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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.
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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
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Peer GDG, Priyadarshini A, Gupta A, Vibhuti A, Raj VS, Chang CM, Pandey RP. Exploration of Antileishmanial Compounds Derived from Natural Sources. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem 2024; 23:1-13. [PMID: 38279725 DOI: 10.2174/0118715230270724231214112636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Leishmaniasis is a deadly tropical disease that is neglected in many countries. World Health Organization, along with a few other countries, has been working together to protect against these parasites. Many novel drugs from the past few years have been discovered and subjected against leishmaniasis, which have been effective but they are quite expensive for lower-class people. Some drugs showed no effect on the patients, and the longer use of these medicines has made resistance against these deadly parasites. Researchers have been working for better medication by using natural products from medicinal plants (oils, secondary metabolites, plant extracts) and other alternatives to find active compounds as an alternative to the current synthetic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS To find more potential natural products to treat Leishmania spp, a study has been conducted and reported many plant metabolites and other natural alternatives from plants and their extracts. Selected research papers with few term words such as natural products, plant metabolites, Leishmaniasis, in vivo, in vitro, and treatment against leishmaniasis; in the Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases with selected research papers published between 2015 and 2021 have been chosen for further analysis has been included in this report which has examined either in vivo or in vitro analysis. RESULTS This paper reported more than 20 novel natural compounds in 20 research papers that have been identified which report a leishmanicidal activity and shows an action against promastigote, axenic, and intracellular amastigote forms. CONCLUSION Medicinal plants, along with a few plant parts and extracts, have been reported as a possible novel anti-leishmanial medication. These medicinal plants are considered nontoxic to Host cells. Leishmaniasis treatments will draw on the isolated compounds as a source further and these compounds compete with those already offered in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajala Deethamvali Ghouse Peer
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Anjali Priyadarshini
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Archana Gupta
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Arpana Vibhuti
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Vethakkani Samuel Raj
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Chung-Ming Chang
- Master & Ph.D. program in Biotechnology Industry, Chang Gung University, No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist. Taoyuan City, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, 131 029, Haryana, India
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Robledo SM, Pérez-Silanes S, Fernández-Rubio C, Poveda A, Monzote L, González VM, Alonso-Collado P, Carrión J. Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:939. [PMID: 37513786 PMCID: PMC10383258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- DNA Replication and Genome Instability Unit, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública (GIBCIZ), Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis-CIZ, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Alonso-Collado
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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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.
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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
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Slezina MP, Istomina EA, Korostyleva TV, Odintsova TI. The γ-Core Motif Peptides of Plant AMPs as Novel Antimicrobials for Medicine and Agriculture. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010483. [PMID: 36613926 PMCID: PMC9820530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The γ-core motif is a structural element shared by most host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which is supposed to contribute to their antimicrobial properties. In this review, we summarized the available data on the γ-core peptides of plant AMPs. We describe γ-core peptides that have been shown to exhibit inhibitory activity against plant and human bacterial and fungal pathogens that make them attractive scaffolds for the development of novel anti-infective agents. Their advantages include origin from natural AMP sequences, broad-spectrum and potent inhibitory activity, and cost-effective production. In addition, some γ-core peptides combine antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions, thus broadening the spectrum of practical applications. Some act synergistically with antimycotics and fungicides, so combinations of peptides with conventionally used antifungal agents can be suggested as an effective strategy to reduce the doses of potentially harmful chemicals. The presented information will pave the way for the design of novel antimicrobials on the basis of γ-core motif peptides, which can find application in medicine and the protection of crops from diseases.
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Santos FA, Cruz GS, Vieira FA, Queiroz BR, Freitas CD, Mesquita FP, Souza PF. Systematic Review of Antiprotozoal Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Toledo EB, Lucas DR, Simão TLBV, Calixto SD, Lassounskaia E, Muzitano MF, Damica FZ, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. Design of improved synthetic antifungal peptides with targeted variations in charge, hydrophobicity and chirality based on a correlation study between biological activity and primary structure of plant defensin γ-cores. Amino Acids 2021; 53:219-237. [PMID: 33483849 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbial resistance to available drugs is a growing health threat imposing the need for the development of new drugs. The scaffold of plant defensins, including their γ-cores, are particularly good candidates for drug design. This work aimed to improve the antifungal activity of a previous design peptide, named A36,42,44γ32-46VuDef (for short DD) against yeasts by altering its biochemical parameters. We explore the correlation of the biological activity and structure of plant defensins and compared their primary structures by superimposition with VuDef1 and DD which indicated us the favorable position and the amino acid to be changed. Three new peptides with modifications in charge, hydrophobicity (RR and WR) and chirality (D-RR) were designed and tested against pathogenic yeasts. Inhibition was determined by absorbance. Viability of mammalian cells was determined by MTT. The three designed peptides had better inhibitory activity against the yeasts with better potency and spectrum of yeast species inhibition, with low toxicity to mammalian cells. WR, the most hydrophobic and cationic, exhibited better antifungal activity and lower toxicity. Our study provides experimental evidence that targeted changes in the primary structure of peptides based on plant defensins γ-core primary structures prove to be a good tool for the synthesis of new compounds that may be useful as alternative antifungal drugs. The method described did not have the drawback of synthesis of several peptides, because alterations are guided. When compared to other methods, the design process described is efficient and viable to those with scarce resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefany Braz Toledo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Douglas Ribeiro Lucas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Thatiana Lopes Biá Ventura Simão
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Sanderson Dias Calixto
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Elena Lassounskaia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Reconhecer, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Michele Frazão Muzitano
- Laboratório de Produtos Bioativos, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Pólo Novo Cavaleiro-IMMT, Macaé, RJ, 27933-378, Brazil
| | - Filipe Zanirati Damica
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, nº 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil.
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Souza GS, de Carvalho LP, de Melo EJT, da Silva FCV, Machado OLT, Gomes VM, de Oliveira Carvalho A. A synthetic peptide derived of the β 2-β 3 loop of the plant defensin from Vigna unguiculata seeds induces Leishmania amazonensis apoptosis-like cell death. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1633-1648. [PMID: 31654210 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For medical use of proteins and peptide-based drugs, it is desirable to have small biologically active sequences because they improve stability, reduce side effects, and production costs. Several plant defensins have their biological activities imparted by a sequence named γ-core. Vu-Def, a Vigna unguiculata defensin, has activity against Leishmania amazonensis, which is one etiological agent of leishmaniasis and for which new drugs are needed. Our intention was to understand if the region comprising the Vu-Def γ-core is responsible for the biological activity against L. amazonensis and to unveil its mechanism of action. Different microbiological assays with L. amazonensis in the presence of the synthetic peptide A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def were done, as well as ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses. A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def showed biological activity similar to Vu-Def. A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def (74 µM) caused 97% inhibition of L. amazonensis culture and parasites were unable to regrow in fresh medium. The cells of the treated parasites showed morphological alterations by ultrastructural analysis and fluorescent labelings that corroborate with the data of the organelles alterations. The general significance of our work is based on the description of a small synthetic peptide, A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def, which has activity on L. amazonensis and that the interaction between A36,42,44γ32-46Vu-Def-L. amazonensis results in parasite inhibition by the activation of an apoptotic-like cell death pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géssika Silva Souza
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Laís Pessanha de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Edésio José Tenório de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flávia Camila Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Olga Lima Tavares Machado
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valdirene Moreira Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - André de Oliveira Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Micro-organismos, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil.
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