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Yosefi G, Kass I, Rapaport H, Bitton R. Decoupling Charge and Side Chain Effects in Hierarchical Organization of Cationic PFX Peptide and Alginate. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:4168-4176. [PMID: 38902961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
We have successfully created self-assembled membranes by combining positively charged (Pro-X-(Phe-X)5-Pro) PFX peptides with negatively charged alginate. These PFX/alginate membranes were formed by three different peptides that contain either X = Arginine (R), Histidine (H), or Ornithine (O) as their charged amino acid. The assemblies were compared to membranes that were previously reported by us composed of X = lysine (K). This study enabled us to elucidate the impact of amino acids' specific interactions on membrane formation. SEM, SAXS, and cryo-TEM measurements show that although K, R, H, and O may have a similar net charge, the specific traits of the charged amino acid is an essential factor in determining the hierarchical structure of alginate/PFX self-assembled membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Yosefi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Itamar Kass
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Hanna Rapaport
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ronit Bitton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Dongrui Z, Miyamoto M, Yokoo H, Demizu Y. Innovative peptide architectures: advancements in foldamers and stapled peptides for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:699-723. [PMID: 38753534 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2350568] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Peptide foldamers play a critical role in pharmaceutical research and biomedical applications. This review highlights recent (post-2020) advancements in novel foldamers, synthetic techniques, and their applications in pharmaceutical research. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize the structures and applications of peptide foldamers such as α, β, γ-peptides, hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, urea-type foldamers, sulfonic-γ-amino acid foldamers, aromatic foldamers, and peptoids, which tackle the challenges of traditional peptide drugs. Regarding antimicrobial use, foldamers have shown progress in their potential against drug-resistant bacteria. In drug development, peptide foldamers have been used as drug delivery systems (DDS) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION These structures exhibit resistance to enzymatic degradation, are promising for therapeutic delivery, and disrupt crucial PPIs associated with diseases such as cancer with specificity, versatility, and stability, which are useful therapeutic properties. However, the complexity and cost of their synthesis, along with the necessity for thorough safety and efficacy assessments, necessitate extensive research and cross-sector collaboration. Advances in synthesis methods, computational modeling, and targeted delivery systems are essential for fully realizing the therapeutic potential of foldamers and integrating them into mainstream medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dongrui
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Maho Miyamoto
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Yokoo
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Science of Okayama University, Kita, Japan
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Yang B, Li W, Mao Y, Zhao Y, Xue Y, Xu X, Zhao Y, Liu K. Study on antimicrobial activity of sturgeon skin mucus polypeptides (Rational Design, Self-Assembly and Application). Food Chem X 2024; 21:101236. [PMID: 38406763 PMCID: PMC10884804 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the favorable biocompatibility of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), their scarcity limits their practical application. Through rational design, the activity of AMPs can be enhanced to expand their application. In this study, we selected a natural sturgeon epidermal mucus peptide, AP-16 (APATPAAPALLPLWLL), as the model molecule and studied its conformational regulation and antimicrobial activity through amino acid substitutions and N-terminal lipidation. The structural and morphological transitions of the peptide self-assemblies were investigated using circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy. Following amino acid substitution, the conformation of AL-16 (AKATKAAKALLKLWLL) did not change. Following N-terminal alkylation, the C8-AL-16 and C12-AL-16 conformations changed from random coil to β-sheet or α-helix, and the self-assembly changed from nanofibers to nanospheres. AL-16, C8-AL-16, and C8-AL-16 presented significant antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas and Shewanella at low concentrations. N-terminal alkylation effectively extended the shelf life of Litopenaeus vannamei. These results support the application of natural AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beining Yang
- Sanya Oceanographic Institution /College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Sanya/Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Li
- China Department of General Surgery, The District Hospital of Qingdao West Coast New Area, Qngdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yuxuan Mao
- National Engineering Research Center for Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuanhui Zhao
- Sanya Oceanographic Institution /College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Sanya/Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yong Xue
- Sanya Oceanographic Institution /College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Sanya/Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinxing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Sanya Oceanographic Institution /College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Sanya/Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Kang Liu
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Processing Technology for Aquatic Products, Xiamen, China
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4
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Oshiro KGN, Freitas CDP, Rezende SB, Orozco RMQ, Chan LY, Lawrence N, Lião LM, Macedo MLR, Craik DJ, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Deciphering the structure and mechanism of action of computer-designed mastoparan peptides. FEBS J 2024; 291:865-883. [PMID: 37997610 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17010] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mastoparans are cationic peptides with multifunctional pharmacological properties. Mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were computationally designed based on native mastoparan-L from wasps and have improved therapeutic potential for the control of bacterial infections. Here, we evaluated whether these peptides maintain their activity against Escherichia coli strains under a range of salt concentrations. We found that mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 preserved their activity under the conditions tested, including having antibacterial activities at physiological salt concentrations. The overall structure of the peptides was investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy in a range of solvents. No significant changes in secondary structure were observed (random coil in aqueous solutions and α-helix in hydrophobic and anionic environments). The three-dimensional structures of mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were elucidated through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing amphipathic α-helical segments for Leu3-Ile13 (mastoparan-R1) and Leu3-Ile14 (mastoparan-R4). Possible membrane-association mechanisms for mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were investigated through surface plasmon resonance and leakage studies with synthetic POPC and POPC/POPG (4:1) lipid bilayers. Mastoparan-L had the highest affinity for both membrane systems, whereas the two analogs had weaker association, but improved selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This finding was also supported by molecular dynamics simulations, in which mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were found to have greater interactions with bacteria-like membranes compared with model mammalian membranes. Despite having a few differences in their functional and structural profiles, the mastoparan-R1 analog stood out with the highest activity, greater bacteriostatic potential, and selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This study reinforces the potential of mastoparan-R1 as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G N Oshiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Carlos D P Freitas
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Samilla B Rezende
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Raquel M Q Orozco
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luciano M Lião
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maria L R Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
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Li X, Hao Y, Yang N, Mao R, Teng D, Wang J. Plectasin: from evolution to truncation, expression, and better druggability. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1304825. [PMID: 38188573 PMCID: PMC10771296 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1304825] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-computational classical evolution analysis of plectasin and its functional relatives can especially contribute tool value during access to meet requirements for their better druggability in clinical use. Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect the skin, blood, and other tissues of humans and animals. The impact of pathogens on humans is exacerbated by the crisis of drug resistance caused by the misuse of antibiotics. In this study, we analyzed the evolution of anti-Staphylococcus target functional sequences, designed a series of plectasin derivatives by truncation, and recombinantly expressed them in Pichia pastoris X-33, from which the best recombinant Ple-AB was selected for the druggability study. The amount of total protein reached 2.9 g/L following 120 h of high-density expression in a 5-L fermenter. Ple-AB was found to have good bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging between 2 and 16 μg/mL. It showed good stability and maintained its bactericidal activity during high temperatures, strong acid and alkali environments. Notably, Ple-AB exhibited better druggability, including excellent trypsin resistance, and still possessed approximately 50% of its initial activity following exposure to simulated intestinal fluids for 1 h. In vitro safety testing of Ple-AB revealed low hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and cytotoxicity against murine-derived macrophages. This study successfully realized the high expression of a new antimicrobial peptide (AMP), Ple-AB, in P. pastoris and the establishment of its oral administration as an additive form with high trypsin resistance; the study also revealed its antibacterial properties, indicating that truncation design is a valuable tool for improving druggability and that the candidate Ple-AB may be a novel promising antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Hao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
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Freitas CG, Felipe MS. Candida albicans and Antifungal Peptides. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2631-2648. [PMID: 37940816 PMCID: PMC10746669 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00889-9] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, a ubiquitous opportunistic fungal pathogen, plays a pivotal role in human health and disease. As a commensal organism, it normally resides harmlessly within the human microbiota. However, under certain conditions, C. albicans can transition into a pathogenic state, leading to various infections collectively known as candidiasis. With the increasing prevalence of immunocompromised individuals and the widespread use of invasive medical procedures, candidiasis has become a significant public health concern. The emergence of drug-resistant strains further complicates treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Antifungal peptides (AFPs) have gained considerable attention as potential candidates for combating Candida spp. infections. These naturally occurring peptides possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including specific efficacy against C. albicans. AFPs exhibit several advantageous properties, such as rapid killing kinetics, low propensity for resistance development, and diverse mechanisms of action, making them promising alternatives to conventional antifungal agents. In recent years, extensive research has focused on discovering and developing novel AFPs with improved efficacy and selectivity against Candida species. Advances in biotechnology and synthetic peptide design have enabled the modification and optimization of natural peptides, enhancing their stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, several challenges must be addressed before AFPs can be widely implemented in clinical practice. These include optimizing peptide stability, enhancing delivery methods, overcoming potential toxicity concerns, and conducting comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies. This commentary presents a short overview of candidemia and AFP; articles and reviews published in the last 10 years were searched on The National Library of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information-NIH-PubMed). The terms used were C. albicans infections, antimicrobial peptides, antifungal peptides, antifungal peptides mechanisms of action, candidemia treatments and guidelines, synthetic peptides and their challenges, and antimicrobial peptides in clinical trials as the main ones. Older publications were cited if they brought some relevant concept or helped to bring a perspective into our narrative. Articles older than 20 years and those that appeared in PubMed but did not match our goal to bring updated information about using antifungal peptides as an alternative to C. albicans infections were not considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila G Freitas
- Higher Education Course in Food Technology, Instituto Federal de Brasília (IFB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Felipe
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
- Universidade de Brasília (UNB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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Mechkarska M, Cunning TS, Taggart MG, Ternan NG, Leprince J, Coquet L, Jouenne T, Tena-Garcés J, Calvete JJ, Conlon JM. Identification of an Antimicrobial Peptide from the Venom of the Trinidad Thick-Tailed Scorpion Tityus trinitatis with Potent Activity against ESKAPE Pathogens and Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1404. [PMID: 37760701 PMCID: PMC10525828 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091404] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Envenomation by the Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion Tityus trinitatis may result in fatal myocarditis and there is a high incidence of acute pancreatitis among survivors. Peptidomic analysis (reversed-phase HPLC followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation) of T. trinitatis venom led to the isolation and characterization of three peptides with antimicrobial activity. Their primary structures were established asTtAP-1 (FLGSLFSIGSKLLPGVFKLFSRKKQ.NH2), TtAP-2 (IFGMIPGLIGGLISAFK.NH2) and TtAP-3 (FFSLIPSLIGGLVSAIK.NH2). In addition, potassium channel and sodium channel toxins, present in the venom in high abundance, were identified by CID-MS/MS sequence analysis. TtAP-1 was the most potent against a range of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes and against the anaerobe Clostridioides difficile (MIC = 3.1-12.5 µg/mL). At a concentration of 1× MIC, TtAP-1 produced rapid cell death (<15 min against Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus). The therapeutic potential of TtAP-1 as an anti-infective agent is limited by its high hemolytic activity (LC50 = 18 µg/mL against mouse erythrocytes) but the peptide constitutes a template for the design of analogs that maintain the high bactericidal activity against ESKAPE pathogens but are less toxic to human cells. It is suggested that the antimicrobial peptides in the scorpion venom facilitate the action of the neurotoxins by increasing the membrane permeability of cells from either prey or predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mechkarska
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, St. Augustine Campus, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Taylor S. Cunning
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (T.S.C.); (M.G.T.); (N.G.T.)
| | - Megan G. Taggart
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (T.S.C.); (M.G.T.); (N.G.T.)
| | - Nigel G. Ternan
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (T.S.C.); (M.G.T.); (N.G.T.)
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Université Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NorDiC UMR 1239, HeRacLeS, US 51, PRIMACEN, F-76000 Rouen, France;
| | - Laurent Coquet
- Université Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, HeRacLeS US 51 UAR 2026 PISSARO, F-76000 Rouen, France; (L.C.); (T.J.)
| | - Thierry Jouenne
- Université Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, HeRacLeS US 51 UAR 2026 PISSARO, F-76000 Rouen, France; (L.C.); (T.J.)
| | - Jordi Tena-Garcés
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (J.T.-G.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Juan J. Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (J.T.-G.); (J.J.C.)
| | - J. Michael Conlon
- Diabetes Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK;
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Ito T, Matsunaga N, Kurashima M, Demizu Y, Misawa T. Enhancing Chemical Stability through Structural Modification of Antimicrobial Peptides with Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1326. [PMID: 37627746 PMCID: PMC10451648 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081326] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) remain a significant threat to humanity, resulting in over 1.2 million deaths per year. To combat this problem effectively, the development of therapeutic agents with diverse mechanisms of action is crucial. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising next-generation therapeutics to combat infectious diseases, particularly MDRB. By targeting microbial membranes and inducing lysis, AMPs can effectively inhibit microbial growth, making them less susceptible to the development of resistance. Numerous structural advancements have been made to optimize the efficacy of AMPs. Previously, we developed 17KKV-Aib, a derivative of the Magainin 2 (Mag2) peptide, by incorporating a,a-disubstituted amino acids (dAAs) to modulate its secondary structure. 17KKV-Aib demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP), with minimal hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. However, 17KKV-Aib faces challenges regarding its susceptibility to digestive enzymes, hindering its potential as an antimicrobial agent. In this study, we designed and synthesized derivatives of 17KKV-Aib, replacing Lys residues with 4-aminopiperidine-4-carboxylic acid (Api), which is a cyclized dAA residue possessing cationic properties on its side chain. We investigated the impact of Api substitution on the secondary structure, antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, and resistance to digestive enzymes. Our findings revealed that introducing Api residues preserved the helical structure and antimicrobial activity and enhanced resistance to digestive enzymes, with a slight increase in hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Ito
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-shi 210-9501, Japan; (T.I.)
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Natsumi Matsunaga
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-shi 210-9501, Japan; (T.I.)
| | - Megumi Kurashima
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-shi 210-9501, Japan; (T.I.)
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-shi 210-9501, Japan; (T.I.)
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takashi Misawa
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-shi 210-9501, Japan; (T.I.)
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