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Du Y, Shi H, Guo Q, Liu C, Zhao K. Hirudomacin: a Protein with Dual Effects of Direct Bacterial Inhibition and Regulation of Innate Immunity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0052723. [PMID: 37428035 PMCID: PMC10370334 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00527-23] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hirudomacin (Hmc) belongs to the Macin family of antimicrobial peptides, which can be used for bactericidal purposes in vitro by cleaving cell membranes. Although the Macin family has broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, few studies have been reported on bacterial inhibition by enhancing innate immunity. To further investigate the mechanism of Hmc inhibition, we chose the classical innate immune model organism Caenorhabditis elegans as the study subject. In this investigation, we found that Hmc treatment directly reduced the number of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the intestine of infected wild-type nematodes and infected pmk-1 mutant nematodes. Hmc treatment significantly prolonged the life span of infected wild-type nematodes and increased the expression of antimicrobial effectors (clec-82, nlp-29, lys-1, lys-7), and Hmc treatment still significantly increased the expression of antimicrobial effectors (clec-82, nlp-29, lys-7) in wild-type nematodes in the absence of bacterial stimulation. In addition, Hmc treatment significantly increased the expression of key genes of the pmk-1/p38 MAPK pathway (pmk-1, tir-1, atf-7, skn-1) under both infected and uninfected conditions but failed to increase the life span of infected pmk-1 mutant nematodes as well as the expression of antimicrobial effector genes. Western blot results further demonstrated that Hmc treatment significantly elevated pmk-1 protein expression levels in infected wild-type nematodes. In conclusion, our data suggest that Hmc has both direct bacteriostatic and immunomodulatory effects and may upregulate antimicrobial peptides in response to infection via the pmk-1/p38 MAPK pathway. It has the potential to serve as a new antibacterial agent and immune modulator. IMPORTANCE In today's world, bacterial drug resistance is becoming increasingly serious, and natural antibacterial proteins are attracting attention because of advantages such as their diverse and complex antibacterial modes, lack of residue, and harder-to-develop drug resistance. Notably, there are few antibacterial proteins with multiple effects such as direct antibacterial and innate immunity enhancement at the same time. We believe that an ideal antimicrobial agent can be developed only through a more comprehensive and in-depth study of the bacteriostatic mechanism of natural antibacterial proteins. The significance of our study is that based on the known in vitro bacterial inhibition of Hirudomacin (Hmc), we further clarified its mechanism in vivo, which can be subsequently developed as a natural bacterial inhibitor for various applications in medicine, food, farming, and daily chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongzhuan Shi
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiaosheng Guo
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Liu
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
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Peng J, Wang Y, Wu Z, Mao C, Li L, Cao H, Qiu Z, Guo G, Liang G, Shen F. Antimicrobial Peptide Cec4 Eradicates Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in vitro and in vivo. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:977-992. [PMID: 37020803 PMCID: PMC10069437 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s405579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major difficulty in the treatment of bacteria-associated infection. The previously reported antimicrobial peptide Cec4 exhibited good and stable activity against A. baumannii in vitro, but the mechanisms and effects in vivo are elusive. Methods The effects of Cec4 on bacterial membrane permeability, membrane potential and bacterial reactive oxygen species were measured. The cell membrane localization of antimicrobial peptides was studied by fluorescence labelling. The ability of bacteria to develop resistance to antimicrobial peptides was studied by continuous induction, and transcriptome difference was analysed. The in vivo toxicity of Cec4 against nematodes and mice was studied, and the in vivo therapeutic potential of Cec4 against A. baumannii was assessed. Results Cec4 effectively cleared multidrug-resistant A. baumannii by altering bacterial cell membrane permeability, changing bacterial cell membrane polarity, and increasing bacterial intracellular reactive oxygen species. Cec4 affected the expression of the secretion system, outer membrane, and efflux pump genes of A. baumannii. In addition, the bacteria did not acquire stable drug-resistant ability. Cec4 at 1.024 mg/mL did not affect the proliferation of HeLa and HepG2 cells, and Cec4 at 45 mg/kg had little effect on the mortality of Caenorhabditis elegans, even the liver and kidney tissues of mouse. Most importantly, Cec4 could effectively improve the survival rates and reduce the bacterial load of various tissues in the mouse model of infection. Conclusion In conclusion, Cec4 can damage the cell membrane of bacteria, and the bacteria is not easy to produce resistance to Cec4. Besides, Cec4 has good potential for the treatment of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Peng
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Institute of Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengju Mao
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Institute of Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huijun Cao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, the affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhilang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guo Guo
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guiyou Liang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, the affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Institute of Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550009, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Feng Shen; Guiyou Liang, Email ;
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D’Auria FD, Casciaro B, De Angelis M, Marcocci ME, Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Mangoni ML. Antifungal Activity of the Frog Skin Peptide Temporin G and Its Effect on Candida albicans Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116345. [PMID: 35683025 PMCID: PMC9181532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs is a widespread concern, and a search for new compounds, active against different species of fungi, is demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promises in this context. Here we investigated the activity of the frog skin AMP Temporin G (TG) against a panel of fungal strains, by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. TG resulted to be active against (i) Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC50 between 4 µM and 64 µM after 24 h of incubation; (ii) dermatophytes with MIC80 ranging from 4 to 32 µM, and (iii) Aspergillus strains with MIC80 of 128 µM. In addition, our tests revealed that TG reduced the metabolic activity of Candida albicans cells, with moderate membrane perturbation, as proven by XTT and Sytox Green assays, respectively. Furthermore, TG was found to be effective against some C. albicans virulence factors; indeed, at 64 µM it was able to inhibit ~90% of yeast-mycelial switching, strongly prevented biofilm formation, and led to a 50% reduction of metabolic activity in mature biofilm cells, and ~30-35% eradication of mature biofilm biomass. Even though further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge of the mechanisms of TG antifungal activity, our results suggest this AMP as an attractive lead compound for treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Diodata D’Auria
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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Derivatives of Esculentin-1 Peptides as Promising Candidates for Fighting Infections from Escherichia coli O157:H7. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11050656. [PMID: 35625300 PMCID: PMC9137543 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11050656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
New strategies are needed to fight the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria caused by an overuse of antibiotics in medical and veterinary fields. Due to the importance of biofilms in clinical infections, antibiofilm peptides have a great potential to treat infections. In recent years, an increased interest has emerged in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). One of the richest sources of AMPs is represented by amphibian skin. In the present work, we investigated the effects of two peptides derived from the frog skin AMP esculentin-1, namely, Esc(1-21) and Esc(1-18), on the growth, biofilm formation, and gene expression of the non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain K12 and of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7. Both peptides showed minimal bactericidal concentrations ranging from 4 to 8 µM for Esc(1-21) and from 32 to 64 µM for Esc(1-18). They also, at sub-MIC doses, reduced the formation of biofilm, as supported by both microbiological assays and scanning electron microscopy, while they displayed no marked activity against the planktonic form of the bacteria. Transcriptional analysis in E. coli O157:H7 showed that both AMPs induced the expression of several genes involved in the regulation of formation and dispersal of biofilm, as well as in the stress response. In conclusion, we demonstrated that these AMPs affect E. coli O157:H7 growth and biofilm formation, thus suggesting a great potential to be developed as novel therapeutics against infections caused by bacterial biofilms.
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Bin Hafeez A, Jiang X, Bergen PJ, Zhu Y. Antimicrobial Peptides: An Update on Classifications and Databases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11691. [PMID: 34769122 PMCID: PMC8583803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are distributed across all kingdoms of life and are an indispensable component of host defenses. They consist of predominantly short cationic peptides with a wide variety of structures and targets. Given the ever-emerging resistance of various pathogens to existing antimicrobial therapies, AMPs have recently attracted extensive interest as potential therapeutic agents. As the discovery of new AMPs has increased, many databases specializing in AMPs have been developed to collect both fundamental and pharmacological information. In this review, we summarize the sources, structures, modes of action, and classifications of AMPs. Additionally, we examine current AMP databases, compare valuable computational tools used to predict antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action, and highlight new machine learning approaches that can be employed to improve AMP activity to combat global antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmer Bin Hafeez
- Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan;
| | - Xukai Jiang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Phillip J. Bergen
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Yan Zhu
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
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Samot J, Rouabhia M. Effect of Dermaseptin S4 on C. albicans Growth and EAP1 and HWP1 Gene Expression. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 13:287-298. [PMID: 32691243 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-020-09685-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasing resistance and changes in the spectrum of Candida infections have generated considerable interest in the development of new antifungal molecules. The use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appears to be a promising approach. Frog skin AMPs (such as dermaseptins) have shown antimicrobial activity against several pathogens. In this study, we aimed to test the antimicrobial efficacy of dermaseptin S4 (DS4) against C. albicans. We determined the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DS4, and investigated the effects of the DS4 at low concentrations on human primary gingival fibroblasts. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of DS4 on C. albicans growth, form changes, and biofilm formation, as well as the expression of certain virulent genes. Our data show that DS4 completely inhibits C. albicans growth at a concentration of 32 μg/mL referring to the MIC of DS4. It should be noted that even with low concentrations (below 16 μg/mL), DS4 still have significant growth reduction of C. albicans, but were not toxic to human gingival fibroblasts. DS4 inhibited the transition from yeast to hyphae, and decreased the biofilm formation by reducing the biofilm mass weight. Surface morphological changes in the yeast cell membrane were observed following exposure to DS4. The gene expression analyses revealed that DS4 significantly decreased the expression of EAP1 and HWP1 genes. Overall results suggest the potential use of DS4 as an antifungal therapy to prevent C. albicans pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Samot
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Université de Bordeaux UFR d'odontologie, Bordeaux, France.,Unive. Bordeaux, ISVV, Unité de recherche Œnologie, USC 1366 INRAE, 4577, Villenave d'Ornon, EA, France.,Centre hospitalier universitaire de Bordeaux pôle de médecine et chirurgie bucco-dentaire, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mahmoud Rouabhia
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Frog Skin-Derived Peptides Against Corynebacterium jeikeium: Correlation between Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9080448. [PMID: 32722535 PMCID: PMC7459541 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium jeikeium is a commensal bacterium that colonizes human skin, and it is part of the normal bacterial flora. In non-risk subjects, it can be the cause of bad body smell due to the generation of volatile odorous metabolites, especially in the wet parts of the body that this bacterium often colonizes (i.e., groin and axillary regions). Importantly, in the last few decades, there have been increasing cases of serious infections provoked by this bacterium, especially in immunocompromised or hospitalized patients who have undergone installation of prostheses or catheters. The ease in developing resistance to commonly-used antibiotics (i.e., glycopeptides) has made the search for new antimicrobial compounds of clinical importance. Here, for the first time, we characterize the antimicrobial activity of some selected frog skin-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against C. jeikeium by determining their minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) by a microdilution method. The results highlight esculentin-1b(1-18) [Esc(1-18)] and esculentin-1a(1-21) [Esc(1-21)] as the most active AMPs with MIC and MBC of 4-8 and 0.125-0.25 µM, respectively, along with a non-toxic profile after a short- and long-term (40 min and 24 h) treatment of mammalian cells. Overall, these findings indicate the high potentiality of Esc(1-18) and Esc(1-21) as (i) alternative antimicrobials against C. jeikeium infections and/or as (ii) additives in cosmetic products (creams, deodorants) to reduce the production of bad body odor.
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Zeng B, Chai J, Deng Z, Ye T, Chen W, Li D, Chen X, Chen M, Xu X. Functional Characterization of a Novel Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Peptide in Vitro and in Vivo. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10709-10723. [PMID: 30427189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of host immune defense of vertebrates against microbial invasions. Here, we report a new AMP (esculentin-1GN) characterized from the skin of the frog Hylarana guentheri. Esculentin-1GN (GLFSKKGGKGGKSWIKGVFKGIKGIGKEVGGDVIRTGIEIAACKIKGEC) with high amphipathic α-helical structure in membrane-mimetic environments has the microbial-killing activity by destruction of the cell membrane. Moreover, esculentin-1GN inhibits LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor while it enhances expression of interleukin-10. Furthermore, esculentin-1GN can bind to d-(+)-galacturonic acid and LPS. Meanwhile, esculentin-1GN suppresses the activation of inflammatory response pathway induced by LPS. In addition, esculentin-1GN significantly reduces acute inflammation in carrageenan-induced mice paw. Taken together, the novel LPS-binding esculentin-1GN with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities will be an excellent temple for designing new antibiotic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baishuang Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Zhenhui Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Tiaofei Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Wenbin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Dan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine , Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510282 , China
| | - Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , Guilin 541004 , China
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
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Elkabti AB, Issi L, Rao RP. Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Host to Monitor the Candida Infection Processes. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:E123. [PMID: 30405043 PMCID: PMC6309157 DOI: 10.3390/jof4040123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
C. elegans has several advantages as an experimental host for the study of infectious diseases. Worms are easily maintained and propagated on bacterial lawns. The worms can be frozen for long term storage and still maintain viability years later. Their short generation time and large brood size of thousands of worms grown on a single petri dish, makes it relatively easy to maintain at a low cost. The typical wild type adult worm grows to approximately 1.5 mm in length and are transparent, allowing for the identification of several internal organs using an affordable dissecting microscope. A large collection of loss of function mutant strains are readily available from the C. elegans genetic stock center, making targeted genetic studies in the nematode possible. Here we describe ways in which this facile model host has been used to study Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that poses a serious public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Issi
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA.
| | - Reeta P Rao
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA.
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Manzo G, Casu M, Rinaldi AC, Montaldo NP, Luganini A, Gribaudo G, Scorciapino MA. Folded structure and insertion depth of the frog-skin antimicrobial Peptide esculentin-1b(1-18) in the presence of differently charged membrane-mimicking micelles. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:2410-2417. [PMID: 25337981 DOI: 10.1021/np5004406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effectors of the innate immunity of most organisms. Their role in the defense against pathogen attack and their high selectivity for bacterial cells make them attractive for the development of a new class of antimicrobial drugs. The N-terminal fragment of the frog-skin peptide esculentin-1b (Esc(1-18)) has shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Similarly to most cationic AMPs, it is supposed to act by binding to and damaging the negatively charged plasma membrane of bacteria. Differently from many other AMPs, Esc(1-18) activity is preserved in biological fluids such as serum. In this work, a structural investigation was performed through NMR spectroscopy. The 3D structure was obtained in the presence of either zwitterionic or negatively charged micelles as membrane models for eukaryotic and prokaryotic membranes, respectively. Esc(1-18) showed a higher affinity for and deeper insertion into the latter and adopted an amphipathic helical structure characterized by a kink at the residue G8. These findings were confirmed by measuring penetration into lipid monolayers. The presence of negatively charged lipids in the bilayer appears to be necessary for Esc(1-18) to bind, to fold in the right three-dimensional structure, and, ultimately, to exert its biological role as an AMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Manzo
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences and ‡Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria , I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
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