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Panayi T, Diavoli S, Nicolaidou V, Papaneophytou C, Petrou C, Sarigiannis Y. Short-Chained Linear Scorpion Peptides: A Pool for Novel Antimicrobials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:422. [PMID: 38786150 PMCID: PMC11117241 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom peptides are generally classified into two main groups: the disulfide bridged peptides (DBPs), which usually target membrane-associated ion channels, and the non-disulfide bridged peptides (NDBPs), a smaller group with multifunctional properties. In the past decade, these peptides have gained interest because most of them display functions that include antimicrobial, anticancer, haemolytic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Our current study focuses on the short (9-19 amino acids) antimicrobial linear scorpion peptides. Most of these peptides display a net positive charge of 1 or 2, an isoelectric point at pH 9-10, a broad range of hydrophobicity, and a Grand Average of Hydropathy (GRAVY) Value ranging between -0.05 and 1.7. These features allow these peptides to be attracted toward the negatively charged phospholipid head groups of the lipid membranes of target cells, a force driven by electrostatic interactions. This review outlines the antimicrobial potential of short-chained linear scorpion venom peptides. Additionally, short linear scorpion peptides are in general more attractive for large-scale synthesis from a manufacturing point of view. The structural and functional diversity of these peptides represents a good starting point for the development of new peptide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolis Panayi
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (T.P.); (V.N.); (C.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (S.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Spiridoula Diavoli
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (S.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Vicky Nicolaidou
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (T.P.); (V.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Christos Papaneophytou
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (T.P.); (V.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Christos Petrou
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (S.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Yiannis Sarigiannis
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus; (S.D.); (C.P.)
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Wu Y, Liu P, Mehrjou B, Chu PK. Interdisciplinary-Inspired Smart Antibacterial Materials and Their Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305940. [PMID: 37469232 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of antibiotics has saved millions of lives, but the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become another problem in modern medicine. To avoid or reduce the overuse of antibiotics in antibacterial treatments, stimuli-responsive materials, pathogen-targeting nanoparticles, immunogenic nano-toxoids, and biomimetic materials are being developed to make sterilization better and smarter than conventional therapies. The common goal of smart antibacterial materials (SAMs) is to increase the antibiotic efficacy or function via an antibacterial mechanism different from that of antibiotics in order to increase the antibacterial and biological properties while reducing the risk of drug resistance. The research and development of SAMs are increasingly interdisciplinary because new designs require the knowledge of different fields and input/collaboration from scientists in different fields. A good understanding of energy conversion in materials, physiological characteristics in cells and bacteria, and bactericidal structures and components in nature are expected to promote the development of SAMs. In this review, the importance of multidisciplinary insights for SAMs is emphasized, and the latest advances in SAMs are categorized and discussed according to the pertinent disciplines including materials science, physiology, and biomimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Babak Mehrjou
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Paul K Chu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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de Oliveira ALN, Lacerda MT, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. Viper Venom Phospholipase A2 Database: The Structural and Functional Anatomy of a Primary Toxin in Envenomation. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:71. [PMID: 38393149 PMCID: PMC10893444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020071] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viper venom phospholipase A2 enzymes (vvPLA2s) and phospholipase A2-like (PLA2-like) proteins are two of the principal toxins in viper venom that are responsible for the severe myotoxic and neurotoxic effects caused by snakebite envenoming, among other pathologies. As snakebite envenoming is the deadliest neglected tropical disease, a complete understanding of these proteins' properties and their mechanisms of action is urgently needed. Therefore, we created a database comprising information on the holo-form, cofactor-bound 3D structure of 217 vvPLA2 and PLA2-like proteins in their physiologic environment, as well as 79 membrane-bound viper species from 24 genera, which we have made available to the scientific community to accelerate the development of new anti-snakebite drugs. In addition, the analysis of the sequenced, 3D structure of the database proteins reveals essential aspects of the anatomy of the proteins, their toxicity mechanisms, and the conserved binding site areas that may anchor universal interspecific inhibitors. Moreover, it pinpoints hypotheses for the molecular origin of the myotoxicity of the PLA2-like proteins. Altogether, this study provides an understanding of the diversity of these toxins and how they are conserved, and it indicates how to develop broad, interspecies, efficient small-molecule inhibitors to target the toxin's many mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Requimte-Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-000 Porto, Portugal; (A.L.N.d.O.); (M.T.L.); (M.J.R.)
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Phan P, Deshwal A, McMahon TA, Slikas M, Andrews E, Becker B, Kumar TKS. A Review of Rattlesnake Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:2. [PMID: 38276526 PMCID: PMC10818703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010002] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Venom components are invaluable in biomedical research owing to their specificity and potency. Many of these components exist in two genera of rattlesnakes, Crotalus and Sistrurus, with high toxicity and proteolytic activity variation. This review focuses on venom components within rattlesnakes, and offers a comparison and itemized list of factors dictating venom composition, as well as presenting their known characteristics, activities, and significant applications in biosciences. There are 64 families and subfamilies of proteins present in Crotalus and Sistrurus venom. Snake venom serine proteases (SVSP), snake venom metalloproteases (SVMP), and phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are the standard components in Crotalus and Sistrurus venom. Through this review, we highlight gaps in the knowledge of rattlesnake venom; there needs to be more information on the venom composition of three Crotalus species and one Sistrurus subspecies. We discuss the activity and importance of both major and minor components in biomedical research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Anant Deshwal
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Tyler Anthony McMahon
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Matthew Slikas
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Elodie Andrews
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Brian Becker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
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Singh R, Kashif M, Srivastava P, Manna PP. Recent Advances in Chemotherapeutics for Leishmaniasis: Importance of the Cellular Biochemistry of the Parasite and Its Molecular Interaction with the Host. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050706. [PMID: 37242374 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050706] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a category 1 neglected protozoan disease caused by a kinetoplastid pathogen called Leishmania, is transmitted through dipteran insect vectors (phlebotomine, sand flies) in three main clinical forms: fatal visceral leishmaniasis, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Generic pentavalent antimonials have long been the drug of choice against leishmaniasis; however, their success is plagued with limitations such as drug resistance and severe side effects, which makes them redundant as frontline therapy for endemic visceral leishmaniasis. Alternative therapeutic regimens based on amphotericin B, miltefosine, and paromomycin have also been approved. Due to the unavailability of human vaccines, first-line chemotherapies such as pentavalent antimonials, pentamidine, and amphotericin B are the only options to treat infected individuals. The higher toxicity, adverse effects, and perceived cost of these pharmaceutics, coupled with the emergence of parasite resistance and disease relapse, makes it urgent to identify new, rationalized drug targets for the improvement in disease management and palliative care for patients. This has become an emergent need and more relevant due to the lack of information on validated molecular resistance markers for the monitoring and surveillance of changes in drug sensitivity and resistance. The present study reviewed the recent advances in chemotherapeutic regimens by targeting novel drugs using several strategies including bioinformatics to gain new insight into leishmaniasis. Leishmania has unique enzymes and biochemical pathways that are distinct from those of its mammalian hosts. In light of the limited number of available antileishmanial drugs, the identification of novel drug targets and studying the molecular and cellular aspects of these drugs in the parasite and its host is critical to design specific inhibitors targeting and controlling the parasite. The biochemical characterization of unique Leishmania-specific enzymes can be used as tools to read through possible drug targets. In this review, we discuss relevant metabolic pathways and novel drugs that are unique, essential, and linked to the survival of the parasite based on bioinformatics and cellular and biochemical analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Prateek Srivastava
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Partha Pratim Manna
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Diniz-Sousa R, Silva CCA, Pereira SS, da Silva SL, Fernandes PA, Teixeira LMC, Zuliani JP, Soares AM. Therapeutic applications of snake venoms: An invaluable potential of new drug candidates. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124357. [PMID: 37028634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms and their chemical compounds have aroused both empirical and scientific attention for ages. However, there has been a significant increase in scientific investigations in recent decades, allowing the production of various formulations that are helping in the development of many important tools for biotechnological, diagnostic, or therapeutic use, both in human and animal health, as well as in plants. Venoms are composed of biomolecules and inorganic compounds that may have physiological and pharmacological activities that are not related to their principal actions (prey immobilization, digestion, and defense). Snake venom toxins, mainly enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins, and peptides have been identified as potential prototypes for new drugs and/or models for the development of pharmacologically active structural domains for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, pain, and infectious-parasitic diseases. This minireview aims to provide an overview of the biotechnological potential of animal venoms, with a focus on snakes, and to introduce the reader to the fascinating world of Applied Toxinology, where animal biodiversity can be used to develop therapeutic and diagnostic applications for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Diniz-Sousa
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Cleópatra C A Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís M C Teixeira
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juliana P Zuliani
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Faculdade Católica de Rondônia (FCR), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil.
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Lomonte B. Lys49 myotoxins, secreted phospholipase A 2-like proteins of viperid venoms: A comprehensive review. Toxicon 2023; 224:107024. [PMID: 36632869 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Muscle necrosis is a potential clinical complication of snakebite envenomings, which in severe cases can lead to functional or physical sequelae such as disability or amputation. Snake venom proteins with the ability to directly damage skeletal muscle fibers are collectively referred to as myotoxins, and include three main types: cytolysins of the "three-finger toxin" protein family expressed in many elapid venoms, the so-called "small" myotoxins found in a number of rattlesnake venoms, and the widespread secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) molecules. Among the latter, protein variants that conserve the sPLA2 structure, but lack such enzymatic activity, have been increasingly found in the venoms of many viperid species. Intriguingly, these sPLA2-like proteins are able to induce muscle necrosis by a mechanism independent of phospholipid hydrolysis. They are commonly referred to as "Lys49 myotoxins" since they most often present, among other substitutions, the replacement of the otherwise invariant residue Asp49 of sPLA2s by Lys. This work comprehensively reviews the historical developments and current knowledge towards deciphering the mechanism of action of Lys49 sPLA2-like myotoxins, and points out main gaps to be filled for a better understanding of these multifaceted snake venom proteins, to hopefully lead to improved treatments for snakebites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica.
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Purification of PaTx-II from the Venom of the Australian King Brown Snake and Characterization of Its Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054359. [PMID: 36901790 PMCID: PMC10002107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are a global threat to human health. As venoms are the source of biochemically diverse bioactive proteins and peptides, we investigated the antimicrobial activity and murine skin infection model-based wound healing efficacy of a 13 kDa protein. The active component PaTx-II was isolated from the venom of Pseudechis australis (Australian King Brown or Mulga Snake). PaTx-II inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria in vitro, with moderate potency (MICs of 25 µM) observed against S. aureus, E. aerogenes, and P. vulgaris. The antibiotic activity of PaTx-II was associated with the disruption of membrane integrity, pore formation, and lysis of bacterial cells, as evidenced by scanning and transmission microscopy. However, these effects were not observed with mammalian cells, and PaTx-II exhibited minimal cytotoxicity (CC50 > 1000 µM) toward skin/lung cells. Antimicrobial efficacy was then determined using a murine model of S. aureus skin infection. Topical application of PaTx-II (0.5 mg/kg) cleared S. aureus with concomitant increased vascularization and re-epithelialization, promoting wound healing. As small proteins and peptides can possess immunomodulatory effects to enhance microbial clearance, cytokines and collagen from the wound tissue samples were analyzed by immunoblots and immunoassays. The amounts of type I collagen in PaTx-II-treated sites were elevated compared to the vehicle controls, suggesting a potential role for collagen in facilitating the maturation of the dermal matrix during wound healing. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), factors known to promote neovascularization, were substantially reduced by PaTx-II treatment. Further studies that characterize the contributions towards efficacy imparted by in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity with PaTx-II are warranted.
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Past, Present, and Future of Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials Related to Snake Venoms. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040744. [PMID: 36830531 PMCID: PMC9952678 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on proteins and peptides with antimicrobial activity because these biopolymers can be useful in the fight against infectious diseases and to overcome the critical problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. In fact, snakes show the highest diversification among reptiles, surviving in various environments; their innate immunity is similar to mammals and the response of their plasma to bacteria and fungi has been explored mainly in ecological studies. Snake venoms are a rich source of components that have a variety of biological functions. Among them are proteins like lectins, metalloproteinases, serine proteinases, L-amino acid oxidases, phospholipases type A2, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, as well as many oligopeptides, such as waprins, cardiotoxins, cathelicidins, and β-defensins. In vitro, these biomolecules were shown to be active against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that are pathogenic to humans. Not only cathelicidins, but all other proteins and oligopeptides from snake venom have been proteolyzed to provide short antimicrobial peptides, or for use as templates for developing a variety of short unnatural sequences based on their structures. In addition to organizing and discussing an expressive amount of information, this review also describes new β-defensin sequences of Sistrurus miliarius that can lead to novel peptide-based antimicrobial agents, using a multidisciplinary approach that includes sequence phylogeny.
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Bermúdez-Puga S, Morán-Marcillo G, Espinosa de Los Monteros-Silva N, Naranjo RE, Toscano F, Vizuete K, Torres Arias M, Almeida JR, Proaño-Bolaños C. Inspiration from cruzioseptin-1: membranolytic analogue with improved antibacterial properties. Amino Acids 2023; 55:113-124. [PMID: 36609571 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03209-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Peptide engineering has gained attraction as a source of new cationicity-enhanced analogues with high potential for the design of next-generation antibiotics. In this context, cruzioseptin-1 (CZS-1), a peptide identified from Cruziohyla calcarifer, is recognized for its antimicrobial potency. However, this amidated-peptide is moderately hemolytic. In order to reduce toxicity and increase antimicrobial potency, 3 peptide analogues based on cruzioseptin-1 were designed and evaluated. [K4K15]CZS-1, an analogue with increased cationicity and reduced hydrophobicity, showed antibacterial, antifungal and antiproliferative properties. In addition, [K4K15]CZS-1 is less hemolytic than CZS-1. The in silico and scanning electron microscopy analysis reveal that [K4K15]CZS-1 induces a membranolytic effect on bacteria. Overall, these results confirm the potential of CZS-1 as source of inspiration for design new selective antimicrobial analogues useful for development of new therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Bermúdez-Puga
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ Vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, 150150, Ecuador
| | - Giovanna Morán-Marcillo
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ Vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, 150150, Ecuador
| | - Nina Espinosa de Los Monteros-Silva
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ Vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, 150150, Ecuador
| | - Renato E Naranjo
- Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad, Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transición Ecológica, Madrid 1159 y Andalucía, Quito, 170525, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda Toscano
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y Agricultura, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, CENCINAT, GISAH Av. Gral. Rumiñahui S/N, P.O. Box 171, -5-231B, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Karla Vizuete
- Center of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí, 170501, Ecuador
| | - Marbel Torres Arias
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y Agricultura, Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, CENCINAT, GISAH Av. Gral. Rumiñahui S/N, P.O. Box 171, -5-231B, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - José R Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ Vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, 150150, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 ½ Vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, 150150, Ecuador.
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Bibliometric Analysis of Literature in Snake Venom-Related Research Worldwide (1933–2022). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162058. [PMID: 36009648 PMCID: PMC9405337 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Around the world, snake envenomation poses a serious health risk. Proteins with pharmacological effects are present in snake venom. Recent studies elaborate snake venom and its potential application, including as a cancer drug and antibacterial substances. Our study aimed to analyze the global profile of the literature in snake venom research from documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. In total, 2999 documents were published with Brazil showing the highest productivity. Antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are emerging as hot topics on a global scale. The present study offers a distinctive overview of snake venom research conducted worldwide. Abstract Snake envenomation is a severe economic and health concern affecting countries worldwide. Snake venom carries a wide variety of small peptides and proteins with various immunological and pharmacological properties. A few key research areas related to snake venom, including its applications in treating cancer and eradicating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have been gaining significant attention in recent years. The goal of the current study was to analyze the global profile of literature in snake venom research. This study presents a bibliometric review of snake venom-related research documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. The overall number of documents published on a global scale was 2999, with an average annual production of 34 documents. Brazil produced the highest number of documents (n = 729), followed by the United States (n = 548), Australia (n = 240), and Costa Rica (n = 235). Since 1963, the number of publications has been steadily increasing globally. At a worldwide level, antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are growing hot issues for research in this field. The current research provides a unique overview of snake venom research at global level from 1933 through 2022, and it may be beneficial in guiding future research.
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Oliveira AL, Viegas MF, da Silva SL, Soares AM, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. The chemistry of snake venom and its medicinal potential. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:451-469. [PMID: 37117308 PMCID: PMC9185726 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The fascination and fear of snakes dates back to time immemorial, with the first scientific treatise on snakebite envenoming, the Brooklyn Medical Papyrus, dating from ancient Egypt. Owing to their lethality, snakes have often been associated with images of perfidy, treachery and death. However, snakes did not always have such negative connotations. The curative capacity of venom has been known since antiquity, also making the snake a symbol of pharmacy and medicine. Today, there is renewed interest in pursuing snake-venom-based therapies. This Review focuses on the chemistry of snake venom and the potential for venom to be exploited for medicinal purposes in the development of drugs. The mixture of toxins that constitute snake venom is examined, focusing on the molecular structure, chemical reactivity and target recognition of the most bioactive toxins, from which bioactive drugs might be developed. The design and working mechanisms of snake-venom-derived drugs are illustrated, and the strategies by which toxins are transformed into therapeutics are analysed. Finally, the challenges in realizing the immense curative potential of snake venom are discussed, and chemical strategies by which a plethora of new drugs could be derived from snake venom are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Matilde F Viegas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, National Institute of Epidemiology in the Western Amazon (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Brazil.,Sao Lucas Universitary Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Maria J Ramos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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13
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de Moura GA, de Oliveira JR, Rocha YM, de Oliveira Freitas J, Rodrigues JPV, Ferreira VPG, Nicolete R. Antitumor and antiparasitic activity of antimicrobial peptides derived from snake venom: a systematic review approach. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5358-5368. [PMID: 35524668 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220507011719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a scenario of increased pathogens with multidrug resistance phenotypes, it is necessary to seek new pharmacological options. This fact is responsible for an increase in neoplasms and multiresistant parasitic diseases. In turn, snake venom-derived peptides exhibited cytotoxic action on fungal and bacterial strains, possibly presenting activities in resistant tumor cells and parasites. Therefore, the aim of this work is to verify an antitumor and antiparasitic activity of antimicrobial peptides derived from snake venom. METHODS For this purpose, searches were performed in the Pubmed, Embase and Virtual Health Library databases by combining the descriptors peptides, venom and snake with antitumor/ antiparasitic agent and in silico. The inclusion criteria: in vitro and in vivo experimental articles in addition to in silico studies. The exclusion criteria: articles that were out of scope, review articles, abstracts, and letters to the reader. Data extracted: peptide name, peptide sequence, semi-maximal inhibitory concentration, snake species, tumor lineage or parasitic strain, cytotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo activity. RESULTS In total 164 articles were found, of which 14 were used. A total of ten peptides with antiproliferative activity on tumor cells were identified. Among the articles, seven peptides addressed the antiparasitic activity. CONCLUSION In conclusion, snake venom-derived peptides can be considered as potential pharmacological options for parasites and tumors, however more studies are needed to prove their specific activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana R de Oliveira
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Northeast Network of Biotechnology (RENORBIO), State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Yasmim M Rocha
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | | | - João Pedro V Rodrigues
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Vanessa P G Ferreira
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Northeast Network of Biotechnology (RENORBIO), State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
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14
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Solving the microheterogeneity of Bothrops asper myotoxin-II by high-resolution mass spectrometry: Insights into C-terminal region variability in Lys49-phospholipase A2 homologs. Toxicon 2022; 210:123-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Lessons from a Single Amino Acid Substitution: Anticancer and Antibacterial Properties of Two Phospholipase A2-Derived Peptides. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 44:46-62. [PMID: 35723383 PMCID: PMC8929095 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane-active nature of phospholipase A2-derived peptides makes them potential candidates for antineoplastic and antibacterial therapies. Two short 13-mer C-terminal fragments taken from snake venom Lys49-PLA2 toxins (p-AppK and p-Acl), differing by a leucine/phenylalanine substitution, were synthesized and their bioactivity was evaluated. Their capacity to interfere with the survival of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as with solid and liquid tumors was assessed in vitro. Toxicity to red blood cells was investigated via in silico and in vitro techniques. The mode of action was mainly studied by molecular dynamics simulations and membrane permeabilization assays. Briefly, both peptides have dual activity, i.e., they act against both bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains and tumor cells. All tested bacteria were susceptible to both peptides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most affected. RAMOS, K562, NB4, and CEM cells were the main leukemic targets of the peptides. In general, p-Acl showed more significant activity, suggesting that phenylalanine confers advantages to the antibacterial and antitumor mechanism, particularly for osteosarcoma lines (HOS and MG63). Peptide-based treatment increased the uptake of a DNA-intercalating dye by bacteria, suggesting membrane damage. Indeed, p-AppK and p-Acl did not disrupt erythrocyte membranes, in agreement with in silico predictions. The latter revealed that the peptides deform the membrane and increase its permeability by facilitating solvent penetration. This phenomenon is expected to catalyze the permeation of solutes that otherwise could not cross the hydrophobic membrane core. In conclusion, the present study highlights the role of a single amino acid substitution present in natural sequences towards the development of dual-action agents. In other words, dissecting and fine-tuning biomembrane remodeling proteins, such as snake venom phospholipase A2 isoforms, is again demonstrated as a valuable source of therapeutic peptides.
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16
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Antimicrobial Activity of Snake β-Defensins and Derived Peptides. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 14:toxins14010001. [PMID: 35050978 PMCID: PMC8777785 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides presenting in vertebrate animals. They participate in innate immunity, but little is known about them in reptiles, including snakes. Although several β-defensin genes were described in Brazilian snakes, their function is still unknown. The peptide sequence from these genes was deduced, and synthetic peptides (with approximately 40 amino acids and derived peptides) were tested against pathogenic bacteria and fungi using microbroth dilution assays. The linear peptides, derived from β-defensins, were designed applying the bioisosterism strategy. The linear β-defensins were more active against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus. The derived peptides (7–14 mer) showed antibacterial activity against those bacteria and on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nonetheless, they did not present activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trychophyton rubrum, and Aspergillus fumigatus showing that the cysteine substitution to serine is deleterious to antifungal properties. Tryptophan residue showed to be necessary to improve antibacterial activity. Even though the studied snake β-defensins do not have high antimicrobial activity, they proved to be attractive as template molecules for the development of antibiotics.
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17
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Peña-Carrillo MS, Pinos-Tamayo EA, Mendes B, Domínguez-Borbor C, Proaño-Bolaños C, Miguel DC, Almeida JR. Dissection of phospholipases A 2 reveals multifaceted peptides targeting cancer cells, Leishmania and bacteria. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105041. [PMID: 34130109 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cationic peptides bio-inspired by natural toxins have been recognized as an efficient strategy for the treatment of different health problems. Due to the specific interaction with substrates from biological membranes, snake venom phospholipases (PLA2s) represent valuable scaffolds for the research and development of short peptides targeting parasites, bacteria, and cancer cells. Considering this, we evaluated the in vitro therapeutic potential of three biomimetic peptides (pCergo, pBmTxJ and pBmje) based on three different amino acid sequences from Asp49 PLA2s. First, short amino acid sequences (12-17 in length) derived from these membranolytic toxins were selected using a combination of bioinformatics tools, including AntiCP, AMPA, PepDraw, ToxinPred, and HemoPI. The peptide, from each polypeptide sequence, with the greatest average antimicrobial index, no toxicity, and no hemolysis predicted was synthesized, purified, and characterized. According to in vitro assays performed, pBmje showed moderate cytotoxicity specifically against MCF-7 (breast cancer cells) with an EC50 of 464.85 µM, whereas pBmTxJ showed an antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) with an MIC of 37.5 µM, and pCergo against E. coli (ATCC 25922) with an MIC of 75 µM. In addition, pCergo showed antileishmanial activity with an EC50 of 93.69 µM and 110.40 µM against promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis and L. amazonensis, respectively. Altogether, these results confirmed the versatility of PLA2-derived synthetic peptides, highlighting the relevance of the use of these membrane-interacting toxins as specific archetypes for drug design focused on public health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Peña-Carrillo
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Edgar A Pinos-Tamayo
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristobal Domínguez-Borbor
- ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Marinas (CENAIM), Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30. 5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José R Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.
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Deshwal A, Phan P, Datta J, Kannan R, Thallapuranam SK. A Meta-Analysis of the Protein Components in Rattlesnake Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060372. [PMID: 34071038 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity and potency of venom components give them a unique advantage in developing various pharmaceutical drugs. Though venom is a cocktail of proteins, rarely are the synergy and association between various venom components studied. Understanding the relationship between various components of venom is critical in medical research. Using meta-analysis, we observed underlying patterns and associations in the appearance of the toxin families. For Crotalus, Dis has the most associations with the following toxins: PDE; BPP; CRL; CRiSP; LAAO; SVMP P-I and LAAO; SVMP P-III and LAAO. In Sistrurus venom, CTL and NGF have the most associations. These associations can predict the presence of proteins in novel venom and understand synergies between venom components for enhanced bioactivity. Using this approach, the need to revisit the classification of proteins as major components or minor components is highlighted. The revised classification of venom components is based on ubiquity, bioactivity, the number of associations, and synergies. The revised classification can be expected to trigger increased research on venom components, such as NGF, which have high biomedical significance. Using hierarchical clustering, we observed that the genera's venom compositions were similar, based on functional characteristics rather than phylogenetic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Deshwal
- Division of Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jyotishka Datta
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ragupathy Kannan
- Department of Biology, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR 72913, USA
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19
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Robles-Loaiza AA, Pinos-Tamayo EA, Mendes B, Teixeira C, Alves C, Gomes P, Almeida JR. Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094400. [PMID: 33922379 PMCID: PMC8122823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based drugs are an attractive class of therapeutic agents, recently recognized by the pharmaceutical industry. These molecules are currently being used in the development of innovative therapies for diverse health conditions, including tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis. Despite its socioeconomic influence on public health, leishmaniasis remains long-neglected and categorized as a poverty-related disease, with limited treatment options. Peptides with antileishmanial effects encountered to date are a structurally heterogeneous group, which can be found in different natural sources—amphibians, reptiles, insects, bacteria, marine organisms, mammals, plants, and others—or inspired by natural toxins or proteins. This review details the biochemical and structural characteristics of over one hundred peptides and their potential use as molecular frameworks for the design of antileishmanial drug leads. Additionally, we detail the main chemical modifications or substitutions of amino acid residues carried out in the peptide sequence, and their implications in the development of antileishmanial candidates for clinical trials. Our bibliographic research highlights that the action of leishmanicidal peptides has been evaluated mainly using in vitro assays, with a special emphasis on the promastigote stage. In light of these findings, and considering the advances in the successful application of peptides in leishmaniasis chemotherapy, possible approaches and future directions are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto A. Robles-Loaiza
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
| | - Edgar A. Pinos-Tamayo
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - Cláudia Alves
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - José R. Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Structural, enzymatic and pharmacological profiles of AplTX-II - A basic sPLA 2 (D49) isolated from the Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma snake venom. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 175:572-585. [PMID: 33529631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A basic sPLA2 (D49) from the venom of snake Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma (AplTX-II) was isolated, purified and characterized. We determined the enzymatic and pharmacological profiles of this toxin. AplTX-II was isolated with a high level of purity through reverse phase chromatography and molecular exclusion. The enzyme showed pI 9.48 and molecular weight of 14,003 Da. The enzymatic activity of the AplTX-II depended on Ca2+ pH and temperature. The comparison of the primary structure with other sPLA2s revealed that AplTX-II presented all the structural reasons expected for a basic sPLA2s. Additionally, we have resolved its structure with the docked synthetic substrate NOBA (4-nitro-3-octanoyloxy benzoic acid) by homology modeling, and performed MD simulations with explicit solvent. Structural similarities were found between the enzyme's modeled structure and other snake sPLA2 X-Ray structures, available in the PDB database. NOBA and active-site water molecules spontaneously adopted stable positions and established interactions in full agreement with the reaction mechanism, proposed for the physiological substrate, suggesting that NOBA hydrolysis is an excellent model to study phospholipid hydrolysis.
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21
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Lachowicz JI, Szczepski K, Scano A, Casu C, Fais S, Orrù G, Pisano B, Piras M, Jaremko M. The Best Peptidomimetic Strategies to Undercover Antibacterial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7349. [PMID: 33027928 PMCID: PMC7583890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Health-care systems that develop rapidly and efficiently may increase the lifespan of humans. Nevertheless, the older population is more fragile, and is at an increased risk of disease development. A concurrently growing number of surgeries and transplantations have caused antibiotics to be used much more frequently, and for much longer periods of time, which in turn increases microbial resistance. In 1945, Fleming warned against the abuse of antibiotics in his Nobel lecture: "The time may come when penicillin can be bought by anyone in the shops. Then there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug make them resistant". After 70 years, we are witnessing the fulfilment of Fleming's prophecy, as more than 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides protect all living matter against bacteria, and now different peptidomimetic strategies to engineer innovative antibiotics are being developed to defend humans against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Kacper Szczepski
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Alessandra Scano
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Cinzia Casu
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Sara Fais
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Germano Orrù
- Department of Surgical Science, OBL Oral Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (C.C.); (S.F.); (G.O.)
| | - Barbara Pisano
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Monica Piras
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (B.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
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22
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Schmitz T, Pengelley S, Belau E, Suckau D, Imhof D. LC-Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry-TOF MS Differentiation of 2- and 3-Disulfide-Bonded Isomers of the μ-Conotoxin PIIIA. Anal Chem 2020; 92:10920-10924. [PMID: 32806900 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide bonds within cysteine-rich peptides are important for their stability and biological function. In this respect, the correct disulfide connectivity plays a decisive role. The differentiation of individual disulfide-bonded isomers by traditional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) is limited due to the similarity in physicochemical properties of the isomers sharing the same amino acid sequence. By using trapped ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (TIMS-MS), several 2- and 3-disulfide-bonded isomers of the μ-conotoxin PIIIA were investigated for their distinguishability by collision cross section (CCS) values and their characteristic mobilogram traces. The isomers could be differentiated by TIMS-MS and also identified in mixing experiments. Thus, TIMS-MS provides a highly valuable and enriching addition to standard HPLC and MS analysis of conformational isomers of disulfide-rich peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schmitz
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stuart Pengelley
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Belau
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Detlev Suckau
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Diana Imhof
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Mendes B, Almeida JR, Vale N, Gomes P, Gadelha FR, Da Silva SL, Miguel DC. Potential use of 13-mer peptides based on phospholipase and oligoarginine as leishmanicidal agents. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 226:108612. [PMID: 31454702 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipase A2 toxins present in snake venoms interact with biological membranes and serve as structural models for the design of small peptides with anticancer, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. Oligoarginine peptides are capable of increasing cell membrane permeability (cell penetrating peptides), and for this reason are interesting delivery systems for compounds of pharmacological interest. Inspired by these two families of bioactive molecules, we have synthesized two 13-mer peptides as potential antileishmanial leads gaining insights into structural features useful for the future design of more potent peptides. The peptides included p-Acl, reproducing a natural segment of a Lys49 PLA2 from Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus snake venom, and its p-AclR7 analogue where all seven lysine residues were replaced by arginines. Both peptides were active against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and L. (L.) infantum, while displaying low cytotoxicity for primary murine macrophages. Spectrofluorimetric studies suggest that permeabilization of the parasite's cell membrane is the probable mechanism of action of these biomolecules. Relevantly, the engineered peptide p-AclR7 was more active in both life stages of Leishmania and induced higher rates of ethidium bromide incorporation than its native template p-Acl. Taken together, the results suggest that short peptides based on phospholipase toxins are potential scaffolds for development of antileishmanial candidates. Moreover, specific amino acid substitutions, such those herein employed, may enhance the antiparasitic action of these cationic peptides, encouraging their future biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José R Almeida
- Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Nuno Vale
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IPATIMUP/Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernanda R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Saulo L Da Silva
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca/Azuay, Ecuador.; Centro de Innovación de la Salud - EUS/EP, Cuenca/Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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de Barros E, Gonçalves RM, Cardoso MH, Santos NC, Franco OL, Cândido ES. Snake Venom Cathelicidins as Natural Antimicrobial Peptides. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1415. [PMID: 31849667 PMCID: PMC6895205 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive small molecules isolated from animals, plants, fungi and bacteria, including natural antimicrobial peptides, have shown great therapeutic potential worldwide. Among these peptides, snake venom cathelicidins are being widely exploited, because the variation in the composition of the venom reflects a range of biological activities that may be of biotechnological interest. Cathelicidins are short, cationic, and amphipathic molecules. They play an important role in host defense against microbial infections. We are currently facing a strong limitation on pharmacological interventions for infection control, which has become increasingly complex due to the lack of effective therapeutic options. In this review, we will focus on natural snake venom cathelicidins as promising candidates for the development of new antibacterial agents to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We will highlight their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, mechanism of action, and modulation of the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizângela de Barros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Regina M Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Elizabete S Cândido
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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25
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Proaño-Bolaños C, Blasco-Zúñiga A, Almeida JR, Wang L, Llumiquinga MA, Rivera M, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C. Unravelling the Skin Secretion Peptides of the Gliding Leaf Frog, Agalychnis spurrelli (Hylidae). Biomolecules 2019; 9:E667. [PMID: 31671555 PMCID: PMC6920962 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Frog skin secretions contain medically-valuable molecules, which are useful for the discovery of new biopharmaceuticals. The peptide profile of the skin secretion of Agalychnis spurrelli has not been investigated; therefore, the structural and biological characterization of its compounds signify an inestimable opportunity to acquire new biologically-active chemical scaffolds. In this work, skin secretion from this amphibian was analysed by molecular cloning and tandem mass spectrometry. Although the extent of this work was not exhaustive, eleven skin secretion peptides belonging to five peptide families were identified. Among these, we report the occurrence of two phyllokinins, and one medusin-SP which were previously reported in other related species. In addition, eight novel peptides were identified, including four dermaseptins, DRS-SP2 to DRS-SP5, one phylloseptin-SP1, and three orphan peptides. Phylloseptin-SP1 and dermaseptins-SP2 were identified in HPLC fractions based on their molecular masses determined by MALDI-TOF MS. Among the antimicrobial peptides, dermaseptin-SP2 was the most potent, inhibiting Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and ORSA with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.68 μM, and Candida albicans with an MIC of 10.71 μM, without haemolytic effects. The peptides described in this study represent but a superficial glance at the considerable structural diversity of bioactive peptides produced in the skin secretion of A. spurrelli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Ailín Blasco-Zúñiga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - José Rafael Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 ½ vía Muyuna, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Miguel Angel Llumiquinga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - Miryan Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Av 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito 170150, Ecuador.
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
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26
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Ul-Hasan S, Rodríguez-Román E, Reitzel AM, Adams RMM, Herzig V, Nobile CJ, Saviola AJ, Trim SA, Stiers EE, Moschos SA, Keiser CN, Petras D, Moran Y, Colston TJ. The emerging field of venom-microbiomics for exploring venom as a microenvironment, and the corresponding Initiative for Venom Associated Microbes and Parasites (iVAMP). Toxicon X 2019; 4:100016. [PMID: 32550573 PMCID: PMC7286055 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2019.100016] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom is a known source of novel antimicrobial natural products. The substantial, increasing number of these discoveries have unintentionally culminated in the misconception that venom and venom-producing glands are largely sterile environments. Culture-dependent and -independent studies on the microbial communities in venom microenvironments reveal the presence of archaea, algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Venom-centric microbiome studies are relatively sparse to date with the adaptive advantages that venom-associated microbes might offer to their hosts, or that hosts might provide to venom-associated microbes, remaining largely unknown. We highlight the potential for the discovery of venom microbiomes within the adaptive landscape of venom systems. The considerable number of convergently evolved venomous animals, juxtaposed with the comparatively few known studies to identify microbial communities in venom, provides new possibilities for both biodiversity and therapeutic discoveries. We present an evidence-based argument for integrating microbiology as part of venomics (i.e., venom-microbiomics) and introduce iVAMP, the Initiative for Venom Associated Microbes and Parasites (https://ivamp-consortium.github.io/), as a growing collaborative consortium. We express commitment to the diversity, inclusion and scientific collaboration among researchers interested in this emerging subdiscipline through expansion of the iVAMP consortium. Venom-microbiome studies as an integrative field of venomics and microbiology. Argument for multi-omics-based discovery through a microenvironment framework. Introduction of a venom-microbiome research consortium (iVAMP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Ul-Hasan
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Eduardo Rodríguez-Román
- Center for Microbiology and Cell Biology, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research. Caracas, 1020A, Venezuela
| | - Adam M Reitzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Rachelle M M Adams
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven A Trim
- Venomtech Ltd, Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9ND, UK
| | - Erin E Stiers
- Department of Biological Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Sterghios A Moschos
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Carl N Keiser
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Daniel Petras
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California, San Diego, USA.,Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Timothy J Colston
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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27
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Bäuml CA, Schmitz T, Paul George AA, Sudarsanam M, Hardes K, Steinmetzer T, Holle LA, Wolberg AS, Pötzsch B, Oldenburg J, Biswas A, Imhof D. Coagulation Factor XIIIa Inhibitor Tridegin: On the Role of Disulfide Bonds for Folding, Stability, and Function. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3513-3523. [PMID: 30852892 PMCID: PMC6650289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tridegin is a potent and specific 66mer peptide inhibitor of coagulation factor XIIIa with six cysteines involved in three disulfide bonds. Three of the 15 possible 3-disulfide-bonded isomers have been identified, which share a bridge between cysteines 19 and 25. We synthesized the three possible 2-disulfide-bonded analogues using a targeted protecting group strategy to investigate the impact of the C19-C25 bond on tridegin's folding, stability, and function. The FXIIIa inhibitory activity of the analogues was retained, which was shown by in vitro fluorogenic activity and whole blood clotting assays. Molecular dynamics simulations of wild-type tridegin and the analogues as well as molecular docking studies with FXIIIa were performed to elucidate the impact of the C19-C25 bond on conformational stability and binding mode. The strategy of selectively reducing disulfide bonds to facilitate large-scale synthesis, while retaining the functionality of disulfide-bonded peptides, has been demonstrated with our present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A. Bäuml
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitz
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ajay A. Paul George
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Monica Sudarsanam
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lori A. Holle
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 819 Brinkhous-Bullitt Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alisa S. Wolberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 819 Brinkhous-Bullitt Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bernd Pötzsch
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Oldenburg
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Arijit Biswas
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Diana Imhof
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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28
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Almeida JR, Palacios ALV, Patiño RSP, Mendes B, Teixeira CAS, Gomes P, da Silva SL. Harnessing snake venom phospholipases A 2 to novel approaches for overcoming antibiotic resistance. Drug Dev Res 2018; 80:68-85. [PMID: 30255943 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistance drives an essential race against time to reveal new molecular structures capable of addressing this alarming global health problem. Snake venoms are natural catalogs of multifunctional toxins and privileged frameworks, which serve as potential templates for the inspiration of novel treatment strategies for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2 s) are one of the main classes of antibacterial biomolecules, with recognized therapeutic value, found in these valuable secretions. Recently, a number of biomimetic oligopeptides based on small fragments of primary structure from PLA2 toxins has emerged as a meaningful opportunity to overcome multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Thus, this review will highlight the biochemical and structural properties of antibacterial PLA2 s and peptides thereof, as well as their possible molecular mechanisms of action and key roles in development of effective therapeutic strategies. Chemical strategies possibly useful to convert antibacterial peptides from PLA2 s to efficient drugs will be equally addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Cátia A S Teixeira
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Facultad de Ciencias Química, Universidad de Cuenca - Cuenca/Azuay - Ecuador
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