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Zhang Y, Wang C, Zhang W, Li X. Bioactive peptides for anticancer therapies. Biomater Transl 2023; 4:5-17. [PMID: 37206303 PMCID: PMC10189813 DOI: 10.12336/biomatertransl.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a serious concern in public health worldwide. Numerous modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have been used for cancer therapies in clinic. Despite progress in anticancer therapies, the usage of these methods for cancer treatment is often related to deleterious side effects and multidrug resistance of conventional anticancer drugs, which have prompted the development of novel therapeutic methods. Anticancer peptides (ACPs), derived from naturally occurring and modified peptides, have received great attention in these years and emerge as novel therapeutic and diagnostic candidates for cancer therapies, because of several advantages over the current treatment modalities. In this review, the classification and properties of ACPs, the mode of action and mechanism of membrane disruption, as well as the natural sources of bioactive peptides with anticancer activities were summarised. Because of their high efficacy for inducing cancer cell death, certain ACPs have been developed to work as drugs and vaccines, evaluated in varied phases of clinical trials. We expect that this summary could facilitate the understanding and design of ACPs with increased specificity and toxicity towards malignant cells and with reduced side effects to normal cells.
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Rashidi S, Faraji SN, Mamaghani AJ, Hatam S, Kazemi B, Bemani P, Tabaei SJS, Hatam G. Bioinformatics analysis for the purpose of designing a novel multi-epitope DNA vaccine against Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18119. [PMID: 36302830 PMCID: PMC9612607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the main infectious diseases worldwide. In the midst of all the different forms of the disease, Cutaneous Leishmania (CL) has the highest incidence in the world. Many trial vaccines have been developed with the purpose of generating long-term cell-mediated immunity to Leishmania(L) major. As there is not any multi-epitope DNA vaccine with high efficacy against L.major, the aim of this study is to design a new multi-epitope DNA vaccine in order to have effective control upon this infectious disease through the immune bioinformatics. The L.major antigens: Gp63, LACK, TSA, LmSTI1and KMP11 were selected to design a multi-epitope DNA vaccine. The initial structure of the DNA vaccine was designed, benefiting from Gen Bank's website information. Epitopes of MHC-I antigens were predicted through the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), and the selected epitopes were used to make vaccines construct along with linkers. New multi-epitope vaccine including 459 nucleic acids designed, and inserted between BamH1 and HindIII restriction sites of pCDNA3.1 mammalian expression vector. 12 epitopes among the chosen antigens were selected by two servers (IEDB and ANTIGEN). They had high stability and high antigenic power. Physicochemical features of vaccine measured by ProtParam server, and this structure was thermostable and hydrophilic. it's a suitable model to study on the animal and human phases. The designed vaccine is expected to be an effective candidate through development of (CL) vaccines. However, the effectiveness of this vaccine should also evaluate in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sama Rashidi
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Nooreddin Faraji
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- grid.411600.2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Hatam
- Science and Technology Park of Fars, ExirBitanic Company, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- grid.411600.2Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peyman Bemani
- grid.411036.10000 0001 1498 685XDepartment of Immunology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei
- grid.411600.2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Science and Technology Park of Fars, ExirBitanic Company, Shiraz, Iran ,grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698 Basic Sciences in Infectious diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Nooranian S, Kazemi Oskuee R, Jalili A. Characterization and Evaluation of Cell-Penetrating Activity of Brevinin-2R: An Amphibian Skin Antimicrobial Peptide. Mol Biotechnol 2022. [PMID: 35013881 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00433-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural peptides have been the source of some important tools to address challenges in protein therapy of diseases. Bypassing cell plasma membrane has been a bottleneck in the intracellular delivery of biomolecules. Among others, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide an efficient strategy for intracellular delivery of various cargos. Brevinin-2R peptide is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin secretions of marsh frog, Rana ridibunda with semi-selective anticancer properties. Here, we investigated cell-penetrating properties of Brevinin-2R peptide and its ability to deliver functional protein cargos. Bioinformatics studies showed that Brevinin-2R is a cationic peptide with a net charge of + 5 with an alpha-helix structure and a heptameric ring at the carboxylic terminal due to disulfide bond between C19 and C25 amino acids and a hinge region at A10. To evaluate the ability of this peptide as a CPP, β-galactosidase protein and GFP were transfected into HeLa cells. The entry pathway of the peptide/protein complex into the cell was investigated by inhibiting endocytic pathways at 4 °C. It was observed that Brevinin-2R can efficiently transfer β-galactosidase and GFP with 21% and 90% efficacy, respectively. Brevinin-2R opts for endocytosis pathways to enter cells. The cytotoxicity of this peptide against HeLa cells was studied using MTT assay. The results showed that at the concentration of 131.5 μg/ml of Brevinin-2R peptide, the proliferation of 50% of HeLa cells was inhibited. The results of this study suggest that Brevinin-2R peptide can act as a CPP of natural origin and low cytotoxicity.
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Bakare OO, Gokul A, Wu R, Niekerk LA, Klein A, Keyster M. Biomedical Relevance of Novel Anticancer Peptides in the Sensitive Treatment of Cancer. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1120. [PMID: 34439786 PMCID: PMC8394746 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The global increase in cancer mortality and economic losses necessitates the cautious quest for therapeutic agents with compensatory advantages over conventional therapies. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are a subset of host defense peptides, also known as antimicrobial peptides, which have emerged as therapeutic and diagnostic candidates due to several compensatory advantages over the non-specificity of the current treatment regimens. This review aimed to highlight the ravaging incidence of cancer, the use of ACPs in cancer treatment with their mechanisms, ACP discovery and delivery methods, and the limitations for their use. This would create awareness for identifying more ACPs with better specificity, accuracy and sensitivity towards the disease. It would also promote their efficacious utilization in biotechnology, medical sciences and molecular biology to ease the severity of the disease and enable the patients living with these conditions to develop an accommodating lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan Olanrewaju Bakare
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (R.W.); (L.-A.N.)
| | - Arun Gokul
- Department of Plant Sciences, Qwaqwa Campus, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa;
| | - Ruomou Wu
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (R.W.); (L.-A.N.)
| | - Lee-Ann Niekerk
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (R.W.); (L.-A.N.)
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa;
| | - Marshall Keyster
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (R.W.); (L.-A.N.)
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Mendes B, Proaño-Bolaños C, Gadelha FR, Almeida JR, Miguel DC. Cruzioseptins, antibacterial peptides from Cruziohyla calcarifer skin, as promising leishmanicidal agents. Pathog Dis 2021; 78:5905406. [PMID: 32926094 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Screenings of natural products have significantly contributed to the discovery of novel leishmanicidal agents. In this study, three known cruzioseptins-antibacterial peptides from Cruziohyla calcarifer skin-were synthesized and evaluated against promastigotes and amastigotes stages of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and L. (V.) braziliensis. EC50 ranged from 9.17 to 74.82 μM, being cruzioseptin-1 the most active and selective compound, with selectivity index > 10 for both promastigotes and amastigotes of L. (V.) braziliensis. In vitro infections incubated with cruzioseptins at 50 μM showed up to ∼86% reduction in the amastigote number. Cruzioseptins were able to destabilize the parasite's cell membrane, allowing the incorporation of a DNA-fluorescent dye. Our data also demonstrated that hydrophobicity and charge appear to be advantageous features for enhancing parasiticidal activity. Antimicrobial cruzioseptins are suitable candidates and alternative molecules that deserve further in vivo investigation focusing on the development of novel antileishmanial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
| | - Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
| | - José R Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
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Zahedifard F, Lee H, No JH, Salimi M, Seyed N, Asoodeh A, Rafati S. Correction: Anti-leishmanial activity of Brevinin 2R and its Lauric acid conjugate type against L. major: In vitro mechanism of actions and in vivo treatment potentials. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007584. [PMID: 31310603 PMCID: PMC6634371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Scariot DB, Volpato H, Fernandes NDS, Soares EFP, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, Din ZU, Rodrigues-Filho E, Rubira AF, Borges O, Sousa MDC, Nakamura CV. Activity and Cell-Death Pathway in Leishmania infantum Induced by Sugiol: Vectorization Using Yeast Cell Wall Particles Obtained From Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:208. [PMID: 31259161 PMCID: PMC6587907 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum, is a neglected tropical disease, to which efforts in the innovation of effective and affordable treatments remain limited, despite the rising incidence in several regions of the world. In this work, the antileishmanial effects of sugiol were investigated in vitro. This compound was isolated from the bark of Cupressus lusitanica and showed promising activity against L. infantum. In spite of the positive results, it is known that the compound is a poorly water-soluble diterpene molecule, which hinders further investigation, especially in preclinical animal studies. Thus, in an alternative delivery method, sugiol was entrapped in glucan-rich particles obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell walls (YCWPs). To evaluate the activity of sugiol, the experiments were divided into two parts: (i) the in vitro investigation of antileishmanial activity of free sugiol against L. infantum promastigotes after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment and (ii) the evaluation of antileishmanial activity of sugiol entrapped in glucan-rich particles against intracellular L. infantum amastigotes. Free sugiol induced the cell-death process in promastigotes, which was triggered by enhancing cytosolic calcium level and promoting the autophagy up to the first 24 h. Over time, the presence of autophagic vacuoles became rarer, especially after treatment with lower concentrations of sugiol, but other cellular events intensified, like ROS production, cell shrinkage, and phosphatidylserine exposure. Hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential was found at 72 h, induced by the mitochondria calcium uptake, causing an increase in ROS production and lipid peroxidation as a consequence. These events resulted in the cell death of promastigotes by secondary necrosis. Sugiol entrapped in glucan-rich particles was specifically recognized by dectin-1 receptor on the plasma membrane of macrophages, the main host cell of Leishmania spp. Electron micrographs revealed particles containing sugiol within the infected macrophages and these particles were active against the intracellular L. infantum amastigotes without affecting the host cell. Therefore, the YCWPs act like a Trojan horse to successfully deliver sugiol into the macrophage, presenting an interesting strategy to deliver water-insoluble drugs to parasitized cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Botura Scariot
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Hélito Volpato
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Nilma de Souza Fernandes
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Benedito Prado Dias-Filho
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Zia Ud Din
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olga Borges
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Do Céu Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Drugs and Cosmetics Development, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
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