Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhaya Kumar Mishra, Romain Tessier, Durga Prasad Hari, Jerome Waser
Summary: In this study, functionalization of cysteine residues with lipophilic alkynes using amphiphilic ethynylbenziodoxolone reagents (EBXs) was successfully achieved under physiological conditions without the need for organic co-solvent or removal of oxygen. The transformation led to a significant increase of peptide lipophilicity and worked for various thiol-containing compounds and peptides of different lengths. His(6)-Cys-Ubiquitin was also alkynylated under these conditions, demonstrating the versatility of this method.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea A. Greschner, Nadine Brahiti, Maud Auger, Lei Hu, Hoda Soleymani Abyaneh, Xavier Barbeau, Victor Parent, Bruno Gaillet, David Guay, Al-Halifa Soultan, Marc A. Gauthier
Summary: The cell membrane acts as a barrier for large, charged molecules, but the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can facilitate their delivery. Partial or transient deactivation of CPPs through PEGylation can attenuate the impact of acute membrane destabilization on cell viability. The study also found that PEGylation parameters can affect delivery efficiency and cytotoxicity.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhiyong Chen, Cailing Zhou, Yangfan Xu, Kang Wen, Junfeng Song, Silei Bai, Chenxuan Wu, Wei Huang, Qingyun Cai, Kai Zhou, Hui Wang, Yingjie Wang, Xinxin Feng, Yugang Bai
Summary: The increasing number of infections caused by multi-drug resistance (MDR) bacteria indicates a new global challenge. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and AMP mimics are emerging as effective agents due to their low resistance rate and effectiveness against MDR strains. A novel oligomer with an alternatingly amphiphilic structure and affinity for bacterial DNA demonstrates high therapeutic index and in vivo activity, showing potential as a resistance-resistant and selective antimicrobial agent.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jana Vanova, Barbora Ciharova, Alzbeta Hejtmankova, Chandra Prakash Epperla, Petr Skvara, Jitka Forstova, Marie Hubalek Kalbacova, Hana Spanielova
Summary: The utilization of different cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) has been investigated to improve the intracellular delivery of nanoparticles. The results suggest that KH27K has the potential to enhance cytosolic release, while LAH4 requires noncovalent modification for high transduction and cytosolic delivery. These findings are valuable for the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Swetha Ramesh, Utpal Roy, Subhashis Roy
Summary: This study found that the lipopeptide AF(4) primarily acts on the cell membrane of Candida albicans, causing cell death. It has the potential to be a candidate for antifungal drug development.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Fang Pan, Yueping Li, Yujie Ding, Songwei Lv, Rongrong You, Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study systematically designed a series of new alpha-helical short peptides with different anticancer activities and demonstrated their interaction mechanism with cancer cells. The peptides exhibited high selectivity towards cancer cells due to their balanced amphiphilicity and cationic nature, while showing low toxicity to normal cells. Furthermore, the peptides not only damaged the mitochondria and induced apoptosis in cancer cells, but also activated the Caspase enzyme-linked reaction. The results suggest the potential of these peptides for clinical applications and provide guidance for the development of highly selective anticancer medications.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Farhah Husna Mohd Nor, Shakila Abdullah, Adhi Yuniarto, Zaharah Ibrahim, Muhamad Hanif Md Nor, Tony Hadibarata
Summary: This study aimed to produce biosurfactant and investigate the synergistic action on decolourisation of textile dyes by the combination of bacteria and biosurfactant. The results showed that the synergistic activity of Kurthia gibsonii KH2 and lipopeptide biosurfactant resulted in decolourisation levels of 85% at 100 mg/L concentration and pH 7 was recorded at 168 h of incubation. The high attributes of these combinations and the phytotoxicity tests implied that the metabolites were less toxic, making it a promising option for the biodecolourisation and biodegradation of industrial textile wastewater and various environmental conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kaori Ozaki, Yuka Asato, Noriyuki Natsume, Shunya Tojo, Shimpei Sumimoto, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga, Toshiaki Teruya
Summary: The linear lipopeptides okeaniamide A (1) and okeaniamide B (2) were isolated from a marine cyanobacterium called Okeania. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analyses and their absolute configurations were elucidated through a combination of chemical degradations, Marfey's analysis, and derivatization reactions. Okeaniamide A (1) and okeaniamide B (2) were found to dose-dependently promote the differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of insulin.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Ladislav Bartos, Ivo Kabelka, Robert Vacha
Summary: This study demonstrates that transmembrane proteins with hydrophilic patches can enhance the translocation of amphiphilic peptides by stabilizing them in the membrane. However, optimal amphiphilicity is critical as peptides can become overstabilized in the transmembrane state, hindering their dissociation from proteins and limiting translocation.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Morris F. White, C. Ronald Kahn
Summary: The discovery and application of insulin marked a major turning point in medical history, playing a crucial role in blood glucose regulation and the treatment of diseases like diabetes.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Luca Mazzaferro, Samuel J. Lounder, Ayse Asatekin
Summary: The limited chemistries of membranes on the market restrict their applications in various separations. This study introduces a new class of membrane materials based on self-assembly of random polyampholyte amphiphilic copolymers, which exhibit excellent permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance. The membranes feature ionic nanodomains as nanochannels for water permeation, surrounded by hydrophobic nanodomains to maintain structural integrity. Precise control over selectivity is achieved by designing the copolymers, enabling a wide range of applications in wastewater treatment and chemical separations.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yao-Wei Hong, Livy Laysandra, Yu-Cheng Chiu, Dun-Yen Kang
Summary: Membrane gas separation using innovative self-healing amphiphilic copolymer membranes shows improved gas separation performance and selectivity. These copolymers are designed by strategically incorporating functional segments, and their self-healing properties are achieved through hydrogen bonding. Vacuum-assisted self-healing method successfully restores the gas permeability and selectivity of the copolymer membranes after damage.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Canepa, Annalisa Relini, Davide Bochicchio, Enrico Lavagna, Andrea Mescola
Summary: Functional peptides play a crucial role in biomedical and clinical applications. The interactions between peptides and cell membranes are non-specific and regulated by peptide amphipathicity and surface structural flexibility. The mechanistic details of peptide-membrane interactions are still poorly understood, limiting the biomimetic potential. Amphiphilic AuNPs provide a powerful tool to investigate these interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kenta Shinga, Takahiro Iwata, Kazuya Murata, Yoko Daitoku, Junya Michibata, Jan Vincent V. Arafiles, Kentarou Sakamoto, Misao Akishiba, Tomoka Takatani-Nakase, Seiya Mizuno, Fumihiro Sugiyama, Miki Imanishi, Shiroh Futaki
Summary: This study presents a new cell-permeable ACAL peptide, L17ER4, that efficiently delivers proteins into cells. Compared to other peptides, L17ER4 exhibits higher delivery efficacy and can induce gene recombination in vivo.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sawinee Nasompag, Pawinee Siritongsuk, Saengrawee Thammawithan, Oranee Srichaiyapol, Panchika Prangkio, Terri A. Camesano, Chomdao Sinthuvanich, Rina Patramanon
Summary: The study focused on the membrane perturbation mechanism of live E. coli treated with KYR and C-14-KYR peptides using AFM imaging. Results showed that C-14-KYR caused severe surface disruption, including membrane shrinkage, periplasmic membrane separation, and cytosolic leakage. Additional evidence from SR-FTIR revealed marked structural changes in the membrane component after lipopeptide attack. AFM demonstrated that the mechanistic effect of the lipopeptide against bacterial cells can be quantified through surface imaging and adhesion force measurements.
