1
|
Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maset RG, Hapeshi A, Lapage J, Harrington N, Littler J, Perrier S, Harrison F. Combining SNAPs with antibiotics shows enhanced synergistic efficacy against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:36. [PMID: 37291132 PMCID: PMC10250483 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00401-8] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm infections are associated with a high mortality risk for patients. Antibiotics perform poorly against biofilm communities, so high doses and prolonged treatments are often used in clinical settings. We investigated the pairwise interactions of two synthetic nano-engineered antimicrobial polymers (SNAPs). The g-D50 copolymer was synergistic with penicillin and silver sulfadiazine against planktonic Staphylococcus aureus USA300 in synthetic wound fluid. Furthermore, the combination of g-D50 and silver sulfadiazine showed a potent synergistic antibiofilm activity against S. aureus USA300 using in vitro and ex vivo wound biofilm models. The a-T50 copolymer was synergistic with colistin against planktonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa in synthetic cystic fibrosis medium, and this pair showed a potent synergistic antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa in an ex vivo cystic fibrosis lung model. SNAPs thus have the potential for increased antibiofilm performance in combination with certain antibiotics to shorten prolonged treatments and reduce dosages against biofilm infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexia Hapeshi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - John Lapage
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Niamh Harrington
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZV, UK
| | - Jenny Littler
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Freya Harrison
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Singh J, Valdés-López O. A nodule peptide confiscates haem to promote iron uptake in rhizobia. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:125-127. [PMID: 36443185 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.11.005] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nodule cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides have a major role in the differentiation of endocytosed bacteria into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. A recent paper by Sankari et al. indicates that NCR247 is essential for the uptake of iron, a mineral nutrient required for nitrogenase activity. Furthermore, the special ability of NCR247 to sequester haem suggests potential applications for human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jawahar Singh
- Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional de Leguminosas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, México
| | - Oswaldo Valdés-López
- Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional de Leguminosas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, México.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Howan DHO, Jenei S, Szolomajer J, Endre G, Kondorosi É, Tóth GK. Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Substituted Derivatives of NCR169C Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032694. [PMID: 36769017 PMCID: PMC9917201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Medicago truncatula in symbiosis with its rhizobial bacterium partner produces more than 700 nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides with diverse physicochemical properties. Most of the cationic NCR peptides have antimicrobial activity and the potential to tackle antimicrobial resistance with their novel modes of action. This work focuses on the antibacterial activity of the NCR169 peptide derivatives as we previously demonstrated that the C-terminal sequence of NCR169 (NCR169C17-38) has antifungal activity, affecting the viability, morphology, and biofilm formation of various Candida species. Here, we show that NCR169C17-38 and its various substituted derivatives are also able to kill ESKAPE pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The replacement of the two cysteines with serines enhanced the antimicrobial activity against most of the tested bacteria, indicating that the formation of a disulfide bridge is not required. As tryptophan can play role in the interaction with bacterial membranes and thus in antibacterial activity, we replaced the tryptophans in the NCR169C17-38C12,17/S sequence with various modified tryptophans, namely 5-methyl tryptophan, 5-fluoro tryptophan, 6-fluoro tryptophan, 7-aza tryptophan, and 5-methoxy tryptophan, in the synthesis of NCR169C17-38C12,17/S analogs. The results demonstrate that the presence of modified fluorotryptophans can significantly enhance the antimicrobial activity without notable hemolytic effect, and this finding could be beneficial for the further development of new AMPs from the members of the NCR peptide family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dian H. O. Howan
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Jenei
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Szolomajer
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Endre
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Kondorosi
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor K. Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dinkins RD, Hancock JA, Bickhart DM, Sullivan ML, Zhu H. Expression and Variation of the Genes Involved in Rhizobium Nodulation in Red Clover. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2888. [PMID: 36365339 PMCID: PMC9655500 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is an important forage crop and serves as a major contributor of nitrogen input in pasture settings because of its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. During the legume-rhizobial symbiosis, the host plant undergoes a large number of gene expression changes, leading to development of root nodules that house the rhizobium bacteria as they are converted into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. Many of the genes involved in symbiosis are conserved across legume species, while others are species-specific with little or no homology across species and likely regulate the specific plant genotype/symbiont strain interactions. Red clover has not been widely used for studying symbiotic nitrogen fixation, primarily due to its outcrossing nature, making genetic analysis rather complicated. With the addition of recent annotated genomic resources and use of RNA-seq tools, we annotated and characterized a number of genes that are expressed only in nodule forming roots. These genes include those encoding nodule-specific cysteine rich peptides (NCRs) and nodule-specific Polycystin-1, Lipoxygenase, Alpha toxic (PLAT) domain proteins (NPDs). Our results show that red clover encodes one of the highest number of NCRs and ATS3-like/NPDs, which are postulated to increase nitrogen fixation efficiency, in the Inverted-Repeat Lacking Clade (IRLC) of legumes. Knowledge of the variation and expression of these genes in red clover will provide more insights into the function of these genes in regulating legume-rhizobial symbiosis and aid in breeding of red clover genotypes with increased nitrogen fixation efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randy D. Dinkins
- Forage-Animal Production Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Julie A. Hancock
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA
| | | | | | - Hongyan Zhu
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu S, Wang X, Li Q, Peng W, Zhang Z, Chu P, Guo S, Fan Y, Lyu S. AtGCS promoter-driven clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 highly efficiently generates homozygous/biallelic mutations in the transformed roots by Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:952428. [PMID: 36330262 PMCID: PMC9623429 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.952428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated (ARM) transformation is an efficient and powerful tool to generate transgenic roots to study root-related biology. For loss-of-function studies, transgenic-root-induced indel mutations by CRISPR/Cas9 only with homozygous/biallelic mutagenesis can exhibit mutant phenotype(s) (excluding recessive traits). However, a low frequency of homozygous mutants was produced by a constitutive promoter to drive Cas9 expression. Here, we identified a highly efficient Arabidopsis thaliana gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase promoter, termed AtGCSpro, with strong activity in the region where the root meristem will initiate and in the whole roots in broad eudicots species. AtGCSpro achieved higher homozygous/biallelic mutation efficiency than the most widely used CaMV 35S promoter in driving Cas9 expression in soybean, Lotus japonicus, and tomato roots. Using the pAtGCSpro-Cas9 system, the average homozygous/biallelic mutation frequency is 1.7-fold and 8.3-fold higher than the p2 × 35Spro-Cas9 system for single and two target site(s) in the genome, respectively. Our results demonstrate the advantage of the pAtGCSpro-Cas9 system used in ARM transformation, especially its great potential in diploids with multiple-copy genes targeted mutations and polyploid plants with multiplex genome editing. AtGCSpro is conservatively active in various eudicots species, suggesting that AtGCSpro might be applied in a wide range of dicots species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yinglun Fan
- *Correspondence: Yinglun Fan, ; Shanhua Lyu, ;
| | - Shanhua Lyu
- *Correspondence: Yinglun Fan, ; Shanhua Lyu, ;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Roy S, Müller LM. A rulebook for peptide control of legume-microbe endosymbioses. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:870-889. [PMID: 35246381 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plants engage in mutually beneficial relationships with microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, for optimized nutrient acquisition. In return, the microbial symbionts receive photosynthetic carbon from the plant. Both symbioses are regulated by the plant nutrient status, indicating the existence of signaling pathways that allow the host to fine-tune its interactions with the beneficial microbes depending on its nutrient requirements. Peptide hormones coordinate a plethora of developmental and physiological processes and, recently, various peptide families have gained special attention as systemic and local regulators of plant-microbe interactions and nutrient homeostasis. In this review, we identify five 'rules' or guiding principles that govern peptide function during symbiotic plant-microbe interactions, and highlight possible points of integration with nutrient acquisition pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Roy
- College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA.
| | - Lena Maria Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Garcia Maset R, Hapeshi A, Hall S, Dalgliesh RM, Harrison F, Perrier S. Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity in Host-Mimicking Media and In Vivo Toxicity of Antimicrobial Polymers as Functional Mimics of AMPs. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:32855-32868. [PMID: 35819416 PMCID: PMC9335526 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Activity tests for synthetic antimicrobial compounds are often limited to the minimal inhibitory concentration assay using standard media and bacterial strains. In this study, a family of acrylamide copolymers that act as synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides were synthesized and shown to have a disruptive effect on bacterial membranes and structural integrity through microscopy techniques and membrane polarization experiments. The polymers were tested for their antimicrobial properties using media that mimic clinically relevant conditions. Additionally, their activity was compared in two different strains of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We showed that the medium composition can have an important influence on the polymer activity as there was a considerable reduction in minimal inhibitory concentrations against S. aureus grown in synthetic wound fluid (SWF), and against P. aeruginosa grown in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum media (SCFM), compared to the concentrations in standard testing media. In contrast, we observed a complete loss of activity against P. aeruginosa in the serum-containing SWF. Finally, we made use of an emerging invertebrate in vivo model, using Galleria mellonella larvae, to assess toxicity of the polymeric antimicrobials, showing a good correlation with cell line toxicity measurements and demonstrating its potential in the evaluation of novel antimicrobial materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexia Hapeshi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Stephen Hall
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- ISIS
Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0DE, U.K.
| | - Robert M. Dalgliesh
- ISIS
Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0DE, U.K.
| | - Freya Harrison
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Warwick
Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Faculty
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lima RM, Rathod BB, Tiricz H, Howan DHO, Al Bouni MA, Jenei S, Tímár E, Endre G, Tóth GK, Kondorosi É. Legume Plant Peptides as Sources of Novel Antimicrobial Molecules Against Human Pathogens. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:870460. [PMID: 35755814 PMCID: PMC9218685 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.870460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are prominent components of the plant immune system acting against a wide variety of pathogens. Legume plants from the inverted repeat lacking clade (IRLC) have evolved a unique gene family encoding nodule-specific cysteine-rich NCR peptides acting in the symbiotic cells of root nodules, where they convert their bacterial endosymbionts into non-cultivable, polyploid nitrogen-fixing cells. NCRs are usually 30–50 amino acids long peptides having a characteristic pattern of 4 or 6 cysteines and highly divergent amino acid composition. While the function of NCRs is largely unknown, antimicrobial activity has been demonstrated for a few cationic Medicago truncatula NCR peptides against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The advantages of these plant peptides are their broad antimicrobial spectrum, fast killing modes of actions, multiple bacterial targets, and low propensity to develop resistance to them and no or low cytotoxicity to human cells. In the IRLC legumes, the number of NCR genes varies from a few to several hundred and it is possible that altogether hundreds of thousands of different NCR peptides exist. Due to the need for new antimicrobial agents, we investigated the antimicrobial potential of 104 synthetic NCR peptides from M. truncatula, M. sativa, Pisum sativum, Galega orientalis and Cicer arietinum against eight human pathogens, including ESKAPE bacteria. 50 NCRs showed antimicrobial activity with differences in the antimicrobial spectrum and effectivity. The most active peptides eliminated bacteria at concentrations from 0.8 to 3.1 μM. High isoelectric point and positive net charge were important but not the only determinants of their antimicrobial activity. Testing the activity of shorter peptide derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans led to identification of regions responsible for the antimicrobial activity and provided insight into their potential modes of action. This work provides highly potent lead molecules without hemolytic activity on human blood cells for novel antimicrobial drugs to fight against pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui M Lima
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Hilda Tiricz
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dian H O Howan
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Sándor Jenei
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Tímár
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Endre
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor K Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Kondorosi
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
de Santana CJC, Pires Júnior OR, Fontes W, Palma MS, Castro MS. Mastoparans: A Group of Multifunctional α-Helical Peptides With Promising Therapeutic Properties. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:824989. [PMID: 35813822 PMCID: PMC9263278 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.824989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologically active peptides have been attracting increasing attention, whether to improve the understanding of their mechanisms of action or in the search for new therapeutic drugs. Wasp venoms have been explored as a remarkable source for these molecules. In this review, the main findings on the group of wasp linear cationic α-helical peptides called mastoparans were discussed. These compounds have a wide variety of biological effects, including mast cell degranulation, activation of protein G, phospholipase A2, C, and D activation, serotonin and insulin release, and antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer activities, which could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos José Correia de Santana
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Júnior
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Wagner Fontes
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mário Sérgio Palma
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Mariana S. Castro
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Mariana S. Castro,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Váradi G, Galgóczy L, Tóth GK. Rationally Designed Antimicrobial Peptides Are Potential Tools to Combat Devastating Bacteria and Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116244. [PMID: 35682921 PMCID: PMC9181708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Györgyi Váradi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - László Galgóczy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor K. Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
de Souza CM, da Silva ÁP, Júnior NGO, Martínez OF, Franco OL. Peptides as a therapeutic strategy against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:335-348. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
13
|
Szerencsés B, Gácser A, Endre G, Domonkos I, Tiricz H, Vágvölgyi C, Szolomajer J, Howan DHO, Tóth GK, Pfeiffer I, Kondorosi É. Symbiotic NCR Peptide Fragments Affect the Viability, Morphology and Biofilm Formation of Candida Species. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073666. [PMID: 33915930 PMCID: PMC8037406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing rate of fungal infections causes global problems not only in human healthcare but agriculture as well. To combat fungal pathogens limited numbers of antifungal agents are available therefore alternative drugs are needed. Antimicrobial peptides are potent candidates because of their broad activity spectrum and their diverse mode of actions. The model legume Medicago truncatula produces >700 nodule specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides in symbiosis and many of them have in vitro antimicrobial activities without considerable toxicity on human cells. In this work we demonstrate the anticandidal activity of the NCR335 and NCR169 peptide derivatives against five Candida species by using the micro-dilution method, measuring inhibition of biofilm formation with the XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) assay, and assessing the morphological change of dimorphic Candida species by microscopy. We show that both the N- and C-terminal regions of NCR335 possess anticandidal activity as well as the C-terminal sequence of NCR169. The active peptides inhibit biofilm formation and the yeast-hypha transformation. Combined treatment of C. auris with peptides and fluconazole revealed synergistic interactions and reduced 2-8-fold the minimal inhibitory concentrations. Our results demonstrate that shortening NCR peptides can even enhance and broaden their anticandidal activity and therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Szerencsés
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (B.S.); (A.G.); (C.V.)
| | - Attila Gácser
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (B.S.); (A.G.); (C.V.)
| | - Gabriella Endre
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (G.E.); (I.D.); (H.T.)
| | - Ildikó Domonkos
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (G.E.); (I.D.); (H.T.)
| | - Hilda Tiricz
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (G.E.); (I.D.); (H.T.)
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (B.S.); (A.G.); (C.V.)
| | - János Szolomajer
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (J.S.); (D.H.O.H.); (G.K.T.)
| | - Dian H. O. Howan
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (J.S.); (D.H.O.H.); (G.K.T.)
| | - Gábor K. Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (J.S.); (D.H.O.H.); (G.K.T.)
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ilona Pfeiffer
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (B.S.); (A.G.); (C.V.)
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (É.K.)
| | - Éva Kondorosi
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (G.E.); (I.D.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (É.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Antibiotic Resistance Profiles, Molecular Mechanisms and Innovative Treatment Strategies of Acinetobacter baumannii. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060935. [PMID: 32575913 PMCID: PMC7355832 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest challenges for the clinical sector and industry, environment and societal development. One of the most important pathogens responsible for severe nosocomial infections is Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative bacterium from the Moraxellaceae family, due to its various resistance mechanisms, such as the β-lactamases production, efflux pumps, decreased membrane permeability and altered target site of the antibiotic. The enormous adaptive capacity of A. baumannii and the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants contribute to the ineffectiveness of most current therapeutic strategies, including last-line or combined antibiotic therapy. In this review, we will present an update of the antibiotic resistance profiles and underlying mechanisms in A. baumannii and the current progress in developing innovative strategies for combating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) infections.
Collapse
|
15
|
Lima RM, Kylarová S, Mergaert P, Kondorosi É. Unexplored Arsenals of Legume Peptides With Potential for Their Applications in Medicine and Agriculture. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1307. [PMID: 32625188 PMCID: PMC7314904 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During endosymbiosis, bacteria live intracellularly in the symbiotic organ of their host. The host controls the proliferation of endosymbionts and prevents their spread to other tissues and organs. In Rhizobium-legume symbiosis the major host effectors are secreted nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides, produced exclusively in the symbiotic cells. NCRs have evolved in the Inverted Repeat Lacking Clade (IRLC) of the Leguminosae family. They are secreted peptides that mediate terminal differentiation of the endosymbionts, forming polyploid, non-cultivable cells with increased membrane permeability. NCRs form an extremely large family of peptides, which have four or six conserved cysteines but otherwise highly diverse amino acid sequences, resulting in a wide variety of anionic, neutral and cationic peptides. In vitro, many synthetic NCRs have strong antimicrobial activities against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including the ESKAPE strains and pathogenic fungi. The spectra and minimal bactericidal and anti-fungal concentrations of NCRs differ, indicating that, in addition to their charge, the amino acid composition and sequence also play important roles in their antimicrobial activity. NCRs attack the bacteria and fungi at the cell envelope and membrane as well as intracellularly, forming interactions with multiple essential cellular machineries. NCR-like peptides with similar symbiotic functions as the NCRs also exist in other branches of the Leguminosae family. Thus, legumes provide countless and so far unexplored sources of symbiotic peptides representing an enormous resource of pharmacologically interesting molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui M Lima
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Salome Kylarová
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Peter Mergaert
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Éva Kondorosi
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|