1
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Seimandi GM, Imhoff SDC, Derita MG. Bioactivity of Raphanus Species against Agricultural Phytopathogens and its Role in Soil Remediation: A Review. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:516-544. [PMID: 37415376 DOI: 10.2174/1386207326666230706123818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Phytopathogens and weeds represent around 20-40% of global agricultural productivity losses. Synthetic pesticide products are the most used to combat these pests, but it reiterates that their use has caused tremendous pressure on ecosystems' self-cleansing capacity and resistance development by pathogens to synthetic fungicides. In the last decades, researchers have demonstrated the vast biological properties of plants against pathogens and diseases. Raphanus species (Brassicaceae) possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, insecticidal, nematicidal, allelopathic, and phytoremediators properties. These are due to the presence of structurally diverse bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and glucosinolates. In this review, we have provided an update on the biological properties of two Raphanus species (R. sativus and R. raphanistrum), detailing the type of natural product (extract or isolated compound), the bioassays displayed, and the results obtained for the main bioactivities of this genus cited in the literature during the last 30 years. Moreover, preliminary studies on phytopathogenic activities performed in our laboratory have also been depicted. We conclude that Raphanus species could be a source of natural bioactive molecules to treat phytopathogens and weeds that affect crops and remediate contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Marisol Seimandi
- ICiAgro Litoral (Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, 3080HOF, Argentina
| | - Silvia Del Carmen Imhoff
- ICiAgro Litoral (Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, 3080HOF, Argentina
| | - Marcos Gabriel Derita
- ICiAgro Litoral (Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, 3080HOF, Argentina
- Farmacognosia, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha, 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
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2
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Huang Y, Guo X, Zhang K, Mandáková T, Cheng F, Lysak MA. The meso-octoploid Heliophila variabilis genome sheds a new light on the impact of polyploidization and diploidization on the diversity of the Cape flora. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 116:446-466. [PMID: 37428465 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the South African Cape flora is one of the most remarkable biodiversity hotspots, its high diversity has not been associated with polyploidy. Here, we report the chromosome-scale genome assembly of an ephemeral cruciferous species Heliophila variabilis (~334 Mb, n = 11) adapted to South African semiarid biomes. Two pairs of differently fractionated subgenomes suggest an allo-octoploid origin of the genome at least 12 million years ago. The ancestral octoploid Heliophila genome (2n = 8x = ~60) has probably originated through hybridization between two allotetraploids (2n = 4x = ~30) formed by distant, intertribal, hybridization. Rediploidization of the ancestral genome was marked by extensive reorganization of parental subgenomes, genome downsizing, and speciation events in the genus Heliophila. We found evidence for loss-of-function changes in genes associated with leaf development and early flowering, and over-retention and sub/neofunctionalization of genes involved in pathogen response and chemical defense. The genomic resources of H. variabilis will help elucidate the role of polyploidization and genome diploidization in plant adaptation to hot arid environments and origin of the Cape flora. The sequenced H. variabilis represents the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of a meso-octoploid representative of the mustard family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yile Huang
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research (NCBR), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Kang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sino-Dutch Joint Laboratory of Horticultural Genomics, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Terezie Mandáková
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Feng Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sino-Dutch Joint Laboratory of Horticultural Genomics, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Martin A Lysak
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research (NCBR), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
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3
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Li S, Wang Y, Zhou J, Wang J, Zhang M, Chen H. Structural Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and the Antifungal Mechanism of a Novel Peptide Extracted from Garlic (Allium sativa L.). Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073098. [PMID: 37049861 PMCID: PMC10095746 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativa L.) is a traditional plant with antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to discover new antifungal peptides from garlic, identify their structure, and explore the antimicrobial mechanism. Peptides were separated by chromatography and identified by MALDI-TOF analysis. Structure and conformation were characterized by CD spectrum and NMR analysis. Mechanism studies were conducted by SEM, membrane depolarization, and transcriptomic analysis. The cytotoxicity to mammalian cells as well as drug resistance development ability were also evaluated. A novel antifungal peptide named NpRS with nine amino acids (RSLNLLMFR) was obtained. It was a kind of cationic peptide with a α-helix as the dominant conformation. NOESY correlation revealed a cyclization in the molecule. The peptide significantly inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. The mechanism study indicated that membrane destruction and the interference of ribosome-related pathways might be the main mechanisms of antifungal effects. In addition, the resistance gene CDR1 for azole was down-regulated and the drug resistance was hardly developed in 21 days by the serial passage study. The present study identified a novel antifungal garlic peptide with low toxicity and provided new mechanism information for the peptide at the gene expression level to counter drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jingna Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Min Zhang
- College of Food Science and Bioengineering, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Haixia Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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4
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Slezina MP, Istomina EA, Korostyleva TV, Odintsova TI. The γ-Core Motif Peptides of Plant AMPs as Novel Antimicrobials for Medicine and Agriculture. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010483. [PMID: 36613926 PMCID: PMC9820530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The γ-core motif is a structural element shared by most host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which is supposed to contribute to their antimicrobial properties. In this review, we summarized the available data on the γ-core peptides of plant AMPs. We describe γ-core peptides that have been shown to exhibit inhibitory activity against plant and human bacterial and fungal pathogens that make them attractive scaffolds for the development of novel anti-infective agents. Their advantages include origin from natural AMP sequences, broad-spectrum and potent inhibitory activity, and cost-effective production. In addition, some γ-core peptides combine antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions, thus broadening the spectrum of practical applications. Some act synergistically with antimycotics and fungicides, so combinations of peptides with conventionally used antifungal agents can be suggested as an effective strategy to reduce the doses of potentially harmful chemicals. The presented information will pave the way for the design of novel antimicrobials on the basis of γ-core motif peptides, which can find application in medicine and the protection of crops from diseases.
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de Oliveira Silva L, da Silva Pereira L, Pereira JL, Gomes VM, Grativol C. Divergence and conservation of defensins and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) from sugarcane wild species and modern cultivar genomes. Funct Integr Genomics 2022; 22:235-250. [PMID: 35195843 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00832-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) constitute a large and evolutionarily diverse family of antimicrobial peptides. Defensins and LTPs are two pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins) whose characterization may help to uncover aspects about the sugarcane response to pathogens attack. LTPs have also been investigated for their participation in the response to different types of stress. Despite the important roles of defensins and LTPs in biotic and abiotic stresses, scarce knowledge is found about these proteins in sugarcane. By using bioinformatics approaches, we characterized defensins and LTPs in the sugarcane wild species and modern cultivar genomes. The identification of defensins and LTPs showed that all five defensins groups and eight of the nine LTPs have their respective genes loci, although some was only identified in the cultivar genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that defensins appear to be more conserved among groups of plants than LTPs. Some defensins and LTPs showed opposite expression during pathogenic and benefic bacterial interactions. Interestingly, the expression of defensins and LTPs in shoots and roots was completely different in plants submitted to benefic bacteria or water depletion. Finally, the modeling and comparison of isoforms of LTPs and defensins in wild species and cultivars revealed a high conservation of tertiary structures, with variation of amino acids in different regions of proteins, which could impact their antimicrobial activity. Our data contributed to the characterization of defensins and LTPs in sugarcane and provided new elements for understanding the involvement of these proteins in sugarcane response to different types of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro de Oliveira Silva
- Laboratório de Química, Função de Proteínas E Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lídia da Silva Pereira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jacymara Lopes Pereira
- Laboratório de Química, Função de Proteínas E Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia E Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Clícia Grativol
- Laboratório de Química, Função de Proteínas E Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
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6
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Synthetic Oligopeptides Mimicking γ-Core Regions of Cysteine-Rich Peptides of Solanum lycopersicum Possess Antimicrobial Activity against Human and Plant Pathogens. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1226-1242. [PMID: 34698084 PMCID: PMC8929047 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030087] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) represent a diverse group of molecules involved in different aspects of plant physiology. Antimicrobial peptides, which directly suppress the growth of pathogens, are regarded as promising templates for the development of next-generation pharmaceuticals and ecologically friendly plant disease control agents. Their oligopeptide fragments are even more promising because of their low production costs. The goal of this work was to explore the antimicrobial activity of nine short peptides derived from the γ-core-containing regions of tomato CRPs against important plant and human pathogens. We discovered antimicrobial activity in peptides derived from the defensin-like peptides, snakins, and MEG, which demonstrates the direct involvement of these CRPs in defense reactions in tomato. The CRP-derived short peptides appeared particularly active against the gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis, which causes bacterial wilt—opening up new possibilities for their use in agriculture to control this dangerous disease. Furthermore, high inhibitory potency of short oligopeptides was demonstrated against the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes serious diseases in humans, making these peptide molecules promising candidates for the development of next-generation pharmaceuticals. Studies of the mode of action of the two most active peptides indicate fungal membrane permeabilization as a mechanism of antimicrobial action.
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7
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Fernández A, Colombo ML, Curto LM, Gómez GE, Delfino JM, Guzmán F, Bakás L, Malbrán I, Vairo-Cavalli SE. Peptides Derived From the α-Core and γ-Core Regions of a Putative Silybum marianum Flower Defensin Show Antifungal Activity Against Fusarium graminearum. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:632008. [PMID: 33679660 PMCID: PMC7925638 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.632008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is the etiological agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), a disease that produces a significant decrease in wheat crop yield and it is further aggravated by the presence of mycotoxins in the affected grains that may cause health problems to humans and animals. Plant defensins and defensin-like proteins are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); they are small basic, cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) ubiquitously expressed in the plant kingdom and mostly involved in host defence. They present a highly variable sequence but a conserved structure. The γ-core located in the C-terminal region of plant defensins has a conserved β-hairpin structure and is a well-known determinant of the antimicrobial activity among disulphide-containing AMPs. Another conserved motif of plant defensins is the α-core located in the N-terminal region, not conserved among the disulphide-containing AMPs, it has not been yet extensively studied. In this report, we have cloned the putative antimicrobial protein DefSm2, expressed in flowers of the wild plant Silybum marianum. The cDNA encodes a protein with two fused basic domains of an N-terminal defensin domain (DefSm2-D) and a C-terminal Arg-rich and Lys-rich domain. To further characterize the DefSm2-D domain, we built a 3D template-based model that will serve to support the design of novel antifungal peptides. We have designed four potential antifungal peptides: two from the DefSm2-D α-core region (SmAPα1-21 and SmAPα10-21) and two from the γ-core region (SmAPγ27-44 and SmAPγ29-35). We have chemically synthesized and purified the peptides and further characterized them by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. SmAPα1-21, SmAPα10-21, and SmAPγ27-44 inhibited the growth of the phytopathogen F. graminearum at low micromolar concentrations. Conidia exposure to the fungicidal concentration of the peptides caused membrane permeabilization to the fluorescent probe propidium iodide (PI), suggesting that this is one of the main contributing factors in fungal cell killing. Furthermore, conidia treated for 0.5h showed cytoplasmic disorganization as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Remarkably, the peptides derived from the α-core induced morphological changes on the conidia cell wall, which is a promising target since its distinctive biochemical and structural organization is absent in plant and mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Fernández
- CIPROVE-Centro Asociado CIC, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Laura Colombo
- CIPROVE-Centro Asociado CIC, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia M Curto
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela E Gómez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José M Delfino
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma (NBC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Laura Bakás
- CIPROVE-Centro Asociado CIC, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.,Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ismael Malbrán
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología (CIDEFI-UNLP-CIC), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Sandra E Vairo-Cavalli
- CIPROVE-Centro Asociado CIC, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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8
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Toledo EB, Lucas DR, Simão TLBV, Calixto SD, Lassounskaia E, Muzitano MF, Damica FZ, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. Design of improved synthetic antifungal peptides with targeted variations in charge, hydrophobicity and chirality based on a correlation study between biological activity and primary structure of plant defensin γ-cores. Amino Acids 2021; 53:219-237. [PMID: 33483849 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbial resistance to available drugs is a growing health threat imposing the need for the development of new drugs. The scaffold of plant defensins, including their γ-cores, are particularly good candidates for drug design. This work aimed to improve the antifungal activity of a previous design peptide, named A36,42,44γ32-46VuDef (for short DD) against yeasts by altering its biochemical parameters. We explore the correlation of the biological activity and structure of plant defensins and compared their primary structures by superimposition with VuDef1 and DD which indicated us the favorable position and the amino acid to be changed. Three new peptides with modifications in charge, hydrophobicity (RR and WR) and chirality (D-RR) were designed and tested against pathogenic yeasts. Inhibition was determined by absorbance. Viability of mammalian cells was determined by MTT. The three designed peptides had better inhibitory activity against the yeasts with better potency and spectrum of yeast species inhibition, with low toxicity to mammalian cells. WR, the most hydrophobic and cationic, exhibited better antifungal activity and lower toxicity. Our study provides experimental evidence that targeted changes in the primary structure of peptides based on plant defensins γ-core primary structures prove to be a good tool for the synthesis of new compounds that may be useful as alternative antifungal drugs. The method described did not have the drawback of synthesis of several peptides, because alterations are guided. When compared to other methods, the design process described is efficient and viable to those with scarce resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefany Braz Toledo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Douglas Ribeiro Lucas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Thatiana Lopes Biá Ventura Simão
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Sanderson Dias Calixto
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Elena Lassounskaia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Michele Frazão Muzitano
- Laboratório de Produtos Bioativos, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Pólo Novo Cavaleiro-IMMT, Macaé, RJ, 27933-378, Brazil
| | - Filipe Zanirati Damica
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil.
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9
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Fernández de Ullivarri M, Arbulu S, Garcia-Gutierrez E, Cotter PD. Antifungal Peptides as Therapeutic Agents. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:105. [PMID: 32257965 PMCID: PMC7089922 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi have been used since ancient times in food and beverage-making processes and, more recently, have been harnessed for the production of antibiotics and in processes of relevance to the bioeconomy. Moreover, they are starting to gain attention as a key component of the human microbiome. However, fungi are also responsible for human infections. The incidence of community-acquired and nosocomial fungal infections has increased considerably in recent decades. Antibiotic resistance development, the increasing number of immunodeficiency- and/or immunosuppression-related diseases and limited therapeutic options available are triggering the search for novel alternatives. These new antifungals should be less toxic for the host, with targeted or broader antimicrobial spectra (for diseases of known and unknown etiology, respectively) and modes of actions that limit the potential for the emergence of resistance among pathogenic fungi. Given these criteria, antimicrobial peptides with antifungal properties, i.e., antifungal peptides (AFPs), have emerged as powerful candidates due to their efficacy and high selectivity. In this review, we provide an overview of the bioactivity and classification of AFPs (natural and synthetic) as well as their mode of action and advantages over current antifungal drugs. Additionally, natural, heterologous and synthetic production of AFPs with a view to greater levels of exploitation is discussed. Finally, we evaluate the current and potential applications of these peptides, along with the future challenges relating to antifungal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fernández de Ullivarri
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Sara Arbulu
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Enriqueta Garcia-Gutierrez
- Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland.,Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Cotter
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
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10
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Souza GS, de Carvalho LP, de Melo EJT, da Silva FCV, Machado OLT, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. A synthetic peptide derived of the β 2-β 3 loop of the plant defensin from Vigna unguiculata seeds induces Leishmania amazonensis apoptosis-like cell death. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1633-1648. [PMID: 31654210 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For medical use of proteins and peptide-based drugs, it is desirable to have small biologically active sequences because they improve stability, reduce side effects, and production costs. Several plant defensins have their biological activities imparted by a sequence named γ-core. Vu-Def, a Vigna unguiculata defensin, has activity against Leishmania amazonensis, which is one etiological agent of leishmaniasis and for which new drugs are needed. Our intention was to understand if the region comprising the Vu-Def γ-core is responsible for the biological activity against L. amazonensis and to unveil its mechanism of action. Different microbiological assays with L. amazonensis in the presence of the synthetic peptide A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def were done, as well as ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses. A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def showed biological activity similar to Vu-Def. A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def (74 µM) caused 97% inhibition of L. amazonensis culture and parasites were unable to regrow in fresh medium. The cells of the treated parasites showed morphological alterations by ultrastructural analysis and fluorescent labelings that corroborate with the data of the organelles alterations. The general significance of our work is based on the description of a small synthetic peptide, A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def, which has activity on L. amazonensis and that the interaction between A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def-L. amazonensis results in parasite inhibition by the activation of an apoptotic-like cell death pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géssika Silva Souza
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Laís Pessanha de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Edésio José Tenório de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flávia Camila Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Olga Lima Tavares Machado
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil.
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11
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de Oliveira Mello É, Taveira GB, de Oliveira Carvalho A, Gomes VM. Improved smallest peptides based on positive charge increase of the γ-core motif from PνD 1 and their mechanism of action against Candida species. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:407-420. [PMID: 30666103 PMCID: PMC6331069 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s187957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant defensins have a hallmark γ-core motif (GXCX3-9C) that is related to their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this work was to design synthetic peptides based on the region corresponding to the PvD1 defensin γ-core that are the smallest amino acid sequences that bear the strongest biological activity. METHODS We made rational substitutions of negatively charged amino acid residues with positively charged ones, and the reduction in length in the selected PvD1 γ-core sequence to verify whether the increased net positive charges and shortened length are related to the increase in antifungal activity. Herein, we opted to evaluate the action mechanism of γ33-41 PvD1 ++ peptide due to its significant inhibitory effect on tested yeasts. In addition, it is the smallest construct comprising only nine amino acid residues, giving it a better possibility to be a prototype for designing a new antifungal drug, with lower costs to the pharmaceutical industry while still maintaining the strongest antimicrobial properties. RESULTS The γ33-41 PvD1 ++ peptide caused the most toxic effects in the yeast Candida buinensis, leading to membrane permeabilization, viability loss, endogenous reactive oxygen species increase, the activation of metacaspase, and the loss of mitochondrial functionality, suggesting that this peptide triggers cell death via apoptosis. CONCLUSION We observed that the antifungal activity of PvD1 is not strictly localized in the structural domain, which comprises the γ-core region and that the increase in the net positive charge is directly related to the increase in antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica de Oliveira Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - Gabriel Bonan Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadualdo Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ;
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12
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A structural perspective of plant antimicrobial peptides. Biochem J 2018; 475:3359-3375. [PMID: 30413680 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the numerous strategies plants have developed to fend off enemy attack, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) stand out as one of the most prominent defensive barriers that grant direct and durable resistance against a wide range of pests and pathogens. These small proteins are characterized by a compact structure and an overall positive charge. AMPs have an ancient origin and widespread occurrence in the plant kingdom but show an unusually high degree of variation in their amino acid sequences. Interestingly, there is a strikingly conserved topology among the plant AMP families, suggesting that the defensive properties of these peptides are not determined by their primary sequences but rather by their tridimensional structure. To explore and expand this idea, we here discuss the role of AMPs for plant defense from a structural perspective. We show how specific structural properties, such as length, charge, hydrophobicity, polar angle and conformation, are essential for plant AMPs to act as a chemical shield that hinders enemy attack. Knowledge on the topology of these peptides is facilitating the isolation, classification and even structural redesign of AMPs, thus allowing scientists to develop new peptides with multiple agronomical and pharmacological potential.
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da Silva FCV, do Nascimento VV, Machado OLT, Pereira LDS, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. Insight into the α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Plant Lipid Transfer Proteins. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 58:2294-2304. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Camila Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Viviane Veiga do Nascimento
- Unidade de Biologia Integrativa, Laboratório de Biotecnologia, P8, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Olga Lima Tavares Machado
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Lídia da Silva Pereira
- Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
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Structural and biological features of a novel plant defensin from Brugmansia x candida. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201668. [PMID: 30071099 PMCID: PMC6072023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Data from both the laboratory and clinic in the last decade indicate that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely regarded as potential sources of future antibiotics owing to their broad-spectrum activities, rapid killing, potentially low-resistance rate and multidirectional mechanisms of action compared to conventional antibiotics. Defensins, a prominent family of AMPs, have been found in a wide range of organisms including plants. Thailand is a rich source of plants including medicinal plants used therapeutically, however there is no report of defensin from among these plants. In this study, a novel plant defensin gene, BcDef, was successfully cloned from Brugmansia x candida (Bc). BcDef cDNA was 237 bp in length, encoding 78 amino acids with a putative 31-amino acid residue signal peptide at the N-terminal followed by the mature sequence. BcDef shared high sequence identity (78–85%) with Solanaceae defensins and belonged to the class I plant defensins. From homology modeling, BcDef shared a conserved triple stranded β-sheet (β1-β3) and one α-helix (α1) connected by a loop (L1-L3). BcDef1 peptide, designed from the γ-core motifs of BcDef located in loop 3, showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens with the lowest MIC (15.70 μM) against Staphylococcus epidermidis. This peptide affected cell membrane potential and permeability, and caused cell membrane disruption. Moreover, BcDef1 also exhibited antioxidant activity and showed low cytotoxicity against mouse fibroblast L929 cells. These findings may provide an opportunity for developing a promising antibacterial agent for medical application in the future.
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Soares JR, José Tenório de Melo E, da Cunha M, Fernandes KVS, Taveira GB, da Silva Pereira L, Pimenta S, Trindade FG, Regente M, Pinedo M, de la Canal L, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. Interaction between the plant ApDef 1 defensin and Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in yeast death through a cell cycle- and caspase-dependent process occurring via uncontrolled oxidative stress. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:3429-3443. [PMID: 27614033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant defensins were discovered at beginning of the 90s'; however, their precise mechanism of action is still unknown. Herein, we studied ApDef1-Saccharomyces cerevisiae interaction. METHODS ApDef1-S. cerevisiae interaction was studied by determining the MIC, viability and death kinetic assays. Viability assay was repeated with hydroxyurea synchronized-yeast and pretreated with CCCP. Plasma membrane permeabilization, ROS induction, chromatin condensation, and caspase activation analyses were assessed through Sytox green, DAB, DAPI and FITC-VAD-FMK, respectively. Viability assay was done in presence of ascorbic acid and Z-VAD-FMK. Ultrastructural analysis was done by electron microscopy. RESULTS ApDef1 caused S. cerevisiae cell death and MIC was 7.8μM. Whole cell population died after 18h of ApDef1 interaction. After 3h, 98.76% of synchronized cell population died. Pretreatment with CCCP protected yeast from ApDef1 induced death. ApDef1-S. cerevisiae interaction resulted in membrane permeabilization, H2O2 increased production, chromatin condensation and caspase activation. Ascorbic acid prevented yeast cell death and membrane permeabilization. Z-VAD-FMK prevented yeast cell death. CONCLUSIONS ApDef1-S. cerevisiae interaction caused cell death through cell cycle dependentprocess which requires preserved membrane potential. After interaction, yeast went through uncontrolled ROS production and accumulation, which led to plasma membrane permeabilization, chromatin condensation and, ultimately, cell death by activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis via. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE We show novel requirements for the interaction between plant defensin and fungi cells, i.e. cell cycle phase and membrane potential, and we indicate that membrane permeabilization is probably caused by ROS and therefore, it would be an indirect event of the ApDef1-S. cerevisiae interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Ribeiro Soares
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Edésio José Tenório de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maura da Cunha
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kátia Valevski Sales Fernandes
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Bonan Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lidia da Silva Pereira
- Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samy Pimenta
- Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Gomes Trindade
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Regente
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata -CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Marcela Pinedo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata -CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Laura de la Canal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata -CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense - Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
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Vriens K, Cools TL, Harvey PJ, Craik DJ, Spincemaille P, Cassiman D, Braem A, Vleugels J, Nibbering PH, Drijfhout JW, De Coninck B, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Synergistic Activity of the Plant Defensin HsAFP1 and Caspofungin against Candida albicans Biofilms and Planktonic Cultures. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132701. [PMID: 26248029 PMCID: PMC4527839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides with antifungal activity against a broad range of yeast and fungi. In this study we investigated the antibiofilm activity of a plant defensin from coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea), i.e. HsAFP1. To this end, HsAFP1 was heterologously produced using Pichia pastoris as a host. The recombinant peptide rHsAFP1 showed a similar antifungal activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum as native HsAFP1 purified from seeds. NMR analysis revealed that rHsAFP1 consists of an α-helix and a triple-stranded antiparallel β-sheet stabilised by four intramolecular disulfide bonds. We found that rHsAFP1 can inhibit growth of the human pathogen Candida albicans as well as prevent C. albicans biofilm formation with a BIC50 (i.e. the minimum rHsAFP1 concentration required to inhibit biofilm formation by 50% as compared to control treatment) of 11.00 ± 1.70 μM. As such, this is the first report of a plant defensin exhibiting inhibitory activity against fungal biofilms. We further analysed the potential of rHsAFP1 to increase the activity of the conventional antimycotics caspofungin and amphotericin B towards C. albicans. Synergistic effects were observed between rHsAFP1 and these compounds against both planktonic C. albicans cells and biofilms. Most notably, concentrations of rHsAFP1 as low as 0.53 μM resulted in a synergistic activity with caspofungin against pre-grown C. albicans biofilms. rHsAFP1 was found non-toxic towards human HepG2 cells up to 40 μM, thereby supporting the lack of a general cytotoxic activity as previously reported for HsAFP1. A structure-function study with 24-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HsAFP1 sequence revealed the importance of the γ-core and its adjacent regions for HsAFP1 antibiofilm activity. These findings point towards broad applications of rHsAFP1 and its derivatives in the field of antifungal and antibiofilm drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tanne L. Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pieter Spincemaille
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Cassiman
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolic Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annabel Braem
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vleugels
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wouter Drijfhout
- Department of Immunohematology and Bloodtransfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara De Coninck
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno P. A. Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Vriens K, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: mechanisms of action and production. Molecules 2014; 19:12280-303. [PMID: 25153857 PMCID: PMC6271847 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190812280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides that possess biological activity towards a broad range of organisms. Their activity is primarily directed against fungi, but bactericidal and insecticidal actions have also been reported. The mode of action of various antifungal plant defensins has been studied extensively during the last decades and several of their fungal targets have been identified to date. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of well-characterized antifungal plant defensins, including RsAFP2, MsDef1, MtDef4, NaD1 and Psd1, and points out the variety by which antifungal plant defensins affect microbial cell viability. Furthermore, this review summarizes production routes for plant defensins, either via heterologous expression or chemical synthesis. As plant defensins are generally considered non-toxic for plant and mammalian cells, they are regarded as attractive candidates for further development into novel antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium.
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
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18
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Heterologous expression and solution structure of defensin from lentil Lens culinaris. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 451:252-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.07.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Gao B, Zhu S. An insect defensin-derived β-hairpin peptide with enhanced antibacterial activity. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:405-13. [PMID: 24228718 DOI: 10.1021/cb400591d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Insect defensins are a class of small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides primarily active on Gram-positive bacteria. Their roles in maggot therapy for treating chronic wound infection have been reported recently. However, a relatively narrow antibacterial spectrum together with the lack of a cost-effective means of commercial-scale production has limited their application. To further exploit the therapeutic potential of these molecules, we engineered the carboxyl-terminal β-sheet of navidefensin2-2, an insect defensin from Nasonia vitripennis, based on its structural similarity to naturally occurring microbicidal β-hairpin peptides. The designed peptide of 14 residues, referred to as NvBH, spans the β-sheet region of the defensin with two amino acids substituted for assembly of a disulfide-bonded amphipathic β-hairpin structure. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) combined with circular dichroism (CD) analysis shows that the oxidized NvBH (oNvBH), produced from the synthetic peptide by air oxidization in an alkaline environment, folds into a typical β-hairpin structure linked by two disulfide bridges (Cys1-Cys4; Cys2-Cys3). However, such a structure appears not to be functionally necessary as synthetic NvBH with a spontaneously oxidized disulfide bridge (Cys2-Cys3) (termed poNvBH) displayed similar antibacterial potency to oNvBH. In comparison with oNvBH, poNvBH exhibited higher serum stability and more resistance on tryptic digestion. These two forms of peptides are capable of killing an array of Gram-positive (including antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus) and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens at low micromolar concentrations through a membrane disruptive mode of action. Our work indicates that the β-sheet region of insect defensins is a promising subdomain of proteins in anti-infective drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Group of
Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management
of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of
Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management
of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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Dracatos PM, van der Weerden NL, Carroll KT, Johnson ED, Plummer KM, Anderson MA. Inhibition of cereal rust fungi by both class I and II defensins derived from the flowers of Nicotiana alata. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2014; 15:67-79. [PMID: 24015961 PMCID: PMC6638682 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a large family of small, cysteine-rich, basic proteins, produced by most plants and plant tissues. They have a primary function in defence against fungal disease, although other functions have been described. This study reports the isolation and characterization of a class I secreted defensin (NaD2) from the flowers of Nicotiana alata, and compares its antifungal activity with the class II defensin (NaD1) from N. alata flowers, which is stored in the vacuole. NaD2, like all other class I defensins, lacks the C-terminal pro-peptide (CTPP) characteristic of class II defensins. NaD2 is most closely related to Nt-thionin from N. tabacum (96% identical) and shares 81% identity with MtDef4 from alfalfa. The concentration required to inhibit in vitro fungal growth by 50% (IC50 ) was assessed for both NaD1 and NaD2 for the biotrophic basidiomycete fungi Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca) and P. sorghi (Ps), the necrotrophic pathogenic ascomycetes Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov), F. graminearum (Fgr), Verticillium dahliae (Vd) and Thielaviopsis basicola (Tb), and the saprobe Aspergillus nidulans. NaD1 was a more potent antifungal molecule than NaD2 against both the biotrophic and necrotrophic fungal pathogens tested. NaD2 was 5-10 times less effective at killing necrotrophs, but only two-fold less effective on Puccinia species. A new procedure for testing antifungal proteins is described in this study which is applicable to pathogens with spores that are not amenable to liquid culture, such as rust pathogens. Rusts are the most damaging fungal pathogens of many agronomically important crop species (wheat, barley, oats and soybean). NaD1 and NaD2 inhibited urediniospore germination, germ tube growth and germ tube differentiation (appressoria induction) of both Puccinia species tested. NaD1 and NaD2 were fungicidal on Puccinia species and produced stunted germ tubes with a granular cytoplasm. When NaD1 and NaD2 were sprayed onto susceptible oat plants prior to the plants being inoculated with crown rust, they reduced the number of pustules per leaf area, as well as the amount of chlorosis induced by infection. Similar to observations in vitro, NaD1 was more effective as an antifungal control agent than NaD2. Further investigation revealed that both NaD1 and NaD2 permeabilized the plasma membranes of Puccinia spp. This study provides evidence that both secreted (NaD2) and nonsecreted (NaD1) defensins may be useful for broad-spectrum resistance to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Dracatos
- Department of Botany, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., 3086, Australia; La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., 3086, Australia
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Garvey M, Meehan S, Gras SL, Schirra HJ, Craik DJ, Van der Weerden NL, Anderson MA, Gerrard JA, Carver JA. A radish seed antifungal peptide with a high amyloid fibril-forming propensity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2013; 1834:1615-23. [PMID: 23665069 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid fibril-forming ability of two closely related antifungal and antimicrobial peptides derived from plant defensin proteins has been investigated. As assessed by sequence analysis, thioflavin T binding, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray fiber diffraction, a 19 amino acid fragment from the C-terminal region of Raphanus sativus antifungal protein, known as RsAFP-19, is highly amyloidogenic. Further, its fibrillar morphology can be altered by externally controlled conditions. Freezing and thawing led to amyloid fibril formation which was accompanied by loss of RsAFP-19 antifungal activity. A second, closely related antifungal peptide displayed no fibril-forming capacity. It is concluded that while fibril formation is not associated with the antifungal properties of these peptides, the peptide RsAFP-19 is of potential use as a controllable, highly amyloidogenic small peptide for investigating the structure of amyloid fibrils and their mechanism of formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Garvey
- School of Chemistry and Physics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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22
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Giacomelli L, Nanni V, Lenzi L, Zhuang J, Dalla Serra M, Banfield MJ, Town CD, Silverstein KAT, Baraldi E, Moser C. Identification and characterization of the defensin-like gene family of grapevine. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2012; 25:1118-31. [PMID: 22550957 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-11-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are a class of small and diverse cysteine-rich proteins found in plants, insects, and vertebrates, which share a common tertiary structure and usually exert broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. We used a bioinformatic approach to scan the Vitis vinifera genome and identified 79 defensin-like sequences (DEFL) corresponding to 46 genes and allelic variants, plus 33 pseudogenes and gene fragments. Expansion and diversification of grapevine DEFL has occurred after the split from the last common ancestor with the genera Medicago and Arabidopsis. Grapevine DEFL localization on the 'Pinot Noir' genome revealed the presence of several clusters likely evolved through local duplications. By sequencing reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction products, we could demonstrate the expression of grapevine DEFL with no previously reported record of expression. Many of these genes are predominantly or exclusively expressed in tissues linked to plant reproduction, consistent with findings in other plant species, and some of them accumulated at fruit ripening. The transcripts of five DEFL were also significantly upregulated in tissues infected with Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic mold, suggesting a role of these genes in defense against this pathogen. Finally, three novel defensins were discovered among the identified DEFL. They inhibit B. cinerea conidia germination when expressed as recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Giacomelli
- IASMA Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
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23
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Montesinos E, Badosa E, Cabrefiga J, Planas M, Feliu L, Bardají E. Antimicrobial Peptides for Plant Disease Control. From Discovery to Application. ACS SYMPOSIUM SERIES 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/bk-2012-1095.ch012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Montesinos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Esther Badosa
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Cabrefiga
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Planas
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Lidia Feliu
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Eduard Bardají
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry; University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
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de Beer A, Vivier MA. Four plant defensins from an indigenous South African Brassicaceae species display divergent activities against two test pathogens despite high sequence similarity in the encoding genes. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:459. [PMID: 22032337 PMCID: PMC3213222 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant defensins are an important component of the innate defence system of plants where they form protective antimicrobial barriers between tissue types of plant organs as well as around seeds. These peptides also have other activities that are important for agricultural applications as well as the medical sector. Amongst the numerous plant peptides isolated from a variety of plant species, a significant number of promising defensins have been isolated from Brassicaceae species. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of four defensins from Heliophila coronopifolia, a native South African Brassicaceae species. RESULTS Four defensin genes (Hc-AFP1-4) were isolated with a homology based PCR strategy. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences showed that the peptides were 72% similar and grouped closest to defensins isolated from other Brassicaceae species. The Hc-AFP1 and 3 peptides shared high homology (94%) and formed a unique grouping in the Brassicaceae defensins, whereas Hc-AFP2 and 4 formed a second homology grouping with defensins from Arabidopsis and Raphanus. Homology modelling showed that the few amino acids that differed between the four peptides had an effect on the surface properties of the defensins, specifically in the alpha-helix and the loop connecting the second and third beta-strands. These areas are implicated in determining differential activities of defensins. Comparing the activities after recombinant production of the peptides, Hc-AFP2 and 4 had IC50 values of 5-20 μg ml-1 against two test pathogens, whereas Hc-AFP1 and 3 were less active. The activity against Botrytis cinerea was associated with membrane permeabilization, hyper-branching, biomass reduction and even lytic activity. In contrast, only Hc-AFP2 and 4 caused membrane permeabilization and severe hyper-branching against the wilting pathogen Fusarium solani, while Hc-AFP1 and 3 had a mild morphogenetic effect on the fungus, without any indication of membrane activity. The peptides have a tissue-specific expression pattern since differential gene expression was observed in the native host. Hc-AFP1 and 3 expressed in mature leaves, stems and flowers, whereas Hc-AFP2 and 4 exclusively expressed in seedpods and seeds. CONCLUSIONS Two novel Brassicaceae defensin sequences were isolated amongst a group of four defensin encoding genes from the indigenous South African plant H. coronopifolia. All four peptides were active against two test pathogens, but displayed differential activities and modes of action. The expression patterns of the peptide encoding genes suggest a role in protecting either vegetative or reproductive structures in the native host against pathogen attack, or roles in unknown developmental and physiological processes in these tissues, as was shown with other defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abré de Beer
- Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Department of Oenology and Viticulture, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Melané A Vivier
- Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Department of Oenology and Viticulture, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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Kaur J, Sagaram US, Shah D. Can plant defensins be used to engineer durable commercially useful fungal resistance in crop plants? FUNGAL BIOL REV 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2011.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Xu W, Wei L, Qu W, Liang Z, Wang J, Peng X, Zhang Y, Huang K. A novel antifungal peptide from foxtail millet seeds. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2011; 91:1630-1637. [PMID: 21445868 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Revised: 11/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antifungal proteins (AFP) help plants to combat phytopathogenic fungi and thus protect plants from the devastating damage caused by fungal infections and prevent massive economic losses. To date, several proteins with antibacterial and/or antifungal properties have been isolated and characterized from different plant species and tissues; however, there are no reports concerning the antifungal peptide from foxtail millet seeds. RESULTS An antifungal peptide with a molecular mass of 26.9 kDa was isolated from dry seeds of the foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.), using a procedure that involved four chromatographic steps. The antifungal peptide was adsorbed on CM-Sepharose, Affi-gel blue gel and Superdex 75. It was further purified by C(18) reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and submitted for analysis of peptide mass fingerprint. The Mascot peptide mass fingerprint of the isolated protein hit no existing protein (score >60), and it was proved to be a novel antifungal peptide. It inhibited mycelial growth in Alternaria alternate with an IC(50) of 1.3 µmol L(-1) , and it also exhibited antifungal activity against Trichoderma viride, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum. Transmission electron microscopy of mold forms of Alternaria alternate after incubation with 20 µg mL(-1) of the antifungal protein for 48 h revealed marked ultrastructural changes in the fungus. CONCLUSION A novel antifungal peptide with high potency was isolated from foxtail millet seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Xu
- Laboratory of Food safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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Sagaram US, Pandurangi R, Kaur J, Smith TJ, Shah DM. Structure-activity determinants in antifungal plant defensins MsDef1 and MtDef4 with different modes of action against Fusarium graminearum. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18550. [PMID: 21533249 PMCID: PMC3076432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich antimicrobial proteins. Their three-dimensional structures are similar in that they consist of an α-helix and three anti-parallel β-strands stabilized by four disulfide bonds. Plant defensins MsDef1 and MtDef4 are potent inhibitors of the growth of several filamentous fungi including Fusarium graminearum. However, they differ markedly in their antifungal properties as well as modes of antifungal action. MsDef1 induces prolific hyperbranching of fungal hyphae, whereas MtDef4 does not. Both defensins contain a highly conserved γ-core motif (GXCX3–9C), a hallmark signature present in the disulfide-stabilized antimicrobial peptides, composed of β2 and β3 strands and the interposed loop. The γ-core motifs of these two defensins differ significantly in their primary amino acid sequences and in their net charge. In this study, we have found that the major determinants of the antifungal activity and morphogenicity of these defensins reside in their γ-core motifs. The MsDef1-γ4 variant in which the γ-core motif of MsDef1 was replaced by that of MtDef4 was almost as potent as MtDef4 and also failed to induce hyperbranching of fungal hyphae. Importantly, the γ-core motif of MtDef4 alone was capable of inhibiting fungal growth, but that of MsDef1 was not. The analysis of synthetic γ-core variants of MtDef4 indicated that the cationic and hydrophobic amino acids were important for antifungal activity. Both MsDef1 and MtDef4 induced plasma membrane permeabilization; however, kinetic studies revealed that MtDef4 was more efficient in permeabilizing fungal plasma membrane than MsDef1. Furthermore, the in vitro antifungal activity of MsDef1, MsDef1-γ4, MtDef4 and peptides derived from the γ-core motif of each defensin was not solely dependent on their ability to permeabilize the fungal plasma membrane. The data reported here indicate that the γ-core motif defines the unique antifungal properties of each defensin and may facilitate de novo design of more potent antifungal peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Shankar Sagaram
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | | | - Jagdeep Kaur
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Smith
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Dilip M. Shah
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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28
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de Medeiros LN, Angeli R, Sarzedas CG, Barreto-Bergter E, Valente AP, Kurtenbach E, Almeida FCL. Backbone dynamics of the antifungal Psd1 pea defensin and its correlation with membrane interaction by NMR spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2010; 1798:105-13. [PMID: 19632194 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are cysteine-rich cationic peptides, components of the innate immune system. The antifungal sensitivity of certain exemplars was correlated to the level of complex glycosphingolipids in the membrane of fungi strains. Psd1 is a 46 amino acid residue defensin isolated from pea seeds which exhibit antifungal activity. Its structure is characterized by the so-called cysteine-stabilized alpha/beta motif linked by three loops as determined by two-dimensional NMR. In the present work we explored the measurement of heteronuclear Nuclear Overhauser Effects, R1 and R2 (15)N relaxation ratios, and chemical shift to probe the backbone dynamics of Psd1 and its interaction with membrane mimetic systems with phosphatidylcholine (PC) or dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) with glucosylceramide (CMH) isolated from Fusarium solani. The calculated R2 values predicted a slow motion around the highly conserved among Gly12 residue and also in the region of the Turn3 His36-Trp38. The results showed that Psd1 interacts with vesicles of PC or PC:CMH in slightly different forms. The interaction was monitored by chemical shift perturbation and relaxation properties. Using this approach we could map the loops as the binding site of Psd1 with the membrane. The major binding epitope showed conformation exchange properties in the mus-ms timescale supporting the conformation selection as the binding mechanism. Moreover, the peptide corresponding to part of Loop1 (pepLoop1: Gly12 to Ser19) is also able to interact with DPC micelles acquiring a stable structure and in the presence of DPC:CMH the peptide changes to an extended conformation, exhibiting NOE mainly with the carbohydrate and ceramide parts of CMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Neves de Medeiros
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Estrutural, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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29
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Abstract
Plant fertilization is achieved through the involvement of various pollen-pistil interactions. Self-/non-self-recognition in pollination is important to avoid inbreeding, and directional and sustainable control of pollen tube growth is critical for the pollen tube to deliver male germ cells. Recently, various secreted peptides (polypeptides) have been reported to be involved in cell-cell communication of pollen-pistil interactions. These include determinants of self-incompatibility, factors for pollen germination and tube growth, and pollen tube attractants. Interestingly, many of them are cysteine-rich peptides/polypeptides (CRPs). In this review, I focus on the peptides involved in pollen-pistil interactions and discuss properties of peptide signaling in each step from pollination to fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602 Aichi, Japan/PRESTO, JST.
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Matejuk A, Leng Q, Begum MD, Woodle MC, Scaria P, Chou ST, Mixson AJ. Peptide-based Antifungal Therapies against Emerging Infections. DRUG FUTURE 2010; 35:197. [PMID: 20495663 DOI: 10.1358/dof.2010.035.03.1452077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance to mycotic infections is rapidly emerging as a major medical problem. Opportunistic fungal infections create therapeutic challenges, particularly in high risk immunocompromised patients with AIDS, cancer, and those undergoing transplantation. Higher mortality and/or morbidity rates due to invasive mycosis have been increasing over the last 20 years, and in light of growing resistance to commonly used antibiotics, novel antifungal drugs and approaches are required. Currently there is considerable interest in antifungal peptides that are ubiquitous in plant and animal kingdoms. These small cationic peptides may have specific targets or may be multifunctional in their mechanism of action. On the basis of recent advances in protein engineering and solid phase syntheses, the utility and potential of selected peptides as efficient antifungal drugs with acceptable toxicity profiles are being realized. This review will discuss recent advances in peptide therapy for opportunistic fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Matejuk
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland Baltimore, MSTF Building, 10 South Pine Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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31
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Carvalho ADO, Gomes VM. Plant defensins--prospects for the biological functions and biotechnological properties. Peptides 2009; 30:1007-20. [PMID: 19428780 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2008] [Revised: 01/22/2009] [Accepted: 01/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Plant defensins are a prominent family of cationic peptides in the plant kingdom. They are structurally and functionally related to defensins that have been previously characterized in mammals and insects. They present molecular masses between 5 and 7kDa and possess a pattern of eight conserved Cys residues. The three-dimensional structure of plant defensins is small and globular. It has three anti-parallel beta-sheets and one alpha-helix that is stabilized by a structural motif composed of disulfide bridges. This motif is found in other peptides with biological activity and is called the Cys stabilized alphabeta motif (CSalphabeta). Based on the growing knowledge on defensin structure, gene expression and regulation, and also their in vitro biological activity, it has become clear that plant defensins are complex and sophisticated peptides whose function extends beyond their role in defense of plants against microbial infection. This review discusses recent data and will present comprehensive information regarding the study of defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense-Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brazil.
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32
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Montesinos E, Bardají E. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides as agricultural pesticides for plant-disease control. Chem Biodivers 2008; 5:1225-37. [PMID: 18649311 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200890111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
There is a need of antimicrobial compounds in agriculture for plant-disease control, with low toxicity and reduced negative environmental impact. Antimicrobial peptides are produced by living organisms and offer strong possibilities in agriculture because new compounds can be developed based on natural structures with improved properties of activity, specificity, biodegradability, and toxicity. Design of new molecules has been achieved using combinatorial-chemistry procedures coupled to high-throughput screening systems and data processing with design-of-experiments (DOE) methodology to obtain QSAR equation models and optimized compounds. Upon selection of best candidates with low cytotoxicity and moderate stability to protease digestion, anti-infective activity has been evaluated in plant-pathogen model systems. Suitable compounds have been submitted to acute toxicity testing in higher organisms and exhibited a low toxicity profile in a mouse model. Large-scale production can be achieved by solution organic or chemoenzymatic procedures in the case of very small peptides, but, in many cases, production can be performed by biotechnological methods using genetically modified microorganisms (fermentation) or transgenic crops (plant biofactories).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Montesinos
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology-CIDSAV-XaRTA, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, E-18071 Girona.
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Marcos JF, Muñoz A, Pérez-Payá E, Misra S, López-García B. Identification and rational design of novel antimicrobial peptides for plant protection. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2008; 46:273-301. [PMID: 18439131 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.phyto.121307.094843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and small proteins exhibiting antimicrobial activity have been isolated from many organisms ranging from insects to humans, including plants. Their role in defense is established, and their use in agriculture was already being proposed shortly after their discovery. However, some natural peptides have undesirable properties that complicate their application. Advances in peptide synthesis and high-throughput activity screening have made possible the de novo and rational design of novel peptides with improved properties. This review summarizes findings in the identification and design of short antimicrobial peptides with activity against plant pathogens, and will discuss alternatives for their heterologous production suited to plant disease control. Recent studies suggest that peptide antimicrobial action is not due solely to microbe permeation as previously described, but that more subtle factors might account for the specificity and absence of toxicity of some peptides. The elucidation of the mode of action and interaction with microbes will assist the improvement of peptide design with a view to targeting specific problems in agriculture and providing new tools for plant protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose F Marcos
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos-CSIC, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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Lin KF, Lee TR, Tsai PH, Hsu MP, Chen CS, Lyu PC. Structure-based protein engineering for alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of plant defensin. Proteins 2007; 68:530-40. [PMID: 17444520 DOI: 10.1002/prot.21378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The structure of a novel plant defensin isolated from the seeds of the mung bean, Vigna radiate, has been determined by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The three-dimensional structure of VrD2, the V. radiate plant defensin 2 protein, comprises an alpha-helix and one triple-stranded anti-parallel beta-sheet stabilized by four disulfide bonds. This protein exhibits neither insecticidal activity nor alpha-amylase inhibitory activity in spite of showing a similar global fold to that of VrD1, an insecticidal plant defensin that has been suggested to function by inhibiting insect alpha-amylase. Our previous study proposed that loop L3 of plant defensins is important for this inhibition. Structural analyses and surface charge comparisons of VrD1 and VrD2 revealed that the charged residues of L3 correlate with the observed difference in inhibitory activities of these proteins. A VrD2 chimera that was produced by transferring the proposed functional loop of VrD1 onto the structurally equivalent loop of VrD2 supported this hypothesis. The VrD2 chimera, which differs by only five residues compared with VrD2, showed obvious activity against Tenebrio molitor alpha-amylase. These results clarify the mode of alpha-amylase inhibition of plant defensins and also represent a possible approach for engineering novel alpha-amylase inhibitors. Plant defensins are important constituents of the innate immune system of plants, and thus the application of protein engineering to this protein family may provide an efficient method for protecting against crop losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ku-Feng Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu,Taiwan
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35
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Soltani S, Keymanesh K, Sardari S. In silicoanalysis of antifungal peptides. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2007; 2:837-47. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2.6.837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Pelegrini PB, Franco OL. Plant gamma-thionins: novel insights on the mechanism of action of a multi-functional class of defense proteins. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2005; 37:2239-53. [PMID: 16084753 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2005.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2004] [Revised: 05/13/2005] [Accepted: 01/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the first plant defense protein class described in literature, with growth inhibition activity toward pathogens. These peptides were named gamma-thionins or defensins, which are small proteins that can be classified into four main subtypes according to their specific functions. Gamma-thionins are small cationic peptides with different and special abilities. They are able to inhibit digestive enzymes or act against bacteria and/or fungi. Current research in this area focuses particularly these two last targets, being the natural crop plant defenses improved through the use of transgenic technology. Here, we will compare primary and tertiary structures of gamma-thionins and also will analyze their similarities to scorpion toxins and insect defensins. This last comparison offers some hypothesis for gamma-thionins mechanisms of action against certain pathogens. This specific area has benefited from the recent determination of many gamma-thionin structures. Furthermore, we also summarize molecular interactions between plant gamma-thionins and fungi receptors, which include membrane proteins and lipids, shedding some light over pathogen resistance. Researches on gamma-thionins targets could help on plant genetic improvement for production of increased resistance toward pathogens. Thus, positive results recently obtained for transgenic plants and future prospects in the area are also approached. Finally, gamma-thionins activity has also been studied for future drug development, capable of inhibit tumor cell growth in human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia B Pelegrini
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, SGAN Quadra 916, Módulo B, Av. W5 Norte 70.790-160 Asa Norte Brasília/DF, Brazil
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37
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Modification of the Sunflower Defensin SD2 Gene Sequence and Its Expression in Bacterial and Yeast Cells. RUSS J GENET+ 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s11177-005-0219-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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38
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Shen G, Pang Y, Wu W, Miao Z, Qian H, Zhao L, Sun X, Tang K. Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of a novel jasmonate-dependent defensin gene from Ginkgo biloba. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 162:1160-8. [PMID: 16255174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2005.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A novel defensin gene was isolated from Ginkgo biloba. The full-length cDNA of G. biloba defensin (designated as Gbd) was 534bp. The cDNA contained a 240-bp open reading frame encoding an 80-amino acid protein of 5.68 kDa with a potential 30 aa signal peptide. The putative GbD mature protein showed striking similarity to other plant defensins, representing low molecular size antimicrobial polypeptides. Eight cysteine sites conserved in plant defensins were also found in GbD at similar positions. Three-dimensional structure modeling showed that GbD strongly resembled defensin from tobacco (NaD1) and consisted of an alpha-helix and a triple-strand antiparallel beta-sheet that were stabilized by four intramolecular disulfide bonds, implying GbD may have functions similar to NaD1. The genomic DNA gel blot indicated that Gbd belonged to a multigene family. Expression analysis revealed that Gbd was up-regulated by wounding and methyl jasmonate treatments, suggesting that Gbd is potentially involved in plant resistance or tolerance to pathogens during wounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoan Shen
- Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, SJTU-SIBS-PSU Joint Center for Life Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, PR China
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39
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Thevissen K, François IEJA, Sijtsma L, van Amerongen A, Schaaper WMM, Meloen R, Posthuma-Trumpie T, Broekaert WF, Cammue BPA. Antifungal activity of synthetic peptides derived from Impatiens balsamina antimicrobial peptides Ib-AMP1 and Ib-AMP4. Peptides 2005; 26:1113-9. [PMID: 15949628 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2005.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2004] [Revised: 01/13/2005] [Accepted: 01/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Seeds of Impatiens balsamina contain a set of related antimicrobial peptides (Ib-AMPs). We have produced a synthetic variant of Ib-AMP1, oxidized to the bicyclic native conformation, which was fully active on yeast and fungal strains; and four linear 20-mer Ib-AMP variants, including two all-D forms. We show that the all-D variants are as active on yeast and fungal strains as native peptides. In addition, fungal growth inhibition nor salt-dependency of Ib-AMP4 could be improved by more than two-fold via replacement of amino acid residues by arginine or tryptophan. Native Ib-AMPs showed no hemolytic nor toxic activity up to a concentration of 100 microM. All these data demonstrate the potential of the native Ib-AMPs to combat fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Thevissen
- Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
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40
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Ng TB. Antifungal proteins and peptides of leguminous and non-leguminous origins. Peptides 2004; 25:1215-22. [PMID: 15245883 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2003] [Revised: 03/18/2004] [Accepted: 03/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Antifungal proteins and peptides, as their names imply, serve a protective function against fungal invasion. They are produced by a multitude of organisms including leguminous flowering plants, non-leguminous flowering plants, gymnosperms, fungi, bacteria, insects and mammals. The intent of the present review is to focus on the structural and functional characteristics of leguminous, as well as non-leguminous, antifungal proteins and peptides. A spectacular diversity of amino acid sequences has been reported. Some of the antifungal proteins and peptides are classified, based on their structures and/or functions, into groups including chitinases, glucanases, thaumatin-like proteins, thionins, and cyclophilin-like proteins. Some of the well-known proteins such as lectins, ribosome inactivating proteins, ribonucleases, deoxyribonucleases, peroxidases, and protease inhibitors exhibit antifungal activity. Different antifungal proteins may demonstrate different fungal specificities. The mechanisms of antifungal action of only some antifungal proteins including thaumatin-like proteins and chitinases have been elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Ng
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories.
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41
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Cabral KMS, Almeida MS, Valente AP, Almeida FCL, Kurtenbach E. Production of the active antifungal Pisum sativum defensin 1 (Psd1) in Pichia pastoris: overcoming the inefficiency of the STE13 protease. Protein Expr Purif 2003; 31:115-22. [PMID: 12963348 DOI: 10.1016/s1046-5928(03)00136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich proteins that present high activity against fungi and bacteria and inhibition of insect proteases and alpha-amylases. Here, we present the expression in Pichia pastoris, purification and characterization of the recombinant Pisum sativum defensin 1(rPsd1); a pea defensin which presents four disulfide bridges and high antifungal activity. For this, we had to overcome the inefficiency of the STE13 protease. Our strategy was to clone the corresponding cDNA directly in-frame with a variant of the widely used secretion signal from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-mating factor, devoid of the STE13 proteolytic signal cleavage sequence. Using an optimized expression protocol, which included a buffered basal salt media formulation, it was possible to obtain about 63.0mg/L of 15N-labeled and unlabeled rPsd1. The recombinants were purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography, followed by reversed-phase HPLC. Mass spectrometry of native and recombinant Psd1 revealed that the protein expressed heterologously was post-translationally processed to the same mature protein as the native one. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis indicated that the recombinant protein had the same folding when compared to native Psd1. In addition, the rPsd1 was fully active against Aspergillus niger, if compared with native Psd1. To our knowledge, this is the first heterologous expression of a fully active plant defensin in a high-yield flask.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kátia M S Cabral
- Departamento de Bioqui;mica Médica, CCS/ICB/UFRJ, CEP: 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Romestand B, Molina F, Richard V, Roch P, Granier C. Key role of the loop connecting the two beta strands of mussel defensin in its antimicrobial activity. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 2003; 270:2805-13. [PMID: 12823551 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2003.03657.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the structural features of the mussel defensin MGD1 required for antimicrobial activity, we synthesized a series of peptides corresponding to the main known secondary structures of the molecule and evaluated their activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and filamentous fungi. We found that the nonapeptide corresponding to residues 25-33 of MGD1 (CGGWHRLRC) exhibited bacteriostatic activity once it was cyclized by a non-naturally occurring disulfide bridge. Longer peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequences of the alpha-helical part or to the beta-strands of MGD1 had no detectable activity. The bacteriostatic activity of the sequence 25-33 was strictly dependent on the bridging of Cys25 and Cys33 and was proportional to the theoretical isoelectric point of the peptide, as deduced from the variation of activity in a set of peptide analogues of the 25-33 sequence with different numbers of cationic charges. By using confocal fluorescence microscopy, we found that the cyclic peptides bound to Gram-positive bacteria without apparent lysis. However, by using a fluorescent dye, we observed that dead bacteria had been permeated by the cyclic peptide 25-33. Sequence comparisons in the family of arthopod defensins indicate that MGD1 belongs to a subfamily of the insect defensins, characterized by the constant occurrence of both positively charged and hydrophobic amino acids in the loop. Modelling studies showed that in the MGD1 structure, positively charged and hydrophobic residues are organized in two layered clusters, which might have a functional significance in the docking of MGD1 to the bacterial membrane.
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43
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Lay FT, Schirra HJ, Scanlon MJ, Anderson MA, Craik DJ. The three-dimensional solution structure of NaD1, a new floral defensin from Nicotiana alata and its application to a homology model of the crop defense protein alfAFP. J Mol Biol 2003; 325:175-88. [PMID: 12473460 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(02)01103-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations have been used to determine the three-dimensional structure of NaD1, a novel antifungal and insecticidal protein isolated from the flowers of Nicotiana alata. NaD1 is a basic, cysteine-rich protein of 47 residues and is the first example of a plant defensin from flowers to be characterized structurally. Its three-dimensional structure consists of an alpha-helix and a triple-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet that are stabilized by four intramolecular disulfide bonds. NaD1 features all the characteristics of the cysteine-stabilized alphabeta motif that has been described for a variety of proteins of differing functions ranging from antibacterial insect defensins and ion channel-perturbing scorpion toxins to an elicitor of the sweet taste response. The protein is biologically active against insect pests, which makes it a potential candidate for use in crop protection. NaD1 shares 31% sequence identity with alfAFP, an antifungal protein from alfalfa that confers resistance to a fungal pathogen in transgenic potatoes. The structure of NaD1 was used to obtain a homology model of alfAFP, since NaD1 has the highest level of sequence identity with alfAFP of any structurally characterized antifungal defensin. The structures of NaD1 and alfAFP were used in conjunction with structure-activity data for the radish defensin Rs-AFP2 to provide an insight into structure-function relationships. In particular, a putative effector site was identified in the structure of NaD1 and in the corresponding homology model of alfAFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
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44
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Dixon AM, Venable RM, Pastor RW, Bull TE. Micelle-bound conformation of a hairpin-forming peptide: combined NMR and molecular dynamics study. Biopolymers 2002; 65:284-98. [PMID: 12382289 DOI: 10.1002/bip.10249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A peptide fragment from a protein hairpin turn region was modified by addition of isoleucine residues to both ends to enhance binding to lipid micelles; the resulting peptide (I(1)-I(2)-C(3)-N(4)-N(5)-P(6)-H(7)-I(8)-I(9)) contains the core sequence I-C-N-N-P-H from an antibody-binding region of hemagglutinin A. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion measurements indicated partial binding (43-65%) of the peptide to micelles of n-octylglucoside and significantly stronger binding (85%) to dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. Simulated annealing and conformational analysis using nuclear Overhauser enhancement restraints revealed a type I or III hairpin turn between residues N(5) and I(8) of the DPC-bound peptide. Amide exchange experiments support the possibility that a hydrogen bond forms between N(5) and I(8), stabilizing the turn. In contrast, no discernable structure was observed for the peptide in aqueous solution by either NMR or circular dichroism. Molecular dynamics simulations of DPC micelles and peptide-micelle complexes suggested that the peptide lies flat on the micelle surface and showed rapid rearrangement of the lipids to accommodate the bound peptide. According to a search performed using the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST), the sequences N-P-H-I and N-P-H-V are present as hairpin turns in eight of the nine proteins whose crystal structures were available. The addition of isoleucine residues and the use of lipid micelles to stabilize hairpin conformations equivalent to those found in proteins generates new possibilities for reproducing biologically important hairpin turns from short, linear peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Dixon
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, USA
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45
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Almeida MS, Cabral KMS, Kurtenbach E, Almeida FCL, Valente AP. Solution structure of Pisum sativum defensin 1 by high resolution NMR: plant defensins, identical backbone with different mechanisms of action. J Mol Biol 2002; 315:749-57. [PMID: 11812144 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.5252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pisum sativum defensin 1 (Psd1) is a 46 amino acid residue plant defensin isolated from seeds of pea. The three-dimensional structure in solution of Psd1 was determined by two-dimensional NMR data recorded at 600 MHz. Experimental restraints were used for structure calculation using CNS and torsion-angle molecular dynamics. The 20 lowest energy structures were selected and further subjected to minimization, giving a root-mean-square deviation of 0.78(+/- 0.22) A in the backbone and 1.91(+/-0.60) A for over all atoms of the molecule. The protein has a globular fold with a triple-stranded antiparalell beta-sheet and an alpha-helix (from residue Asn17 to Leu27). Psd1 presents the so called "cysteine stabilized alpha/beta motif" and presents identical three-dimensional topology in the backbone with other defensins and neurotoxins. Comparison of the electrostatic surface potential among proteins with high three-dimensional (selected using the softwares TOP and DALI) topology gave insights into the mode of action of Psd1. The surface topologies between proteins that present antifungal activity or sodium channel inhibiting activity are different. On the other hand the surface topology presents several common features with potassium channel inhibitors, suggesting that Psd1 presents this activity. Other common features with potassium channel inhibitors were found including the presence of a lysine residue essential for inhibitory activity. The identity of Psd1 in primary sequence is not enough to infer a mechanism of action, in contrast with the strategy proposed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcius S Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica Médica, ICB/CCS/UFRJ. CEP., Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
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46
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Almeida MS, Cabral KS, de Medeiros LN, Valente AP, Almeida FC, Kurtenbach E. cDNA cloning and heterologous expression of functional cysteine-rich antifungal protein Psd1 in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Arch Biochem Biophys 2001; 395:199-207. [PMID: 11697857 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.2001.2564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, we describe the cDNA cloning, expression in Pichia pastoris, purification, and characterization of the recombinant Pisum sativum defensin 1 (rPsd1), a novel Cys-rich protein presenting four disulfide bridges and high antifungal activity. Several parameters that affect the level of protein expression were assayed. The best condition yielded 13.8 mg/L (1.50 microg/10(8) cells) of active rPsd1. The recombinant rPsd1 was purified to homogeneity by cation exchange, followed by reversed-phase HPLC, and subjected to automated amino acid sequencing, which revealed four additional amino acids (EAEA) at the N-terminal region. Circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis indicated that the recombinant protein has a very similar folding and a correct disulfide-bonding pattern when compared to native Psd1. Nevertheless, the rPsd1 presented a more species-specific antifungal activity. The importance of the N- and C-termini for Psd1 activity is pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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47
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Turkstra JA, Oonk HB, Schaaper WM, Meloen RH. The role of the individual amino acids of a GnRH-tandem-dimer peptide used as an antigen for immunocastration of male piglets determined with systematic alanine replacements. Vaccine 2001; 20:406-12. [PMID: 11672903 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(01)00357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Immunocastration targeting gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) can be obtained in male piglets using native GnRH conjugates. However, due to insufficient efficacy of these conjugates, improved GnRH antigens, like peptides existing of repeats of the GnRH amino acid sequence, have been designed. We previously reported about a dimerised GnRH-tandem peptide with a D-Lys at position 6 of the native GnRH sequence (G6k-TD) being highly effective. To evaluate the contribution of each individual amino acid of the GnRH decapeptide to the efficacy of the G6k-TD peptide, each amino acid was replaced consecutively by alanine (Ala-scan). The G6k-TD peptides were conjugated to ovalbumin, used for immunisation and tested for their ability to elicit GnRH antibodies and to immunocastrate male piglets. The results show that four out of nine amino acids (pGlu-1, Ser-4, Arg-8 and Gly-10) can be replaced by alanine without negatively affecting immunocastration efficacy. Replacement of amino acids in other positions (Tyr-5, Leu-7 and Pro-9) gave partial decrease of efficacy, respectively, five, six and six out of seven piglets were immunocastrated. Replacements at two other positions (His-2 and Trp-3) completely negated immunocastration activity. Thus, seven out of nine amino acid positions in the basic unit of G6k-TD can be substituted by alanine without affecting immunocastration efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Turkstra
- ID-Lelystad, Institute for Animal Science and Health, Edelhertweg 15, 8219 PH Lelystad, The Netherlands.
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48
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Beekman NJ, Schaaper WM, Langeveld JP, Boshuizen RS, Meloen RH. The nature of the bond between peptide and carrier molecule determines the immunogenicity of the construct. THE JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PEPTIDE SOCIETY 2001; 58:237-45. [PMID: 11576330 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3011.2001.00905.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The influence of the nature of the bond between a peptide and a (lipidic) carrier molecule on the immunogenicity of that construct was investigated. As types of bonds a thioester-, a disulfide-, an amide- and a thioether bond were investigated. As carrier molecules a peptide, an N-palmitoylated peptide or a C(16)-hydrocarbon chain were used. The biostability of the bond between peptide and carrier molecule is thioether > amide > disulfide >> thioester. However, the immunogenic potency of the constructs used was found to be thioester > disulfide > amide > thioether. In conclusion, a construct with a bond between peptide and (lipidic) carrier molecule that is more susceptible to biological degradation is more immunogenic when used in a peptide-based vaccine than a bond that is less susceptible to biological degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Beekman
- Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad), Department of Molecular Recognition, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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