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Ramos LFC, Rangel JHDO, Andrade GC, Lixa C, de Castilho LVA, Nogueira FCS, Pinheiro AS, Gomes FM, AnoBom CD, Almeida RV, de Oliveira DMP. Identification and recombinant expression of an antimicrobial peptide (cecropin B-like) from soybean pest Anticarsia gemmatalis. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20200127. [PMID: 33796137 PMCID: PMC7970720 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2020-0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Insects can be found in numerous diverse environments, being exposed to pathogenic organisms like fungi and bacteria. Once these pathogens cross insect physical barriers, the innate immune system operates through cellular and humoral responses. Antimicrobial peptides are small molecules produced by immune signaling cascades that develop an important and generalist role in insect defenses against a variety of microorganisms. In the present work, a cecropin B-like peptide (AgCecropB) sequence was identified in the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis and cloned in a bacterial plasmid vector for further heterologous expression and antimicrobial tests. METHODS AgCecropB sequence (without the signal peptide) was cloned in the plasmid vector pET-M30-MBP and expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expression host. Expression was induced with IPTG and a recombinant peptide was purified using two affinity chromatography steps with Histrap column. The purified peptide was submitted to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and structural analyses. Antimicrobial tests were performed using gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis) and gram-negative (Burkholderia kururiensis and E. coli) bacteria. RESULTS AgCecropB was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) at 28°C with IPTG 0.5 mM. The recombinant peptide was purified and enriched after purification steps. HRMS confirmed AgCrecropB molecular mass (4.6 kDa) and circular dichroism assay showed α-helix structure in the presence of SDS. AgCrecropB inhibited almost 50% of gram-positive B. thuringiensis bacteria growth. CONCLUSIONS The first cecropin B-like peptide was described in A. gemmatalis and a recombinant peptide was expressed using a bacterial platform. Data confirmed tertiary structure as predicted for the cecropin peptide family. AgCecropB was capable to inhibit B. thuringiensis growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Felipe Costa Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Henrique de Oliveira Rangel
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Caldas Andrade
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carolina Lixa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Livia Vieira Araujo de Castilho
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Graduate Studies and Research (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio César Sousa Nogueira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabio Mendonça Gomes
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Dinis AnoBom
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Volcan Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Danielle Maria Perpétua de Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Brady D, Grapputo A, Romoli O, Sandrelli F. Insect Cecropins, Antimicrobial Peptides with Potential Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5862. [PMID: 31766730 PMCID: PMC6929098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The alarming escalation of infectious diseases resistant to conventional antibiotics requires urgent global actions, including the development of new therapeutics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent potential alternatives in the treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. Here, we focus on Cecropins (Cecs), a group of naturally occurring AMPs in insects, and on synthetic Cec-analogs. We describe their action mechanisms and antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria and other pathogens. We report several data suggesting that Cec and Cec-analog peptides are promising antibacterial therapeutic candidates, including their low toxicity against mammalian cells, and anti-inflammatory activity. We highlight limitations linked to the use of peptides as therapeutics and discuss methods overcoming these constraints, particularly regarding the introduction of nanotechnologies. New formulations based on natural Cecs would allow the development of drugs active against Gram-negative bacteria, and those based on Cec-analogs would give rise to therapeutics effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Cecs and Cec-analogs might be also employed to coat biomaterials for medical devices as an approach to prevent biomaterial-associated infections. The cost of large-scale production is discussed in comparison with the economic and social burden resulting from the progressive diffusion of MDR infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Brady
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (A.G.); (O.R.)
| | - Alessandro Grapputo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (A.G.); (O.R.)
| | - Ottavia Romoli
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (A.G.); (O.R.)
- Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, 23 Avenue Pasteur, 97306 Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Federica Sandrelli
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (A.G.); (O.R.)
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Zhang J, Li Q, Wei G, Wang L, Qian C, Sun Y, Tian J, Zhu B, Liu C. Identification and function of a lebocin-like gene from the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 166:107207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Yang LL, Zhan MY, Zhuo YL, Pan YM, Xu Y, Zhou XH, Yang PJ, Liu HL, Liang ZH, Huang XD, Yu XQ, Rao XJ. Antimicrobial activities of a proline-rich proprotein from Spodoptera litura. Dev Comp Immunol 2018; 87:137-146. [PMID: 29935286 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced by the stimulated humoral immune system. Most mature AMPs contain less than 50 amino acid residues. Some of them are generated from proproteins upon microbial challenges. Here, we report the antimicrobial activities of a proline-rich proprotein, named SlLebocin1 (SlLeb1), from the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura. SlLebocin1 cDNA contains a 477-bp open reading frame (ORF). It is mainly expressed in hemocytes and the midgut in naïve larvae. The transcript level was significantly induced in hemocytes but repressed in the midgut and fat body by bacterial challenges. The proprotein contains 158 amino acids with 3 RXXR motifs that are characteristic of some Lepidopteral lebocin proproteins. Four peptides corresponding to the predicted processed fragments were synthesized chemically, and their antimicrobial activities against two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacterial strains were analyzed. The peptides showed differential antimicrobial activities. For Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, only the C-terminal fragment (124-158) showed strong inhibitory effects. For Staphylococcus aureus, all peptides showed partial inhibitions. None of them inhibited Serratia marcescens. Bacterial morphologies were examined by the scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The antimicrobial peptides either disrupted cellular membrane or inhibited cell division and caused elongated/enlarged morphologies. The results may provide ideas for designing novel antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ling Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ming-Yue Zhan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yu-Li Zhuo
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yue-Min Pan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Biotechnology Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Zhou
- Biotechnology Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Pei-Jin Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hong-Li Liu
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zi-Hao Liang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Huang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
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Wang X, Luo H, Zhang R. Innate immune responses in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. Dev Comp Immunol 2018; 83:22-33. [PMID: 29241953 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Innate immunity, the evolutionarily conserved defense system, has been extensively analyzed in insect models over recent decades. The significant progress in this area has formed our dominant conceptual framework of the innate immune system, but critical advances in other insects have had a profound impact on our insights into the mystery of innate immunity. In recent years, we focused on the immune responses in Antheraea pernyi, an important commercial silkworm species reared in China. Here, we review the immune responses of A. pernyi based on immune-related gene-encoded proteins that are divided into five categories, namely pattern recognition receptors, hemolymph proteinases and their inhibitors, prophenoloxidase, Toll pathway factors and antimicrobial peptides, and others. Although the summarized information is limited since the research on A. pernyi immunity is in its infancy, we hope to provide evidence for further exploration of innate immune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialu Wang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, China.
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Xin ZZ, Liu QN, Liu Y, Zhang DZ, Wang ZF, Zhang HB, Ge BM, Zhou CL, Chai XY, Tang BP. Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Chinese Oak Silkworm Antheraea pernyi in Response to Lead Challenge. J Agric Food Chem 2017; 65:9305-9314. [PMID: 28954195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Antheraea pernyi is a commercially cultivated silk moth and a source of insect food with high-quality protein. Insects suffer oxidative stress on exposure to heavy metals, and reactive oxygen species are cleared by antioxidant enzymes. To gain better understanding of the antioxidant defense system of A. pernyi, we analyzed transcriptomes of pupae after stimulation with lead and phosphate-buffered saline (control). In total, 72 367 unigenes were identified. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these DEGs were in 20 biological process subcategories, 19 cellular component subcategories, and 18 molecular function subcategories. Clusters of orthologous groups of protein annotation placed a total of 528 DEGs into 25 categories. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis identified antioxidant defense pathways, including "Peroxisome" and "Glutathione metabolism", which are reported for the first time in A. pernyi. Our study enriches A. pernyi transcriptome databases and provides insight into the heavy metal responses of antioxidant systems of this insect fat bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Zhe Xin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Qiu-Ning Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Dai-Zhen Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Zheng-Fei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Hua-Bin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Ming Ge
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Lin Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Yue Chai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
| | - Bo-Ping Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Ocean and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University , Yancheng 224007, P. R. China
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