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Lee J, Lee D, Choi H, Kim HH, Kim H, Hwang JS, Lee DG, Kim JI. Structure-activity relationships of the intramolecular disulfide bonds in coprisin, a defensin from the dung beetle. BMB Rep 2015; 47:625-30. [PMID: 24393527 PMCID: PMC4281341 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2014.47.11.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins, which are small cationic molecules produced by organisms as part of their innate immune response, share a common structural scaffold that is stabilized by three disulfide bridges. Coprisin is a 43-amino acid defensin-like peptide from Copris tripartitus. Here, we report the intramolecular disulfide connectivity of cysteine-rich coprisin, and show that it is the same as in other insect defensins. The disulfide bond pairings of coprisin were determined by combining the enzymatic cleavage and mass analysis. We found that the loss of any single disulfide bond in coprisin eliminated all antibacterial, but not antifungal, activity. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis showed that two disulfide bonds, Cys20-Cys39 and Cys24-Cys41, stabilize coprisin's α-helical region. Moreover, a BLAST search against UniProtKB database revealed that coprisin's α-helical region is highly homologous to those of other insect defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeho Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Korea
| | - Daeun Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Korea
| | - Hyemin Choi
- School of Life Sciences, KNU Creative BioResearch Group (BK21 plus program), College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea
| | - Ha Hyung Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Ho Kim
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Science, Daejin University, Pocheon 487-711, Korea
| | - Jae Sam Hwang
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Natural Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Suwon 441-707, Korea
| | - Dong Gun Lee
- School of Life Sciences, KNU Creative BioResearch Group (BK21 plus program), College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea
| | - Jae Il Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Korea
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Yi HY, Chowdhury M, Huang YD, Yu XQ. Insect antimicrobial peptides and their applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:5807-22. [PMID: 24811407 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Insects are one of the major sources of antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs). Since observation of antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph of pupae from the giant silk moths Samia Cynthia and Hyalophora cecropia in 1974 and purification of first insect AMP (cecropin) from H. cecropia pupae in 1980, over 150 insect AMPs have been purified or identified. Most insect AMPs are small and cationic, and they show activities against bacteria and/or fungi, as well as some parasites and viruses. Insect AMPs can be classified into four families based on their structures or unique sequences: the α-helical peptides (cecropin and moricin), cysteine-rich peptides (insect defensin and drosomycin), proline-rich peptides (apidaecin, drosocin, and lebocin), and glycine-rich peptides/proteins (attacin and gloverin). Among insect AMPs, defensins, cecropins, proline-rich peptides, and attacins are common, while gloverins and moricins have been identified only in Lepidoptera. Most active AMPs are small peptides of 20-50 residues, which are generated from larger inactive precursor proteins or pro-proteins, but gloverins (~14 kDa) and attacins (~20 kDa) are large antimicrobial proteins. In this mini-review, we will discuss current knowledge and recent progress in several classes of insect AMPs, including insect defensins, cecropins, attacins, lebocins and other proline-rich peptides, gloverins, and moricins, with a focus on structural-functional relationships and their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yu Yi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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3
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Cerovský V, Zdárek J, Fucík V, Monincová L, Voburka Z, Bém R. Lucifensin, the long-sought antimicrobial factor of medicinal maggots of the blowfly Lucilia sericata. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:455-66. [PMID: 19921400 PMCID: PMC11115601 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0194-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A novel homologue of insect defensin designated lucifensin (Lucilia defensin) was purified from the extracts of various tissues (gut, salivary glands, fat body, haemolymph) of green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae and from their excretions/secretions. The primary sequence of this peptide of 40 residues and three intramolecular disulfide bridges was determined by ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry and Edman degradation and is very similar to that of sapecin and other dipteran defensins. We assume that lucifensin is the key antimicrobial component that protects the maggots when they are exposed to the highly infectious environment of a wound during the medicinal process known as maggot therapy. We also believe that lucifensin is that long-sought larger molecular weight antimicrobial factor of the Lucilia sericata excretions/secretions believed to be effective against pathogenic elements of the wound microbial flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Cerovský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Evans EW, Harmon BG. A review of antimicrobial peptides: defensins and related cationic peptides. Vet Clin Pathol 2003; 24:109-116. [PMID: 12664423 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165x.1995.tb00949.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides are present throughout the plant and animal kingdoms and bear striking structural and functional similarities across species lines. They provide primitive, nonspecific means of combating a variety of bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses, and protozoa. Some are also cytotoxic against host cells, including neoplastic cells. Cationic antimicrobial peptides may play various roles in inflammation and tissue repair. Antimicrobial peptides are found in epithelial tissues regularly exposed to microbial attack as well as in cells whose primary function is defense against potential pathogens. They constitute an important part of the nonoxidative antimicrobial arsenal of leukocytes. They are preformed and/or readily synthesized when the cells are stimulated by exposure to pathogens. They exert their effects directly by inserting into membranes of target cells and forming ion channels which increase membrane permeability; however, antimicrobial peptides can also act as opsonins to facilitate phagocytosis. Resistance to defensins is a virulence factor for organisms such as Salmonella sp. The study of cationic antimicrobial peptides is increasing our understanding of innate immunity, inflammation, and the pathogenesis of genetic diseases such as specific granule disease in humans. Therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen W. Evans
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
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5
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Abstract
Insects are amazingly resistant to bacterial infections. To combat pathogens, insects rely on cellular and humoral mechanisms, innate immunity being dominant in the latter category. Upon detection of bacteria, a complex genetic cascade is activated, which ultimately results in the synthesis of a battery of antibacterial peptides and their release into the haemolymph. The peptides are usually basic in character and are composed of 20-40 amino acid residues, although some smaller proteins are also included in the antimicrobial repertoire. While the proline-rich peptides and the glycine-rich peptides are predominantly active against Gram-negative strains, the defensins selectively kill Gram-positive bacteria and the cecropins are active against both types. The insect antibacterial peptides are very potent: their IC50 (50% of the bacterial growth inhibition) hovers in the submicromolar or low micromolar range. The majority of the peptides act through disintegrating the bacterial membrane or interfering with membrane assembly, with the exception of drosocin, apidaecin and pyrrhocoricin which appear to deactivate a bacterial protein in a stereospecific manner. In accordance with their biological function, the membrane-active peptides form ordered structures, e.g. alpha-helices or beta-pleated sheets and often cast permeable ion-pores. Their cytotoxic properties were exploited in in vivo studies targeting tumour progression. Although the native peptides degrade quickly in biological fluids other than insect haemolymph, structural modifications render the peptides resistant against proteases without sacrificing biological activity. Indeed, a pyrrhocoricin analogue shows lack of toxicity in vitro and in vivo and protects mice against experimental Escherichia coli infection. Careful selection of lead molecules based on the insect antibacterial peptides may extend their utility and produce viable alternatives to the conventional antimicrobial compounds for mammalian therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Otvos
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Abstract
Antibiotic peptides are a key component of the innate immune systems of most multicellular organisms. Despite broad divergences in sequence and taxonomy, most antibiotic peptides share a common mechanism of action, i.e., membrane permeabilization of the pathogen. This review provides a general introduction to the subject, with emphasis on aspects such as structural types, post-translational modifications, mode of action or mechanisms of resistance. Some of these questions are treated in depth in other reviews in this issue. The review also discusses the role of antimicrobial peptides in nature, including several pathological conditions, as well as recent accounts of their application at the preclinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Andreu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
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Lee KH, Hong SY, Oh JE. Synthesis and structure-function study about tenecin 1, an antibacterial protein from larvae of Tenebrio molitor. FEBS Lett 1998; 439:41-5. [PMID: 9849873 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)01333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Tenecin 1, an inducible antibacterial protein secreted in the larvae of Tenebrio molitor, has a long N-terminal loop and common structural feature of insect defensin family corresponding to cysteine stabilized alpha/beta motif. To study the function of the N-terminal loop and disulfide bridges, N-terminal loop deleted tenecin 1, reduced tenecin 1 and tenecin 1 were chemically synthesized and their activities were measured. N-terminal loop deleted tenecin and reduced tenecin 1 did not show antibacterial activity. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy data revealed that the alpha-helical content of tenecin 1 and the other proteins increased in the presence of 50% (v/v) trifluoroethanol (TFE) and the alpha-helical content of tenecin 1 was much higher than that of the other proteins in buffer with or without 50% (v/v) TFE. These results suggest that disulfide bridges are necessary for the activity structure and the N-terminal loop plays an important role in the increase of alpha-helix in the membrane mimetic environment and the activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Lee
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute, Yongin-City, South Korea.
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9
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Lee KH, Hong SY, Oh JE, Kwon M, Yoon JH, Lee J, Lee BL, Moon HM. Identification and characterization of the antimicrobial peptide corresponding to C-terminal beta-sheet domain of tenecin 1, an antibacterial protein of larvae of Tenebrio molitor. Biochem J 1998; 334 ( Pt 1):99-105. [PMID: 9693108 PMCID: PMC1219667 DOI: 10.1042/bj3340099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An active fragment was identified from tenecin 1, an antibacterial protein belonging to the insect defensin family, by synthesizing the peptides corresponding to the three regions of tenecin 1. Only the fragment corresponding to the C-terminal beta-sheet domain showed activity against fungi as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whereas tenecin 1, the native protein, showed activity only against Gram-positive bacteria. CD spectra indicated that each fragment in a membrane-mimetic environment might adopt a secondary structure corresponding to its region in the protein. The leakage of dye from liposomes induced by this fragment suggested that this fragment acts on the membrane of pathogens as a primary mode of action. A comparison between the structure and the activity of each fragment indicated that a net positive charge was a prerequisite factor for activity. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report in which the fragment corresponding to the beta-sheet region in antibacterial proteins, which consists of alpha-helical and beta-sheet regions, has been identified as a primary active fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Lee
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute, 341 Pojung-Ri, Koosung-Myun, Yongin-City, Kyunggi-Do, 449-910, Korea.
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Ennahar S, Aoude-Werner D, Sorokine O, Van Dorsselaer A, Bringel F, Hubert JC, Hasselmann C. Production of pediocin AcH by Lactobacillus plantarum WHE 92 isolated from cheese. Appl Environ Microbiol 1996; 62:4381-7. [PMID: 8953710 PMCID: PMC168265 DOI: 10.1128/aem.62.12.4381-4387.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Among 1,962 bacterial isolates from a smear-surface soft cheese (Munster cheese) screened for activity against Listeria monocytogenes, six produced antilisterial compounds other than organic acids. The bacterial strain WHE 92, which displayed the strongest antilisterial effect, was identified at the DNA level as Lactobacillus plantarum. The proteinaceous nature, narrow inhibitory spectrum, and bactericidal mode of action of the antilisterial compound produced by this bacterium suggested that it was a bacteriocin. Purification to homogeneity and sequencing of this bacteriocin showed that it was a 4.6-kDa, 44-amino-acid peptide, the primary structure of which was identical to that of pediocin AcH produced by different Pediococcus acidilactici strains. We report the first case of the same bacteriocin appearing naturally with bacteria of different genera. Whereas the production of pediocin AcH from P. acidilactici H was considerably reduced when the final pH of the medium exceeded 5.0, no reduction in the production of pediocin AcH from L. plantarum WHE 92 was observed when the pH of the medium was up to 6.0. This fact is important from an industrial angle. As the pH of dairy products is often higher than 5.0, L. plantarum WHE 92, which develops particularly well in cheeses, could constitute an effective means of biological combat against L. monocytogenes in this type of foodstuff.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ennahar
- Département des Sciences de l'Aliment, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
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11
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Michaut L, Fehlbaum P, Moniatte M, Van Dorsselaer A, Reichhart JM, Bulet P. Determination of the disulfide array of the first inducible antifungal peptide from insects: drosomycin from Drosophila melanogaster. FEBS Lett 1996; 395:6-10. [PMID: 8849679 DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(96)00992-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Drosomycin is a 44-residue antifungal peptide with four intramolecular disulfide bridges which have been isolated from immune-challenged Drosophila. To produce adequate amounts of this peptide for 3D-structure analysis, studies on the mode of action and activity spectrum, we expressed a synthetic cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For this purpose, we used the mating factor alpha gene and concomitantly overexpressed the KEX2 gene to increase the yield of fully processed drosomycin. Using a combination of Edman degradation and mass spectrometry, we show that drosomycin shares the same array of intramolecular disulfide bridges than plant defensins, in addition to their sequence similarities.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Michaut
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Réponse Immunitaire et Développement chezles Insectes, Strasbourg, France
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Hara S, Yamakawa M. Moricin, a novel type of antibacterial peptide isolated from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:29923-7. [PMID: 8530391 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.50.29923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel antibacterial peptide that shows antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The novel peptide consisted of 42 amino acids and was highly basic. This peptide indicated no significant similarity with other antibacterial peptides. The peptide showed antibacterial activity against several Gram-negative and -positive bacteria and had a higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria than cecropin B1, a major antibacterial peptide of B. mori. The novel peptide was inducible by bacterial injection. These results suggest that the peptide is responsible for the antibacterial activity in B. mori against Gram-positive bacteria. The effects of the peptide on bacterial and liposomal membranes showed that a target of the peptide is the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The results also suggest that the N-terminal portion of the peptide, containing a predicted alpha-helix, is responsible for an increase in the membrane permeability. We propose the name "moricin" for this novel antibacterial peptide isolated from B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hara
- Noda Institute for Scientific Research, Chiba, Japan
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13
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Chakicherla A, Hansen JN. Role of the leader and structural regions of prelantibiotic peptides as assessed by expressing nisin-subtilin chimeras in Bacillus subtilis 168, and characterization of their physical, chemical, and antimicrobial properties. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:23533-9. [PMID: 7559517 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.40.23533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biosynthesis of lantibiotics such as nisin and subtilin involves post-translational modifications, including dehydration of serines and threonines, formation of thioether cross-linkages, translocation, cleavage of a leader sequence, and release into the medium. We have studied the cellular machinery that performs the modifications by constructing and expressing nisin-subtilin chimeric prepeptides in a strain of Bacillus subtilis 168 that possesses all of the cellular machinery for making subtilin except for the presubtilin gene. The chimeras consisted of a normal subtilin leader region (SL), fused to nisin-subtilin chimeric structural regions, one of which was SL-Nis1-11-Sub12-32, in which the N-terminal portion of the structural region was derived from nisin, and the C-terminal portion derived from subtilin. This chimera was accurately and efficiently converted to the corresponding mature lantibiotic, as established by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography profiles, proton NMR spectroscopy, mass spectral analysis, and biological activity. A succinylated form of the chimera was also produced. Another chimera was in the reverse sense, with subtilin sequence at the N terminus and nisin sequence at the C terminus of the structural region (SL-Sub1-11-Nis12-34). It was processed into a heterogeneous mixture of products, none of which had the characteristics of a correctly processed polypeptide, but did contain a minor component that was active, with a specific activity that considerably exceeded nisin itself. These results, together with results published earlier, establish that processing requires specific recognition between the prelantibiotic peptide and the processing machinery, and in order for the processing to occur correctly, there must be an appropriate combination of the N-terminal part of the leader region and the C-terminal part of the structural region of the prepeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chakicherla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA
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Cornet B, Bonmatin JM, Hetru C, Hoffmann JA, Ptak M, Vovelle F. Refined three-dimensional solution structure of insect defensin A. Structure 1995; 3:435-48. [PMID: 7663941 DOI: 10.1016/s0969-2126(01)00177-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect defensin A is a basic 4 kDa protein secreted by Phormia terranovae larvae in response to bacterial challenges or injuries. Previous biological tests suggest that the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is the target of defensin A. The structural study of this protein is the first step towards establishing a structure-activity relationship and forms the basis for understanding its antibiotic activity at the molecular level. RESULTS We describe a refined model of the three-dimensional structure of defensin A derived from an extensive analysis of 786 inter-proton nuclear Overhauser effects. The backbone fold involves an N-terminal loop and an alpha-helical fragment followed by an antiparallel beta-structure. The helix and the beta-structure are connected by two of the three disulphide bridges present in defensin A, forming a so-called 'cysteine-stabilized alpha beta' (CS alpha beta) motif. The N-terminal loop, which is locally well defined, can occupy different positions with respect to the other moieties of the molecule. CONCLUSIONS The CS alpha beta motif, which forms the core of the defensin A structure, appears to be a common organization for several families of small proteins with toxic properties. The distribution of amino acid side chains in the protein structure creates several hydrophobic or hydrophilic patches. This leads us to propose that the initial step in the action of positively charged defensin A molecules with cytoplasmic membranes may involve interactions with acidic phospholipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Cornet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (CNRS), Orléans, France
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Harwig SS, Swiderek KM, Lee TD, Lehrer RI. Determination of disulphide bridges in PG-2, an antimicrobial peptide from porcine leukocytes. J Pept Sci 1995; 1:207-15. [PMID: 9222998 DOI: 10.1002/psc.310010308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We determined the cysteine connectivity of protegrin PG-2, a leukocyte-derived antimicrobial peptide, by performing sequential enzyme digestions with chymotrypsin and thermolysin, and monitoring each digest by direct liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometric analysis. This approach resolved the disulphide pairing pattern unambiguously with only picomolar amounts of PG-2. The inferred cysteine connectivity was confirmed by traditional amino acid composition analyses using nanomolar amounts of the protegrin. The results suggest that protegrins will assume a tachyplesin-like, disulphide-stabilized anti-parallel beta-sheet configuration in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Harwig
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA
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Abstract
Defensins are a family of small cationic, antibiotic peptides that contain six cysteines in disulfide linkage. The peptides are abundant in phagocytes and small intestinal mucosa of humans and other mammals and in the hemolymph of insects. They contribute to host defense against microbes and may participate in tissue inflammation and endocrine regulation during infection. Bioengineered defensins are potentially useful as prophylactic and therapeutic agents in infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ganz
- Department of Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024-1736, USA
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17
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Abstract
Host defense peptides are widely distributed in nature, being found in species from bacteria to humans. The structures of these peptides from insects, horseshoe crabs, frogs, and mammals are known to have the common features of a net cationic charge due to the presence of multiple Arg and Lys residues and in most cases the ability to form amphipathic structures. These properties are important for the mechanism of action that is thought to be a nonreceptor-mediated interaction with the anionic phospholipids of the target cell followed by incorporation into the membrane and disruption of the membrane structure. Host defense peptides have been shown to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, able to kill most strains of bacteria as well as some fungi, protozoa, and in addition, many types of tumor cells. Specificity for pathogenic cells over host cells is thought to be due to the composition of the cell membranes, with an increased proportion of anionic phospholipids making the pathogen more susceptible and the presence of cholesterol making the host membranes more resistant. Structure-activity relationship studies have been performed on insect cecropins and apidaecins, horseshoe crab tachyplesins and polyphemusins, and the frog magainins, CPFs (caerulein precursor fragments) and PGLa. In general, changes that increased the basicity and stabilized the amphipathic structure have increased the antimicrobial activity; however, as the peptides become more hydrophobic the degree of specificity decreases. One magainin-2 analogue, MSI-78, has been developed by Magainin Pharmaceuticals as a topical antiinfective and is presently in clinical trials for the treatment of infected diabetic foot ulcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Maloy
- Magainin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania 19462
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18
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Clerc FF, Monégier B, Faucher D, Cuiné F, Pourcet C, Holt JC, Tang SY, Van Dorsselaer A, Becquart J, Vuilhorgne M. Primary structure control of recombinant proteins using high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and microsequencing. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS 1994; 662:245-59. [PMID: 7719480 DOI: 10.1016/0378-4347(94)00184-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The conformity of two recombinant proteins (a von Willbrand factor fragment and human serum albumin, consisting of respectively 289 and 585 amino acids) has been examined by HPLC combined with mass spectrometry and microsequencing, on both intact material and fragment peptides obtained by proteolytic cleavage. These studies confirmed that the primary structure of the recombinant proteins corresponds to that predicted from their gene, particularly the integrity of their N and C termini, and, in the case of albumin, the agreement between the observed disulfide bond pattern and the published model. Furthermore, the structure of an albumin-related compound could be elucidated. Application of LC-MS for batch-to-batch quality control is also under discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- F F Clerc
- Rhône-Poulenc Rorer S.A., Centre de Recherches de Vitry-Alfortville, Vitry sur Seine, France
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19
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Cociancich S, Dupont A, Hegy G, Lanot R, Holder F, Hetru C, Hoffmann JA, Bulet P. Novel inducible antibacterial peptides from a hemipteran insect, the sap-sucking bug Pyrrhocoris apterus. Biochem J 1994; 300 ( Pt 2):567-75. [PMID: 8002963 PMCID: PMC1138199 DOI: 10.1042/bj3000567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Insects belonging to the recent orders of the endopterygote clade (Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera) respond to bacterial challenge by the rapid and transient synthesis of a battery of potent antibacterial peptides which are secreted into their haemolymph. Here we present the first report on inducible antibacterial molecules in the sap-sucking bug Pyrrhocoris apterus, a representative species of the Hemiptera, which predated the Endoptergotes by at least 50 million years in evolution. We have isolated and characterized from immune blood of this species three novel peptides or polypeptides: (i) a 43-residue cysteine-rich anti-(Gram-positive bacteria) peptide which is a new member of the family of insect defensins; (ii) a 20-residue proline-rich peptide carrying an O-glycosylated substitution (N-acetylgalactosamine), active against Gram-negative bacteria; (iii) a 133-residue glycine-rich polypeptide also active against Gram-negative bacteria. The proline-rich peptide shows high sequence similarities with drosocin, an O-glycosylated antibacterial peptide from Drosophila, and also with the N-terminal domain of diptericin, an inducible 9 kDa antibacterial peptide from members of the order Diptera, whereas the glycine-rich peptide has similarities with the glycine-rich domain of diptericin. We discuss the evolutionary aspects of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cociancich
- Unité Propre de Recherche du CNRS Réponse immunitaire et développement chez les Insectes, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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Martin G, Sorokine O, Van Dorsselaer A. Isolation and molecular characterization of a hyperglycemic neuropeptide from the sinus gland of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1993; 211:601-7. [PMID: 8436119 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1993.tb17587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The major peptide from the sinus gland of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea) has been extracted and purified by reverse-phase HPLC. This neuropeptide exhibited a high hyperglycemic activity and was therefore named A. vulgare crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (Arv-CHH). Its average molecular mass measured by mass spectrometry was 8729.3 Da. Its complete amino acid sequence was determined by a combination of Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. The N-terminal amino acid was found to be unblocked, the C-terminal residue was found amidated and none of the other 72 residues was affected by any post-translational modification. Disulfide bond assignment was made unambiguously by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation was performed on peptides produced by enzymatic cleavage. Relationships with other, similar neuropeptides from decapod sinus glands are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Martin
- Laboratoire de biologie animale URA 1452, Université de Poitiers, France
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Bulet P, Cociancich S, Reuland M, Sauber F, Bischoff R, Hegy G, Van Dorsselaer A, Hetru C, Hoffmann JA. A novel insect defensin mediates the inducible antibacterial activity in larvae of the dragonfly Aeschna cyanea (Paleoptera, Odonata). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1992; 209:977-84. [PMID: 1425705 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1992.tb17371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The injection of low doses of bacteria into the aquatic larvae of dragonflies (Aeschna cyanea, Odonata, Paleoptera) induces the appearance in their hemolymph of a potent antibacterial activity. We have isolated a 38-residue peptide from this hemolymph which is strongly active against Gram-positive bacteria and also shows activity against one of the Gram-negative bacteria which was tested. The peptide is a novel member of the insect defensin family of inducible antibacterial peptides, which had so far only been reported from the higher insect orders believed to have evolved 100 million years after the Paleoptera. Aeschna defensin is more potent than defensin from the dipteran Phormia, from which its structure differs in several interesting aspects, which are discussed in the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bulet
- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Université Louis Pasteur, Unité de Recherche Associée, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1490, Strasbourg, France
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Abstract
In response to bacterial challenge or trauma, insects produce a battery of bactericidal or bacteriostatic molecules with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria; most are small-sized cationic peptides. This review focuses on insect defensins, a large group of inducible antibacterial peptides that are present both in ancient and recent insect orders. This immune response of insects shares many of the characteristics of the mammalian acute phase response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Hoffmann
- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale Université Louis Pasteur, CNRS Research Unit 1490, Strasbourg, France
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Craig AG, Rivier JE. Metastable fragmentation of somatostatin-14 (SS-14) and a series of SS-14 analogs formed with liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry: Observation of fragment ions which involve unsymmetric disulfide bridge cleavage concomitant with peptide chain cleavage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1992. [DOI: 10.1002/oms.1210270503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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REICHHART JEANMARC, PETIT ISABELLE, LEGRAIN MICHÈLE, DIMARCQ JEANLUC, KEPPI ELISABETH, LECOCQ JEANPIERRE, HOFFMANN JULESA, ACHSTETTER TILMAN. Expression and secretion in yeast of active insect defensin, an inducible antibacterial peptide from the fleshflyPhormia terranovae. INVERTEBR REPROD DEV 1992. [DOI: 10.1080/07924259.1992.9672215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bulet P, Cociancich S, Dimarcq J, Lambert J, Reichhart J, Hoffmann D, Hetru C, Hoffmann J. Insect immunity. Isolation from a coleopteran insect of a novel inducible antibacterial peptide and of new members of the insect defensin family. J Biol Chem 1991. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)54260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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