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Loffredo M, Casciaro B, Bellavita R, Troiano C, Brancaccio D, Cappiello F, Merlino F, Galdiero S, Fabrizi G, Grieco P, Stella L, Carotenuto A, Mangoni ML. Strategic Single-Residue Substitution in the Antimicrobial Peptide Esc(1-21) Confers Activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Including Drug-Resistant and Biofilm Phenotype. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2403-2418. [PMID: 38848266 PMCID: PMC11250030 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00130] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium resistant to multiple drugs, is a significant cause of illness and death worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide an excellent potential strategy to cope with this threat. Recently, we characterized a derivative of the frog-skin AMP esculentin-1a, Esc(1-21) (1) that is endowed with potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria but poor efficacy against Gram-positive strains. In this study, three analogues of peptide 1 were designed by replacing Gly8 with α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), Pro, and dPro (2-4, respectively). The single substitution Gly8 → Aib8 in peptide 2 makes it active against the planktonic form of Gram-positive bacterial strains, especially Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant clinical isolates, with an improved biostability without resulting in cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Moreover, peptide 2 showed a higher antibiofilm activity than peptide 1 against both reference and clinical isolates of S. aureus. Peptide 2 was also able to induce rapid bacterial killing, suggesting a membrane-perturbing mechanism of action. Structural analysis of the most active peptide 2 evidenced that the improved biological activity of peptide 2 is the consequence of a combination of higher biostability, higher α helical content, and ability to reduce membrane fluidity and to adopt a distorted helix, bent in correspondence of Aib8. Overall, this study has shown how a strategic single amino acid substitution is sufficient to enlarge the spectrum of activity of the original peptide 1, and improve its biological properties for therapeutic purposes, thus paving the way to optimize AMPs for the development of new broad-spectrum anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria
Rosa Loffredo
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Cassandra Troiano
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Fabrizi
- Department
of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Department of Excellence
2018−2022”, Sapienza University
of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Chen YW. Current scenario of indole hybrids with antibacterial potential against Acinetobacter baumannii pathogens: A mini-review. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2400440. [PMID: 38986447 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400440] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii with the capability to "escape" almost all currently available antibacterials is eroding the safety of basic medical interventions and is an increasing cause of mortality globally, prompting a substantial requirement for new classes of antibacterial agents. Indoles participate in the regulation of persistent bacterial formation, biofilm formation, plasmid stability, and drug resistance. In particular, indole hybrids demonstrated promising antibacterial activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant A. baumannii pathogens, representing a fertile source for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for clinical deployment in controlling A. baumannii infections. This mini-review outlines the current innovations of indole hybrids with antibacterial activity against A. baumannii pathogens, covering articles published from 2020 to the present, to open new avenues for exploring novel anti-A. baumannii candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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Lima WG, Brito JCM, Verly RM, de Lima ME. Jelleine, a Family of Peptides Isolated from the Royal Jelly of the Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera), as a Promising Prototype for New Medicines: A Narrative Review. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:24. [PMID: 38251241 PMCID: PMC10819630 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010024] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The jelleine family is a group of four peptides (jelleines I-IV) originally isolated from the royal jelly of honey bee (Apis mellifera), but later detected in some honey samples. These oligopeptides are composed of 8-9 amino acid residues, positively charged (+2 to +3 at pH 7.2), including 38-50% of hydrophobic residues and a carboxamide C-terminus. Jelleines, generated by processing of the C-terminal region of major royal jelly proteins 1 (MRJP-1), play an important biological role in royal jelly conservation as well as in protecting bee larvae from potential pathogens. Therefore, these molecules present numerous benefits for human health, including therapeutic purposes as shown in preclinical studies. In this review, we aimed to evaluate the biological effects of jelleines in addition to characterising their toxicities and stabilities. Jelleines I-III have promising antimicrobial activity and low toxicity (LD50 > 1000 mg/Kg). However, jelleine-IV has not shown relevant biological potential. Jelleine-I, but not the other analogues, also has antiparasitic, healing, and pro-coagulant activities in addition to indirectly modulating tumor cell growth and controlling the inflammatory process. Although it is sensitive to hydrolysis by proteases, the addition of halogens increases the chemical stability of these molecules. Thus, these results suggest that jelleines, especially jelleine-I, are a potential target for the development of new, effective and safe therapeutic molecules for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Gustavo Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Medicina e Biomedicina, Faculdade de Saúde da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Avenida dos Andradas, 2688, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, MG, Brazil;
| | - Julio Cesar Moreira Brito
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 8, Gameleira, Belo Horizonte 30510-010, MG, Brazil;
| | - Rodrigo Moreira Verly
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Rodovia MGT 367, 5000, Auto da Jacuba, Diamantina 39100-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Medicina e Biomedicina, Faculdade de Saúde da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Avenida dos Andradas, 2688, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, MG, Brazil;
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Nicolosi D, Petronio Petronio G, Russo S, Di Naro M, Cutuli MA, Russo C, Di Marco R. Innovative Phospholipid Carriers: A Viable Strategy to Counteract Antimicrobial Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15934. [PMID: 37958915 PMCID: PMC10648799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115934] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria strains, usually associated with poorer patient outcomes and higher costs. In order to preserve the usefulness of these life-saving drugs, it is crucial to use them appropriately, as also recommended by the WHO. Moreover, innovative, safe, and more effective approaches are being investigated, aiming to revise drug treatments to improve their pharmacokinetics and distribution and to reduce the onset of drug resistance. Globally, to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), guidelines and indications have been developed over time, aimed at narrowing the use and diminishing the environmental spread of these life-saving molecules by optimizing prescriptions, dosage, and times of use, as well as investing resources into obtaining innovative formulations with better pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic results. This has led to the development of new nano-formulations as drug delivery vehicles, characterized by unique structural properties, biocompatible natures, and targeted activities such as state-of-the-art phospholipid particles generally grouped as liposomes, virosomes, and functionalized exosomes, which represent an attractive and innovative delivery approach. Liposomes and virosomes are chemically synthesized carriers that utilize phospholipids whose nature is predetermined based on their use, with a long track record as drug delivery systems. Exosomes are vesicles naturally released by cells, which utilize the lipids present in their cellular membranes only, and therefore, are highly biocompatible, with investigations as a delivery system having a more recent origin. This review will summarize the state of the art on microvesicle research, liposomes, virosomes, and exosomes, as useful and effective tools to tackle the threat of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Nicolosi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (D.N.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Giulio Petronio Petronio
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.P.P.); (M.A.C.); (C.R.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Stefano Russo
- Division of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Heidelberg University (HBIGS), 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maria Di Naro
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (D.N.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Marco Alfio Cutuli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.P.P.); (M.A.C.); (C.R.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Claudio Russo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.P.P.); (M.A.C.); (C.R.); (R.D.M.)
- Consorzio Interuniversitario in Ingegneria e Medicina (COIIM), Azienda Sanitaria Regionale del Molise ASReM, UOC Governance del Farmaco, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.P.P.); (M.A.C.); (C.R.); (R.D.M.)
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