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Farvardin A, González-Hernández AI, Llorens E, Camañes G, Scalschi L, Vicedo B. The Dual Role of Antimicrobial Proteins and Peptides: Exploring Their Direct Impact and Plant Defense-Enhancing Abilities. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2059. [PMID: 39124177 PMCID: PMC11314357 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Plants face numerous environmental stresses that hinder their growth and productivity, including biotic agents, such as herbivores and parasitic microorganisms, as well as abiotic factors, such as cold, drought, salinity, and high temperature. To counter these challenges, plants have developed a range of defense strategies. Among these, plant antimicrobial proteins and peptides (APPs) have emerged as a promising solution. Due to their broad-spectrum activity, structural stability, and diverse mechanisms of action, APPs serve as powerful tools to complement and enhance conventional agricultural methods, significantly boosting plant defense and productivity. This review focuses on different studies on APPs, emphasizing their crucial role in combating plant pathogens and enhancing plant resilience against both biotic and abiotic stresses. Beginning with in vitro studies, we explore how APPs combat various plant pathogens. We then delve into the defense mechanisms triggered by APPs against biotic stress, showcasing their effectiveness against bacterial and fungal diseases. Additionally, we highlight the role of APPs in mitigating the abiotic challenges associated with climatic change. Finally, we discuss the current applications of APPs in agriculture, emphasizing their potential for sustainable agricultural practices and the need for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Farvardin
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain; (A.F.); (G.C.); (B.V.)
| | | | - Eugenio Llorens
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain; (A.F.); (G.C.); (B.V.)
| | - Gemma Camañes
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain; (A.F.); (G.C.); (B.V.)
| | - Loredana Scalschi
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain; (A.F.); (G.C.); (B.V.)
| | - Begonya Vicedo
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain; (A.F.); (G.C.); (B.V.)
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Iglesias R, Citores L, Gay CC, Ferreras JM. Antifungal Activity of Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:192. [PMID: 38668617 PMCID: PMC11054410 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040192] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The control of crop diseases caused by fungi remains a major problem and there is a need to find effective fungicides that are environmentally friendly. Plants are an excellent source for this purpose because they have developed defense mechanisms to cope with fungal infections. Among the plant proteins that play a role in defense are ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), enzymes obtained mainly from angiosperms that, in addition to inactivating ribosomes, have been studied as antiviral, fungicidal, and insecticidal proteins. In this review, we summarize and discuss the potential use of RIPs (and other proteins with similar activity) as antifungal agents, with special emphasis on RIP/fungus specificity, possible mechanisms of antifungal action, and the use of RIP genes to obtain fungus-resistant transgenic plants. It also highlights the fact that these proteins also have antiviral and insecticidal activity, which makes them very versatile tools for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (R.I.); (L.C.)
| | - Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (R.I.); (L.C.)
| | - Claudia C. Gay
- Laboratory of Protein Research, Institute of Basic and Applied Chemistry of Northeast Argentina (UNNE-CONICET), Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences and Surveying, Av. Libertad 5470, Corrientes 3400, Argentina;
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (R.I.); (L.C.)
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Citores L, Ragucci S, Gay CC, Russo R, Chambery A, Di Maro A, Iglesias R, Ferreras JM. Edodin: A New Type of Toxin from Shiitake Mushroom ( Lentinula edodes) That Inactivates Mammalian Ribosomes. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:185. [PMID: 38668610 PMCID: PMC11053714 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040185] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins with rRNA N-glycosylase activity that irreversibly inhibit protein synthesis and consequently cause cell death. Recently, an RIP called ledodin has been found in shiitake; it is cytotoxic, strongly inhibits protein synthesis, and shows rRNA N-glycosylase activity. In this work, we isolated and characterized a 50 kDa cytotoxic protein from shiitake that we named edodin. Edodin inhibits protein synthesis in a mammalian cell-free system, but not in insect-, yeast-, and bacteria-derived systems. It exhibits rRNA N-glycosylase and DNA-nicking activities, which relate it to plant RIPs. It was also shown to be toxic to HeLa and COLO 320 cells. Its structure is not related to other RIPs found in plants, bacteria, or fungi, but, instead, it presents the characteristic structure of the fold type I of pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes. Homologous sequences have been found in other fungi of the class Agaricomycetes; thus, edodin could be a new type of toxin present in many fungi, some of them edible, which makes them of great interest in health, both for their involvement in food safety and for their potential biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (R.R.); (A.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Claudia C. Gay
- Laboratory of Protein Research, Institute of Basic and Applied Chemistry of Northeast Argentina (UNNE-CONICET), Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences and Surveying, Av. Libertad 5470, Corrientes 3400, Argentina;
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (R.R.); (A.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (R.R.); (A.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (R.R.); (A.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain;
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Ragucci S, Castaldi S, Landi N, Isticato R, Di Maro A. Antifungal Activity of Ageritin, a Ribotoxin-like Protein from Cyclocybe aegerita Edible Mushroom, against Phytopathogenic Fungi. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:578. [PMID: 37756004 PMCID: PMC10535218 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090578] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageritin from poplar mushrooms is a specific endonuclease that hydrolyzes a single phosphodiester bond located in the sarcin-ricin loop (SRL) of the large rRNA, thereby blocking protein synthesis. Considering the possible biotechnological use of this enzyme, here we report its antifungal activity against virulent fungi affecting crops of economic interest. Our results show that ageritin (200 µg/plug; ~13.5 nmole) inhibits the growth of Botrytis cinerea (57%), Colletotrichum truncatum (42%), and Alternaria alternata (57%), when tested on potato dextrose agar plates. At the same time, no effect was observed against Trichoderma harzianum (a fungus promoting beneficial effects in plants). To verify whether the antifungal action of ageritin against B. cinerea and T. harzianum was due to ribosome damage, we tested ageritin in vitro on partially isolated B. cinerea and T. harzianum ribosomes. Interestingly, ageritin was able to release the Endo's fragment from both tested fungal ribosomes. We therefore decided to test the antifungal effect of ageritin on B. cinerea and T. harzianum using a different growth condition (liquid medium). Differently from the result in solid medium, ageritin can inhibit both B. cinerea and T. harzianum fungal growth in liquid medium in a concentration-dependent manner up to 35.7% and 38.7%, respectively, at the highest concentration tested (~200 µg/mL; 12 µM), and the analysis of RNA isolated from ageritin-treated cells revealed the presence of Endo's fragment, highlighting its ability to cross the fungal cell wall and reach the ribosomes. Overall, these data highlight that the efficacy of antifungal treatment to prevent or treat a potential fungal disease may depend not only on the fungal species but also on the conditions of toxin application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (N.L.)
| | - Stefany Castaldi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (N.L.)
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rachele Isticato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (S.R.); (N.L.)
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Landi N, Ciaramella V, Ragucci S, Chambery A, Ciardiello F, Pedone PV, Troiani T, Di Maro A. A Novel EGFR Targeted Immunotoxin Based on Cetuximab and Type 1 RIP Quinoin Overcomes the Cetuximab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:57. [PMID: 36668877 PMCID: PMC9867398 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010057] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, cetuximab treatment has no clinical benefits in patients affected by mCRC with KRAS mutation or in the presence of constitutive activation of signalling pathways acting downstream of the EGFR. The aim of this study was to improve cetuximab's therapeutic action by conjugating cetuximab with the type 1 ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) quinoin isolated from quinoa seeds. A chemical conjugation strategy based on the use of heterobifunctional reagent succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) was applied to obtain the antibody-type 1 RIP chimeric immunoconjugate. The immunotoxin was then purified by chromatographic technique, and its enzymatic action was evaluated compared to quinoin alone. Functional assays were performed to test the cytotoxic action of the quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate against the cetuximab-resistant GEO-CR cells. The novel quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate showed a significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards GEO-CR cells, achieving IC50 values of 27.7 nM (~5.0 μg/mL) at 72 h compared to cetuximab (IC50 = 176.7 nM) or quinoin (IC50 = 149.3 nM) alone assayed in equimolar amounts. These results support the therapeutic potential of quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate for the EGFR targeted therapy, providing a promising candidate for further development towards clinical use in the treatment of cetuximab-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenza Ciaramella
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo V. Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Landi N, Ragucci S, Citores L, Clemente A, Hussain HZF, Iglesias R, Ferreras JM, Di Maro A. Isolation, Characterization and Biological Action of Type-1 Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins from Tissues of Salsola soda L. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080566. [PMID: 36006228 PMCID: PMC9412391 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are known as RNA N-glycosylases. They depurinate the major rRNA, damaging ribosomes and inhibiting protein synthesis. Here, new single-chain (type-1) RIPs named sodins were isolated from the seeds (five proteins), edible leaves (one protein) and roots (one protein) of Salsola soda L. Sodins are able to release Endo's fragment when incubated with rabbit and yeast ribosomes and inhibit protein synthesis in cell-free systems (IC50 = 4.83-79.31 pM). In addition, sodin 5, the major form isolated from seeds, as well as sodin eL and sodin R, isolated from edible leaves and roots, respectively, display polynucleotide:adenosine glycosylase activity and are cytotoxic towards the Hela and COLO 320 cell lines (IC50 = 0.41-1200 nM), inducing apoptosis. The further characterization of sodin 5 reveals that this enzyme shows a secondary structure similar to other type-1 RIPs and a higher melting temperature (Tm = 76.03 ± 0.30 °C) and is non-glycosylated, as other sodins are. Finally, we proved that sodin 5 possesses antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Angela Clemente
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Hafiza Z. F. Hussain
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Choque Delgado GT, Carlos Tapia KV, Pacco Huamani MC, Hamaker BR. Peruvian Andean grains: Nutritional, functional properties and industrial uses. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:9634-9647. [PMID: 35544604 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2073960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The Andean geography induces favorable conditions for the growth of food plants of high nutritional and functional value. Among these plants are the Andean grains, which are recognized worldwide for their nutritional attributes. The objective of this article is to show the nutritional and functional properties, as well as industrial potential, of Andean grains. Quinoa, amaranth, canihua, and Andean corn are grains that contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities that benefit the health of the consumer. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate their functional potential. These high-Andean crops could be used industrially to add value to other functional food products. These reports suggest the inclusion of these grains in the daily diets of people and the application of their active compounds in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grethel Teresa Choque Delgado
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Industrias Alimentarias, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú
| | - Katerin Victoria Carlos Tapia
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Industrias Alimentarias, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú
| | - Maria Cecilia Pacco Huamani
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Industrias Alimentarias, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú
| | - Bruce R Hamaker
- Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research and Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Cytotoxicity Effect of Quinoin, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from Quinoa Seeds, on Glioblastoma Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13100684. [PMID: 34678977 PMCID: PMC8537469 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are found in several edible plants and are well characterized. Many studies highlight their use in cancer therapy, alone or as immunoconjugates, linked to monoclonal antibodies directed against target cancer cells. In this context, we investigate the cytotoxicity of quinoin, a novel type 1 RIP from quinoa seeds, on human continuous and primary glioblastoma cell lines. The cytotoxic effect of quinoin was assayed on human continuous glioblastoma U87Mg cells. Moreover, considering that common conventional glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines are genetically different from the tumors from which they derive, the cytotoxicity of quinoin was subsequently tested towards primary cells NULU and ZAR (two cell lines established from patients’ gliomas), also in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ), currently used in glioblastoma treatment. The present study demonstrated that quinoin (2.5 and 5.0 nM) strongly reduced glioblastoma cells’ growth. The mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory action of quinoin are different in the tested primary cell lines, reproducing the heterogeneous response of glioblastoma cells. Interestingly, primary cells treated with quinoin in combination with TMZ were more sensitive to the treatment. Overall, our data highlight that quinoin could represent a novel tool for glioblastoma therapy and a possible adjuvant for the treatment of the disease in combination with TMZ, alone or as possible immunoconjugates/nanoconstructs.
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