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Lacombe C, Aleman-Navaro E, Drujon T, Martinez-Osorio V, Sachon E, Melchy-Pérez E, Carlier L, Fajardo Brigido LE, Fleury Y, Piesse C, Gutiérrez-Escobedo G, De Las Peñas A, Castaño I, Desriac F, Beristain-Hernandez JL, Combadiere C, Rosenstein Y, Auvynet C. Characterization of a New Immunosuppressive and Antimicrobial Peptide, DRS-DA2, Isolated from the Mexican Frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor. Int J Inflam 2024; 2024:2205864. [PMID: 38250663 PMCID: PMC10799709 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2205864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory and antimicrobial diseases constitute a major burden for society, and fighting them is a WHO strategic priority. Most of the treatments available to fight inflammatory diseases are anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids or immunomodulators that lack cellular specificity and lead to numerous side effects. In addition to suppressing undesired inflammation and reducing disease progression, these drugs lessen the immune system protective functions. Furthermore, treating infectious diseases is more and more challenging due to the rise of microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Thus, controlling the inflammatory process locally without compromising the ability to combat infections is an essential feature in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. We isolated three forms (DRS-DA2N, DRS-DA2NE, and DRS-DA2NEQ) of the same peptide, DRS-DA2, which belongs to the dermaseptin family, from the Mexican tree frog Pachymedusa dacnicolor. Interestingly, DRS-DA2N and DRS-DA2NEQ exhibit a dual activity by inducing the death of leukocytes as well as that of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multiresistant strains, without affecting other cells such as epithelial cells or erythrocytes. We showed that the death of both immune cells and bacteria is induced rapidly by DRS-DA2 and that the membrane is permeabilized, leading to the loss of membrane integrity. We also validated the capacity of DRS-DA2 to regulate the pool of inflammatory cells in vivo in a mouse model of noninfectious peritonitis. After the induction of peritonitis, a local injection of DRS-DA2N could decrease the number of inflammatory cells locally in the peritoneal cavity without inducing a systemic effect, as no changes in the number of inflammatory cells could be detected in blood or in the bone marrow. Collectively, these data suggest that this peptide could be a promising tool in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory skin diseases, as it could reduce the number of inflammatory cells locally without suppressing the ability to combat infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Lacombe
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
- Faculté des Sciences, Université Paris Est-Créteil Val de Marne, Créteil, France
| | - Estefania Aleman-Navaro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Thierry Drujon
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Veronica Martinez-Osorio
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emmanuelle Sachon
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
- Plateforme MS3U Mass Spectrometry Sciences Sorbonne University, Fédération de Chimie Moléculaire de Paris Centre, FR2769, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Erika Melchy-Pérez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Ludovic Carlier
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Lorena Elizabeth Fajardo Brigido
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yannick Fleury
- LUBEM EA 3882, IUT Quimper, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Quimper, France
| | - Christophe Piesse
- Plateforme de Synthèse Peptidique, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (ISBS), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Guadalupe Gutiérrez-Escobedo
- IPICYT, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Alejandro De Las Peñas
- IPICYT, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Irene Castaño
- IPICYT, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Florie Desriac
- LUBEM EA 3882, IUT Quimper, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Quimper, France
| | - Jose Luis Beristain-Hernandez
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Clinic, General Surgery Department La Raza National Medical Center, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Christophe Combadiere
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Medicale (Inserm), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Cimi-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Yvonne Rosenstein
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Constance Auvynet
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Lenard AJ, Mulder FAA, Madl T. Solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancement as a versatile method for studying structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 132-133:113-139. [PMID: 36496256 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (sPRE) is a versatile nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based method that allows characterization of the structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems through providing quantitative experimental information on solvent accessibility of NMR-active nuclei. Addition of soluble paramagnetic probes to the solution of a biomolecule leads to paramagnetic relaxation enhancement in a concentration-dependent manner. Here we review recent progress in the sPRE-based characterization of structural and dynamic properties of biomolecules and their complexes, and aim to deliver a comprehensive illustration of a growing number of applications of the method to various biological systems. We discuss the physical principles of sPRE measurements and provide an overview of available co-solute paramagnetic probes. We then explore how sPRE, in combination with complementary biophysical techniques, can further advance biomolecular structure determination, identification of interaction surfaces within protein complexes, and probing of conformational changes and low-population transient states, as well as deliver insights into weak, nonspecific, and transient interactions between proteins and co-solutes. In addition, we present examples of how the incorporation of solvent paramagnetic probes can improve the sensitivity of NMR experiments and discuss the prospects of applying sPRE to NMR metabolomics, drug discovery, and the study of intrinsically disordered proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta J Lenard
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Research Unit Integrative Structural Biology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Frans A A Mulder
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Chemistry, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Research Unit Integrative Structural Biology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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Nunes LGP, Reichert T, Machini MT. His-Rich Peptides, Gly- and His-Rich Peptides: Functionally Versatile Compounds with Potential Multi-Purpose Applications. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10302-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Pérez C, Díaz-Roa A, Bernal Y, Arenas NE, Kalume DE, Côrtes LMDC, da PI, Varela Y, Patarroyo MA, Torres O, Bello FJ. Characterising four Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larval fat body-derived antimicrobial peptides. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200587. [PMID: 34287503 PMCID: PMC8291954 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the accelerated growth of resistance to antibiotics. The search for new therapeutic strategies (i.e., antimicrobial peptides-AMPs) has thus become a pressing need. OBJECTIVE Characterising and evaluating Sarconesiopsis magellanica larval fat body-derived AMPs. METHODS Fat body extracts were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC); mass spectrometry was used for characterising the primary structure of the AMPs so found. ProtParam (Expasy) was used for analysing the AMPs' physico-chemical properties. Synthetic AMPs' antibacterial activity was evaluated. FINDINGS Four new AMPs were obtained and called sarconesin III, IV, V and VI. Sarconesin III had an α-helix structure and sarconesins IV, V and VI had linear formations. Oligomer prediction highlighted peptide-peptide interactions, suggesting that sarconesins III, V and VI could form self-aggregations when in contact with the microbial membrane. AMPs synthesised from their native molecules' sequences had potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria and, to a lesser extent, against Gram-negative and drug-resistant bacteria. Sarconesin VI was the most efficient AMP. None of the four synthetic AMPs had a cytotoxic effect. MAIN CONCLUSIONS S. magellanica larval fat body-derived antimicrobial peptides are an important source of AMPs and could be used in different antimicrobial therapies and overcoming bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Pérez
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrea Díaz-Roa
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Toxinología Aplicada, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, Escuela de Ciencias Agrícolas, Pecuarias y de Medio Ambiente, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Yuly Bernal
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Ciencias, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nelson E Arenas
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Ciencias, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dario Eluan Kalume
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luzia Monteiro de Castro Côrtes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Pedro I da
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Toxinología Aplicada, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Yahson Varela
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bogotá, Colombia
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology Department, Bogotá, Colombia
- Universidad Santo Tomás, Health Sciences Division, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Orlando Torres
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felio J Bello
- Universidad de La Salle, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Programa de Medicina Veterinaria, Bogotá, Colombia
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Batista Martins D, Fadel V, Oliveira FD, Gaspar D, Alvares DS, Castanho MARB, Dos Santos Cabrera MP. Protonectin peptides target lipids, act at the interface and selectively kill metastatic breast cancer cells while preserving morphological integrity. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 601:517-530. [PMID: 34090029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.05.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite the need for innovative compounds as antimicrobial and anticancer agents, natural sources of peptides remain underexplored. Protonectin (PTN), a cationic dodecapeptide of pharmacological interest, presents large hydrophobicity that is associated with the tendency to aggregate and supposedly influences bioactivity. A disaggregating role was assigned to PTN' N-terminal fragment (PTN1-6), which enhances the bioactivity of PTN in a 1:1 mixture (PTN/PTN1-6). Spectroscopic techniques and model membranes (phospholipid bilayers and SDS micelles) revealed that environment-dependent aggregation is reduced for PTN/PTN1-6, but cytotoxicity of PTNs on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer showed the same CC50 values around 16 µM and on MCF-10A epithelial breast cells 6 to 5-fold higher values, revealing a selective interaction. Since PTN1-6 lacks activity on breast cells, its presence should differently affect PTN activity, suggesting that aggregation could modulate activity depending on the membrane characteristics. Indeed, increased partitioning and lytic activity of PTN/PTN1-6 were found in model membranes independently of charge density, but affected by the curvature tendency. PTN and PTN/PTN1-6 do not alter morphology and roughness of cancer cells, indicating a superficial interaction with membranes and consistent with results obtained in NMR experiments. Our results indicate that aggregation of PTNs depends on the membrane characteristics and modulates the activity of the peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danubia Batista Martins
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Valmir Fadel
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Filipa D Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dayane S Alvares
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marcia Perez Dos Santos Cabrera
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Pirtskhalava M, Vishnepolsky B, Grigolava M, Managadze G. Physicochemical Features and Peculiarities of Interaction of AMP with the Membrane. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:471. [PMID: 34067510 PMCID: PMC8156082 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are anti-infectives that have the potential to be used as a novel and untapped class of biotherapeutics. Modes of action of antimicrobial peptides include interaction with the cell envelope (cell wall, outer- and inner-membrane). A comprehensive understanding of the peculiarities of interaction of antimicrobial peptides with the cell envelope is necessary to perform a rational design of new biotherapeutics, against which working out resistance is hard for microbes. In order to enable de novo design with low cost and high throughput, in silico predictive models have to be invoked. To develop an efficient predictive model, a comprehensive understanding of the sequence-to-function relationship is required. This knowledge will allow us to encode amino acid sequences expressively and to adequately choose the accurate AMP classifier. A shared protective layer of microbial cells is the inner, plasmatic membrane. The interaction of AMP with a biological membrane (native and/or artificial) has been comprehensively studied. We provide a review of mechanisms and results of interactions of AMP with the cell membrane, relying on the survey of physicochemical, aggregative, and structural features of AMPs. The potency and mechanism of AMP action are presented in terms of amino acid compositions and distributions of the polar and apolar residues along the chain, that is, in terms of the physicochemical features of peptides such as hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and amphiphilicity. The survey of current data highlights topics that should be taken into account to come up with a comprehensive explanation of the mechanisms of action of AMP and to uncover the physicochemical faces of peptides, essential to perform their function. Many different approaches have been used to classify AMPs, including machine learning. The survey of knowledge on sequences, structures, and modes of actions of AMP allows concluding that only possessing comprehensive information on physicochemical features of AMPs enables us to develop accurate classifiers and create effective methods of prediction. Consequently, this knowledge is necessary for the development of design tools for peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Pirtskhalava
- Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia; (B.V.); (M.G.); (G.M.)
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Probing Surfaces in Dynamic Protein Interactions. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2949-2972. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Denatured lysozyme-coated carbon nanotubes: a versatile biohybrid material. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16643. [PMID: 31719550 PMCID: PMC6851173 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52701-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most versatile nanomaterials, but their exploitation is hindered by limited dispersibility, especially in aqueous solvents. Here, we show that AP-LYS, a highly cationic soluble derivative of denatured hen egg lysozyme, is a very effective tool for the unbundling and solubilisation of CNTs. AP-LYS proved to mediate the complete and stable dispersion of CNTs at protein: CNT ratios ≥1: 3 (w:w) in very mild conditions (10–20 minutes sonication in ammonium acetate buffer, pH 5.0). Electrophoretic mobility and ζ-potential measurements confirmed that dispersed CNTs were coated by the protein, whereas molecular docking was used to study the interactions between AP-LYS and CNTs. AP-LYS-coated CNTs proved to be a very effective microbial cell-flocculating agent with an efficiency similar to that of chitosan, one of the best available flocculating agents, thus suggesting that this hybrid could find industrial applications in the treatment of wastewaters contaminated by microbial cells, or to remove microbial cells after fermentation processes. Moreover, we exploited the low stability of AP-LYS-coated CNT dispersions in eukaryotic cell culture media to prepare scaffolds with an extracellular matrix-like rough surface for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells.
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Bullard R, Sharma SR, Das PK, Morgan SE, Karim S. Repurposing of Glycine-Rich Proteins in Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in the Lone-Star Tick ( Amblyomma americanum). Front Physiol 2019; 10:744. [PMID: 31275163 PMCID: PMC6591454 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick feeding requires the secretion of a huge number of pharmacologically dynamic proteins and other molecules which are vital for the formation of the cement cone, the establishment of the blood pool and to counter against the host immune response. Glycine-rich proteins (GRP) are found in many organisms and can function in a variety of cellular processes and structures. The functional characterization of the GRPs in the tick salivary glands has not been elucidated. GRPs have been found to play a role in the formation of the cement cone; however, new evidence suggests repurposing of GRPs in the tick physiology. In this study, an RNA interference approach was utilized to silence two glycine-rich protein genes expressed in early phase of tick feeding to determine their functional role in tick hematophagy, cement cone structure, and microbial homeostasis within the tick host. Additionally, the transcriptional regulation of GRPs was determined after exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses including cold and hot temperature, injury, and oxidative stress. This caused a significant up-regulation of AamerSigP-34358, Aam-40766, AamerSigP-39259, and Aam-36909. Our results suggest ticks repurpose these proteins and further functional characterization of GRPs may help to design novel molecular strategies to disrupt the homeostasis and the pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Bullard
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States.,Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Surendra Raj Sharma
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Pradipta Kumar Das
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Sarah E Morgan
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
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Discovery and identification of antimicrobial peptides in Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim) seeds by peptidomics and bioinformatics. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:2217-2228. [PMID: 30623204 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have generated growing attention because of the increasing bacterial resistance. However, the discovery and identification of AMPs have proven to be challenging due to the complex purification procedure associated with conventional methods. For the reasons given above, it is necessary to explore more efficient ways to obtain AMPs. We established a new method for discovery and identification of novel AMPs by proteomics and bioinformatics from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim seeds protein hydrolysate directly. This process was initially achieved by employing ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) spectrometry to identify peptides derived from Z. bungeanum Maxim seed protein hydrolysates. Three online servers were introduced to predict potential AMPs. Sixteen potential AMPs ranging from 1.5 to 2.7 kDa were predicted and chemically synthesized, one of which, designated NP-6, inhibited activity against all the tested strains according to antimicrobial assay. Time-killing assay indicated that NP-6 could quickly kill almost all the Escherichia coli within 180 min and Staphylococcus aureus at 360 min. Moreover, the simulation 3D structure of NP-6 was consisted of α-helix and random coil, and this was verified by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. At last, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of E. coli and S. aureus treated by NP-6 demonstrated that NP-6 had a significant effect on bacteria cell morphology. Our findings provide an efficient approach for discovery of AMPs, and Z. bungeanum Maxim seeds may be a nature resource to extract antimicrobial agents.
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Mechkarska M, Coquet L, Leprince J, Auguste RJ, Jouenne T, Mangoni ML, Conlon JM. Peptidomic analysis of the host-defense peptides in skin secretions of the Trinidadian leaf frog Phyllomedusa trinitatis (Phyllomedusidae). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2018; 28:72-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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12
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Cardon S, Sachon E, Carlier L, Drujon T, Walrant A, Alemán-Navarro E, Martínez-Osorio V, Guianvarc'h D, Sagan S, Fleury Y, Marquant R, Piesse C, Rosenstein Y, Auvynet C, Lacombe C. Peptidoglycan potentiates the membrane disrupting effect of the carboxyamidated form of DMS-DA6, a Gram-positive selective antimicrobial peptide isolated from Pachymedusa dacnicolor skin. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205727. [PMID: 30325956 PMCID: PMC6191125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of nosocomial infections has been on the rise for the past twenty years. Notably, infections caused by the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus represent a major clinical problem, as an increase in antibiotic multi-resistant strains has accompanied this rise. There is thus a crucial need to find and characterize new antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria, and against antibiotic-resistant strains in general. We identified a new dermaseptin, DMS-DA6, produced by the skin of the Mexican frog Pachymedusa dacnicolor, with specific antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. This peptide is particularly effective against two multiple drug-resistant strains Enterococcus faecium BM4147 and Staphylococcus aureus DAR5829, and has no hemolytic activity. DMS-DA6 is naturally produced with the C-terminal carboxyl group in either the free or amide forms. By using Gram-positive model membranes and different experimental approaches, we showed that both forms of the peptide adopt an α-helical fold and have the same ability to insert into, and to disorganize a membrane composed of anionic lipids. However, the bactericidal capacity of DMS-DA6-NH2 was consistently more potent than that of DMS-DA6-OH. Remarkably, rather than resulting from the interaction with the negatively charged lipids of the membrane, or from a more stable conformation towards proteolysis, the increased capacity to permeabilize the membrane of Gram-positive bacteria of the carboxyamidated form of DMS-DA6 was found to result from its enhanced ability to interact with peptidoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Cardon
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Sachon
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Plate-forme Spectrométrie de Masse et Protéomique, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Carlier
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Drujon
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Astrid Walrant
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Estefanía Alemán-Navarro
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Verónica Martínez-Osorio
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Dominique Guianvarc'h
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Sagan
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Fleury
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, LUBEM EA, IUT Quimper, Quimper, France
| | - Rodrigue Marquant
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Piesse
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Plate-forme de Synthèse Peptidique, Paris, France
| | - Yvonne Rosenstein
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Constance Auvynet
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- * E-mail: (CA); (CL)
| | - Claire Lacombe
- Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, Paris, France
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est-Créteil Val de Marne, Créteil, France
- * E-mail: (CA); (CL)
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13
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Hollmann T, Kim TK, Tirloni L, Radulović ŽM, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, da Silva Vaz I, Mulenga A. Identification and characterization of proteins in the Amblyomma americanum tick cement cone. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:211-224. [PMID: 29258831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The adaptation of hard ticks to feed for long periods is facilitated by the cement cone, which securely anchors the tick mouthparts onto host skin and protects the tick from being groomed off by the host. Thus, preventing tick cement deposition is an attractive target for the development of innovative tick control. We used LC-MS/MS sequencing to identify 160 Amblyomma americanum tick cement proteins that include glycine-rich proteins (GRP, 19%), protease inhibitors (12%), proteins of unknown function (11%), mucin (4%), detoxification, storage, and lipocalin at 1% each, and housekeeping proteins (50%). Spatiotemporal transcription analysis showing mRNA expression in multiple tick organs and transcript abundance increasing with feeding suggest that selected GRPs (n = 13) regulate multiple tick feeding functions, being classified as constitutively expressed (CE), feeding induced (FI), and up-regulated with feeding (UR). We show that transcription of CE GRPs is likely under the control of tick appetence associated factors in that mRNA abundance increased several thousand fold in 1 week old adult ticks, the time period that coincides with tick attainment of appetence. Given the high number of targets, we synthesized and injected unfed ticks with combinatorial (co) double stranded (ds)RNA and disrupted GRP mRNA in clusters according to similar transcription patterns: CE (n = 3), FI, (n = 4), and UR (n = 6) to streamline the work. Our data suggest that CE and FI GRPs are important for maintenance of the tick feeding site in that reddening and subsequent bleeding were observed around the mouthparts of CE and FI GRP co-dsRNA injected ticks during feeding. Furthermore, although not significantly different, indices for blood meal size and fecundity were apparently reduced in FI and UR ticks. We discuss our data with reference to A. americanum tick feeding physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hollmann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Željko M Radulović
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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14
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Molecular mechanism of synergy between the antimicrobial peptides PGLa and magainin 2. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13153. [PMID: 29030606 PMCID: PMC5640672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12599-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PGLa and magainin 2 (MAG2) are amphiphilic α-helical membranolytic peptides from frog skin with known synergistic antimicrobial activity. By systematically mutating residues in the two peptides it was possible to identify the ones crucial for the synergy, as monitored by biological assays, fluorescence vesicle leakage, and solid-state 15N-NMR. Electrostatic interactions between anionic groups in MAG2 and cationic residues in PGLa enhance synergy but are not necessary for the synergistic effect. Instead, two Gly residues (7 and 11) in a so-called GxxxG motif in PGLa are necessary for synergy. Replacing either of them with Ala or another hydrophobic residue completely abolishes synergy according to all three methods used. The designer-made peptide MSI-103, which has a similar sequence as PGLa, shows no synergy with MAG2, but by introducing two Gly mutations it was possible to make it synergistic. A molecular model is proposed for the functionally active PGLa-MAG2 complex, consisting of a membrane-spanning antiparallel PGLa dimer that is stabilized by intimate Gly-Gly contacts, and where each PGLa monomer is in contact with one MAG2 molecule at its C-terminus.
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15
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Siepi M, Politi J, Dardano P, Amoresano A, De Stefano L, Maria Monti D, Notomista E. Modified denatured lysozyme effectively solubilizes fullerene c60 nanoparticles in water. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:335601. [PMID: 28525394 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa744e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Fullerenes, allotropic forms of carbon, have very interesting pharmacological effects and engineering applications. However, a very low solubility both in organic solvents and water hinders their use. Fullerene C60, the most studied among fullerenes, can be dissolved in water only in the form of nanoparticles of variable dimensions and limited stability. Here the effect on the production of C60 nanoparticles by a native and denatured hen egg white lysozyme, a highly basic protein, has been systematically studied. In order to obtain a denatured, yet soluble, lysozyme derivative, the four disulfides of the native protein were reduced and exposed cysteines were alkylated by 3-bromopropylamine, thus introducing eight additional positive charges. The C60 solubilizing properties of the modified denatured lysozyme proved to be superior to those of the native protein, allowing the preparation of biocompatible highly homogeneous and stable C60 nanoparticles using lower amounts of protein, as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies. This lysozyme derivative could represent an effective tool for the solubilization of other carbon allotropes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialuisa Siepi
- Department of Biology University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126, Naples, Italy
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16
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Insight into the mechanism of action of temporin-SHa, a new broad-spectrum antiparasitic and antibacterial agent. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174024. [PMID: 28319176 PMCID: PMC5358776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising drugs to kill resistant pathogens. In contrast to bacteria, protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, were little studied. Therefore, the antiparasitic mechanism of AMPs is still unclear. In this study, we sought to get further insight into this mechanism by focusing our attention on temporin-SHa (SHa), a small broad-spectrum AMP previously shown to be active against Leishmania infantum. To improve activity, we designed analogs of SHa and compared the antibacterial and antiparasitic mechanisms. [K3]SHa emerged as a highly potent compound active against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts/fungi, and trypanosomatids (Leishmania and Trypanosoma), with leishmanicidal intramacrophagic activity and efficiency toward antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus and antimony-resistant L. infantum. Multipassage resistance selection demonstrated that temporins-SH, particularly [K3]SHa, are not prone to induce resistance in Escherichia coli. Analysis of the mode of action revealed that bacterial and parasite killing occur through a similar membranolytic mechanism involving rapid membrane permeabilization and depolarization. This was confirmed by high-resolution imaging (atomic force microscopy and field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy). Multiple combined techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, surface plasmon resonance, differential scanning calorimetry) allowed us to detail peptide-membrane interactions. [K3]SHa was shown to interact selectively with anionic model membranes with a 4-fold higher affinity (KD = 3 x 10−8 M) than SHa. The amphipathic α-helical peptide inserts in-plane in the hydrophobic lipid bilayer and disrupts the acyl chain packing via a detergent-like effect. Interestingly, cellular events, such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization or DNA fragmentation, were observed in L. infantum promastigotes after exposure to SHa and [K3]SHa at concentrations above IC50. Our results indicate that these temporins exert leishmanicidal activity via a primary membranolytic mechanism but can also trigger apoptotis-like death. The many assets demonstrated for [K3]SHa make this small analog an attractive template to develop new antibacterial/antiparasitic drugs.
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17
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Gagnon MC, Strandberg E, Grau-Campistany A, Wadhwani P, Reichert J, Bürck J, Rabanal F, Auger M, Paquin JF, Ulrich AS. Influence of the Length and Charge on the Activity of α-Helical Amphipathic Antimicrobial Peptides. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1680-1695. [PMID: 28282123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hydrophobic mismatch is important for pore-forming amphipathic antimicrobial peptides, as demonstrated recently [Grau-Campistany, A., et al. (2015) Sci. Rep. 5, 9388]. A series of different length peptides have been generated with the heptameric repeat sequence KIAGKIA, called KIA peptides, and it was found that only those helices sufficiently long to span the hydrophobic thickness of the membrane could induce leakage in lipid vesicles; there was also a clear length dependence of the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. For the original KIA sequences, the cationic charge increased with peptide length. The goal of this work is to examine whether the charge also has an effect on activity; hence, we constructed two further series of peptides with a sequence similar to those of the KIA peptides, but with a constant charge of +7 for all lengths from 14 to 28 amino acids. For both of these new series, a clear length dependence similar to that of KIA peptides was observed, indicating that charge has only a minor influence. Both series also showed a distinct threshold length for peptides to be active, which correlates directly with the thickness of the membrane. Among the longer peptides, the new series showed activities only slightly lower than those of the original KIA peptides of the same length that had a higher charge. Shorter peptides, in which Gly was replaced with Lys, showed activities similar to those of KIA peptides of the same length, but peptides in which Ile was replaced with Lys lost their helicity and were less active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Gagnon
- Department of Chemistry, PROTEO, CGCC, Université Laval , 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6.,Department of Chemistry, PROTEO, CERMA, CQMF, Université Laval , 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Erik Strandberg
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ariadna Grau-Campistany
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Parvesh Wadhwani
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Johannes Reichert
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jochen Bürck
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Francesc Rabanal
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michèle Auger
- Department of Chemistry, PROTEO, CERMA, CQMF, Université Laval , 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Jean-François Paquin
- Department of Chemistry, PROTEO, CGCC, Université Laval , 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.,KIT , Institute of Organic Chemistry, Fritz-Haber-Weg 6, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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18
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Wu J, Gao B, Zhu S. Single‐point mutation‐mediated local amphipathic adjustment dramatically enhances antibacterial activity of a fungal defensin. FASEB J 2016; 30:2602-14. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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19
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Kyriakou PK, Ekblad B, Kristiansen PE, Kaznessis YN. Interactions of a class IIb bacteriocin with a model lipid bilayer, investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:824-35. [PMID: 26774214 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms poses an alarming threat to global health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered a possible effective alternative to conventional antibiotic therapies. An understanding of the mechanism of action of AMPs is needed in order to better control and optimize their bactericidal activity. Plantaricin EF is a heterodimeric AMP, consisting of two peptides Plantaricin E (PlnE) and Plantaricin F (PlnF). We studied the behavior of these peptides on the surface of a model lipid bilayer. We identified the residues that facilitate peptide-peptide interactions. We also identified residues that mediate interactions of the dimer with the membrane. PlnE interacts with the membrane through amino acids at both its termini, while only the N terminus of PlnF approaches the membrane. By comparing the activity of single-site mutants of the two-peptide bacteriocin and the simulations of the bacteriocin on the surface of a model lipid bilayer, structure activity relationships are proposed. These studies allow us to generate hypotheses that relate biophysical interactions observed in simulations with the experimentally measured activity. We find that single-site amino acid substitutions result in markedly stronger antimicrobial activity when they strengthen the interactions between the two peptides, while, concomitantly, they weaken peptide-membrane association. This effect is more pronounced in the case of the PlnE mutant (G20A), which interacts the strongest with PlnF and the weakest with the membrane while displaying the highest activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota K Kyriakou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Bie Ekblad
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Post box 1041 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Eugen Kristiansen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Post box 1041 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Yiannis N Kaznessis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
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