1
|
Li H, Kalunke R, Tetorya M, Czymmek KJ, Shah DM. Modes of action and potential as a peptide-based biofungicide of a plant defensin MtDef4. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13458. [PMID: 38619888 PMCID: PMC11018249 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Due to rapidly emerging resistance to single-site fungicides in fungal pathogens of plants, there is a burgeoning need for safe and multisite fungicides. Plant antifungal peptides with multisite modes of action (MoA) have potential as bioinspired fungicides. Medicago truncatula defensin MtDef4 was previously reported to exhibit potent antifungal activity against fungal pathogens. Its MoA involves plasma membrane disruption and binding to intracellular targets. However, specific biochemical processes inhibited by this defensin and causing cell death have not been determined. Here, we show that MtDef4 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. It induced severe plasma membrane and organelle irregularities in the germlings of this pathogen. It bound to fungal ribosomes and inhibited protein translation in vitro. A MtDef4 variant lacking antifungal activity exhibited greatly reduced protein translation inhibitory activity. A cation-tolerant MtDef4 variant was generated that bound to β-glucan of the fungal cell wall with higher affinity than MtDef4. It also conferred a greater reduction in the grey mould disease symptoms than MtDef4 when applied exogenously on Nicotiana benthamiana plants, tomato fruits and rose petals. Our findings revealed inhibition of protein synthesis as a likely target of MtDef4 and the potential of its cation-tolerant variant as a peptide-based fungicide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | | | - Kirk J. Czymmek
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Advanced Bioimaging LaboratoryDonald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Dilip M. Shah
- Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parisi K, McKenna JA, Lowe R, Harris KS, Shafee T, Guarino R, Lee E, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. Hyperpolarisation of Mitochondrial Membranes Is a Critical Component of the Antifungal Mechanism of the Plant Defensin, Ppdef1. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:54. [PMID: 38248963 PMCID: PMC10817573 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are a large family of small cationic proteins with diverse functions and mechanisms of action, most of which assert antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of fungi. The partial mechanism of action has been resolved for a small number of members of plant defensins, and studies have revealed that many act by more than one mechanism. The plant defensin Ppdef1 has a unique sequence and long loop 5 with fungicidal activity against a range of human fungal pathogens, but little is known about its mechanism of action. We screened the S. cerevisiae non-essential gene deletion library and identified the involvement of the mitochondria in the mechanism of action of Ppdef1. Further analysis revealed that the hyperpolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) activates ROS production, vacuolar fusion and cell death and is an important step in the mechanism of action of Ppdef1, and it is likely that a similar mechanism acts in Trichophyton rubrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Rohan Lowe
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Karen S. Harris
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Thomas Shafee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Rosemary Guarino
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Eunice Lee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Nicole L. van der Weerden
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., Preston 3072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
van der Weerden NL, Parisi K, McKenna JA, Hayes BM, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Wevrett SR, Veneer PK, McCorkelle O, Vasa S, Guarino R, Poon S, Gaspar YM, Baker MJ, Craik DJ, Turner RB, Brown MB, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The Plant Defensin Ppdef1 Is a Novel Topical Treatment for Onychomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1111. [PMID: 37998916 PMCID: PMC10672221 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infection, causes not only pain and discomfort but can also have psychological and social consequences for the patient. Treatment of onychomycosis is complicated by the location of the infection under the nail plate, meaning that antifungal molecules must either penetrate the nail or be applied systemically. Currently, available treatments are limited by their poor nail penetration for topical products or their potential toxicity for systemic products. Plant defensins with potent antifungal activity have the potential to be safe and effective treatments for fungal infections in humans. The cystine-stabilized structure of plant defensins makes them stable to the extremes of pH and temperature as well as digestion by proteases. Here, we describe a novel plant defensin, Ppdef1, as a peptide for the treatment of fungal nail infections. Ppdef1 has potent, fungicidal activity against a range of human fungal pathogens, including Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., dermatophytes, and non-dermatophytic moulds. In particular, Ppdef1 has excellent activity against dermatophytes that infect skin and nails, including the major etiological agent of onychomycosis Trichophyton rubrum. Ppdef1 also penetrates human nails rapidly and efficiently, making it an excellent candidate for a novel topical treatment of onychomycosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. van der Weerden
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Brigitte M. Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Prem K. Veneer
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Owen McCorkelle
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Rosemary Guarino
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Yolanda M. Gaspar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Michael J. Baker
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rob B. Turner
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Marc B. Brown
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nguyen NN, Lamotte O, Alsulaiman M, Ruffel S, Krouk G, Berger N, Demolombe V, Nespoulous C, Dang TMN, Aimé S, Berthomieu P, Dubos C, Wendehenne D, Vile D, Gosti F. Reduction in PLANT DEFENSIN 1 expression in Arabidopsis thaliana results in increased resistance to pathogens and zinc toxicity. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:5374-5393. [PMID: 37326591 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad228] [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: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of defensins in plants correlates with their increased capacity to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses. This applies to Arabidopsis thaliana, where some of the seven members of the PLANT DEFENSIN 1 family (AtPDF1) are recognised to improve plant responses to necrotrophic pathogens and increase seedling tolerance to excess zinc (Zn). However, few studies have explored the effects of decreased endogenous defensin expression on these stress responses. Here, we carried out an extensive physiological and biochemical comparative characterization of (i) novel artificial microRNA (amiRNA) lines silenced for the five most similar AtPDF1s, and (ii) a double null mutant for the two most distant AtPDF1s. Silencing of five AtPDF1 genes was specifically associated with increased aboveground dry mass production in mature plants under excess Zn conditions, and with increased plant tolerance to different pathogens - a fungus, an oomycete and a bacterium, while the double mutant behaved similarly to the wild type. These unexpected results challenge the current paradigm describing the role of PDFs in plant stress responses. Additional roles of endogenous plant defensins are discussed, opening new perspectives for their functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Nga Nguyen
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Olivier Lamotte
- Agroécologie, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, F-21 000 Dijon, France
| | - Mohanad Alsulaiman
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Sandrine Ruffel
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Gabriel Krouk
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Nathalie Berger
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Vincent Demolombe
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Claude Nespoulous
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Thi Minh Nguyet Dang
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Sébastien Aimé
- Agroécologie, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, F-21 000 Dijon, France
| | - Pierre Berthomieu
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Christian Dubos
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - David Wendehenne
- Agroécologie, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, F-21 000 Dijon, France
| | - Denis Vile
- LEPSE, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2 Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| | - Françoise Gosti
- IPSiM, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, 2, Place P. Viala, F-34 060 Montpellier Cedex 2, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shahmiri M, Bleackley MR, Dawson CS, van der Weerden NL, Anderson MA, Mechler A. Membrane binding properties of plant defensins. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 209:113618. [PMID: 36828099 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The membrane interaction characteristics of five antifungal plant defensin peptides: NaD1, and the related HXP4 and L5, as well as NaD2 and the related ZmD32 were studied. These peptides were chosen to cover a broad range of cationic charges with little structural variations, allowing for assessment of the role of charge in their membrane interactions. Membrane permeabilizing activity against C. albicans was confirmed and quantified for benchmarking purposes. Viscoelastic characteristics of the membrane interactions were studied in typical neutral and charged model membranes using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D. Frequency-dissipation fingerprinting analysis of the QCM-D results revealed that all of the peptides were able to bind to all studied model membranes albeit with slightly different viscoelastic character for each membrane type. However, characteristic disruption patterns were not observed suggesting that the membrane disrupting activity of these defensins is mostly specific to fungal membranes, and that increasing the peptide charge does not enhance their action. The results also show that the presence of specific sterols has a profound effect on the ability of the peptides to disrupt the membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Shahmiri
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine (SATiM), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia
| | - Charlotte S Dawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia
| | - Adam Mechler
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, 3086, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang YF, Chen ST, Gao Y, Yang L, Yu H. Prediction of global potential suitable habitats of Nicotiana alata Link et Otto based on MaxEnt model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4851. [PMID: 36964182 PMCID: PMC10038996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotiana alata Link et Otto, widely used in landscaping, is not only of great ornamental value but also of high commercial and medical value. The global potential habitat of N. alata and the environmental factors affecting its distribution are not that clear at present. To provide a reference for the reasonable and extensive planting of N. alata now and in the future, the MaxEnt model was used to predict its global suitable habitats under current and future climate conditions, respectively, based on global geographic distribution data of N. alata and the current and future world bioclimatic variables. The results showed that mean temperature of the driest quarter (bio9), precipitation of driest month (bio14), precipitation seasonality (bio15) and max temperature of warmest month (bio5), were the key bioclimatic variables governing the distribution of N. alata. The global suitable habitats of N. alata were mainly distributed in Europe, the United States, southeastern South America, and China under current climate conditions. Compared with current climate conditions, the future climate decreased suitable habitats of N. alata under SSP1-2.6, and SSP2-4.5 scenario and increased suitable habitats of N. alata under SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 climatic scenarios. The results provided valuable information and theoretical reference for the reasonable planting of N. alata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Fang Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Shu-Tong Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Yun Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Long Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China.
| | - Hua Yu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mulla JA, Tamhane VA. Novel insights into plant defensin ingestion induced metabolic responses in the polyphagous insect pest Helicoverpa armigera. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3151. [PMID: 36823197 PMCID: PMC9950371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29250-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lepidopteran insect pest Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most destructive pests of crop plants and several biotechnological approaches are being developed for its control. Plant defensins are small cationic and cysteine-rich peptides that play a role in plant defense. Ingestion of a defensin from Capsicum annuum (CanDef-20) induced a dose-dependent reduction in larval and pupal mass, delayed metamorphosis and also severely reduced fecundity and fertility in H. armigera. To understand the molecular mechanisms of CanDef-20 ingestion-mediated antibiosis in H. armigera larvae, a comparative transcriptomics analysis was carried out. Predominant downregulation of GOs represents serine-type endopeptidases, structural constituents of ribosomes and integral membrane components and differential upregulation of ATP binding, nucleus and translation, while up-regulation of nucleic acid binding represented by transposable elements, were detected. Different isoforms of lipase, serine endopeptidase, glutathione S-transferase, cadherin, alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidases were found to be upregulated as a compensatory response to CanDef-20 ingestion. In vitro enzyme assays and qPCR analysis of some representative genes associated with vital cellular processes like metamorphosis, food digestion and gut membrane indicated adaptive differential regulations in CanDef-20 fed H. armigera larvae. We conclude that CanDef-20 ingestion affects insect metabolism in a number of ways through its interaction with cell membrane, enzymes, cytoplasmic proteins and triggering transposon mobilization which are linked to growth retardation and adaptive strategies in H. armigera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javed A. Mulla
- grid.32056.320000 0001 2190 9326Department of Biotechnology (Jointly Merged With Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB)), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007 India
| | - Vaijayanti A. Tamhane
- grid.32056.320000 0001 2190 9326Department of Biotechnology (Jointly Merged With Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB)), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007 India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Giner-Llorca M, Gallego del Sol F, Marcos JF, Marina A, Manzanares P. Rationally designed antifungal protein chimeras reveal new insights into structure-activity relationship. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 225:135-148. [PMID: 36460243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.280] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) are promising antimicrobial compounds that represent a feasible alternative to fungicides. Penicillium expansum encodes three phylogenetically distinct AFPs (PeAfpA, PeAfpB and PeAfpC) which show different antifungal profiles and fruit protection effects. To gain knowledge about the structural determinants governing their activity, we solved the crystal structure of PeAfpB and rationally designed five PeAfpA::PeAfpB chimeras (chPeAFPV1-V5). Chimeras showed significant differences in their antifungal activity. chPeAFPV1 and chPeAFPV2 improved the parental PeAfpB potency, and it was very similar to that of PeAfpA. chPeAFPV4 and chPeAFPV5 showed an intermediate profile of activity compared to the parental proteins while chPeAFPV3 was inactive towards most of the fungi tested. Structural analysis of the chimeras evidenced an identical scaffold to PeAfpB, suggesting that the differences in activity are due to the contributions of specific residues and not to induced conformational changes or structural rearrangements. Results suggest that mannoproteins determine protein interaction with the cell wall and its antifungal activity while there is not a direct correlation between binding to membrane phospholipids and activity. This work provides new insights about the relevance of sequence motifs and the feasibility of modifying protein specificity, opening the door to the rational design of chimeras with biotechnological applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Giner-Llorca
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisca Gallego del Sol
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Jaume Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alberto Marina
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Jaume Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gandía M, Moreno-Giménez E, Giner-Llorca M, Garrigues S, Ropero-Pérez C, Locascio A, Martínez-Culebras PV, Marcos JF, Manzanares P. Development of a FungalBraid Penicillium expansum-based expression system for the production of antifungal proteins in fungal biofactories. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:630-647. [PMID: 35084102 PMCID: PMC8867986 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal antifungal proteins (AFPs) have attracted attention as novel biofungicides. Their exploitation requires safe and cost‐effective producing biofactories. Previously, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium digitatum produced recombinant AFPs with the use of a P. chrysogenum‐based expression system that consisted of the paf gene promoter, signal peptide (SP)‐pro sequence and terminator. Here, the regulatory elements of the afpA gene encoding the highly produced PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum were developed as an expression system for AFP production through the FungalBraid platform. The afpA cassette was tested to produce PeAfpA and P. digitatum PdAfpB in P. chrysogenum and P. digitatum, and its efficiency was compared to that of the paf cassette. Recombinant PeAfpA production was only achieved using the afpA cassette, being P. chrysogenum a more efficient biofactory than P. digitatum. Conversely, P. chrysogenum only produced PdAfpB under the control of the paf cassette. In P. digitatum, both expression systems allowed PdAfpB production, with the paf cassette resulting in higher protein yields. Interestingly, these results did not correlate with the performance of both promoters in a luciferase reporter system. In conclusion, AFP production is a complex outcome that depends on the regulatory sequences driving afp expression, the fungal biofactory and the AFP sequence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Gandía
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain.,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Moisés Giner-Llorca
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Sandra Garrigues
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Carolina Ropero-Pérez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Antonella Locascio
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Pedro V Martínez-Culebras
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain.,Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bromatología, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Universitat de València, Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, Valencia, 46100, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shalovylo YI, Yusypovych YM, Hrunyk NI, Roman II, Zaika VK, Krynytskyy HT, Nesmelova IV, Kovaleva VA. Seed-derived defensins from Scots pine: structural and functional features. PLANTA 2021; 254:129. [PMID: 34817648 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03788-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The recombinant PsDef5.1 defensin inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and human pathogen Candida albicans. Expression of seed-derived Scots pine defensins is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated. Plant defensins are ubiquitous antimicrobial peptides that possess a broad spectrum of activities and multi-functionality. The genes for these antimicrobial proteins form a multigenic family in the plant genome and are expressed in every organ. Most of the known defensins have been isolated from seeds of various monocot and dicot species, but seed-derived defensins have not yet been characterized in gymnosperms. This study presents the isolation of two new 249 bp cDNA sequences from Scots pine seeds with 97.9% nucleotide homology named PsDef5.1 and PsDef5.2. Their deduced amino acid sequences have typical plant defensin features, including an endoplasmic reticulum signal sequence of 31 amino acids (aa), followed by a characteristic defensin domain of 51 aa. To elucidate the functional activity of new defensins, we expressed the mature form of PsDef5.1 in a prokaryotic system. The purified recombinant peptide exhibited activity against the phytopathogenic fungi and Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with the IC50 of 5-18 µM. Moreover, it inhibited the growth of the human pathogen Candida albicans with the IC50 of 6.0 µM. Expression analysis showed that transcripts of PsDef5.1-2 genes were present in immature and mature pine seeds and different parts of seedlings at the early stage of germination. In addition, unlike the PsDef5.2, the PsDef5.1 gene was expressed in the reproductive organs. Our findings indicate that novel defensins are promising candidates for transgenic application and the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia I Shalovylo
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
| | - Yurii M Yusypovych
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
| | - Nataliya I Hrunyk
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
| | - Ivan I Roman
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 1, Saksagansky St., Lviv, 79005, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr K Zaika
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
| | - Hryhoriy T Krynytskyy
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
| | - Irina V Nesmelova
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, 28223, USA
| | - Valentina A Kovaleva
- Ukrainian National Forestry University, 103, Gen. Chuprynka, St., Lviv, 79057, Ukraine.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Luo X, Wu W, Feng L, Treves H, Ren M. Short Peptides Make a Big Difference: The Role of Botany-Derived AMPs in Disease Control and Protection of Human Health. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11363. [PMID: 34768793 PMCID: PMC8583512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Botany-derived antimicrobial peptides (BAMPs), a class of small, cysteine-rich peptides produced in plants, are an important component of the plant immune system. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated their powerful antimicrobial activity. Besides in plants, BAMPs have cross-kingdom applications in human health, with toxic and/or inhibitory effects against a variety of tumor cells and viruses. With their diverse molecular structures, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, multiple mechanisms of action, and low cytotoxicity, BAMPs provide ideal backbones for drug design, and are potential candidates for plant protection and disease treatment. Lots of original research has elucidated the properties and antimicrobial mechanisms of BAMPs, and characterized their surface receptors and in vivo targets in pathogens. In this paper, we review and introduce five kinds of representative BAMPs belonging to the pathogenesis-related protein family, dissect their antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer mechanisms, and forecast their prospects in agriculture and global human health. Through the deeper understanding of BAMPs, we provide novel insights for their applications in broad-spectrum and durable plant disease prevention and control, and an outlook on the use of BAMPs in anticancer and antiviral drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Luo
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Wenxian Wu
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
| | - Li Feng
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
| | - Haim Treves
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Membrane-Interacting Antifungal Peptides. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649875. [PMID: 33912564 PMCID: PMC8074791 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is increasing worldwide, resulting in more than 1.6 million deaths every year. Due to growing antifungal drug resistance and the limited number of currently used antimycotics, there is a clear need for novel antifungal strategies. In this context, great potential is attributed to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are part of the innate immune system of organisms. These peptides are known for their broad-spectrum activity that can be directed toward bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or even cancer cells. Some AMPs act via rapid physical disruption of microbial cell membranes at high concentrations causing cell leakage and cell death. However, more complex mechanisms are also observed, such as interaction with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species, programmed cell death, and autophagy. This review summarizes the structure and mode of action of antifungal AMPs, thereby focusing on their interaction with fungal membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Histidine-Rich Defensins from the Solanaceae and Brasicaceae Are Antifungal and Metal Binding Proteins. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030145. [PMID: 32847065 PMCID: PMC7557933 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are best known for their antifungal activity and contribution to the plant immune system. The defining feature of plant defensins is their three-dimensional structure known as the cysteine stabilized alpha-beta motif. This protein fold is remarkably tolerant to sequence variation with only the eight cysteines that contribute to the stabilizing disulfide bonds absolutely conserved across the family. Mature defensins are typically 46–50 amino acids in length and are enriched in lysine and/or arginine residues. Examination of a database of approximately 1200 defensin sequences revealed a subset of defensin sequences that were extended in length and were enriched in histidine residues leading to their classification as histidine-rich defensins (HRDs). Using these initial HRD sequences as a query, a search of the available sequence databases identified over 750 HRDs in solanaceous plants and 20 in brassicas. Histidine residues are known to contribute to metal binding functions in proteins leading to the hypothesis that HRDs would have metal binding properties. A selection of the HRD sequences were recombinantly expressed and purified and their antifungal and metal binding activity was characterized. Of the four HRDs that were successfully expressed all displayed some level of metal binding and two of four had antifungal activity. Structural characterization of the other HRDs identified a novel pattern of disulfide linkages in one of the HRDs that is predicted to also occur in HRDs with similar cysteine spacing. Metal binding by HRDs represents a specialization of the plant defensin fold outside of antifungal activity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Parisi K, Poon S, Renda RF, Sahota G, English J, Yalpani N, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, van der Weerden NL. Improving the Digestibility of Plant Defensins to Meet Regulatory Requirements for Transgene Products in Crop Protection. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1227. [PMID: 32922418 PMCID: PMC7456892 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the use of chemical fungicides, fungal diseases have a major impact on the yield and quality of plant produce globally and hence there is a need for new approaches for disease control. Several groups have examined the potential use of antifungal plant defensins for plant protection and have produced transgenic plants expressing plant defensins with enhanced resistance to fungal disease. However, before they can be developed commercially, transgenic plants must pass a series of strict regulations to ensure that they are safe for human and animal consumption as well as the environment. One of the requirements is rapid digestion of the transgene protein in the gastrointestinal tract to minimize the risk of any potential allergic response. Here, we examine the digestibility of two plant defensins, NaD1 from Nicotiana alata and SBI6 from soybean, which have potent antifungal activity against major cereal pathogens. The native defensins were not digestible in simulated gastrointestinal fluid assays. Several modifications to the sequences enhanced the digestibility of the two small proteins without severely impacting their antifungal activity. However, these modified proteins did not accumulate as well as the native proteins when transiently expressed in planta, suggesting that the protease-resistant structure of plant defensins facilitates their stability in planta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Rosemary F. Renda
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Gurinder Sahota
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - James English
- Maxygen LLC, Sunnyvale, CA, United States
- Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, Johnston, IA, United States
| | - Nasser Yalpani
- Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, Johnston, IA, United States
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole L. van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Plant Defensins from a Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155307. [PMID: 32722628 PMCID: PMC7432377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins form a family of proteins with a broad spectrum of protective activities against fungi, bacteria, and insects. Furthermore, some plant defensins have revealed anticancer activity. In general, plant defensins are non-toxic to plant and mammalian cells, and interest in using them for biotechnological and medicinal purposes is growing. Recent studies provided significant insights into the mechanisms of action of plant defensins. In this review, we focus on structural and dynamics aspects and discuss structure-dynamics-function relations of plant defensins.
Collapse
|
17
|
Ong ST, Bajaj S, Tanner MR, Chang SC, Krishnarjuna B, Ng XR, Morales RAV, Chen MW, Luo D, Patel D, Yasmin S, Ng JJH, Zhuang Z, Nguyen HM, El Sahili A, Lescar J, Patil R, Charman SA, Robins EG, Goggi JL, Tan PW, Sadasivam P, Ramasamy B, Hartimath SV, Dhawan V, Bednenko J, Colussi P, Wulff H, Pennington MW, Kuyucak S, Norton RS, Beeton C, Chandy KG. Modulation of Lymphocyte Potassium Channel K V1.3 by Membrane-Penetrating, Joint-Targeting Immunomodulatory Plant Defensin. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:720-736. [PMID: 32832873 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe a cysteine-rich, membrane-penetrating, joint-targeting, and remarkably stable peptide, EgK5, that modulates voltage-gated KV1.3 potassium channels in T lymphocytes by a distinctive mechanism. EgK5 enters plasma membranes and binds to KV1.3, causing current run-down by a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent mechanism. EgK5 exhibits selectivity for KV1.3 over other channels, receptors, transporters, and enzymes. EgK5 suppresses antigen-triggered proliferation of effector memory T cells, a subset enriched among pathogenic autoreactive T cells in autoimmune disease. PET-CT imaging with 18F-labeled EgK5 shows accumulation of the peptide in large and small joints of rodents. In keeping with its arthrotropism, EgK5 treats disease in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. It was also effective in treating disease in a rat model of atopic dermatitis. No signs of toxicity are observed at 10-100 times the in vivo dose. EgK5 shows promise for clinical development as a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seow Theng Ong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Saumya Bajaj
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Mark R Tanner
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Shih Chieh Chang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Xuan Rui Ng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Rodrigo A V Morales
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ming Wei Chen
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Dahai Luo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Sabina Yasmin
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jeremy Jun Heng Ng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Zhong Zhuang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| | - Hai M Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Abbas El Sahili
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine building, Singapore 636921
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine building, Singapore 636921
| | - Rahul Patil
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Edward G Robins
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667.,Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, NUS Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC), Centre for Life Sciences, Singapore 117599
| | - Julian L Goggi
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Peng Wen Tan
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Pragalath Sadasivam
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Boominathan Ramasamy
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Siddana V Hartimath
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A Star), Singapore 138667
| | - Vikas Dhawan
- Peptides International, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky 40269, United States.,AmbioPharm Inc., North Augusta, South Carolina 29842, United States
| | - Janna Bednenko
- TetraGenetics Inc, Arlington, Massachusetts 02474, United States
| | - Paul Colussi
- TetraGenetics Inc, Arlington, Massachusetts 02474, United States
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Michael W Pennington
- Peptides International, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky 40269, United States.,AmbioPharm Inc., North Augusta, South Carolina 29842, United States
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christine Beeton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - K George Chandy
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Experimental Medicine Building, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Inhibitory Activity of a Scorpion Defensin BmKDfsin3 against Hepatitis C Virus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9010033. [PMID: 31963532 PMCID: PMC7168052 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major worldwide health problem which can cause chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is still no vaccine to prevent HCV infection. Currently, the clinical treatment of HCV infection mainly relies on the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) which are expensive and have side effects. Here, BmKDfsin3, a scorpion defensin from the venom of Mesobuthus martensii Karsch, is found to dose-dependently inhibit HCV infection at noncytotoxic concentrations and affect viral attachment and post-entry in HCV life cycle. Further experimental results show that BmKDfsin3 not only suppresses p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation of HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells, but also inhibits p38 activation of Huh7.5.1 cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BmKDfsin3 is also revealed to enter into cells. Using an upstream MyD88 dimerization inhibitor ST2345 or kinase IRAK-1/4 inhibitor I, the inhibition of p38 activation represses HCV replication in vitro. Taken together, a scorpion defensin BmKDfsin3 inhibits HCV replication, related to regulated p38 MAPK activation.
Collapse
|
19
|
Screening the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nonessential Gene Deletion Library Reveals Diverse Mechanisms of Action for Antifungal Plant Defensins. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01097-19. [PMID: 31451498 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01097-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are a large family of proteins, most of which have antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of fungi. However, little is known about how they exert their activity. The mechanisms of action of only a few members of the family have been investigated and, in most cases, there are still a number of unknowns. To gain a better understanding of the antifungal mechanisms of a set of four defensins, NaD1, DmAMP1, NbD6, and SBI6, we screened a pooled collection of the nonessential gene deletion set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains with increased or decreased ability to survive defensin treatment were identified based on the relative abundance of the strain-specific barcode as determined by MiSeq next-generation sequencing. Analysis of the functions of genes that are deleted in strains with differential growth in the presence of defensin provides insight into the mechanism of action. The screen identified a novel role for the vacuole in the mechanisms of action for defensins NbD6 and SBI6. The effect of these defensins on vacuoles was further confirmed by using confocal microscopy in both S. cerevisiae and the cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum These results demonstrate the utility of this screening method to identify novel mechanisms of action for plant defensins.
Collapse
|
20
|
Kerenga BK, McKenna JA, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Garcia-Ceron D, Lay FT, Phan TK, Veneer PK, Vasa S, Parisi K, Shafee TMA, van der Weerden NL, Hulett MD, Craik DJ, Anderson MA, Bleackley MR. Salt-Tolerant Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of the Corn Defensin ZmD32. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:795. [PMID: 31031739 PMCID: PMC6474387 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic microbes are developing resistance to established antibiotics, making the development of novel antimicrobial molecules paramount. One major resource for discovery of antimicrobials is the arsenal of innate immunity molecules that are part of the first line of pathogen defense in many organisms. Gene encoded cationic antimicrobial peptides are a major constituent of innate immune arsenals. Many of these peptides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity in vitro. However, a major hurdle that has impeded their development for use in the clinic is the loss of activity at physiological salt concentrations, attributed to weakening of the electrostatic interactions between the cationic peptide and anionic surfaces of the microbial cells in the presence of salt. Using plant defensins we have investigated the relationship between the charge of an antimicrobial peptide and its activity in media with elevated salt concentrations. Plant defensins are a large class of antifungal peptides that have remarkable stability at extremes of pH and temperature as well as resistance to protease digestion. A search of a database of over 1200 plant defensins identified ZmD32, a defensin from Zea mays, with a predicted charge of +10.1 at pH 7, the highest of any defensin in the database. Recombinant ZmD32 retained activity against a range of fungal species in media containing elevated concentrations of salt. In addition, ZmD32 was active against Candida albicans biofilms as well as both Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, combined with a low toxicity on human cells make ZmD32 an attractive lead for development of future antimicrobial molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bomai K Kerenga
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Donovan Garcia-Ceron
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Shafee T, Anderson MA. A quantitative map of protein sequence space for the cis-defensin superfamily. Bioinformatics 2018; 35:743-752. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Shafee
- Department of biochemistry and genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of biochemistry and genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
McColl AI, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, Lowe RGT. Resistance to the Plant Defensin NaD1 Features Modifications to the Cell Wall and Osmo-Regulation Pathways of Yeast. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1648. [PMID: 30087664 PMCID: PMC6066574 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the emergence of resistance to commonly used antifungal molecules has become a major barrier to effective treatment of recurrent life-threatening fungal diseases. Resistance combined with the increased incidence of fungal diseases has created the need for new antifungals, such as the plant defensin NaD1, with different mechanisms of action to broaden treatment options. Antimicrobial peptides produced in plants and animals are promising new molecules in the arsenal of antifungal agents because they have different mechanisms of action to current antifungals and are often targeted specifically to fungal pathogens (van der Weerden et al., 2013). A key step in the development of novel antifungals is an understanding of the potential for the fungus to develop resistance. Here, we have used the prototypic plant defensin NaD1 in serial passages with the model fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae to examine the evolution of resistance to plant antifungal peptides. The yeast strains did develop tolerance to NaD1, but it occurred more slowly than to the clinically used antifungal caspofungin. Sequencing the genomes of the strains with increased tolerance failed to identify any ‘hotspot’ mutations associated with increased tolerance to NaD1 and led to the identification of 12 genes that are involved in resistance. Characterization of the strains with increased tolerance to NaD1 also revealed changes in tolerance to abiotic stressors. Resistance developed slowly via an accumulation of single nucleotide mutations and had a fitness penalty associated with it. One of the genes identified FPS1, revealed that there is a common mechanism of resistance to NaD1 that involves the osmotic stress response pathway. These data indicate that it is more difficult to generate resistance to antimicrobial peptides such as NaD1 compared to small molecule antifungals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda I McColl
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rohan G T Lowe
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Järvå M, Lay FT, Phan TK, Humble C, Poon IKH, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA, Hulett MD, Kvansakul M. X-ray structure of a carpet-like antimicrobial defensin-phospholipid membrane disruption complex. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1962. [PMID: 29773800 PMCID: PMC5958116 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms as a first line of defense against pathogens. Membrane targeting and disruption is a crucial function of many defensins, however the precise mechanism remains unclear. Certain plant defensins form dimers that specifically bind the membrane phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, thereby triggering the assembly of defensin-lipid oligomers that permeabilize cell membranes. To understand this permeabilization mechanism, here we determine the crystal structure of the plant defensin NaD1 bound to PA. The structure reveals a 20-mer that adopts a concave sheet- or carpet-like topology where NaD1 dimers form one face and PA acyl chains form the other face of the sheet. Furthermore, we show that Arg39 is critical for PA binding, oligomerization and fungal cell killing. These findings identify a putative defensin-phospholipid membrane attack configuration that supports a longstanding proposed carpet mode of membrane disruption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Järvå
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Cassandra Humble
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Parisi K, Shafee TMA, Quimbar P, van der Weerden NL, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The evolution, function and mechanisms of action for plant defensins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 88:107-118. [PMID: 29432955 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Plant defensins are an extensive family of small cysteine rich proteins characterised by a conserved cysteine stabilised alpha beta protein fold which resembles the structure of insect and vertebrate defensins. However, secondary structure and disulphide topology indicates two independent superfamilies of defensins with similar structures that have arisen via an extreme case of convergent evolution. Defensins from plants and insects belong to the cis-defensin superfamily whereas mammalian defensins belong to the trans-defensin superfamily. Plant defensins are produced by all species of plants and although the structure is highly conserved, the amino acid sequences are highly variable with the exception of the cysteine residues that form the stabilising disulphide bonds and a few other conserved residues. The majority of plant defensins are components of the plant innate immune system but others have evolved additional functions ranging from roles in sexual reproduction and development to metal tolerance. This review focuses on the antifungal mechanisms of plant defensins. The activity of plant defensins is not limited to plant pathogens and many of the described mechanisms have been elucidated using yeast models. These mechanisms are more complex than simple membrane permeabilisation induced by many small antimicrobial peptides. Common themes that run through the characterised mechanisms are interactions with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species and induction of cell wall stress. Links between sequence motifs and functions are highlighted where appropriate. The complexity of the interactions between plant defensins and fungi helps explain why this protein superfamily is ubiquitous in plant innate immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
A novel bi-domain plant defensin MtDef5 with potent broad-spectrum antifungal activity binds to multiple phospholipids and forms oligomers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16157. [PMID: 29170445 PMCID: PMC5700942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16508-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins are cysteine-rich cationic antimicrobial peptides contributing to the innate immunity in plants. A unique gene encoding a highly cationic bi-domain defensin MtDef5 has been identified in a model legume Medicago truncatula. MtDef5 consists of two defensin domains of 50 amino acids each linked by a 7-amino acid peptide. It exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity against filamentous fungi at submicromolar concentrations. It rapidly permeabilizes the plasma membrane of the ascomycete fungi Fusarium graminearum and Neurospora crassa and induces accumulation of reactive oxygen species. It is internalized by these fungi, but uses spatially distinct modes of entry into these fungi. It co-localizes with cellular membranes, travels to nucleus and becomes dispersed in other subcellular locations. It binds to several membrane-resident phospholipids with preference for phosphatidylinositol monophosphates and forms oligomers. Mutations of the cationic amino acids present in the two γ-core motifs of this defensin that eliminate oligomerization also knockout its ability to induce membrane permeabilization and fungal growth arrest. MtDef5 is the first bi-domain plant defensin that exhibits potent broad-spectrum antifungal activity, recruits multiple membrane phospholipids and forms oligomers in their presence. These findings raise the possibility that MtDef5 might be useful as a novel antifungal agent in transgenic crops.
Collapse
|
26
|
Cools TL, Vriens K, Struyfs C, Verbandt S, Ramada MHS, Brand GD, Bloch C, Koch B, Traven A, Drijfhout JW, Demuyser L, Kucharíková S, Van Dijck P, Spasic D, Lammertyn J, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. The Antifungal Plant Defensin HsAFP1 Is a Phosphatidic Acid-Interacting Peptide Inducing Membrane Permeabilization. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2295. [PMID: 29209301 PMCID: PMC5702387 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HsAFP1, a plant defensin isolated from coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea), is characterized by broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Previous studies indicated that HsAFP1 binds to specific fungal membrane components, which had hitherto not been identified, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane permeabilization. In this study, we show that HsAFP1 reversibly interacts with the membrane phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA), which is a precursor for the biosynthesis of other phospholipids, and to a lesser extent with various phosphatidyl inositol phosphates (PtdInsP's). Moreover, via reverse ELISA assays we identified two basic amino acids in HsAFP1, namely histidine at position 32 and arginine at position 52, as well as the phosphate group in PA as important features enabling this interaction. Using a HsAFP1 variant, lacking both amino acids (HsAFP1[H32A][R52A]), we showed that, as compared to the native peptide, the ability of this variant to bind to PA and PtdInsP's is reduced (≥74%) and the antifungal activity of the variant is reduced (≥2-fold), highlighting the link between PA/PtdInsP binding and antifungal activity. Using fluorescently labelled HsAFP1 in confocal microscopy and flow cytometry assays, we showed that HsAFP1 accumulates at the cell surface of yeast cells with intact membranes, most notably at the buds and septa. The resulting HsAFP1-induced membrane permeabilization is likely to occur after HsAFP1's internalization. These data provide novel mechanistic insights in the mode of action of the HsAFP1 plant defensin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sara Verbandt
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcelo H S Ramada
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme D Brand
- Chemistry Institute, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Carlos Bloch
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Barbara Koch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan W Drijfhout
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Demuyser
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Soňa Kucharíková
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Baxter AA, Lay FT, Poon IKH, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Tumor cell membrane-targeting cationic antimicrobial peptides: novel insights into mechanisms of action and therapeutic prospects. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:3809-3825. [PMID: 28770291 PMCID: PMC11107634 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2604-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is an ongoing need for effective and targeted cancer treatments that can overcome the detrimental side effects presented by current treatment options. One class of novel anticancer molecules with therapeutic potential currently under investigation are cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs). CAPs are small innate immunity peptides found ubiquitously throughout nature that are typically membrane-active against a wide range of pathogenic microbes. A number of CAPs can also target mammalian cells and often display selective activity towards tumor cells, making them attractive candidates as novel anticancer agents warranting further investigation. This current and comprehensive review describes key examples of naturally occurring membrane-targeting CAPs and their modified derivatives that have demonstrated anticancer activity, across multiple species of origin and structural subfamilies. In addition, we address recent advances made in the field and the ongoing challenges faced in translating experimental findings into clinically relevant treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Baxter
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Järvå M, Lay FT, Hulett MD, Kvansakul M. Structure of the defensin NsD7 in complex with PIP 2 reveals that defensin : lipid oligomer topologies are dependent on lipid type. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:2482-2490. [PMID: 28741756 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are innate immune molecules that upon recognition of specific phospholipids can disrupt microbial membranes by forming oligomeric assemblies. Structures of two related plant defensins, NaD1 and NsD7, bound to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2 ) and phosphatidic acid (PA), respectively, revealed striking differences in their oligomeric topologies. To understand how NsD7 binds different phospholipids and rationalize the different topologies, we determined the structure of an NsD7-PIP2 complex. This structure reveals fundamental differences in phospholipid binding compared to NsD7-PA, and an oligomeric topology nearly identical to the previously determined NaD1-PIP2 complex, establishing that the PIP2 fibril topology is conserved between NaD1 and NsD7. Our findings highlight the remarkable ability of defensins to bind different types of phospholipids to form oligomeric fibrils with diverse topologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Järvå
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guillén-Chable F, Arenas-Sosa I, Islas-Flores I, Corzo G, Martinez-Liu C, Estrada G. Antibacterial activity and phospholipid recognition of the recombinant defensin J1-1 from Capsicum genus. Protein Expr Purif 2017. [PMID: 28624494 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The gene of the four disulfide-bridged defensin J1-1 from Capsicum was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag as fusion protein. This construct was transfected into Origami strain of Escherichia coli and expressed after induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The level of expression was 4 mg/L of culture medium, and the His-tagged recombinant defensin (HisXarJ1-1) was expressed exclusively into inclusion bodies. After solubilization, HisXarJ1-1 was purified by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reverse-phase HPLC profile of the HisXarJ1-1 product obtained from the affinity chromatography step showed single main peptide fraction of molecular masses of 7050.6 Da and after treatment with DTT a single fraction of 7, 042.6 Da corresponding to the reduced peptide was observed. An in vitro folding step of the HisXarJ1-1 generated a distinct profile of oxidized forms of the peptide this oxidized peptide was capable of binding phosphatidic acid in vitro. Possible dimer and oligomer of HisXarJ1-1 were visible in gel electrophoresis and immunodetected with anti-His antibodies. Pure recombinant defensin HisXarJ1-1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guillén-Chable
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Iván Arenas-Sosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Ignacio Islas-Flores
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Cynthia Martinez-Liu
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Georgina Estrada
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cools TL, Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Antifungal plant defensins: increased insight in their mode of action as a basis for their use to combat fungal infections. Future Microbiol 2017; 12:441-454. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defensins are small, cationic peptides with a highly conserved 3D structure. They have been studied extensively in the past decades. Various biological activities have been attributed to plant defensins, such as anti-insect and antimicrobial activities, but they are also known to affect ion channels and display antitumor activity. This review focuses on the structure, biological activity and antifungal mode of action of some well-characterized plant defensins, with particular attention to their fungal membrane target(s), their induced cell death mechanisms as well as their antibiofilm activity. As plant defensins are, in general, not toxic to human cells, show in vivo efficacy and have low frequencies of resistance occurrence, they are of particular interest in the fight against fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanne L Cools
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno PA Cammue
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial & Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
The plant defensin NaD1 induces tumor cell death via a non-apoptotic, membranolytic process. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:16102. [PMID: 28179997 PMCID: PMC5253418 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic anti-microbial peptides (CAPs) have an important role in host innate defense against pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Many CAPs including defensins also exhibit selective cytotoxic activity towards mammalian cells via both apoptotic and non-apoptotic processes, and are being investigated as potential anticancer agents. The anti-fungal plant defensin from ornamental tobacco, Nicotiana alata Defensin 1 (NaD1), was recently shown to induce necrotic-like cell death in a number of tumor cell types within 30 min of treatment, at a concentration of 10 μM. NaD1-mediated cell killing within these experimental parameters has been shown to occur via binding to the plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in target cells to facilitate membrane destabilization and subsequent lysis. Whether NaD1 is also capable of inducing apoptosis in tumor cells has not been reported previously. In this study, treatment of MM170 (melanoma) and Jurkat T (leukemia) cells with subacute (<10 μM) concentrations of NaD1 over 6-24 h was investigated to determine whether NaD1 could induce cell death via apoptosis. At subacute concentrations, NaD1 did not efficiently induce membrane permeabilization within 30 min, but markedly reduced cell viability over 24 h. In contrast to other CAPs that have been shown to induce apoptosis through caspase activation, dying cells were not sensitive to a pancaspase inhibitor nor did they display caspase activity or DNA fragmentation over the 24 h treatment time. Furthermore, over the 24 h period, cells exhibited necrotic phenotypes and succumbed to membrane permeabilization. These results indicate that the cytotoxic mechanism of NaD1 at subacute concentrations is membranolytic rather than apoptotic and is also likely to be mediated through a PIP2-targeting cell lytic pathway.
Collapse
|
32
|
Dracatos PM, Payne J, Di Pietro A, Anderson MA, Plummer KM. Plant Defensins NaD1 and NaD2 Induce Different Stress Response Pathways in Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1473. [PMID: 27598152 PMCID: PMC5037751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17091473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotiana alata defensins 1 and 2 (NaD1 and NaD2) are plant defensins from the ornamental tobacco that have antifungal activity against a variety of fungal pathogens. Some plant defensins interact with fungal cell wall O-glycosylated proteins. Therefore, we investigated if this was the case for NaD1 and NaD2, by assessing the sensitivity of the three Aspergillus nidulans (An) O-mannosyltransferase (pmt) knockout (KO) mutants (An∆pmtA, An∆pmtB, and An∆pmtC). An∆pmtA was resistant to both defensins, while An∆pmtC was resistant to NaD2 only, suggesting NaD1 and NaD2 are unlikely to have a general interaction with O-linked side chains. Further evidence of this difference in the antifungal mechanism was provided by the dissimilarity of the NaD1 and NaD2 sensitivities of the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) signalling knockout mutants from the cell wall integrity (CWI) and high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. HOG pathway mutants were sensitive to both NaD1 and NaD2, while CWI pathway mutants only displayed sensitivity to NaD2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Dracatos
- Plant Breeding Institute Cobbitty, The University of Sydney, Private Bag 4011, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Payne
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
| | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14071, Spain.
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
| | - Kim M Plummer
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|