1
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Li S, Li Y, Liu Y, Wu Y, Wang Q, Jin L, Zhang D. Therapeutic Peptides for Treatment of Lung Diseases: Infection, Fibrosis, and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108642. [PMID: 37239989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Various lung diseases endanger people's health. Side effects and pharmaceutical resistance complicate the treatment of acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer, necessitating the development of novel treatments. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered to serve as a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics. These peptides exhibit a broad antibacterial activity spectrum as well as immunomodulatory properties. Previous studies have shown that therapeutic peptides including AMPs had remarkable impacts on animal and cell models of acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. The purpose of this paper is to outline the potential curative effects and mechanisms of peptides in the three types of lung diseases mentioned above, which may be used as a therapeutic strategy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujiao Li
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Yuying Li
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Qiuyu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Lili Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Dianbao Zhang
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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2
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Gu H, Kato T, Kumeta H, Kumaki Y, Tsukamoto T, Kikukawa T, Demura M, Ishida H, Vogel HJ, Aizawa T. Three-Dimensional Structure of the Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin P1 in Dodecylphosphocholine Micelles and the Role of the C-Terminal Residues. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:31924-31934. [PMID: 36120057 PMCID: PMC9475619 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Cecropin P1 (CP1) isolated from a large roundworm Ascaris suum, which is found in pig intestines, has been extensively studied as a model antimicrobial peptide (AMP). However, despite being a model AMP, its antibacterial mechanism is not well understood, particularly the function of its C-terminus. By using an Escherichia coli overexpression system with calmodulin as a fusion partner, we succeeded in the mass expression of recombinant peptides, avoiding toxicity to the host and degradation of CP1. The structure of the recombinant 15N- and 13C-labeled CP1 and its C-terminus truncated analogue in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles was determined by NMR. In this membrane-mimetic environment, CP1 formed an α-helix for almost its entire length, except for a short region at the C-terminus, and there was no evidence of a hinge, which is considered important for the expression of activity in other cecropins. Several NMR analyses showed that the entire length of CP1 was protected from water by micelles. Since the loss of the C-terminus of the analogue had little effect on the NMR structure or its interaction with the micelle, we investigated another role of the C-terminus of CP1 in its antimicrobial activity. The results showed that the C-terminal region affected the DNA-binding capacity of CP1, and this mechanism of action was also newly suggested that it contributed to the antimicrobial activity of CP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Gu
- Graduate
School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Takasumi Kato
- Graduate
School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kumeta
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kumaki
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Takashi Tsukamoto
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikukawa
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Makoto Demura
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ishida
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Hans J. Vogel
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Tomoyasu Aizawa
- Faculty
of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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3
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Saadi S, Ghazali HM, Saari N, Abdulkarim SM. The structural reconformation of peptides in enhancing functional and therapeutic properties: Insights into their solid state crystallizations. Biophys Chem 2021; 273:106565. [PMID: 33780688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides derived proteins with alpha-reconformation states like antibody shape have shown potential effects in combating terrible diseases linked with earlier signs of angiogensis, mutagenesis and transgenesis. Alpha reconformation in material design refers to the folding of the peptide chains and their transitions under reversible chemical bonds of disulfide chemical bridges and further non-covalence lesions. Thus, the rational design of signal peptides into alpha-helix is intended in increasing the defending effects of peptides into cores like adjuvant antibiotic and/or vaccines. Thereby, the signal peptides are able in displaying multiple eradicating regions by changing crystal-depositions and deviation angles. These types of molecular structures could have multiple advantages in tracing disease syndromes and impurities by increasing the host defense against the fates of pathogens and viruses, eventually leading to the loss in signaling by increasing peptide susceptibility levels to folding and unfolding and therefore, formation of transgenic peptide models. Alpha reconformation peptides is aimed in triggering as well as other regulatory functions such as remodulating metabolic chain disorders of lipolysis and glucolysis by increasing the insulin and leptin resistance for best lipid storages and lipoprotein density distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Saadi
- Institut de la Nutrition, de l'Alimentation et des Technologies Agro-alimentaires INATAA 25017, Université Frères Mentouri, Constantine 1, Algeria; Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Hasanah Mohd Ghazali
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazamid Saari
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sabo Mohammed Abdulkarim
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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4
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Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C, Prachayasittikul V, Shoombuatong W. ACPred: A Computational Tool for the Prediction and Analysis of Anticancer Peptides. Molecules 2019; 24:E1973. [PMID: 31121946 PMCID: PMC6571645 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a new class of therapeutic agent for cancer treatment due to their lower toxicity as well as greater efficacy, selectivity and specificity when compared to conventional small molecule drugs. However, the experimental identification of ACPs still remains a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Therefore, it is desirable to develop and improve upon existing computational models for predicting and characterizing ACPs. In this study, we present a bioinformatics tool called the ACPred, which is an interpretable tool for the prediction and characterization of the anticancer activities of peptides. ACPred was developed by utilizing powerful machine learning models (support vector machine and random forest) and various classes of peptide features. It was observed by a jackknife cross-validation test that ACPred can achieve an overall accuracy of 95.61% in identifying ACPs. In addition, analysis revealed the following distinguishing characteristics that ACPs possess: (i) hydrophobic residue enhances the cationic properties of α-helical ACPs resulting in better cell penetration; (ii) the amphipathic nature of the α-helical structure plays a crucial role in its mechanism of cytotoxicity; and (iii) the formation of disulfide bridges on β-sheets is vital for structural maintenance which correlates with its ability to kill cancer cells. Finally, for the convenience of experimental scientists, the ACPred web server was established and made freely available online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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5
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Prabha N, Sannasimuthu A, Kumaresan V, Elumalai P, Arockiaraj J. Intensifying the Anticancer Potential of Cationic Peptide Derived from Serine Threonine Protein Kinase of Teleost by Tagging with Oligo Tryptophan. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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6
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Wu Q, Patočka J, Kuča K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides, a Mini Review. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10110461. [PMID: 30413046 PMCID: PMC6267271 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial effectors of the innate immune system. They provide the first line of defense against a variety of pathogens. AMPs display synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, and thus present the potential for combined therapies. Insects are extremely resistant to bacterial infections. Insect AMPs are cationic and comprise less than 100 amino acids. These insect peptides exhibit an antimicrobial effect by disrupting the microbial membrane and do not easily allow microbes to develop drug resistance. Currently, membrane mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial effects of AMPs are proposed by different modes: the barrel-stave mode, toroidal-pore, carpet, and disordered toroidal-pore are the typical modes. Positive charge quantity, hydrophobic property and the secondary structure of the peptide are important for the antibacterial activity of AMPs. At present, several structural families of AMPs from insects are known (defensins, cecropins, drosocins, attacins, diptericins, ponericins, metchnikowins, and melittin), but new AMPs are frequently discovered. We reviewed the biological effects of the major insect AMPs. This review will provide further information that facilitates the study of insect AMPs and shed some light on novel microbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China.
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Patočka
- Department of Radiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Kamil Kuča
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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7
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Huang CY, Huang HY, Forrest MD, Pan YR, Wu WJ, Chen HM. Inhibition effect of a custom peptide on lung tumors. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109174. [PMID: 25310698 PMCID: PMC4195615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cecropin B is a natural antimicrobial peptide and CB1a is a custom, engineered modification of it. In vitro, CB1a can kill lung cancer cells at concentrations that do not kill normal lung cells. Furthermore, in vitro, CB1a can disrupt cancer cells from adhering together to form tumor-like spheroids. Mice were xenografted with human lung cancer cells; CB1a could significantly inhibit the growth of tumors in this in vivo model. Docetaxel is a drug in present clinical use against lung cancers; it can have serious side effects because its toxicity is not sufficiently limited to cancer cells. In our studies in mice: CB1a is more toxic to cancer cells than docetaxel, but dramatically less toxic to healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yu Huang
- Nano Biomedical Group, National Nano Device Laboratories, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Yu Huang
- Nano Biomedical Group, National Nano Device Laboratories, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Michael D. Forrest
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Yun-Ru Pan
- Nano Biomedical Group, National Nano Device Laboratories, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jen Wu
- Nano Biomedical Group, National Nano Device Laboratories, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hueih-Min Chen
- Nano Biomedical Group, National Nano Device Laboratories, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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8
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Efimova SS, Schagina LV, Ostroumova OS. Channel-forming activity of cecropins in lipid bilayers: effect of agents modifying the membrane dipole potential. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:7884-92. [PMID: 24969512 DOI: 10.1021/la501549v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cecropin A (CecA) and cecropin B (CecB) added to one side of a bilayer formed from equimolar mixtures of DOPS and DOPE, DPhPS and DPhPE, or DOPS, DOPE, and Chol leads to the formation of well-defined and well-reproducible ion channels of different conductance levels while cecropin P1 (CecP1) does not induce pore formation at micromolar concentrations. We found three populations of CecA channels: pores with weak cationic selectivity, pores with weak anionic selectivity, and pores that were nonselective. The dipole modifiers, flavonoids and styryl dyes, were used to modulate the channel-forming activity of CecA and CecB. The mean conductance of single CecA channels is affected by the influence of dipole modifiers on the lipid packing in the membrane. A decrease in the membrane dipole potential is accompanied by a decrease in the steady-state transmembrane current induced by CecA and CecB in cholesterol-free and cholesterol-containing bilayers. The observed changes in the channel-forming activity might be caused by an increase in the energy barrier for the interfacial accumulation of cecropin monomers. This finding indicates that the negative pole of the cecropin dipole is inserted into the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana S Efimova
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences , St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
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9
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Mulder KCL, Lima LA, Miranda VJ, Dias SC, Franco OL. Current scenario of peptide-based drugs: the key roles of cationic antitumor and antiviral peptides. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:321. [PMID: 24198814 PMCID: PMC3813893 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and host defense peptides (HDPs) show vast potential as peptide-based drugs. Great effort has been made in order to exploit their mechanisms of action, aiming to identify their targets as well as to enhance their activity and bioavailability. In this review, we will focus on both naturally occurring and designed antiviral and antitumor cationic peptides, including those here called promiscuous, in which multiple targets are associated with a single peptide structure. Emphasis will be given to their biochemical features, selectivity against extra targets, and molecular mechanisms. Peptides which possess antitumor activity against different cancer cell lines will be discussed, as well as peptides which inhibit virus replication, focusing on their applications for human health, animal health and agriculture, and their potential as new therapeutic drugs. Moreover, the current scenario for production and the use of nanotechnology as delivery tool for both classes of cationic peptides, as well as the perspectives on improving them is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C L Mulder
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
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10
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Boohaker RJ, Lee MW, Vishnubhotla P, Perez JM, Khaled AR. The use of therapeutic peptides to target and to kill cancer cells. Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:3794-804. [PMID: 22725698 DOI: 10.2174/092986712801661004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2011] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptide therapeutics is a promising field for emerging anti-cancer agents. Benefits include the ease and rapid synthesis of peptides and capacity for modifications. An existing and vast knowledge base of protein structure and function can be exploited for novel peptide design. Current research focuses on developing peptides that can (1) serve as tumor targeting moieties and (2) permeabilize membranes with cytotoxic consequences. A survey of recent findings reveals significant trends. Amphiphilic peptides with clusters of hydrophobic and cationic residues are features of anti-microbial peptides that confer the ability to eradicate microbes and show considerable anti-cancer toxicity. Peptides that assemble and form pores can disrupt cell or organelle membranes and cause apoptotic or necrotic death. Cell permeable and tumor-homing peptides can carry biologically active cargo to tumors or tumor vasculature. The challenge lies in developing the clinical application of therapeutic peptides. Improving delivery to tumors, minimizing non-specific toxic effects and discerning pharmacokinetic properties are high among the needs to produce a powerful therapeutic peptide for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Boohaker
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
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11
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Efficacy verification and microscopic observations of an anticancer peptide, CB1a, on single lung cancer cell. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2012; 1818:2927-35. [PMID: 22846508 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we introduce a new customized anti-lung cancer peptide, CB1a, with IC₅₀ of about 25.0 ± 1.6 μM on NCI-H460 lung cancer cells. Using a multi-cellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) model, results show that CB1a is potent in preventing the growth of lung cancer tumor-like growths in vitro. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine cell surface damage of a single cancer. The mechanism for cell death under CB1a toxicity was verified as being largely due to cell surface damage. Moreover, with a treatment dosage of CB1a at 25 μM, Young's module (E) shows that the elasticity and stiffness of cancer cell decreased with time such that the interaction time for a 50% reduction of E (IT₅₀) was about 7.0min. This new single-cell toxicity investigation using IT₅₀ under AFM assay can be used to separately verify drug efficacy in support of the traditional IC₅₀ measurement in bulk solution. These results could be of special interest to researchers engaged in new drug development.
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12
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Liu Z, Zhou Q, Mao X, Zheng X, Guo J, Zhang F, Wen T, Pang H. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of cecropin B from Bombyx mori. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2010; 66:851-3. [PMID: 20606290 PMCID: PMC2898478 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309110020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cecropin B is a 37-residue cationic antimicrobial peptide derived from the haemolymph of Bombyx mori. The precise mechanism by which cecropins exert their antimicrobial and cytolytic activities is not well understood. Crystals of cecropin B were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using polyethylene glycol as a precipitant at 289 K. The crystal diffracted to 1.43 A resolution using X-ray radiation and belonged to the orthorhombic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 15.08, b = 22.75, c = 30.20 A, alpha = 96.9, beta = 103.1, gamma = 96.5 degrees. The asymmetric unit contained only one molecule of cecropin B, with a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.48 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 50.4%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyuan Liu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Hai’dian District, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiangjun Zhou
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinfang Mao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangdong Zheng
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Hai’dian District, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiubiao Guo
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Hai’dian District, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuchun Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingyi Wen
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai Pang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Hai’dian District, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China
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13
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Lu J, Chen ZW. Isolation, characterization and anti-cancer activity of SK84, a novel glycine-rich antimicrobial peptide from Drosophila virilis. Peptides 2010; 31:44-50. [PMID: 19799950 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We report herein the isolation and characterization of a novel glycine-rich antimicrobial peptide purified from the larvae of Drosophila virilis. A range of chromatographic methods was used for isolation and its antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis was employed to screen for the most active fractions. The peptide, termed SK84 due to its N-terminal serine, C-terminal lysine and a total of 84 residues, was completed sequenced using RT-PCR cDNA cloning. SK84 contains a high level of glycine (15.5%) and a hexaglycine cluster motif in the N-terminal part. SK84 displayed antibacterial activity against the tested Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Staphylococcus aureus), but had no effect on Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) and fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans). SK84 had specific inhibitory effects on the proliferation of several cancer cell lines (Human leukemia THP-1, liver cancer HepG2, and breast cancer MCF-7 cells), but no hemolytic activity. The results from scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that SK84 killed THP-1 cells by destroying the cell membranes. Alignment results show that SK84 is a mature protein processed from the pseudoprotein GJ19999 from D. virilis, and is very similar to several pseudoproteins from different Drosophila species. Our results show that SK84 represents a novel glycine-rich peptide family in Drosophila species with antimicrobial and anti-cancer cell activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Biophysical and Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Wu JM, Jan PS, Yu HC, Haung HY, Fang HJ, Chang YI, Cheng JW, Chen HM. Structure and function of a custom anticancer peptide, CB1a. Peptides 2009; 30:839-48. [PMID: 19428759 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2008] [Revised: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Several natural antimicrobial peptides including cecropins, magainins and melittins have been found to kill cancer cells. However, their efficacy may not be adequate for their development as anticancer agents. In this study, we used a natural antimicrobial peptide, cecropin B (CB), as a template to generate a novel anticancer peptide. Cecropin B is an amphipathic and polycationic peptide derived from the hemolymph of Hyalophora cecropia with well-known antimicrobial and cytolytic properties. The signature pattern of cecropins is W-x-(0,2)-[KDN]-x-{L}-K-[KRE]-[LI]-E-[RKN] (PROSITE: PS00268), and this signature sequence is located at N-terminus of CB. CB1a was constructed by repeating the N-terminal ten amino acids of CB three times and including a hinge near C-terminus. The circular dichroism spectra showed that CB1a is unstructured in aqueous solution, but adopt a helical conformation in membrane-like environment. The solution structure of CB1a in a polar solvent was also studied by NMR. CB1a formed a helix-hinge-helix in 20% HFIP solution, and it was found the bent angle between two helical segments was induced ranging from 60 degrees to 110 degrees . A heparin-binding motif is located in the central part of helix 1. Isothermal titration calorimetry reveals the association constant of CB1a bound to low molecular weight heparin is 1.66 x 10(5)M(-1) at physiological ionic strength at 25 degrees C. Binding of CB1a to heparin produces a large conformational change toward a more structural state. CB1a demonstrated promising activity against several cancer cells but low toxicity against non-cancer cells. The IC(50) of CB1a on leukemia and stomach carcinoma cells were in the range of 2-8-fold lower than those of CB. Besides, CB1a exhibited low hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Due to these properties, CB1a has the potential to become a promising anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-Ming Wu
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Haney EF, Hunter HN, Matsuzaki K, Vogel HJ. Solution NMR studies of amphibian antimicrobial peptides: linking structure to function? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1788:1639-55. [PMID: 19272309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2008] [Revised: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The high-resolution three-dimensional structure of an antimicrobial peptide has implications for the mechanism of its antimicrobial activity, as the conformation of the peptide provides insights into the intermolecular interactions that govern the binding to its biological target. For many cationic antimicrobial peptides the negatively charged membranes surrounding the bacterial cell appear to be a main target. In contrast to what has been found for other classes of antimicrobial peptides, solution NMR studies have revealed that in spite of the wide diversity in the amino acid sequences of amphibian antimicrobial peptides (AAMPs), they all adopt amphipathic alpha-helical structures in the presence of membrane-mimetic micelles, bicelles or organic solvent mixtures. In some cases the amphipathic AAMP structures are directly membrane-perturbing (e.g. magainin, aurein and the rana-box peptides), in other instances the peptide spontaneously passes through the membrane and acts on intracellular targets (e.g. buforin). Armed with a high-resolution structure, it is possible to relate the peptide structure to other relevant biophysical and biological data to elucidate a mechanism of action. While many linear AAMPs have significant antimicrobial activity of their own, mixtures of peptides sometimes have vastly improved antibiotic effects. Thus, synergy among antimicrobial peptides is an avenue of research that has recently attracted considerable attention. While synergistic relationships between AAMPs are well described, it is becoming increasingly evident that analyzing the intermolecular interactions between these peptides will be essential for understanding the increased antimicrobial effect. NMR structure determination of hybrid peptides composed of known antimicrobial peptides can shed light on these intricate synergistic relationships. In this work, we present the first NMR solution structure of a hybrid peptide composed of magainin 2 and PGLa bound to SDS and DPC micelles. The hybrid peptide adopts a largely helical conformation and some information regarding the inter-helix organization of this molecule is reported. The solution structure of the micelle associated MG2-PGLa hybrid peptide highlights the importance of examining structural contributions to the synergistic relationships but it also demonstrates the limitations in the resolution of the currently used solution NMR techniques for probing such interactions. Future studies of antimicrobial peptide synergy will likely require stable isotope-labeling strategies, similar to those used in NMR studies of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan F Haney
- Structural Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
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Hoskin DW, Ramamoorthy A. Studies on anticancer activities of antimicrobial peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2008; 1778:357-75. [PMID: 18078805 PMCID: PMC2238813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 876] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2007] [Revised: 10/23/2007] [Accepted: 11/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In spite of great advances in cancer therapy, there is considerable current interest in developing anticancer agents with a new mode of action because of the development of resistance by cancer cells towards current anticancer drugs. A growing number of studies have shown that some of the cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are toxic to bacteria but not to normal mammalian cells, exhibit a broad spectrum of cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Such studies have considerably enhanced the significance of AMPs, both synthetic and from natural sources, which have been of importance both for an increased understanding of the immune system and for their potential as clinical antibiotics. The electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged components of bacterial and cancer cells and the positively charged AMPs is believed to play a major role in the strong binding and selective disruption of bacterial and cancer cell membranes, respectively. However, it is unclear why some host defense peptides are able to kill cancer cells when others do not. In addition, it is not clear whether the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the antibacterial and anticancer activities of AMPs are the same or different. In this article, we review various studies on different AMPs that exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. The suitability of cancer cell-targeting AMPs as cancer therapeutics is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Hoskin
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1X5, Canada
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
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Chen HM, Leung KW, Thakur NN, Tan A, Jack RW. Distinguishing between different pathways of bilayer disruption by the related antimicrobial peptides cecropin B, B1 and B3. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 2003; 270:911-20. [PMID: 12603324 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2003.03451.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Different pathways of bilayer disruption by the structurally related antimicrobial peptides cecropin B, B1 and B3, revealed by surface plasma resonance analysis of immobilized liposomes, differential scanning calorimetry of peptide-large unilamellar vesicle interactions, and light microscopic analysis of peptide-treated giant unilamellar vesicles, have been identified in this study. Natural cecropin B (CB) has one amphipathic and one hydrophobic alpha-helix, whereas cecropins B1 (CB1) and B3 (CB3), which are custom-designed, chimaeric analogues of CB, possess either two amphipathic or two hydrophobic alpha-helices, respectively. Surface plasma resonance analysis of unilamellar vesicles immobilized through a biotin-avidin interaction showed that both CB and CB1 bind to the lipid bilayers at high concentration (>10 microm); in contrast, CB3 induces disintegration of the vesicles at all concentrations tested. Differential scanning calorimetry showed the concentration-dependent effect of bilayer disruption, based on the different thermotrophic phase behaviours and the shapes of the thermal phase-transition curves obtained. The kinetics of the lysis of giant unilamellar vesicles observed by microscopy demonstrated that both CB and CB1 effect a continuous process involving loss of integrity followed by coalescence and resolution into smaller vesicles, whereas CB3 induces rapid formation of irregular-shaped, nonlamellar structures which rapidly disintegrate into twisted, microtubule-containing debris before being completely destroyed. On the basis of these observations, models by which CB, CB1 and CB3 induce lysis of lipid bilayers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hueih Min Chen
- Institute of BioAgricultural Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115.
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