 52 DEGs between 1-month-old and 12-month-old goats, between 1-month-old and 24-month-old goats, and between 12-month-old and 24-month-old goats, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that most of the DEGs were enriched in immune- related GO terms and pathways. Based on functional enrichment analysis and network analysis, 10 genes (PTPRC, CD28, SELL, LCP2, MYC, LCK, ZAP70, ITGB2, SYK and CCR7), two signalling pathways (the T cell receptor signalling pathway and the NF-κβ signalling pathway) and eight GO terms (T cell receptor signalling pathway, neutrophil mediated immunity, B cell mediated immunity, regulation of alpha-beta T cell activation, positive regulation of T cell proliferation, regulation of leukocyte differentiation, positive regulation of antigen receptor-mediated signalling pathway, positive regulation of lymphocyte proliferation) that may play key roles in the immune functions of the goat submandibular glands at different developmental stages were identified. Moreover, we found that eight antibacterial peptide-encoding genes were downregulated in the tuberculosis and salivary secretion pathways, while all immunoglobulins were upregulated in 10 immune system pathways. These findings indicate that the submandibular glands may be important immunological organs during the growth process of goats and that the immune function of these glands gradually weakens with age up to 12 months but remains relatively stable after 12 months of age. Overall, this study will improve our understanding of transcriptional regulation related to goat submandibular gland immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aili Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Tianle Chao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Ji
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Rong Xuan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Maosen Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Guizhi Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, P.R. China
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21
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Li J, Fernández-Millán P, Boix E. Synergism between Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics Against Bacterial Infections. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:1238-1263. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200303122626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to conventional antibiotics is becoming one of the main global health threats and novel alternative strategies are urging. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), once forgotten, are coming back into the scene as promising tools to overcome bacterial resistance. Recent findings have attracted attention to the potentiality of AMPs to work as antibiotic adjuvants.Methods:In this review, we have tried to collect the currently available information on the mechanism of action of AMPs in synergy with other antimicrobial agents. In particular, we have focused on the mechanisms of action that mediate the inhibition of the emergence of bacterial resistance by AMPs.Results and Conclusion:We find in the literature many examples where AMPs can significantly reduce the antibiotic effective concentration. Mainly, the peptides work at the bacterial cell wall and thereby facilitate the drug access to its intracellular target. Complementarily, AMPs can also contribute to permeate the exopolysaccharide layer of biofilm communities, or even prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth. Secondly, we find other peptides that can directly block the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms or interfere with the community quorum-sensing systems. Interestingly, the effective peptide concentrations for adjuvant activity and inhibition of bacterial resistance are much lower than the required for direct antimicrobial action. Finally, many AMPs expressed by innate immune cells are endowed with immunomodulatory properties and can participate in the host response against infection. Recent studies in animal models confirm that AMPs work as adjuvants at non-toxic concentrations and can be safely administrated for novel combined chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Pablo Fernández-Millán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
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Differential Abilities of Mammalian Cathelicidins to Inhibit Bacterial Biofilm Formation and Promote Multifaceted Immune Functions of Neutrophils. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051871. [PMID: 32182913 PMCID: PMC7084556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cathelicidins act as the potent microbicidal molecules for controlling bacterial infection, and are considered promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Their ability to modulate host immune responses, as well as their bactericidal activities, is essential for therapeutic interventions. In this study, we compared the bactericidal activities, antibiofilm activities and immune-modulatory properties of cathelicidins BMAP-27, BMAP-34, mCRAMP, and LL-37, and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of BMAP-27 and LL-37 using a mouse pulmonary infection model. Our results showed that all of the four cathelicidins effectively killed bacteria via rapid induction of membrane permeabilization, and BMAP-27 exhibited the most excellent bactericidal activity against diverse bacterial pathogens. BMAP-27, mCRAMP, and LL-37 effectively inhibited biofilm formation, while BMAP-34, mCRAMP and LL-37 exerted immunomodulatory functions with varying degrees of efficacy by stimulating the chemotaxis of neutrophils, inducing the production of reactive oxygen species, and facilitating the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Of note, the combination of BMAP-27 and LL-37 effectively enhanced the clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reduced the organ injury in vivo. Together, these findings highlight that identifying the appropriate synergistic combination of mammalian cathelicidins with different beneficial properties may be an effective strategy against bacterial infection.
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