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Naseem A, Khan YD. An intelligent model for prediction of abiotic stress-responsive microRNAs in plants using statistical moments based features and ensemble approaches. Methods 2024; 228:65-79. [PMID: 38768931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.05.008] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This study proposed an intelligent model for predicting abiotic stress-responsive microRNAs in plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules regulates the stress in genes. Experimental methods are costly and time-consuming, as compare to in-silico prediction. Addressing this gap, the study seeks to develop an efficient computational model for plant stress response prediction. The two benchmark datasets for MiRNA and Pre-MiRNA dataset have been acquired in this study. Four ensemble approaches such as bagging, boosting, stacking, and blending have been employed. Classifiers such as Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), Ada Boost (ADB), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Stacking and Blending employed all stated classifiers as base learners and Logistic Regression (LR) as Meta Classifier. There have been a total of four types of testing used, including independent set, self-consistency, cross-validation with 5 and 10 folds, and jackknife. This study has utilized evaluation metrics such as accuracy score, specificity, sensitivity, Mathew's correlation coefficient (MCC), and AUC. Our proposed methodology has outperformed existing state of the art study in both datasets based on independent set testing. The SVM-based approach has exhibited accuracy score of 0.659 for the MiRNA dataset, which is better than the previous study. The ET classifier has surpassed the accuracy of Pre-MiRNA dataset as compared to the existing benchmark study, achieving an impressive score of 0.67. The proposed method can be used in future research to predict abiotic stresses in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansar Naseem
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, School of Systems and Technology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Yaser Daanial Khan
- Department of Computer Science, School of Systems and Technology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
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2
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Li M, Zhou R, Wang Y, Lu Y, Chu X, Dong C. Heterologous expression of frog antimicrobial peptide Odorranain-C1 in Pichia pastoris: Biological characteristics and its application in food preservation. J Biotechnol 2024; 390:50-61. [PMID: 38789049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.05.009] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
To reduce food spoilage and deterioration caused by microbial contamination, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gradually gained attention as a biological preservative. Odorranain-C1 is an α-helical cationic antimicrobial peptide extracted from the skin of frogs with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In this study, we achieved the expression of Odorranain-C1 in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) (also known as Komagataella phaffii) by employing DNA recombination technology. The recombinant Odorranain-C1 showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and displayed a minimum inhibitory concentration within the range of 8-12 μg.mL-1. Meanwhile, Odorranain-C1 exhibited superior stability and lower hemolytic activity. Mechanistically, Odorranain-C1 disrupted the bacterial membrane's integrity, ultimately causing membrane rupture and subsequent cell death. In tilapia fillets preservation, Odorranain-C1 inhibited the total colony growth and pH variations, while also reducing the production of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA). In conclusion, these studies demonstrated the efficient recombinant expression of Odorranain-C1 in P. pastoris, highlighting its promising utilization in food preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengru Li
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Ruonan Zhou
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yan Lu
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xinlei Chu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
| | - Chunming Dong
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
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Wang K, Nguyen T, Gao Y, Guo R, Fan C, Liao H, Li J, Chai J, Xu X, Gong Y, Chen X. Androcin 18-1, a novel scorpion-venom peptide, shows a potent antitumor activity against human U87 cells via inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 170:104137. [PMID: 38759703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a potent natural source for antitumor drug development due to the multiple action modes of anticancer components. Although the sequence of Androcin 18-1 has been identified from the transcriptome profile of the scorpion venom Androctonus bicolor, its bioactivity remains unclear. In this study, we described the antitumor mechanism whereby Androcin 18-1 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis by inducing cell membrane disruption, ROS accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in human U87 glioblastoma cells. Moreover, Androcin 18-1 could suppress cell migration via the mechanisms associated with cytoskeleton disorganization and MMPs/TIMPs expression regulation. The discovery of this work highlights the potential application of Androcin 18-1 in drug development for glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tienthanh Nguyen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihan Gao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiyin Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaofan Fan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hang Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yuxin Gong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China.
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4
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Alabssawy AN, Abu-Elghait M, Azab AM, Khalaf-Allah HMM, Ashry AS, Ali AOM, Sabra ABAA, Salem SS. Hindering the biofilm of microbial pathogens and cancer cell lines development using silver nanoparticles synthesized by epidermal mucus proteins from Clarias gariepinus. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:28. [PMID: 38702622 PMCID: PMC11069147 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00852-7] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Scientists know very little about the mechanisms underlying fish skin mucus, despite the fact that it is a component of the immune system. Fish skin mucus is an important component of defence against invasive infections. Recently, Fish skin and its mucus are gaining interest among immunologists. Characterization was done on the obtained silver nanoparticles Ag combined with Clarias gariepinus catfish epidermal mucus proteins (EMP-Ag-NPs) through UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and SEM. Ag-NPs ranged in size from 4 to 20 nm, spherical in form and the angles were 38.10°, 44.20°, 64.40°, and 77.20°, Where wavelength change after formation of EMP-Ag-NPs as indicate of dark brown, the broad band recorded at wavelength at 391 nm. Additionally, the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anticancer activities of EMP-Ag-NPs was assessed. The present results demonstrate high activity against unicellular fungi C. albicans, followed by E. faecalis. Antibiofilm results showed strong activity against both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa pathogens in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting planktonic cell growth. Also, cytotoxicity effect was investigated against normal cells (Vero), breast cancer cells (Mcf7) and hepatic carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines at concentrations (200-6.25 µg/mL) and current results showed highly anticancer effect of Ag-NPs at concentrations 100, 5 and 25 µg/mL exhibited rounding, shrinkage, deformation and granulation of Mcf7 and HepG2 with IC50 19.34 and 31.16 µg/mL respectively while Vero cells appeared rounded at concentration 50 µg/mL and normal shape at concentration 25, 12.5 and 6.25 µg/ml with IC50 35.85 µg/mL. This study evidence the potential efficacy of biologically generated Ag-NPs as a substitute medicinal agent against harmful microorganisms. Furthermore, it highlights their inhibitory effect on cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed N Alabssawy
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Abu-Elghait
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmad M Azab
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Hassan M M Khalaf-Allah
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Abdelrahman S Ashry
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed O M Ali
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Abu-Bakr A A Sabra
- Zoology Department, Marine Science and Fishes Branch, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Salem S Salem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt.
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Icriverzi M, Florian PE, Bonciu A, Dumitrescu LN, Moldovan A, Pelinescu D, Ionescu R, Avram I, Munteanu CVA, Sima LE, Dinca V, Rusen L, Roseanu A. Hybrid bio-nanoporous peptide loaded-polymer platforms with anticancer and antibacterial activities. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:2038-2058. [PMID: 38633049 PMCID: PMC11019497 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00947e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
In this study, hybrid bio-nanoporous peptides loaded onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butylacrylate) (pNIPAM-co-BA) coatings were designed and obtained via matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The incorporation of cationic peptides magainin (MG) and melittin (Mel) and their combination was tailored to target synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with low toxicity on normal mammalian cells. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as contact angle and surface energy measurements revealed the successful and functional incorporation of both the peptides within porous polymeric nanolayers as well as surface modifications (i.e. variation in the pore size diameter, surface roughness, and wettability) after Mel, MG or Mel-MG incorporation compared to pNIPAM-co-BA. In vitro testing revealed the impairment of biofilm formation on all the hybrid coatings while testing with S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Moreover, MG was shown to modulate the effect of Mel in the combined Mel-MG extract formulation released via pNIPAM-platforms, thus significantly reducing cancer cell proliferation through apoptosis/necrosis as revealed by flow cytometry analysis performed in vitro on HEK293T, A375, B16F1 and B16F10 cells. To the best of our knowledge, Mel-MG combination entrapped in the pNIPAM-co-BA copolymer has not yet been reported as a new promising candidate with anticancer and antibacterial properties for improved utility in the biomedical field. Mel-MG incorporation compared to pNIPAM-co-BA in in vitro testing revealed the impairment of biofilm formation in all the hybrid formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Icriverzi
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy 060031 Bucharest Romania
| | | | - Anca Bonciu
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation Physics 409 Atomistilor Street 077125 Magurele Romania
| | | | - Antoniu Moldovan
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation Physics 409 Atomistilor Street 077125 Magurele Romania
| | - Diana Pelinescu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Department of Genetics Intrarea Portocalelor no. 1-3, Sector 6 Bucharest Romania
| | - Robertina Ionescu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Department of Genetics Intrarea Portocalelor no. 1-3, Sector 6 Bucharest Romania
| | - Ionela Avram
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Department of Genetics Intrarea Portocalelor no. 1-3, Sector 6 Bucharest Romania
| | | | - Livia Elena Sima
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy 060031 Bucharest Romania
| | - Valentina Dinca
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation Physics 409 Atomistilor Street 077125 Magurele Romania
| | - Laurentiu Rusen
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation Physics 409 Atomistilor Street 077125 Magurele Romania
| | - Anca Roseanu
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy 060031 Bucharest Romania
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Monsalve D, Mesa A, Mira LM, Mera C, Orduz S, Branch-Bedoya JW. Antimicrobial peptides designed by computational analysis of proteomes. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:55. [PMID: 38488950 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01946-0] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising cationic and amphipathic molecules to fight antibiotic resistance. To search for novel AMPs, we applied a computational strategy to identify peptide sequences within the organisms' proteome, including in-house developed software and artificial intelligence tools. After analyzing 150.450 proteins from eight proteomes of bacteria, plants, a protist, and a nematode, nine peptides were selected and modified to increase their antimicrobial potential. The 18 resulting peptides were validated by bioassays with four pathogenic bacterial species, one yeast species, and two cancer cell-lines. Fourteen of the 18 tested peptides were antimicrobial, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) values under 10 µM against at least three bacterial species; seven were active against Candida albicans with MICs values under 10 µM; six had a therapeutic index above 20; two peptides were active against A549 cells, and eight were active against MCF-7 cells under 30 µM. This study's most active antimicrobial peptides damage the bacterial cell membrane, including grooves, dents, membrane wrinkling, cell destruction, and leakage of cytoplasmic material. The results confirm that the proposed approach, which uses bioinformatic tools and rational modifications, is highly efficient and allows the discovery, with high accuracy, of potent AMPs encrypted in proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahiana Monsalve
- Escuela de Biociencias, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, Carrera 65 # 59A-110, 050034, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Andrea Mesa
- Escuela de Biociencias, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, Carrera 65 # 59A-110, 050034, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Laura M Mira
- Escuela de Biociencias, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, Carrera 65 # 59A-110, 050034, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Carlos Mera
- Departamento de Sistemas de Información, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Calle 54A # 30-01, 050013, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Sistemas, Facultad de Ingenierías, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 # 52-21, 050010, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Sergio Orduz
- Escuela de Biociencias, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, Carrera 65 # 59A-110, 050034, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - John W Branch-Bedoya
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Computación y de la Decisión, Facultad de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, Av. 80 # 65-223, 050041, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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7
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Zhuang Y, Quirk S, Stover ER, Bureau HR, Allen CR, Hernandez R. Tertiary Plasticity Drives the Efficiency of Enterocin 7B Interactions with Lipid Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2100-2113. [PMID: 38412510 PMCID: PMC10926100 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The ability of antimicrobial peptides to efficiently kill their bacterial targets depends on the efficiency of their binding to the microbial membrane. In the case of enterocins, there is a three-part interaction: initial binding, unpacking of helices on the membrane surface, and permeation of the lipid bilayer. Helical unpacking is driven by disruption of the peptide hydrophobic core when in contact with membranes. Enterocin 7B is a leaderless enterocin antimicrobial peptide produced from Enterococcus faecalis that functions alone, or with its cognate partner enterocin 7A, to efficiently kill a wide variety of Gram-stain positive bacteria. To better characterize the role that tertiary structural plasticity plays in the ability of enterocin 7B to interact with the membranes, a series of arginine single-site mutants were constructed that destabilize the hydrophobic core to varying degrees. A series of experimental measures of structure, stability, and function, including CD spectra, far UV CD melting profiles, minimal inhibitory concentrations analysis, and release kinetics of calcein, show that decreased stabilization of the hydrophobic core is correlated with increased efficiency of a peptide to permeate membranes and in killing bacteria. Finally, using the computational technique of adaptive steered molecular dynamics, we found that the atomistic/energetic landscape of peptide mechanical unfolding leads to free energy differences between the wild type and its mutants, whose trends correlate well with our experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhuang
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Stephen Quirk
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia 30076-2199, United States
| | - Erica R Stover
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Hailey R Bureau
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Caley R Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Rigoberto Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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Hiago Bellaver E, Eliza Redin E, Militão da Costa I, Schittler Moroni L, Pinto Kempka A. Food peptidomic analysis of bovine milk fermented by Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC 237: In silico prediction of bioactive peptides and anticancer potential. Food Res Int 2024; 180:114060. [PMID: 38395580 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114060] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Bioactive peptides, which exhibited diverse biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antiviral, and quorum sensing properties, were considered promising alternative therapeutic agents. Sourced from various raw materials, particularly foods, these peptides garnered significant interest. In this context, the study focused on exploring bioactive peptides derived from bovine whole milk fermentation by Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC 237. Comprehensive peptidomic analysis and in silico predictions, with a specific emphasis on anti-cancer properties, were conducted. The study categorized peptides into BP-LBC, originating from the metabolism of L. casei LBC 237 and not matching any sequence in the Bos taurus database, and BP-MILK, matching a sequence in the Bos taurus database. Among the 143 identified peptides with potential biological activity, 33.56% were attributed to BP-LBC, while 66.43% originated from BP-MILK, demonstrating the important contribution of proteins in bovine milk in the generation of bioactive peptides. Hydrophobic peptides, enriched in Leucine, Lysine, and Proline, dominated both fractions, significantly influencing their functional properties. Pearson correlation analysis revealed inverse relationships between bioactive peptides, molecular weight, and anti-tumor activity in BP-MILK. The DGKVWEESLK peptide exhibited in silico activity against 10 different cancer cell lines. Studying the bioactive properties of peptides from familiar sources enhances the connection between food science and human health. In addition, in silico studies have been crucial in deepening our understanding of the bioactive potential of these peptides and their mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emyr Hiago Bellaver
- Santa Catarina State University. Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Multicentric Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Lages, SC, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Eliza Redin
- Santa Catarina State University. Department of Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Pinhalzinho, SC, Brazil.
| | - Ingrid Militão da Costa
- Santa Catarina State University. Department of Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Pinhalzinho, SC, Brazil.
| | - Liziane Schittler Moroni
- Santa Catarina State University. Department of Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Pinhalzinho, SC, Brazil.
| | - Aniela Pinto Kempka
- Santa Catarina State University. Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Multicentric Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Lages, SC, Brazil; Santa Catarina State University. Department of Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Pinhalzinho, SC, Brazil.
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Dong Z, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Tangthianchaichana J, Guo M, Du S, Lu Y. Anticancer Mechanisms and Potential Anticancer Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Nano Agents. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:1017-1039. [PMID: 38317847 PMCID: PMC10840538 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s445333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional chemotherapy is one of the main methods of cancer treatment, which is largely limited by severe side effects and frequent development of multi-drug resistance by cancer cells. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with high efficiency and low toxicity, as one of the most promising new drugs to replace chemoradiotherapy, have become a current research hotspot, attracting the attention of worldwide researchers. AMPs are natural-source small peptides from the innate immune system, and certain AMPs can selectively kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells while exhibiting less damage to normal cells. Although it involves intracellular mechanisms, AMPs exert their anti-cancer effects mainly through membrane destruction effect; thus, AMPs also hold unique advantages in fighting drug-resistant cancer cells. However, the poor stability and hemolytic toxicity of peptides limit their clinical application. Fortunately, functionalized nanoparticles have many possibilities in overcoming the shortcomings of AMPs, which provides a huge prospect for better application of AMPs. In this paper, we briefly introduce the characteristics and different sources of AMPs, review and summarize the mechanisms of action and the research status of AMPs used as an anticancer therapy, and finally focus on the further use of AMPs nano agents in the anti-cancer direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Dong
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Research and Development Centre in Beijing, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jakkree Tangthianchaichana
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Mingxue Guo
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shouying Du
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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10
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Tavassoli M, Kadivar M, Akhavan AA, Abdigoudarzi M, Moridnia A, Chaibakhsh S, Beikmohammadi M, Mehdi Sedaghat M. In Vitro Assessment of the Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Viability Effects of Salivary Gland Extracts from Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2023; 17:352-363. [PMID: 38868672 PMCID: PMC11164614 DOI: 10.18502/jad.v17i4.15298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The saliva and salivary glands of ticks possess a wide range of immuno-pharmacologically active molecules that effectively modulate the activity of enzymes, antibodies, and amines that have a role in different biological processes. Derived components from saliva and salivary glands of hard ticks Ixodidae have been characterized as potential natural sources for discovering promising anti-cancer drug candidates. Methods The anti-cancer activity of salivary gland extracts (SGEs) from Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hyalomma schulzei was assessed. MTT assays and flow cytometry were done on the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line to evaluate the anti-viability and proliferative inhibition. Results Based on the MTT assay results, the SGEs from Hy. dromedarii had the highest and lowest substantial anti-viability effects on the HT-29 cancer cell and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) normal cell, respectively. The cytometric assessment revealed a significant increase in the apoptosis and necrosis ratio of the HT-29 cancer cells after treatment with Hy. dromedarii SGEs. Conclusion The results demonstrated that Hy. dromedarii SGEs have significant anti-proliferative, anti-viability, and apoptotic potential. The result of this study suggests that Hy. dromedarii SGEs is an appropriate candidate for further investigations to identify and purify the mechanisms and molecules involved in the anti-cancer activity of the SGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Tavassoli
- Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Kadivar
- Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ahmad Akhavan
- Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdigoudarzi
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Abbas Moridnia
- Department of Genetics and molecular biology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
| | - Samira Chaibakhsh
- Eye Research Center, the Five Senses Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat
- Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Pasupuleti R, Riedl S, Saltor Núñez L, Karava M, Kumar V, Kourist R, Turnbull WB, Zweytick D, Wiltschi B. Lectin-anticancer peptide fusion demonstrates a significant cancer-cell-selective cytotoxic effect and inspires the production of "clickable" anticancer peptide in Escherichia coli. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4830. [PMID: 37916438 PMCID: PMC10682692 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4830] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeted killing of tumor cells while protecting healthy cells is the pressing priority in cancer treatment. Lectins that target a specific glycan marker abundant in cancer cells can be valuable new tools for selective cancer cell killing. The lectin Shiga-like toxin 1 B subunit (Stx1B) is an example that specifically binds globotriaosylceramide (CD77 or Gb3), which is overexpressed in certain cancers. In this study, a human lactoferricin-derived synthetic retro di-peptide R-DIM-P-LF11-215 with antitumor efficacy was fused to the lectin Stx1B to selectively target and kill Gb3+ cancer cells. We produced lectin-peptide fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, isolated them by Gb3-affinity chromatography, and assessed their ability to selectively kill Gb3+ cancer cells in a Calcein AM assay. Furthermore, to expand the applications of R-DIM-P-LF11-215 in developing therapeutic bioconjugates, we labeled R-DIM-P-LF11-215 with the unique reactive non-canonical amino acid Nε -((2-azidoethoxy)carbonyl)-L-lysine (AzK) at a selected position by amber stop codon suppression. The R-DIM-P-LF11-215 20AzK and the unlabeled R-DIM-P-LF11-215 parent peptide were produced as GST-fusion proteins for soluble expression in E. coli for the first time. We purified both variants by size-exclusion chromatography and analyzed their peptide masses. Finally, a cyanin 3 fluorophore was covalently conjugated to R-DIM-P-LF11-215 20AzK by strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition. Our results showed that the recombinant lectin-peptide fusion R-DIM-P-LF11-215-Stx1B killed >99% Gb3+ HeLa cells while Gb3-negative cells were unaffected. The peptides R-DIM-P-LF11-215 and R-DIM-P-LF11-215 20AzK were produced recombinantly in E. coli in satisfactory amounts and were tested functional by cytotoxicity and cell-binding assays, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Pasupuleti
- acib ‐ Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyGrazAustria
- Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyGraz University of TechnologyGrazAustria
| | - Sabrina Riedl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics DivisionUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
- BioHealthUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGrazAustria
| | - Laia Saltor Núñez
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Marianna Karava
- Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyGraz University of TechnologyGrazAustria
| | - Vajinder Kumar
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Robert Kourist
- Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyGraz University of TechnologyGrazAustria
| | - W. Bruce Turnbull
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Dagmar Zweytick
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics DivisionUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
- BioHealthUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGrazAustria
| | - Birgit Wiltschi
- acib ‐ Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyGrazAustria
- Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyGraz University of TechnologyGrazAustria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGrazAustria
- Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, Department of BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
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12
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Wani SS, Qadri H, Shah AH, Dar TA. Dual Antifungal and Antiproliferative Activities of a Novel Protein Fraction from a Medicinally Important Herb Trillium govanianum Wall. ex. D. Don. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12010-023-04786-2. [PMID: 38038807 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms and the unwanted side effects of chemoradiation therapy in cancer are major issues in healthcare. In recent times, protein-based drugs have emerged as promising candidates due to their high specificity, less side effects, etc. In this context, the rhizome of Trillium govanianum was first explored for biologically active proteins/peptides. For this, three protein fractions namely Aqueous protein fraction (APF), Hexane-Methanol-treated aqueous protein fraction (HMAPF), and Methanol-treated aqueous protein fraction (MAPF) were prepared and evaluated for antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. In antifungal activity, HMAPF showed the lowest MIC90 values of 1.56 µg/ml against Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata and 3.12 µg/ml against Candida albicans and Candida auris. The antifungal activity was further confirmed by a chitinase assay, a growth kinetics and a proteinase inhibitory assay. Surprisingly, none of the three protein fractions exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, APF exhibited potent antiproliferative and antioxidant activities with IC50 values of 18 µg/ml and 227 µg /ml, respectively. For HMAPF, an IC50 value of 70 µg/ml against the MDA-MB-231 cell line was observed. The present results demonstrate that the protein fractions, particularly HMAPF and APF, might serve as potential sources of a dual antifungal and antiproliferative protein-based drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snober S Wani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 190006
| | - Hafsa Qadri
- Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 190006
| | - Abdul H Shah
- Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 190006.
| | - Tanveer A Dar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 190006.
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13
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Pintado-Grima C, Bárcenas O, Iglesias V, Santos J, Manglano-Artuñedo Z, Pallarès I, Burdukiewicz M, Ventura S. aSynPEP-DB: a database of biogenic peptides for inhibiting α-synuclein aggregation. Database (Oxford) 2023; 2023:baad084. [PMID: 38011719 PMCID: PMC10681447 DOI: 10.1093/database/baad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, yet effective treatments able to stop or delay disease progression remain elusive. The aggregation of a presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (aSyn), is the primary neurological hallmark of PD and, thus, a promising target for therapeutic intervention. However, the lack of consensus on the molecular properties required to specifically bind the toxic species formed during aSyn aggregation has hindered the development of therapeutic molecules. Recently, we defined and experimentally validated a peptide architecture that demonstrated high affinity and selectivity in binding to aSyn toxic oligomers and fibrils, effectively preventing aSyn pathogenic aggregation. Human peptides with such properties may have neuroprotective activities and hold a huge therapeutic interest. Driven by this idea, here, we developed a discriminative algorithm for the screening of human endogenous neuropeptides, antimicrobial peptides and diet-derived bioactive peptides with the potential to inhibit aSyn aggregation. We identified over 100 unique biogenic peptide candidates and ensembled a comprehensive database (aSynPEP-DB) that collects their physicochemical features, source datasets and additional therapeutic-relevant information, including their sites of expression and associated pathways. Besides, we provide access to the discriminative algorithm to extend its application to the screening of artificial peptides or new peptide datasets. aSynPEP-DB is a unique repository of peptides with the potential to modulate aSyn aggregation, serving as a platform for the identification of previously unexplored therapeutic agents. Database URL: https://asynpepdb.ppmclab.com/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Pintado-Grima
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Oriol Bárcenas
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Valentín Iglesias
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Zoe Manglano-Artuñedo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Białystok, Kilińskiego 1, Białystok 15-369, Poland
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
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14
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Naseem A, Alturise F, Alkhalifah T, Khan YD. BBB-PEP-prediction: improved computational model for identification of blood-brain barrier peptides using blending position relative composition specific features and ensemble modeling. J Cheminform 2023; 15:110. [PMID: 37980534 PMCID: PMC10656963 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-023-00773-1] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BBPs have the potential to facilitate the delivery of drugs to the brain, opening up new avenues for the development of treatments targeting diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The obstacle faced in central nervous system disorders stems from the formidable task of traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for pharmaceutical agents. Nearly 98% of small molecule-based drugs and nearly 100% of large molecule-based drugs encounter difficulties in successfully penetrating the BBB. This importance leads to identification of these peptides, can help in healthcare systems. In this study, we proposed an improved intelligent computational model BBB-PEP-Prediction for identification of BBB peptides. Position and statistical moments based features have been computed for acquired benchmark dataset. Four types of ensembles such as bagging, boosting, stacking and blending have been utilized in the methodology section. Bagging employed Random Forest (RF) and Extra Trees (ET), Boosting utilizes XGBoost (XGB) and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM). Stacking uses ET and XGB as base learners, blending exploited LGBM and RF as base learners, while Logistic Regression (LR) has been applied as Meta learner for stacking and blending. Three classifiers such as LGBM, XGB and ET have been optimized by using Randomized search CV. Four types of testing such as self-consistency, independent set, cross-validation with 5 and 10 folds and jackknife test have been employed. Evaluation metrics such as Accuracy (ACC), Specificity (SPE), Sensitivity (SEN), Mathew's correlation coefficient (MCC) have been utilized. The stacking of classifiers has shown best results in almost each testing. The stacking results for independent set testing exhibits accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and MCC score of 0.824, 0.911, 0.831 and 0.663 respectively. The proposed model BBB-PEP-Prediction shown superlative performance as compared to previous benchmark studies. The proposed system helps in future research and research community for in-silico identification of BBB peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansar Naseem
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, School of Systems and Technology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fahad Alturise
- Department of Computer, College of Science and Arts in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Tamim Alkhalifah
- Department of Computer, College of Science and Arts in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yaser Daanial Khan
- Department of Computer Science, School of Systems and Technology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
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15
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Shen H, Zhang N, Kong X, Wang N, Hu HG, Cong W, Liu C. Benzyl stapled modification and anticancer activity of antimicrobial peptide A4K14-Citropin 1.1. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 96:129499. [PMID: 37804993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129499] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
A4K14-Citropin 1.1 (GLFAVIKKVASVIKGL-NH2) is a derived antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with a more stable α-helical structure at the C-terminal compared to prototype Citropin 1.1 which was obtained from glandular skin secretions of Australian freetail lizards. In a previous report, A4K14-Citropin 1.1 has been considered as an anti-cancer lead compound. However, linear peptides are difficult to maintain stable secondary structure, resulted in poor pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of benzyl-stapled derivatives of A4K14-Citropin 1.1. And their physical and chemical properties, as well as biological activity, were both explored. The result showed that AC-CCSP-2-o and AC-CCSP-3-o exhibited a higher degree of helicity and greater anti-cancer activity compared with the prototype peptide. Besides, there was no significant difference in the hemolytic effect between the stapled peptides and the prototype peptide. AC-CCSP-2-o and AC-CCSP-3-o could serve as promising anti-cancer lead compounds for the novel anti-cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaxing Shen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xianglong Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, PR. China
| | - Nan Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hong-Gang Hu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wei Cong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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16
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Abo H, Sultana MF, Kawashima H. Dual function of angiogenin-4 inducing intestinal stem cells and apoptosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1181145. [PMID: 38020881 PMCID: PMC10651741 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1181145] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium is the first line of host defense, and its homeostasis is dependent on soluble factors that comprise the crypt niche. Antimicrobial proteins are one of the mediators to maintain gut homeostasis. Angiogenin-4 (Ang4) is a member of the ribonuclease A superfamily and plays a pivotal role in antimicrobial activity against gut microbiota. However, the functions of Ang4 within the intestinal crypt niche, particularly its involvement in the development of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Ang4 plays a significant role in maintaining Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and induces apoptosis of IECs in a concentration-dependent manner. We revealed that Ang4 is highly expressed by Paneth cells in the small intestine, as well as regenerating islet-derived family member-4 (Reg4) expressing goblet cells in the colon, and both cell subsets highly contribute to ISC maintenance. Functional analysis using intestinal organoids revealed that Ang4 induces Wnt and Notch signaling, increases Lgr5+ stem cell expansion, and promotes organoid growth. Furthermore, high concentrations of Ang4 induced apoptosis in the IEC cell line and organoids. Collectively, we propose that Ang4 is a dual functional protein and is a novel member of the crypt niche factor that promotes the expansion of ISCs and induces apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohito Abo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mst. Farzana Sultana
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Hiroto Kawashima
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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17
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Abd El-Aal AAA, Jayakumar FA, Reginald K. Dual-action potential of cationic cryptides against infections and cancers. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103764. [PMID: 37689179 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103764] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Cryptides are a subfamily of bioactive peptides embedded latently in their parent proteins and have multiple biological functions. Cationic cryptides could be used as modern drugs in both infectious diseases and cancers because their mechanism of action is less likely to be affected by genetic mutations in the treated cells, therefore addressing a current unmet need in these two areas of medicine. In this review, we present the current understanding of cryptides, methods to mine them sustainably using available online databases and prediction tools, with a particular focus on their antimicrobial and anticancer potential, and their potential applicability in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr A A Abd El-Aal
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fairen A Jayakumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kavita Reginald
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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18
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Yang X, Hua C, Lin L, Ganting Z. Antimicrobial peptides as potential therapy for gastrointestinal cancers. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:2831-2841. [PMID: 37249612 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02536-z] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Since conventional therapy faces limitations in the field of different cancers as well as gastrointestinal cancers, that decrease the survival rate of patients, there is an urgent need to find new effective therapeutic approaches without the adverse effects of the traditional agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) attract much attention and are well known for their role in innate immunity. These peptides, in addition to their antimicrobial activity, exhibit strong anticancer potential against various types of malignancy. AMPs specifically target tumor cells and have selective toxicity for these cells without affecting normal cells. Here we aim to comprehensively overview the current knowledge in the field of using AMPs as novel therapeutic agents for gastrointestinal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Yang
- Heping Hospital Attached to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, China
| | - Cui Hua
- Tangshan Fengnan District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Tangshan, 063000, China.
| | - Lin Lin
- Tangshan Hongci Hospital, Tangshan, 063000, China
| | - Zhao Ganting
- Heping Hospital Attached to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, China
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19
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Outman A, Bouhrim M, Hountondji C, Noman OM, Alqahtani AS, Gressier B, Nedjar N, Eto B. Obtaining New Candidate Peptides for Biological Anticancer Drugs from Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Human and Bovine Hemoglobin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15383. [PMID: 37895063 PMCID: PMC10607105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015383] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic hydrolysis of bovine and human hemoglobin generates a diversity of bioactive peptides, mainly recognized for their antimicrobial properties. However, antimicrobial peptides stand out for their ability to specifically target cancer cells while preserving rapidly proliferating healthy cells. This study focuses on the production of bioactive peptides from hemoglobin and evaluates their anticancer potential using two distinct approaches. The first approach is based on the use of a rapid screening method aimed at blocking host cell protein synthesis to evaluate candidate anticancer peptides, using Lepidium sativum seed germination as an indicator. The results show that: (1) The degree of hydrolysis (DH) significantly influences the production of bioactive peptides. DH levels of 3 to 10% produce a considerably stronger inhibition of radicle growth than DH 0 (the native form of hemoglobin), with an intensity three to four times greater. (2) Certain peptide fractions of bovine hemoglobin have a higher activity than those of human hemoglobin. (3) The structural characteristics of peptides (random coil or alpha helix) play a crucial role in the biological effects observed. (4) The α137-141 peptide, the target of the study, was the most active of the fractions obtained from bovine hemoglobin (IC50 = 29 ± 1 µg/mL) and human hemoglobin (IC50 = 48 ± 2 µg/mL), proving to be 10 to 15 times more potent than the other hemoglobin fractions, attributed to its strong antimicrobial potential. The second approach to assessing anticancer activity is based on the preliminary in vitro analysis of hydrolysates and their peptide fractions, with a focus on the eL42 protein. This protein is of major interest due to its overexpression in all cancer cells, making it an attractive potential target for the development of anticancer molecules. With this in mind, astudy was undertaken using a method for labeling formylase (formyl-methionyl-tRNA transformylase (FMTS)) with oxidized tRNA. This approach was chosen because of the similarities in the interaction between formylase and the eL42 protein with oxidized tRNA. The results obtained not only confirmed the previous conclusions but also reinforced the hypothesis that the inhibition of protein synthesis plays a key role in the anticancer mechanism of these peptides. Indeed, the data suggest that samples containing α137-141 peptide (NKT) and total hydrolysates may have modulatory effects on the interaction between FMTS and oxidized tRNA. This observation highlights the possibility that the latter could influence molecular binding mechanisms, potentially resulting in a competitive situation where the ability of substrate tRNA to bind efficiently to ribosomal protein is compromised in their presence. Ultimately, these results suggest the feasibility of obtaining candidate peptides for biological anticancer drugs from both human and bovine hemoglobin sources. These scientific advances show new hope in the fight against cancer, which affects a large number of people around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlam Outman
- Laboratories TBC, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lille, 3, rue du Professeur Laguesse, B.P. 83, 59000 Lille, France; (A.O.); (M.B.)
- UMR Transfrontalière BioEcoAgro N_1158, Institut Charles Viollette, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment-Université Liège, UPJV, YNCREA, Université Artois, Université Littoral Côte d’Opale, Université Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Mohamed Bouhrim
- Laboratories TBC, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lille, 3, rue du Professeur Laguesse, B.P. 83, 59000 Lille, France; (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Codjo Hountondji
- Laboratoire Enzymologie de l’ARN (UR6-UPMC), Université Paris Sorbonne, 75252 Paris, France;
| | - Omar M. Noman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saudi University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (A.S.A.)
| | - Ali S. Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saudi University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (A.S.A.)
| | - Bernard Gressier
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Lille, 3, rue du Professeur Laguesse, B.P. 83, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Naïma Nedjar
- UMR Transfrontalière BioEcoAgro N_1158, Institut Charles Viollette, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment-Université Liège, UPJV, YNCREA, Université Artois, Université Littoral Côte d’Opale, Université Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bruno Eto
- Laboratories TBC, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lille, 3, rue du Professeur Laguesse, B.P. 83, 59000 Lille, France; (A.O.); (M.B.)
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20
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Tiwari P, Srivastava Y, Sharma A, Vinayagam R. Antimicrobial Peptides: The Production of Novel Peptide-Based Therapeutics in Plant Systems. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1875. [PMID: 37763279 PMCID: PMC10532476 DOI: 10.3390/life13091875] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance is alarming and has a significant impact on the economies of emerging and underdeveloped nations. The redundancy of antibiotic discovery platforms (ADPs) and injudicious use of conventional antibiotics has severely impacted millions, across the globe. Potent antimicrobials from biological sources have been extensively explored as a ray of hope to counter the growing menace of antibiotic resistance in the population. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are gaining momentum as powerful antimicrobial therapies to combat drug-resistant bacterial strains. The tremendous therapeutic potential of natural and synthesized AMPs as novel and potent antimicrobials is highlighted by their unique mode of action, as exemplified by multiple research initiatives. Recent advances and developments in antimicrobial discovery and research have increased our understanding of the structure, characteristics, and function of AMPs; nevertheless, knowledge gaps still need to be addressed before these therapeutic options can be fully exploited. This thematic article provides a comprehensive insight into the potential of AMPs as potent arsenals to counter drug-resistant pathogens, a historical overview and recent advances, and their efficient production in plants, defining novel upcoming trends in drug discovery and research. The advances in synthetic biology and plant-based expression systems for AMP production have defined new paradigms in the efficient production of potent antimicrobials in plant systems, a prospective approach to countering drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Tiwari
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yashdeep Srivastava
- RR Institute of Modern Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226201, Uttar Pradesh, India;
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Advanced Research, Koba Institutional Area, Gandhinagar 392426, Gujarat, India;
| | - Ramachandran Vinayagam
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
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21
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Morbiato L, Quaggia C, Menilli L, Dalla Torre C, Barbon A, De Zotti M. Synthesis, Conformational Analysis and Antitumor Activity of the Naturally Occurring Antimicrobial Medium-Length Peptaibol Pentadecaibin and Spin-Labeled Analogs Thereof. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13396. [PMID: 37686199 PMCID: PMC10487733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713396] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptaibols are proteolysis-resistant, membrane-active peptides. Their remarkably stable helical 3D-structures are key for their bioactivity. They can insert themselves into the lipid bilayer as barrel staves, or lay on its surface like carpets, depending on both their length and the thickness of the lipid bilayer. Medium-length peptaibols are of particular interest for studying the peptide-membrane interaction because their length allows them to adopt either orientation as a function of the membrane thickness, which, in turn, might even result in an enhanced selectivity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the election technique used to this aim, but it requires the synthesis of spin-labeled medium-length peptaibols, which, in turn, is hampered by the poor reactivity of the Cα-tetrasubstituted residues featured in their sequences. After several years of trial and error, we are now able to give state-of-the-art advice for a successful synthesis of nitroxide-containing peptaibols, avoiding deleted sequences, side reactions and difficult purification steps. Herein, we describe our strategy and itsapplication to the synthesis of spin-labeled analogs of the recently discovered, natural, medium-length peptaibol pentadecaibin. We studied the antitumor activity of pentadecaibin and its analogs, finding potent cytotoxicity against human triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Finally, our analysis of the peptide conformational preferences and membrane interaction proved that pentadecaibinspin-labeling does not alter the biological features of the native sequence and is suitable for further EPR studies. The nitroxide-containing pentadecaibins, and their synthetic strategy described herein, will help to shed light on the mechanism of the peptide-membrane interaction of medium-length peptaibols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morbiato
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.M.); (C.Q.); (C.D.T.); (A.B.)
| | - Celeste Quaggia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.M.); (C.Q.); (C.D.T.); (A.B.)
| | - Luca Menilli
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Chiara Dalla Torre
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.M.); (C.Q.); (C.D.T.); (A.B.)
| | - Antonio Barbon
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.M.); (C.Q.); (C.D.T.); (A.B.)
| | - Marta De Zotti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.M.); (C.Q.); (C.D.T.); (A.B.)
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22
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Lee H, Shin SH, Yang S. Rationally designed PMAP-23 derivatives with enhanced bactericidal and anticancer activity based on the molecular mechanism of peptide-membrane interactions. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1013-1022. [PMID: 37310533 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03290-5] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a crucial component of the natural defense system that the host employs to protect itself against invading pathogens. PMAP-23, a cathelicidin-derived AMP, has potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Our earlier studies led us to hypothesize that PMAP-23 adopts a dynamic helix-hinge-helix structure, initially attaching to membrane surfaces through the N-helix and subsequently inserting the C-helix into the lipid bilayer. Here, we rationally designed PMAP-NC with increased amphipathicity and hydrophobicity in the N- and C-helix, respectively, based on the hypothesis of the interaction of PMAP-23 with membranes. Compared to the parental PMAP-23, PMAP-NC showed two-eightfold improved bactericidal activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains with fast killing kinetics. Fluorescence studies demonstrated that PMAP-NC largely disrupted membrane integrity, indicating that efficiency and kinetics of bacterial killing are associated with the membrane permeabilization. Interestingly, PMAP-NC exhibited much better anticancer activity against tumor cells than PMAP-23 but displayed low hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Collectively, our findings suggest that PMAP-NC, with the structural arrangement of an amphipathic helix-hinge-hydrophobic helix that plays a critical role in rapid and efficient membrane permeabilization, can be an attractive candidate for novel antimicrobial and/or anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunhee Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, South Korea
| | - Sung-Heui Shin
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, South Korea
| | - Sungtae Yang
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, South Korea.
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, South Korea.
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23
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Abdou YT, Saleeb SM, Abdel-Raouf KMA, Allam M, Adel M, Amleh A. Characterization of a novel peptide mined from the Red Sea brine pools and modified to enhance its anticancer activity. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:699. [PMID: 37495988 PMCID: PMC10369728 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11045-4] [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: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major cause of the inefficacy of conventional cancer therapies, and often accompanied by severe side effects. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel drugs with low cytotoxicity, high selectivity and minimal acquired chemical resistance. Peptide-based drugs (less than 0.5 kDa) have emerged as a potential approach to address these issues due to their high specificity and potent anticancer activity. In this study, we developed a support vector machine model (SVM) to detect the potential anticancer properties of novel peptides by scanning the American University in Cairo (AUC) Red Sea metagenomics library. We identified a novel 37-mer antimicrobial peptide through SVM pipeline analysis and characterized its anticancer potential through in silico cross-examination. The peptide sequence was further modified to enhance its anticancer activity, analyzed for gene ontology, and subsequently synthesized. To evaluate the anticancer properties of the modified 37-mer peptide, we assessed its effect on the viability and morphology of SNU449, HepG2, SKOV3, and HeLa cells, using an MTT assay. Additionally, we evaluated the migration capabilities of SNU449 and SKOV3 cells using a scratch-wound healing assay. The targeted selectivity of the modified peptide was examined by evaluating its hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes. Treatment with the peptide significantly reduced cell viability and had a critical impact on the morphology of hepatocellular carcinoma (SNU449 and HepG2), and ovarian cancer (SKOV3) cells, with a marginal effect on cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa). The viability of a human fibroblast cell line (1Br-hTERT) was also significantly reduced by peptide treatment, as were the proliferation and migration abilities of SNU449 and SKOV3 cells. The annexin V assay revealed programmed cell death (apoptosis) as one of the potential cellular death pathways in SNU449 cells upon peptide treatment. Finally, the peptide exhibited antimicrobial effects on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The findings presented here suggest the potential of our novel peptide as a potent anticancer and antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef T Abdou
- Biotechnology Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sheri M Saleeb
- Biotechnology Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed Allam
- Biology Department, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Adel
- Biotechnology Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asma Amleh
- Biotechnology Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt.
- Biology Department, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt.
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24
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Bakare OO, Gokul A, Niekerk LA, Aina O, Abiona A, Barker AM, Basson G, Nkomo M, Otomo L, Keyster M, Klein A. Recent Progress in the Characterization, Synthesis, Delivery Procedures, Treatment Strategies, and Precision of Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11864. [PMID: 37511621 PMCID: PMC10380191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are constantly evolving to bypass antibiotics or create resistance against them. There is a piercing alarm for the need to improve the design of new effective antimicrobial agents such as antimicrobial peptides which are less prone to resistance and possess high sensitivity. This would guard public health in combating and overcoming stubborn pathogens and mitigate incurable diseases; however, the emergence of antimicrobial peptides' shortcomings ranging from untimely degradation by enzymes to difficulty in the design against specific targets is a major bottleneck in achieving these objectives. This review is aimed at highlighting the recent progress in antimicrobial peptide development in the area of nanotechnology-based delivery, selectivity indices, synthesis and characterization, their doping and coating, and the shortfall of these approaches. This review will raise awareness of antimicrobial peptides as prospective therapeutic agents in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, such as the sensitive treatment of diseases and their utilization. The knowledge from this development would guide the future design of these novel peptides and allow the development of highly specific, sensitive, and accurate antimicrobial peptides to initiate treatment regimens in patients to enable them to have accommodating lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan Olanrewaju Bakare
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu 2002, Nigeria
| | - Arun Gokul
- Department of Plant Sciences, Qwaqwa Campus, University of the Free State, Phuthadithjaba 9866, South Africa
| | - Lee-Ann Niekerk
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Omolola Aina
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Ademola Abiona
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu 2002, Nigeria
| | - Adele Mariska Barker
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Basson
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Mbukeni Nkomo
- Department of Botany, H13 Botany Building, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Laetitia Otomo
- Department of Plant Sciences, Qwaqwa Campus, University of the Free State, Phuthadithjaba 9866, South Africa
| | - Marshall Keyster
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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25
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Fandiño-Devia E, Santa-González GA, Klaiss-Luna MC, Guevara-Lora I, Tamayo V, Manrique-Moreno M. ΔM4: Membrane-Active Peptide with Antitumoral Potential against Human Skin Cancer Cells. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:671. [PMID: 37505037 PMCID: PMC10385147 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have become attractive potential agents due to their affinity to cancer cells. In this work, the biological activity of the peptide ΔM4 against melanoma cancer cell line A375, epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431, and non-tumoral HaCaT cells was evaluated. The cytotoxic MTT assay demonstrates that ΔM4 show five times more activity against cancer than non-cancer cells. The potential membrane effect of ΔM4 was evaluated through lactate dehydrogenase release and Sytox uptake experiments. The results show a higher membrane activity of ΔM4 against A431 in comparison with the A375 cell line at a level of 12.5 µM. The Sytox experiments show that ΔM4 has a direct effect on the permeability of cancer cells in comparison with control cells. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the affinity of the peptide to membranes resembling the composition of tumoral and non-tumoral cells. The results show that ΔM4 induces a fluidization effect on the tumoral lipid system over 5% molar concentration. Finally, to determine the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the surface of the cell, flow cytometry analyses were performed employing an annexin V-PE conjugate. The results suggest that 12.5 µM of ΔM4 induces phosphatidylserine translocation in A375 and A431 cancer cells. The findings of this study support the potential of ΔM4 as a selective agent for targeting cancer cells. Its mechanism of action demonstrated selectivity, membrane-disrupting effects, and induction of phosphatidylserine translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Fandiño-Devia
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gloria A Santa-González
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, A.A. 54959, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Maria C Klaiss-Luna
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Ibeth Guevara-Lora
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Verónica Tamayo
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Marcela Manrique-Moreno
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
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26
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Chinnadurai RK, Khan N, Meghwanshi GK, Ponne S, Althobiti M, Kumar R. Current research status of anti-cancer peptides: Mechanism of action, production, and clinical applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114996. [PMID: 37311281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalating rate of cancer cases, together with treatment deficiencies and long-term side effects of currently used cancer drugs, has made this disease a global burden of the 21st century. The number of breast and lung cancer patients has sharply increased worldwide in the last few years. Presently, surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy strategies are used to cure cancer, which cause severe side effects, toxicities, and drug resistance. In recent years, anti-cancer peptides have become an eminent therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment due to their high specificity and fewer side effects and toxicity. This review presents an updated overview of different anti-cancer peptides, their mechanisms of action and current production strategies employed for their manufacture. In addition, approved and under clinical trials anti-cancer peptides and their applications have been discussed. This review provides updated information on therapeutic anti-cancer peptides that hold great promise for cancer treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Chinnadurai
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidhyapeeth (Deemed-to-be-University), Pondicherry 607402, India
| | - Nazam Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saravanaraman Ponne
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Maryam Althobiti
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rajender Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden.
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27
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Wang W, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Liu X, Lu S, Hu X. A Native Drug-Free Macromolecular Therapeutic to Trigger Mutual Reinforcing of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction for Cancer Treatment. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37257082 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics are promising alternatives to traditional drugs. Nanomedicines with multiple organelles targeting can potentially increase the efficacy. Herein, a drug-free macromolecular therapeutic was designed to formulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria dual-targeting nanoparticles (EMT-NPs), which can synergistically elicit ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In vitro experiments indicated that EMT-NPs could effectively enter ER and mitochondria at an approximate ratio of 2 to 3. Subsequently, EMT-NPs could upregulate ER stress-related protein expression (IRE1α, CHOP), boosting calcium ion (Ca2+) efflux and activating the caspase-12 signaling cascade in cancer cells. In addition, EMT-NPs induced direct oxidative stress in mitochondria; some mitochondrial-related apoptotic events such as decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), upregulation of Bax, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation were also observed for tumor cells upon incubation with EMT-NPs. Furthermore, the leaked Ca2+ from ER could induce mitochondrial Ca2+ overloading to further augment cancer cell apoptosis. In brief, mitochondrial and ER signaling networks collaborated well to promote cancer cell death. Extended photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging served well for the treatment of in vivo patient-derived xenografts cancer model. This drug-free macromolecular strategy with multiple subcellular targeting provides a potential paradigm for cancer theranostics in precision nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yongteng Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zeshu Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xueping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Siyu Lu
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xianglong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
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28
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Deng Z, Gao Y, Nguyen T, Chai J, Wu J, Li J, Abdel-Rahman MA, Xu X, Chen X. The Potent Antitumor Activity of Smp43 against Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cells via Inducing Membranolysis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050347. [PMID: 37235381 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has been conducted to investigate the potential application of scorpion venom-derived peptides in cancer therapy. Smp43, a cationic antimicrobial peptide from Scorpio maurus palmatus venom, has been found to exhibit suppressive activity against the proliferation of multiple cancer cell lines. However, its impact on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines has not been previously investigated. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxicity of Smp43 towards various NSCLC cell lines, particularly A549 cells with an IC50 value of 2.58 μM. The results indicated that Smp43 was internalized into A549 cells through membranolysis and endocytosis, which caused cytoskeleton disorganization, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and abnormal apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and autophagy due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, the study explored the in vivo protective effect of Smp43 in xenograft mice. The findings suggest that Smp43 has potential anticarcinoma properties exerted via the inducement of cellular processes related to cell membrane disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Deng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Yahua Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tienthanh Nguyen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiena Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | | | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
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29
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Hadianamrei R, Tomeh MA, Wang J, Brown S, Zhao X. Surfactant like peptides for targeted gene delivery to cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 652:35-45. [PMID: 36809703 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.026] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Surfactant like peptides (SLPs) are a class of amphiphilic peptides widely used for drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, there are very few reports on their application for gene delivery. The current study was aimed at development of two new SLPs, named (IA)4K and (IG)4K, for selective delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cancer cells. The peptides were synthesized by Fmoc solid phase synthesis. Their complexation with nucleic acids was studied by gel electrophoresis and DLS. The transfection efficiency of the peptides was assessed in HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) using high content microscopy. The cytotoxicity of the peptides was assessed by standard MTT test. The interaction of the peptides with model membranes was studied using CD spectroscopy. Both SLPs delivered siRNA and ODNs to HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells with high transfection efficiency which was comparable to the commercial lipid-based transfection reagents, but with higher selectivity for HCT 116 compared to HDFs. Moreover, both peptides exhibited very low cytotoxicity even at high concentrations and long exposure time. The current study provides more insights into the structural features of SLPs required for nucleic acid complexation and delivery and can therefore serve as a guide for the rational design of new SLPs for selective gene delivery to cancer cells to minimize the adverse effects in healthy tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roja Hadianamrei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, PO1 2UP, UK
| | - Mhd Anas Tomeh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Jiqian Wang
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Stephen Brown
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Xiubo Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK; School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
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30
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Azari M, Bahreini F, Uversky VN, Rezaei N. Current therapeutic approaches and promising perspectives of using bioengineered peptides in fighting chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115459. [PMID: 36813121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115459] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a collation of malignancies that manifest in the mammary glands at the early stages. Among breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows the most aggressive behavior, with apparent stemness features. Owing to the lack of response to hormone therapy and specific targeted therapies, chemotherapy remains the first line of the TNBC treatment. However, the acquisition of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents increase therapy failure, and promotes cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. Invasive primary tumors are the birthplace of cancer burden, though metastasis is a key attribute of TNBC-associated morbidity and mortality. Targeting the chemoresistant metastases-initiating cells via specific therapeutic agents with affinity to the upregulated molecular targets is a promising step in the TNBC clinical management. Exploring the capacity of peptides as biocompatible entities with the specificity of action, low immunogenicity, and robust efficacy provides a principle for designing peptide-based drugs capable of increasing the efficacy of current chemotherapy agents for selective targeting of the drug-tolerant TNBC cells. Here, we first focus on the resistance mechanisms that TNBC cells acquire to evade the effect of chemotherapeutic agents. Next, the novel therapeutic approaches employing tumor-targeting peptides to exploit the mechanisms of drug resistance in chemorefractory TNBC are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandana Azari
- School of Chemical Engineering-Biotechnology, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Farbod Bahreini
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Immunodeficiencies (RCID), Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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Anticancer and Targeting Activity of Phytopharmaceutical Structural Analogs of a Natural Peptide from Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Related Peptide-Decorated Gold Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065537. [PMID: 36982610 PMCID: PMC10057332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the large field of bioactive peptides, peptaibols represent a unique class of compounds. They are membrane-active peptides, produced by fungi of the genus Trichoderma and known to elicit plant defenses. Among the short-length peptaibols, trichogin GA IV is nonhemolytic, proteolysis-resistant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic. Several trichogin analogs are endowed with potent activity against phytopathogens, thus representing a sustainable alternative to copper for plant protection. In this work, we tested the activity of trichogin analogs against a breast cancer cell line and a normal cell line of the same derivation. Lys-containing trichogins showed an IC50 below 12 µM, a peptide concentration not significantly affecting the viability of normal cells. Two analogs were found to be membrane-active but noncytotoxic. They were anchored to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and further investigated for their ability to act as targeting agents. GNP uptake by cancer cells increased with peptide decoration, while it decreased in the corresponding normal epithelial cells. This work highlights the promising biological properties of peptaibol analogs in the field of cancer therapy either as cytotoxic molecules or as active targeting agents in drug delivery.
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Chi QN, Jia SX, Yin H, Wang LE, Fu XY, Ma YN, Sun MP, Qi YK, Li Z, Du SS. Efficient synthesis and anticancer evaluation of spider toxin peptide LVTX-8-based analogues with enhanced stability. Bioorg Chem 2023; 134:106451. [PMID: 36907048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic peptides derived from spider venoms have been considered as promising candidates for anticancer treatment. The novel cell penetrating peptide LVTX-8, which is a 25-residue amphipathic α-helical peptide isolated from spider Lycosa vittata, exhibited potent cytotoxicity and is a potential precursor for further anticancer drug development. Nevertheless, LVTX-8 may be easily degraded by multiple proteases, inducing the proteolytic stability problem and short half-life. In this study, ten LVTX-8-based analogs were rationally designed and the efficient manual synthetic method was established by the DIC/Oxyma based condensation system. The cytotoxicity of synthetic peptides was systematically evaluated against seven cancer cell lines. Seven of the derived peptides exhibited high cytotoxicity towards tested cancer in vitro, which was better than or comparable to that of natural LVTX-8. In particular, both N-acetyl and C-hydrazide modified LVTX-8 (825) and the conjugate methotrexate (MTX)-GFLG-LVTX-8 (827) possessed more durable anticancer efficiency, higher proteolytic stability, as well as lower hemolysis. Finally, we confirmed that LVTX-8 could disrupt the integrity of cell membrane, target the mitochondria and reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential to induce the cell death. Taken together, the structural modifications were conducted on LVTX-8 for the first time and the stability significantly improved derivatives 825 and 827 may provide useful references for the modifications of cytotoxic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Na Chi
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Shi-Xi Jia
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Li-E Wang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Reproductive Center, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao 266004, China
| | - Xing-Yan Fu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Yan-Nan Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ming-Pu Sun
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Yun-Kun Qi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China.
| | - Zhibo Li
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Shan-Shan Du
- State Key Laboratory Base for Eco-Chemical Engineering in College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266073, China.
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Zhang Y, Liu C, Wu C, Song L. Natural peptides for immunological regulation in cancer therapy: Mechanism, facts and perspectives. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114257. [PMID: 36689836 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114257] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually. Treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) is unsatisfactory because many patients have advanced disease at the initial diagnosis. However, the emergence of immunotherapy promises to be an effective strategy to improve the outcome of advanced tumors. Immune checkpoint antibodies, which are at the forefront of immunotherapy, have had significant success but still leave some cancer patients without benefit. For more cancer patients to benefit from immunotherapy, it is necessary to find new drugs and combination therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of advanced cancer patients and achieve long-term tumor control or even eradication. Peptides are promising choices for tumor immunotherapy drugs because they have the advantages of low production cost, high sequence selectivity, high tissue permeability, low toxicity and low immunogenicity etc., and the adjuvant matching and technologies like nanotechnology can further optimize the effects of peptides. In this review, we present the current status and mechanisms of research on peptides targeting multiple immune cells (T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), regulatory T cells (Tregs)) and immune checkpoints in tumor immunotherapy; and we summarize the current status of research on peptide-based tumor immunotherapy in combination with other therapies including RT, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, cytokine therapy, adoptive cell therapy (ACT) and cancer vaccines. Finally, we discuss the current status of peptide applications in mRNA vaccine delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Zhang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Chenxin Liu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Chunjie Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China.
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Qiu J, Anas Tomeh M, Jin Y, Zhang B, Zhao X. Microfluidic fabrication of anticancer peptide loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles for the treatment of breast cancer. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 642:810-819. [PMID: 37043939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are promising antitumor drugs owning to their great cancer cell targeting and anticancer effects as well as low drug resistance. However, many of the ACPs have non-specific toxicity and can be easily degraded by the enzymes after administration. Therefore, drug delivery systems (DDSs) are required to shield these peptides from degradation and induce targeted delivery. In this paper, a high performance microfluidic device was used to fabricate the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) encapsulating an ACP (At3) recently developed by our group. The microfluidic device allowed for efficient and rapid mixing to generate ACP loaded nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable properties at high production rate (120 mL/min) and high encapsulation efficiency. The ZIF-8 NPs synthesised by microfluidic processing showed lower polydispersity index (PDI) than the conventional method, demonstrating an improved size uniformity. Encapsulating At3 into the ZIF-8 (At3@ZIF-8) significantly reduced the hemolytic effect and provided a pH-controlled release of At3 peptide. At3@ZIF-8 showed higher anticancer effect than the unloaded peptide at the same concentration due to the enhanced cell uptake by the ZIF-8 NPs. The NPs were able to inhibit the growth of the multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTSs) and damage the mitochondrial membrane of the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the At3@ZIF-8 NPs inhibited the growth of MCF-7 tumours in nude mice without changing the biochemical properties of the blood or the histopathological properties of vital organs. Therefore, the development of At3 loaded NPs provides an alternative approach in ACP delivery which can broaden the application of ACP-based cancer therapy.
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Vakili B, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Application of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Design and Production of Anticancer Agents. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-023-10501-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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Liao F, Chen Y, Shu A, Chen X, Wang T, Jiang Y, Ma C, Zhou M, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. A Novel Strategy for the Design of Aurein 1.2 Analogs with Enhanced Bioactivities by Conjunction of Cell-Penetrating Regions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020412. [PMID: 36830322 PMCID: PMC9952496 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020412] [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: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational design modification of membrane-active peptide structures by introducing additional membrane-penetrating regions has become a good strategy for the improvement of action and potency. Aurein 1.2 (GLFDIIKKIAESF-NH2) is a multifunctional antimicrobial peptide isolated from the green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, and the southern bell frog Litoria raniformis skin secretions. Its bio-functionality has been widely investigated. However, its lack of a potent action failed to provide aurein 1.2 with a competitive edge for further development as a therapeutic agent for clinical use. Herein, aurein 1.2 was chosen as a template for rational modification to achieve a more potent bio-functionality. KLA-2 (GLFDIIKKLAKLAESF-NH2), which a double KLA region inserted into the sequence, presented a 2-16-fold enhancement of antimicrobial activity, a 2-8-fold greater anti-biofilm activity (including biofilm prevention and eradication), and a 7-fold more potent anti-proliferation activity and hence was regarded as the most broad-spectrum active peptide. Additionally, with respect to antimicrobial activity, the IIKK-modified analog, IK-3 (GLFDIIKKIIKKIIKKI-NH2), also demonstrated a potent enhancement of activity against various pathogens, exhibiting a 2-8-fold enhanced activity compared to the parent peptide. Moreover, the selectivities of KLA-1 and KLA-2 were enhanced significantly. In conclusion, peptide modification, through the introduction of additional membrane penetrating regions, can increase both the potency and activity spectra of natural template peptides, making them suitable candidates for new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengting Liao
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Yuping Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng 224005, China
| | - Anmei Shu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng 224005, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Tao Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Yangyang Jiang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chris Shaw
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (L.W.)
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Kumar N, Oqmhula K, Hongo K, Takagi K, Yusa SI, Rajan R, Matsumura K. Mechanistic insights and importance of hydrophobicity in cationic polymers for cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:1456-1468. [PMID: 36661268 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02059a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Development of molecules that can be effectively used for killing cancer cells remains a research topic of interest in drug discovery. However, various limitations of small molecules and nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems hinder the development of chemotherapeutics. To resolve this issue, this study describes the potential application of polymeric molecules as anticancer drug candidates. We describe the design and synthesis of novel anticancer polymers containing hydrophobic groups. We established the fact that the cationic homopolymer (PAMPTMA) does not show any anticancer activity on its own; however, the insertion of hydrophobic moieties in copolymers (PAMPTMA-r-BuMA, PAMPTMA-r-HexMA, and PAMPTMA-r-OctMA) enhances their anticancer activity with a very low IC50 value (60 μg mL-1 for HepG2 cells). Mechanistic investigations were carried out using LDH leakage assay, cellular uptake, DOSY NMR and molecular dynamics to study the interaction between the polymer and the cell membrane as well as the role of hydrophobicity in enhancing this interaction. The results demonstrated that polymers are attracted by the anionic cancer cell membrane, which then leads to the insertion of hydrophobic groups inside the cell membrane, causing its disruption and ultimate lysis of the cell. This study demonstrates a novel and better approach for the rational design and discovery of new polymeric anticancer agents with improved efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Kumar
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan.
| | - Kenji Oqmhula
- School of Information Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Kenta Hongo
- Research Center for Advanced Computing Infrastructure, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Kengo Takagi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yusa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
| | - Robin Rajan
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Matsumura
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan.
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Ebrahimdoost M, Mohammadi M, Obeidi N, Mohammadi SA, Khamisipour G. A Pleurocidin-Like Peptide from Poecilia Mexicana Fish Induces Selective Cytotoxicity in Leukemia Jurkat Cells Through The Apoptosis Pathway. CELL JOURNAL 2023; 25:76-84. [PMID: 36840453 PMCID: PMC9968370 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.557529.1062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Some cationic anti-microbial peptides show a wide range of cytotoxic action versus malignant cells, which may lead to developing a novel group of antitumor medications. In the present study, the anticancer activity of pleurocidin-like peptide WF3 isoform X2 (AMP-WF3), from the Poecilia Mexicana fish, against leukemic cell line Jurkat was evaluated, and the cytotoxicity compared with the effects on normal cells, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, cells were treated with various dosages of AMP-WF3 for 24 hours. Using methyl thiazole tetrazolium salt reduction (MTT test), the effects of the AMP-WF3 on cell viability and toxicity were evaluated. The impact of this peptide on apoptotic pathways was examined using flow cytometry and Annexin V-PI stains. Additionally, the relative expression of the P53, P21 and BCL-2 genes was evaluated using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The Jurkat cell line was more susceptible to AMP-WF3 cytotoxicity [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)=50 μM], while normal cells (PBMCs and HDF) were less susceptible. Flow cytometry verified that the apoptotic activity of AMP-WF3 on Jurkat cells was significantly higher than that of HDF and PBMCs. Peptide-treated Jurkat cells were associated with increased expression of P21, and P53 genes. In contrast, the changes in P21, P53, and BCL-2 genes differed in PBMCs and HDF cells. In HDF cells, simultaneous increase of P21, P53, and BCL-2, and in PBMCs, only the increase of BCL-2 was observed. CONCLUSION Our research showed that AMP-WF3 could be developed as a novel treatment agent with minimum side effects for ALL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Ebrahimdoost
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mohsen Mohammadi
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr
University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Narges Obeidi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Seyed Amin Mohammadi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Khamisipour
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran,P.O.Box: 7518759577Department of HematologyFaculty of Allied MedicineBushehr University of Medical SciencesBushehrIran
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Ghaly G, Tallima H, Dabbish E, Badr ElDin N, Abd El-Rahman MK, Ibrahim MAA, Shoeib T. Anti-Cancer Peptides: Status and Future Prospects. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031148. [PMID: 36770815 PMCID: PMC9920184 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The dramatic rise in cancer incidence, alongside treatment deficiencies, has elevated cancer to the second-leading cause of death globally. The increasing morbidity and mortality of this disease can be traced back to a number of causes, including treatment-related side effects, drug resistance, inadequate curative treatment and tumor relapse. Recently, anti-cancer bioactive peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic choice within the pharmaceutical arsenal due to their high penetration, specificity and fewer side effects. In this contribution, we present a general overview of the literature concerning the conformational structures, modes of action and membrane interaction mechanisms of ACPs, as well as provide recent examples of their successful employment as targeting ligands in cancer treatment. The use of ACPs as a diagnostic tool is summarized, and their advantages in these applications are highlighted. This review expounds on the main approaches for peptide synthesis along with their reconstruction and modification needed to enhance their therapeutic effect. Computational approaches that could predict therapeutic efficacy and suggest ACP candidates for experimental studies are discussed. Future research prospects in this rapidly expanding area are also offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gehane Ghaly
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Hatem Tallima
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Eslam Dabbish
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Norhan Badr ElDin
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El Aini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Mohamed K. Abd El-Rahman
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El Aini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
- School of Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Tamer Shoeib
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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Botryllin, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Colonial Ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020074. [PMID: 36827115 PMCID: PMC9966394 DOI: 10.3390/md21020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
By mining the transcriptome of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, we identified a transcript for a novel styelin-like antimicrobial peptide, which we named botryllin. The gene is constitutively transcribed by circulating cytotoxic morula cells (MCs) as a pre-propeptide that is then cleaved to mature peptide. The synthetic peptide, obtained from in silico translation of the transcript, shows robust killing activity of bacterial and unicellular yeast cells, causing breakages of both the plasma membrane and the cell wall. Specific monoclonal antibodies were raised against the epitopes of the putative amino acid sequence of the propeptide and the mature peptide; in both cases, they label the MC granular content. Upon MC degranulation induced by the presence of nonself, the antibodies recognise the extracellular nets with entrapped bacteria nearby MC remains. The obtained results suggest that the botryllin gene carries the information for the synthesis of an AMP involved in the protection of B. schlosseri from invading foreign cells.
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Dong Z, Zhang Q, Wang C, Hu W, Yu X, Guo M, Zhang X, Sun M, Du S, Lu Y. Combined Thermosensitive Gel Co-Loaded with Dermaseptin-PP and PTX Liposomes for Effective Local Chemotherapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:413-424. [PMID: 36711004 PMCID: PMC9875583 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s385470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chemotherapeutic drugs are often ineffective due to the delivery. Local chemotherapy, which has high drug concentration, low systemic toxicity, and long duration, has shown excellent potential. Cationic antimicrobial peptides have been proved to enhance the tumor cells' uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs through the membrane-breaking effect. In this study, we designed and developed a thermosensitive gel co-loaded with Dermaseptin-PP and paclitaxel liposomes to increase local chemotherapy. Methods The paclitaxel liposomes were prepared. Then, it was co-loaded with Dermaseptin-PP in a poloxamer-based thermosensitive gel to obtain Dermaseptin-PP/paclitaxel liposomes gel. The thermosensitivity of gels was investigated by test tube inversion method. The rheology was tested by rheometer. The in vitro cytotoxicity and the permeation in tumor of gels were examined by H157 cells and the 3D cell model, respectively. The retention in tumor and antitumor activity of gels were evaluated by H157 tumor-bearing nude mice. Results The particle size of paclitaxel liposomes was 148.97 ± 0.21 nm. The encapsulation rate was 86.1%, and the drug loading capacity was 19.4%. The gels had slow-release and temperature-sensitive properties. The porous 3D network structure of the gels could ensure that the drug was fixed into the tumor. In vitro and in vivo distribution studies showed that Dermaseptin-PP promoted the permeation of the gels in H157 multicellular tumor spheres and achieved longer retention in tumor. In vitro and in vivo antitumor studies demonstrated that Dermaseptin-PP/paclitaxel liposomes gel significantly inhibited the growth of tumors for local chemotherapy with good biosafety. Conclusion This study provided a promising nanomedicine platform for combining antimicrobial peptides and chemotherapeutic drugs for local chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Dong
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changhai Wang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Hu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianglong Yu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingxue Guo
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng Sun
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shouying Du
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
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Barragán-Cárdenas A, Insuasty-Cepeda DS, Vargas-Casanova Y, López-Meza JE, Parra-Giraldo CM, Fierro-Medina R, Rivera-Monroy ZJ, García-Castañeda JE. Changes in Length and Positive Charge of Palindromic Sequence RWQWRWQWR Enhance Cytotoxic Activity against Breast Cancer Cell Lines. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:2712-2722. [PMID: 36687035 PMCID: PMC9850729 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the main causes of premature death in women; current treatments have low selectivity, generating strong physical and psychological sequelae. The palindromic peptide R-1-R (RWQWRWQWR) has cytotoxic activity against different cell lines derived from cancer and selectivity against noncancerous cells. To determine if changes in the charge/length of this peptide increase its activity, six peptides were obtained by SPPS, three of them with addition of Arg at the N, C-terminal or both and three with deletion of Arg at the N, C-terminal or both. The cytotoxic and selective activities were evaluated against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-12 cell lines and fibroblast primary cell culture, evidencing that the RR-1-R peptide with the inclusion of Arg in the N-terminal end maintained selectivity and increased cytotoxicity against lines derived from breast cancer. The effect of this addition regarding the type of induced cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry, showing very low rates of necrosis and a significant majority of apoptotic events with activation of both Caspase 8 and Caspase 9. This work allowed us to find a modification that generates a peptide with greater cytotoxic effects and can be considered a promising molecule for other approaches to improve anticancer peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yerly Vargas-Casanova
- Microbiology
Department, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Ak. 7 #40-62, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Joel Edmundo López-Meza
- Multidisciplinary
Centre for Studies in Biotechnology, Universidad
Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Km 9.5 Carretera Morelia, Zinapécuaro, Morelia 58030, Mexico
| | | | - Ricardo Fierro-Medina
- Chemistry
Department, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 No. 26-85, Building 451, Bogota 111321, Colombia
| | - Zuly Jenny Rivera-Monroy
- Chemistry
Department, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 No. 26-85, Building 451, Bogota 111321, Colombia
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Kordi M, Borzouyi Z, Chitsaz S, Asmaei MH, Salami R, Tabarzad M. Antimicrobial peptides with anticancer activity: Today status, trends and their computational design. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 733:109484. [PMID: 36473507 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Some antimicrobial peptides have been shown to be able to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell lines. Various strategies for treating cancers with active peptides have been pursued. According to the reports, anticancer peptides are important therapeutic peptides, which can act through two distinct pathways: they either just create pores in the cell membrane, or they have a vital intracellular target. In this review, publications up to Sep. 2021 had extracted form Scopus and PubMed using "antimicrobial peptide" and "anticancer peptide" as keywords. In second step, "computational design" related publications extracted. Among publications, those have similar scopes were classified and selected based on mechanisms of action and application. In this review, the most recent advances in the field of antimicrobial peptides with anti-cancer activities have been summarized. Freely available webservers such as AntiCP, ACPP, iACP, iACP-GAEnsC, ACPred are discussed here. In conclusion, despite some limitations of ACPs such as production cost and challenges, short half-life and toxicity on normal cells, the beneficial properties of AMPs make some of them good therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. Towards designing novel ACPs, the computational methods have substantial position and have been used progressively, today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Kordi
- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zeynab Borzouyi
- Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Plant Breeding, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Saideh Chitsaz
- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Robab Salami
- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Iran.
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Mohammadi M, Moradi Hasan-Abad A, Ghasemi A. Evaluation of the antitumor activity of moronecidin (Piscidin)-like peptide in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody against melanoma tumor. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 26:1061-1067. [PMID: 37605720 PMCID: PMC10440138 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2023.69639.15166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of oncology over the last decade and has become a standard of care for various cancers. Researchers previously demonstrated that B16-F10 melanoma in C57Bl6 mice is resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The goal of this study was to investigate how anti-PD1 antibodies functioned in combination with a new antimicrobial peptide (AMP) called moronecidin-like peptide (MLP). Materials and Methods We studied the cytotoxic effect of AMP on the B10-F16 tumor cell line with the MTT experiment. The necrotic and apoptotic cells were determined by Presidium iodide (PI) /Annexin V staining and flow cytometry-based methods. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B10-F16 tumor cells in the mammary gland. Each group was sacrificed two weeks after the last injection to examine tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses using flow cytometry. Results Annexin V and PI staining assay revealed that MPL significantly induces apoptosis in B16F10 cells. It should be noted that MLP in combination with anti-PD-1 improved antigen-specific T-cell responses synergistically (P=0.01) when compared with respective monotherapy. Furthermore, when compared with the respective monotherapies, combination therapy significantly controlled tumor growth in B10-F16 tumor cells and increased survival rate. Conclusion Treatments with anti-PD-1 inhibitors alone had only a minor effect on tumor size, whereas combination therapy resulted in significant tumor growth control and increased animal survival. MLP therapy combined with anti-PD-1 antibody improves anti-tumor immune response in addition to inducing tumor cell apoptosis. As a result, the evidence suggests that intratumoral injection of MPL can improve anti-PD-1 antibody antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Mohammadi
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Amin Moradi Hasan-Abad
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghasemi
- Department of Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan Iran
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Klaiss-Luna MC, Jemioła-Rzemińska M, Strzałka K, Manrique-Moreno M. Understanding the Biophysical Interaction of LTX-315 with Tumoral Model Membranes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010581. [PMID: 36614022 PMCID: PMC9820754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides are found primarily as natural antimicrobial agents among all lifeforms. These peptides and their synthetic derivatives have been extensively studied for their potential use as therapeutic agents. The most accepted mechanism of action of these peptides is related to a nonspecific mechanism associated with their interaction with the negatively charged groups present in membranes, inducing bilayer destabilization and cell death through several routes. Among the most recently reported peptides, LTX-315 has emerged as an important oncolytic peptide that is currently in several clinical trials against different cancer types. However, there is a lack of biophysical studies regarding LTX-315 and its interaction with membranes. This research focuses primarily on the understanding of the molecular bases of LTX-315's interaction with eukaryotic lipids, based on two artificial systems representative of non-tumoral and tumoral membranes. Additionally, the interaction with individual lipids was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The results showed a strong interaction of LTX-315 with the negatively charged phosphatidylserine. The results are important for understanding and facilitating the design and development of improved peptides with anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C. Klaiss-Luna
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Małgorzata Jemioła-Rzemińska
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-392 Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Strzałka
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-392 Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (M.M.-M.); Tel.: +48-(12)-664-65-09 (K.S.); +57-300-7078-928 (M.M.-M.)
| | - Marcela Manrique-Moreno
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (M.M.-M.); Tel.: +48-(12)-664-65-09 (K.S.); +57-300-7078-928 (M.M.-M.)
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Dubovskii PV, Ignatova AA, Alekseeva AS, Starkov VG, Boldyrev IA, Feofanov AV, Utkin YN. Membrane-Disrupting Activity of Cobra Cytotoxins Is Determined by Configuration of the N-Terminal Loop. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:6. [PMID: 36668826 PMCID: PMC9866941 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In aqueous solutions, cobra cytotoxins (CTX), three-finger folded proteins, exhibit conformational equilibrium between conformers with either cis or trans peptide bonds in the N-terminal loop (loop-I). The equilibrium is shifted to the cis form in toxins with a pair of adjacent Pro residues in this loop. It is known that CTX with a single Pro residue in loop-I and a cis peptide bond do not interact with lipid membranes. Thus, if a cis peptide bond is present in loop-I, as in a Pro-Pro containing CTX, this should weaken its lipid interactions and likely cytotoxic activities. To test this, we have isolated seven CTX from Naja naja and N. haje cobra venoms. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of these CTX, as well as their capability to induce calcein leakage from phospholipid liposomes, were evaluated. We have found that CTX with a Pro-Pro peptide bond indeed exhibit attenuated membrane-perturbing activity in model membranes and lower cytotoxic/antibacterial activity compared to their counterparts with a single Pro residue in loop-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Ignatova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna S. Alekseeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladislav G. Starkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan A. Boldyrev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey V. Feofanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Cruz GS, dos Santos AT, de Brito EHS, Rádis-Baptista G. Cell-Penetrating Antimicrobial Peptides with Anti-Infective Activity against Intracellular Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121772. [PMID: 36551429 PMCID: PMC9774436 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121772] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are natural or engineered peptide sequences with the intrinsic ability to internalize into a diversity of cell types and simultaneously transport hydrophilic molecules and nanomaterials, of which the cellular uptake is often limited. In addition to this primordial activity of cell penetration without membrane disruption, multivalent antimicrobial activity accompanies some CPPs. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with cell-penetrability exert their effect intracellularly, and they are of great interest. CPPs with antimicrobial activity (CPAPs) comprise a particular class of bioactive peptides that arise as promising agents against difficult-to-treat intracellular infections. This short review aims to present the antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiviral effects of various cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides currently documented. Examples include the antimicrobial effects of different CPAPs against bacteria that can propagate intracellularly, like Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Chlamydia trachomatis, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium sp., Listeria sp., Salmonella sp. among others. CPAPs with antiviral effects that interfere with the intracellular replication of HIV, hepatitis B, HPV, and herpes virus. Additionally, CPAPs with activity against protozoa of the genera Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Plasmodium, the etiological agents of Leishmaniasis, Chagas' Disease, and Malaria, respectively. The information provided in this review emphasizes the potential of multivalent CPAPs, with anti-infective properties for application against various intracellular infections. So far, CPAPs bear a promise of druggability for the translational medical use of CPPs alone or in combination with chemotherapeutics. Moreover, CPAPs could be an exciting alternative for pharmaceutical design and treating intracellular infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Silva Cruz
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60416-030, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Ariane Teixeira dos Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60416-030, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Erika Helena Salles de Brito
- Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Health Sciences, University of International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção 62790-970, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60416-030, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-85-3366-7001
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Abdille AA, Kitimu SR, Ndubi MM, Kimani J, Maina EN, Bulimo W, Gavamukulya Y, Wamunyokoli F. Sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity assessment of the antimicrobial peptide Dermaseptin B2 on biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters in BALB/c mice and Albino Wistar rats. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12124. [PMID: 36561696 PMCID: PMC9764173 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dermaseptins (Drs) are peptides found in the skin secretions of a variety of Hylid frogs, particularly those belonging to the Agalychnis and Phyllomedusa families. Dermaseptin B2 (Drs B2), an amphipathic, α-helical polypeptide was reported as the most active of the Dermaseptin B family. We have previously shown that Drs B2 has strong anti-proliferative activities against RD cells in vitro and thus required further evaluations for future medical applications. Aim The aim the study was to evaluate the 14-day sub-acute and 90-day sub-chronic toxicities Drs B2 in vivo. Materials and Methods BALB/c mice were treated with increasing concentrations of 5-25 mg/kg of Drs B2. Rats were treated with 2, 4 and 10-fold concentrations of the calculated LD50 of Drs B2 following OECD recommendations. At the end of the experimentation periods, the animals were sacrificed and dissected to collect blood and selected organs for analysis of any effects caused by Drs B2 treatment on the biochemical, haematological, and histological parameters. Results The 14-day sub-acute toxicity tests did not cause significant alteration in the biochemical, hematological and histological parameters. The 90-day sub-chronic toxicity study showed lower ALT and AST than control at doses 1.9 mg/kg and 4.6 mg/kg, respectively. Their haematology results also showed higher platelet count than the controls but the differences were not statistically significant. Histological analysis showed increased megakaryocytes in the spleen for both the mice and the rats. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that short term treatment of Drs B2 could be safe to the animals, however, long-term treatment can have mild effects on the liver parameters and cause an inflammatory response in the spleen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A. Abdille
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Corresponding author.
| | - Shedrack Reuben Kitimu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mark M. Ndubi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Josephine Kimani
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Esther N. Maina
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wallace Bulimo
- Centre for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yahaya Gavamukulya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Fred Wamunyokoli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
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Andrographolide and 4-Phenylbutyric Acid Administration Increase the Expression of Antimicrobial Peptides Beta-Defensin-1 and Cathelicidin and Reduce Mortality in Murine Sepsis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11111629. [DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global threat and requires the search for new treatment strategies. Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have pronounced antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antitumor activity. AMPs’ clinical use is complicated by the high synthesis costs and rapid proteolytic degradation. The search for small molecules, inducers of endogenous AMP expression, could become a new approach. Here, we investigated for the first time the effect of seven small molecules (andrographolide, levofloxacin, azithromycin, montelukast, 4-phenylbutyric acid, rosuvastatin and valsartan) on AMP (beta-defensin-1, hBD-1 and cathelicidin, LL-37) serum levels in rats. In control groups, the level of hBD-1 was 295.0 (292.9–315.4) pg/mL, and for LL-37, it was 223.8 (213.3–233.6) pg/mL. Andrographolide (ANDR) and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PHBA) administration significantly enhanced the level of both AMPs. The hBD-1 level was 581.5 (476.3–607.7) pg/mL for ANDR and 436.9 (399.0–531.6) pg/mL for 4-PHBA. The LL-37 level was 415.4 (376.2–453.8) pg/mL for ANDR and 398.9 (355.7–410.1) pg/mL for 4-PHBA. Moreover, we have shown that these compounds reduce mortality in a murine model of sepsis caused by a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes isolate. From our point of view, these small molecules are promising candidates for further study as potent AMP inducers. The data obtained allow the development of new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases.
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The dynamic landscape of peptide activity prediction. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6526-6533. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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