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Ye X, Zhang H, Luo X, Huang F, Sun F, Zhou L, Qin C, Ding L, Zhou H, Liu X, Chen Z. Characterization of the Hemolytic Activity of Mastoparan Family Peptides from Wasp Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:591. [PMID: 37888622 PMCID: PMC10611374 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15100591] [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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologically active peptides have attracted increasing attention in research on the development of new drugs. Mastoparans, a group of wasp venom linear cationic α-helical peptides, have a variety of biological effects, including mast cell degranulation, activation of protein G, and antimicrobial and anticancer activities. However, the potential hemolytic activity of cationic α-helical peptides greatly limits the clinical applications of mastoparans. Here, we systematically and comprehensively studied the hemolytic activity of mastoparans based on our wasp venom mastoparan family peptide library. The results showed that among 55 mastoparans, 18 had strong hemolytic activity (EC50 ≤ 100 μM), 14 had modest hemolytic activity (100 μM < EC50 ≤ 400 μM) and 23 had little hemolytic activity (EC50 > 400 μM), suggesting functional variation in the molecular diversity of mastoparan family peptides from wasp venom. Based on these data, structure-function relationships were further explored, and, hydrophobicity, but not net charge and amphiphilicity, was found to play a critical role in the hemolytic activity of mastoparans. Combining the reported antimicrobial activity with the present hemolytic activity data, we found that four mastoparan peptides, Parapolybia-MP, Mastoparan-like peptide 12b, Dominulin A and Dominulin B, have promise for applications because of their high antimicrobial activity (MIC ≤ 10 μM) and low hemolytic activity (EC50 ≥ 400 μM). Our research not only identified new leads for the antimicrobial application of mastoparans but also provided a large chemical space to support the molecular design and optimization of mastoparan family peptides with low hemolytic activity regardless of net charge or amphiphilicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Huajun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Fengyin Huang
- Department of Public Studies, Changde Vocational Technical College, Changde 415000, China;
| | - Fang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Liangbin Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Prince Wales Hospital & Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Chenhu Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China;
| | - Haimei Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.Y.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (F.S.); (C.Q.); (H.Z.); (X.L.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
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Duque HM, Rodrigues G, Santos LS, Franco OL. The biological role of charge distribution in linear antimicrobial peptides. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:287-302. [PMID: 36720196 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2173736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have received particular attention due to their capacity to kill bacteria. Although much is known about them, peptides are currently being further researched. A large number of AMPs have been discovered, but only a few have been approved for topical use, due to their promiscuity and other challenges, which need to be overcome. AREAS COVERED AMPs are diverse in structure. Consequently, they have varied action mechanisms when targeting microorganisms or eukaryotic cells. Herein, the authors focus on linear peptides, particularly those that are alpha-helical structured, and examine how their charge distribution and hydrophobic amino acids could modulate their biological activity. EXPERT OPINION The world currently needs urgent solutions to the infective problems caused by resistant pathogens. In order to start the race for antimicrobial development from the charge distribution viewpoint, bioinformatic tools will be necessary. Currently, there is no software available that allows to discriminate charge distribution in AMPs and predicts the biological effects of this event. Furthermore, there is no software available that predicts the side-chain length of residues and its role in biological functions. More specialized software is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Morales Duque
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Gisele Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Lucas Souza Santos
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, PC: (CEP) 79117-010, Campo Grande-MS, Brazil
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Design and Evaluation of Short Bovine Lactoferrin-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecium. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081085. [PMID: 36009954 PMCID: PMC9404989 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium has become an important drug-resistant nosocomial pathogen because of widespread antibiotic abuse. We developed short and chemically simple antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with a selective amino acid composition, fixed charge, and hydrophobicity ratio based on the core antimicrobial motif of bovine lactoferrin (LfcinB6). Among these peptides, 5L and 6L (both 12 residues long) demonstrated a narrow spectrum and high antibacterial activity against drug-resistant E. faecium isolates with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) that ranged from 4–16 µg/mL. At 32 µg/mL, peptides 5L and 6L inhibited E. faecium strain C68 biofilm formation by 90% and disrupted established biofilms by 75%. At 40 µg/mL, 5L reduced 1 × 107E. faecium persister cells by 3 logs within 120 min of exposure, whereas 6L eliminated all persister cells within 60 min. At 0.5× MIC, 5L and 6L significantly downregulated the expression of a crucial biofilm gene ace by 8 folds (p = 0.02) and 4 folds (p = 0.01), respectively. At 32 µg/mL, peptides 5L and 6L both depolarized the E. faecium membrane, increased fluidity, and eventually ruptured the membrane. Physiologically, 5L (at 8 µg/mL) altered the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glutathione, and purine metabolism. Interestingly, in an ex vivo model of porcine skin infection, compared to no treatment, 5L (at 10× MIC) effectively eliminated all 1 × 106 exponential (p = 0.0045) and persister E. faecium cells (p = 0.0002). In conclusion, the study outlines a roadmap for developing narrow-spectrum selective AMPs and presents peptide 5L as a potential therapeutic candidate to be explored against E. faecium.
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