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de Oliveira JR, de Morais Oliveira-Tintino CD, Carneiro JNP, Dos Santos AG, de Lima AM, Soares AM, Morais-Braga MFB, Coutinho HDM, Nicolete R. Crotamine derived from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom combined with drugs increases in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:368. [PMID: 39107625 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04096-z] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated crotamine (CTA), a peptide derived from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, known for its exceptional cell penetration potential. The objective was to explore the antibacterial and antifungal activity of CTA, its ability to inhibit efflux pumps and evaluate the effectiveness of its pharmacological combination with antibiotics and antifungals. In microbiological assays, CTA in combination with antibiotics was tested against strains of S. aureus and the inhibition of NorA, Tet(K) and MepA efflux pumps was also evaluated. CTA alone did not present clinically relevant direct antibacterial action, presenting MIC > 209.7 µM against strains S. aureus 1199B, IS-58, K2068. The standard efflux pump inhibitor CCCP showed significant effects in all negative relationships to assay reproducibility. Against the S. aureus 1199B strain, CTA (20.5 µM) associated with norfloxacin diluted 10 × (320.67 µM) showed a potentiating effect, in relation to the control. Against the S. aureus IS-58 strain, the CTA associated with tetracycline did not show a significant combinatorial effect, either with 2304 or 230.4 µM tetracycline. CTA at a concentration of 2.05 µM associated with ciprofloxacin at a concentration of 309.4 µM showed a significant potentiating effect. In association with EtBr, CTA at concentrations of 2.05 and 20.5 µM potentiated the effect in all strains tested, reducing the prevention of NorA, Tet(K) and MepA efflux pumps. In the C. albicans strain, a potentiating effect of fluconazole (334.3 µM) was observed when combined with CTA (2.05 µM). Against the C. tropicalis strain, a significant effect was also observed in the association of fluconazole 334.3 µM, where CTA 2.05 µM considerably reduced fungal growth and decreased the potentiation of fluconazole. Against the C. krusei strain, no significant potentiating effect of fluconazole was obtained by CTA. Our results indicate that CTA in pharmacological combination potentiates the effects of antibiotics and antifungal. This represents a new and promising antimicrobial strategy for treating a wide variety of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Ramos de Oliveira
- Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (Renorbio), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Fiocruz Ceará, Eusébio, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Anderson Maciel de Lima
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Educação Aplicadas à Saúde Única (LABIOPROT), Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar Martins Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Educação Aplicadas à Saúde Única (LABIOPROT), Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Centro Universitário São Lucas (São Lucas PVH), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT EPiAmO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisa e CONhecimento de EXcelência na Amazônia Ocidental/Oriental (RED-Conexao), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | | | - Roberto Nicolete
- Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (Renorbio), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Fiocruz Ceará, Eusébio, CE, Brazil.
- Rede de Pesquisa e CONhecimento de EXcelência na Amazônia Ocidental/Oriental (RED-Conexao), Manaus, AM, Brazil.
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Gomes JGDS, Brandão LC, Pinheiro DP, Pontes LQ, Carneiro RF, Quintela BCSF, Marinho ACM, Furtado GP, Rocha BAM. Kinetics characterization of a low immunogenic recombinant l-asparaginase from Phaseolus vulgaris with cytotoxic activity against leukemia cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 275:133731. [PMID: 38986978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133731] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
l-asparaginases play a crucial role in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that mostly affects children and teenagers. However, it is common for these molecules to cause adverse reactions during treatment. These downsides ignite the search for novel asparaginases to mitigate these problems. Thus, this work aimed to produce and characterize a recombinant asparaginase from Phaseolus vulgaris (Asp-P). In this study, Asp-P was expressed in Escherichia coli with high yields and optimum activity at 40 °C, pH 9.0. The enzyme Km and Vmax values were 7.05 mM and 1027 U/mg, respectively. Asp-P is specific for l-asparagine, showing no activity against l-glutamine and other amino acids. The enzyme showed a higher cytotoxic effect against Raji than K562 cell lines, but only at high concentrations. In silico analysis indicated that Asp-P has lower immunogenicity than a commercial enzyme. Asp-P induced biofilm formation by Candida sp. due to sublethal dose, showing an underexplored potential of asparaginases. The absence of glutaminase activity, lower immunogenicity and optimal activity similar to physiological temperature conditions are characteristics that indicate Asp-P as a potential new commercial enzyme in the treatment of ALL and its underexplored application in the treatment of other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Larisse Cadeira Brandão
- Departament of Fishing Engineering, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz Ceara, Eusebio, Ceara, Brazil
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Xu X, Dong Y, Yang J, Wang L, Ma L, Song F, Ma X. Secondary Metabolites from Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium rubens BTBU20213035. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:424. [PMID: 38921410 PMCID: PMC11204949 DOI: 10.3390/jof10060424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Two new polyketide derivatives, penirubenones A and B (1 and 2), and two naturally rare amino-bis-tetrahydrofuran derivatives, penirubenamides A and B (3 and 4), together with nine known compounds (5-13) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium rubens BTBU20213035. The structures were identified by HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by a comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and 13C NMR data. We found that 6 exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with an MIC value of 3.125 μg/mL, and 1 and 2 showed synergistic antifungal activity against Candida albicans at 12.5 and 50 μg/mL with 0.0625 μg/mL rapamycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources and Polar Geology, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yifei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education of China, School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jinpeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources and Polar Geology, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Long Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Linlin Ma
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Fuhang Song
- Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education of China, School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
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Basrani ST, Kadam NS, Yadav DV, Patil SB, Mohan Karuppayil S, Jadhav AK. Antifungal Activity of Mefloquine Against Candida albicans Growth and Virulence Factors: Insights Into Mode of Action. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:213. [PMID: 38847863 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03739-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug Mefloquine has demonstrated antifungal activity against growth and virulence factors of Candida albicans. The current study focused on the identification of Mefloquine's mode of action in C. albicans by performing cell susceptibility assay, biofilm assay, live and dead assay, propidium iodide uptake assay, ergosterol quantification assay, cell cycle study, and gene expression studies by RT-PCR. Mefloquine inhibited the virulence factors in C. albicans, such as germ tube formation and biofilm formation at 0.125 and 1 mg/ml, respectively. Mefloquine-treated cells showed a decrease in the quantity of ergosterol content of cell membrane in a concentration-dependent manner. Mefloquine (0.25 mg/ml) arrested C. albicans cells at the G2/M phase and S phase of the cell cycle thereby preventing the progression of the normal yeast cell cycle. ROS level was measured to find out oxidative stress in C. albicans in the presence of mefloquine. The study revealed that, mefloquine was found to enhance the ROS level and subsequently oxidative stress. Gene expression studies revealed that mefloquine treatment upregulates the expressions of SOD1, SOD2, and CAT1 genes in C. albicans. In vivo, the antifungal efficacy of mefloquine was confirmed in mice for systemic candidiasis and it was found that there was a decrease in the pathogenesis of C. albicans after the treatment of mefloquine in mice. In conclusion, mefloquine can be used as a repurposed drug as an alternative drug against Candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sargun T Basrani
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India
| | - Nandakumar S Kadam
- iSERA Biological Pvt Ltd. MIDC Shirala, Sangli, Maharashtra, 415408, India
| | | | - Shivani B Patil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India
| | - S Mohan Karuppayil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India.
| | - Ashwini K Jadhav
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, DY Patil Education Society (Deemed to Be University), Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416006, India.
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Li S, Wang Y, Xu G, Xu Y, Fu C, Zhao Q, Xu L, Jia X, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Qiao J. The combination of allicin with domiphen is effective against microbial biofilm formation. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1341316. [PMID: 38873153 PMCID: PMC11169630 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1341316] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Microorganisms in biofilms are particularly difficult to control because of their increased survival and antibiotic resistance. Allicin and domiphen were employed to inhibit the microbial growth and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans strains. Methods Broth microdilution method and checkerboard assay were conducted to determine the efficacy of allicin combined with domiphen against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Microbial biofilm formation was measured using the crystal violet staining method and fluorescence microscopy. And the total viable count of the biofilm cells on material surface after the treatment with antimicrobial reagents was calculated with the plate count technique. Results The two drugs showed synergistic effects against the pathogens with a fractional bactericidal concentration of less than 0.38. The combination of 64 μg/mL allicin with 1 μg/mL domiphen dispersed over 50% of the biofilm mass of S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. In addition, the drug combination reduced the total viable counts of E. coli and C. albicans biofilm cells on stainless steel and polyethylene surfaces by more than 102 CFU/mL. Conclusion The combination of allicin and domiphen is an effective strategy for efficiently decreasing biofilms formation on various industrial materials surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Li
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Geweirong Xu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Xu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Cuiyan Fu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Quanlin Zhao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Linjie Xu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xinzhou Jia
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaju Qiao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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6
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Efremenko E, Aslanli A, Stepanov N, Senko O, Maslova O. Various Biomimetics, Including Peptides as Antifungals. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:513. [PMID: 37999154 PMCID: PMC10669293 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8070513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomimetics, which are similar to natural compounds that play an important role in the metabolism, manifestation of functional activity and reproduction of various fungi, have a pronounced attraction in the current search for new effective antifungals. Actual trends in the development of this area of research indicate that unnatural amino acids can be used as such biomimetics, including those containing halogen atoms; compounds similar to nitrogenous bases embedded in the nucleic acids synthesized by fungi; peptides imitating fungal analogs; molecules similar to natural substrates of numerous fungal enzymes and quorum-sensing signaling molecules of fungi and yeast, etc. Most parts of this review are devoted to the analysis of semi-synthetic and synthetic antifungal peptides and their targets of action. This review is aimed at combining and systematizing the current scientific information accumulating in this area of research, developing various antifungals with an assessment of the effectiveness of the created biomimetics and the possibility of combining them with other antimicrobial substances to reduce cell resistance and improve antifungal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Efremenko
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lenin Hills 1/3, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Carvalho RJP, Souza PFN, Malveira EA, Neto NAS, Silva RRS, Melo GLC, Silva AFB, Lima LB, de Albuquerque CC, Bastos RW, Goldman GH, de Freitas CDT. Antimicrobial Activity the Essential Oil from Croton pluriglandulosus Carn. Leaves against Microorganisms of Clinical Interest. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:756. [PMID: 37504744 PMCID: PMC10381380 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiresistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. The genus Candida is one class of human pathogenic yeasts responsible for infections affecting healthy and immunocompromised patients. In this context, plant essential oils emerged as a future natural alternative to control the diseases caused by these pathogens. Based on that, the present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of essential oil from C. pluriglandulosus and understand the mechanism of action. Here, it highlighted antimicrobial activity and the mechanisms of action of the essential oil extracted from C. pluriglandulosus Carn.-Torres & Riina (CpEO) leaves on human pathogenic microorganisms in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles. In addition, for the first time, the oil composition was revealed by GC-MS analysis and the toxicity to human red blood cells (HRBC). Twenty-six chemical compounds were identified in CpEO, elemicin, bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene, brevifolin, and 2,4,6-trimethoxy-styrene. Through hemolytic assay, it was shown that CpEO has no toxicity to human RBCs. At the concentration of 50 μg mL-1, CpEO did not show great antibacterial potential. However, promising data were found for C. krusei and C. parapsilosis inhibiting by 89.3% and 80.7% of planktonic cell growth and 83.5% and 77.9% the biofilm formation, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action CpEO were elucidated by fluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell membrane and pore formation, ROS overproduction, and induction of apoptosis in candida cells. Our results reinforce the potential of CpEO as an effective alternative molecule of pharmaceutical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayara J P Carvalho
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
| | - Pedro F N Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Ellen A Malveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
| | - Nilton A S Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
| | - Romério R S Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
| | - Gabriel L C Melo
- Department of Fishery Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60356-000, Brazil
| | - Ayrles F B Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
| | - Leandro B Lima
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró 59650-000, Brazil
| | - Cynthia C de Albuquerque
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró 59650-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael W Bastos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Cleverson D T de Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
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Giving a Hand: Synthetic Peptides Boost the Antifungal Activity of Itraconazole against Cryptococcus neoformans. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020256. [PMID: 36830167 PMCID: PMC9952215 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020256] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a multidrug-resistant pathogen responsible for infections in immunocompromised patients. Here, itraconazole (ITR), a commercial antifungal drug with low effectiveness against C. neoformans, was combined with different synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs), Mo-CBP3-PepII, RcAlb-PepII, RcAlb-PepIII, PepGAT, and PepKAA. The Mo-CBP3-PepII was designed based on the sequence of MoCBP3, purified from Moringa oleifera seeds. RcAlb-PepII and RcAlb-PepIII were designed using Rc-2S-Alb, purified from Ricinus communis seed cakes. The putative sequence of a chitinase from Arabidopsis thaliana was used to design PepGAT and PepKAA. All SAMPs have a positive liquid charge and a hydrophobic potential ranging from 41-65%. The mechanisms of action responsible for the combined effect were evaluated for the best combinations using fluorescence microscopy (FM). The synthetic peptides enhanced the activity of ITR by 10-fold against C. neoformans. Our results demonstrated that the combinations could induce pore formation in the membrane and the overaccumulation of ROS on C. neoformans cells. Our findings indicate that our peptides successfully potentialize the activity of ITR against C. neoformans. Therefore, synthetic peptides are potential molecules to assist antifungal agents in treating Cryptococcal infections.
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Punginelli D, Catania V, Vazzana M, Mauro M, Spinello A, Barone G, Barberi G, Fiorica C, Vitale M, Cunsolo V, Saletti R, Di Francesco A, Arizza V, Schillaci D. A Novel Peptide with Antifungal Activity from Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121792. [PMID: 36551449 PMCID: PMC9774249 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The defense system of freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii as a diversified source of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial properties was studied. Antimicrobial activity of two polypeptide-enriched extracts obtained from hemocytes and hemolymph of P. clarkii were assessed against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria and toward the yeast Candida albicans. The two peptide fractions showed interesting MIC values (ranging from 11 to 700 μg/mL) against all tested pathogens. Polypeptide-enriched extracts were further investigated using a high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search and 14 novel peptides were identified. Some peptides and their derivatives were chemically synthesized and tested in vitro against the bacterial and yeast pathogens. The analysis identified a synthetic derivative peptide, which showed an interesting antifungal (MIC and MFC equal to 31.2 μg/mL and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively) and antibiofilm (BIC50 equal to 23.2 μg/mL) activities against Candida albicans and a low toxicity in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Punginelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Catania
- Department of Earth and Sea Science (DISTEM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Barberi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Fiorica
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cunsolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosaria Saletti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Francesco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Schillaci
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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Neto NAS, Oliveira JTA, Aguiar TKB, Bezerra LP, Branco LAC, Mesquita FP, Freitas CDT, Souza PFN. Synergistic Antibiofilm Activity between Synthetic Peptides and Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11090995. [PMID: 36145427 PMCID: PMC9505254 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11090995] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen known to be resistant to antibiotics since the mid-20th century and is constantly associated with hospital-acquired infections. S. aureus forms biofilms, which are complex surface-attached communities of bacteria held together by a self-produced polymer matrix consisting of proteins, extracellular DNA, and polysaccharides. Biofilms are resistance structures responsible for increasing bacterial resistance to drugs by 1000 times more than the planktonic lifestyle. Therefore, studies have been conducted to discover novel antibacterial molecules to prevent biofilm formation and/or degrade preformed biofilms. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) have appeared as promising alternative agents to overcome increasing antibiotic resistance. Here, the antibiofilm activity of eight SAMPs, in combination with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, was investigated in vitro. Biofilm formation by S. aureus was best inhibited (76%) by the combination of Mo-CBP3-PepIII (6.2 µg mL−1) and ciprofloxacin (0.39 µg mL−1). In contrast, the highest reduction (60%) of the preformed biofilm mass was achieved with RcAlb-PepII (1.56 µg mL−1) and ciprofloxacin (0.78 µg mL−1). Fluorescence microscopy analysis reinforced these results. These active peptides formed pores in the cellular membrane of S. aureus, which may be related to the enhanced ciprofloxacin’s antibacterial activity. Our findings indicated that these peptides may act with ciprofloxacin and are powerful co-adjuvant agents for the treatment of S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilton A. S. Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
| | - Jose T. A. Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
- Correspondence: (J.T.A.O.); (P.F.N.S.)
| | - Tawanny K. B. Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
| | - Leandro P. Bezerra
- Department of Fisheries Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
| | - Levi A. C. Branco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
| | - Felipe P. Mesquita
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Caixa, Fortaleza 60430, CE, Brazil
| | - Cleverson D. T. Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
| | - Pedro F. N. Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451, CE, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Caixa, Fortaleza 60430, CE, Brazil
- Correspondence: (J.T.A.O.); (P.F.N.S.)
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