Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Liyan Zhu, Jianwei Zeng, Chang Wang, Jiawei Wang
Summary: This study reports the cryo-electron microscopy structures of man-PTS from Listeria monocytogenes alone and its complex with pediocin PA-1. The binding of pediocin PA-1 can open the Core domain of man-PTS, creating a pore through the cytoplasmic membranes of target cells. These findings provide insights for the design of novel PLBs that can kill target pathogenic bacteria.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yueyang Lu, Wanchen Zou, Lei Wang, Xinping Xi, Chengbang Ma, Xiaoling Chen, Tianbao Chen, Chris Shaw, Xu Zhang, Mei Zhou
Summary: Due to the abuse of traditional antibiotics and the continuous mutation of microbial resistance genes, microbial infections have become serious problems for human health. Novel antibacterial agents are urgently required, and amphibian antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are among the most interesting potential antibacterial leads. In this research, a novel peptide, named kassporin-KS1, with moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, was discovered. The study also revealed the importance of a specific amino acid motif in enhancing the antibacterial properties of the peptide, providing strategies for the modification of natural peptides to achieve desired activity enhancement.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Cashman-Kadri, Patrick Lague, Ismail Fliss, Lucie Beaulieu
Summary: This study investigated the structure-activity relationships and mode of action of synthesized GAPDH-related antimicrobial peptides. It was found that increasing the net positive charge and hydrophobicity improved the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the peptides. The peptides were shown to cause membrane permeabilization and target intracellular components, indicating a mixed mode of action.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Elena Marcocci, Bianka Gabriela Jackowska, Carla Prezioso, Virginia Protto, Marta De Angelis, Francesco Saverio Di Leva, Bruno Casciaro, Alfonso Carotenuto, Maria Luisa Mangoni, Anna Teresa Palamara, Valeria Pietropaolo, Giovanna De Chiara, Lucia Nencioni
Summary: Natural occurring peptides like temporin G (TG) could be potential drugs to combat diseases caused by HSV-1 and JCPyV.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Nasim Khorshidian, Elham Khanniri, Mehrdad Mohammadi, Amir M. Mortazavian, Mojtaba Yousefi
Summary: The food industry faces the challenge of producing healthy and safe food products, leading researchers to focus on natural antimicrobial compounds such as bacteriocins due to consumer concerns about chemical preservatives. Pediocins, small unmodified peptides with low molecular weight, exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, especially pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa Duncan, Daniel Smith, Laura Simpson, Emma Lovie, Laura Katvars, Leon Berge, Jennifer Robertson, Shane Smith, Carol Munro, Derry Mercer, Deborah O'Neil
Summary: Fungi cause disease in nearly one billion individuals worldwide, and current antifungal agents face challenges such as emerging and drug-resistant fungi, toxicity, and drug-drug interactions. The development of NP339, a polyarginine peptide with potent antifungal activity against various pathogenic fungi, presents a promising solution to these challenges. NP339 targets fungal cell membranes specifically, demonstrating rapid fungicidal activity without inducing resistance, suggesting its potential as a differentiated antifungal candidate for serious fungal diseases.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tais M. Kuniyoshi, Paula M. O'Connor, Elaine Lawton, Dinesh Thapa, Beatriz Mesa-Pereira, Sara Abulu, Colin Hill, R. Paul Ross, Ricardo P. S. Oliveira, Paul D. Cotter
Summary: This study demonstrates the effective anti-Listeria activity of the broader spectrum oxidation-resistant PA-1 variant M31L and penocin A in a human gut environment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. De Angelis, B. Casciaro, A. Genovese, D. Brancaccio, M. E. Marcocci, E. Novellino, A. Carotenuto, A. T. Palamara, M. L. Mangoni, L. Nencioni
Summary: The antimicrobial peptide temporin G (TG) showed significant inhibition of early phases of influenza virus replication by interacting with the viral hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Additionally, TG demonstrated an inhibitory effect on parainfluenza virus replication, possibly by blocking some late steps of viral replication. These findings suggest a new therapeutic avenue for combating respiratory viruses with different cell entry mechanisms, including SARS-CoV2.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina. P. P. Slezina, Tatyana. I. I. Odintsova
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short polypeptide molecules produced by multicellular organisms that play a role in host defense and microbiome maintenance. This review focuses on the structure-function relationships of various AMPs and their potential as drug candidates. The authors summarize the available data on the sequences, structures, biosynthesis, and biological activities of these peptides, with emphasis on identifying key residues and minimal active cores. The findings suggest that even subtle changes in amino acid sequences can impact the biological activity of AMPs, offering the possibility of creating improved molecules for therapeutic use.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jing Li, Dongru Chen, Huancai Lin
Summary: Biofilms are responsible for most infections, making it crucial to find effective antibiofilm agents with low cytotoxicity. Among 51 peptides classified into 14 categories, 14 representative peptides showed antibiofilm activity against both bacteria and fungi, with 4 peptides having lower MBIC values than their MICs.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yuan Fang, Chang Wang, Chong Wang, Ruyi Yang, Peng Bai, Xue-Yi Zhang, Jing Kong, Lei Yin, Yang Qiu, Xi Zhou
Summary: Enteroviruses, including important human pathogens like EV-A71, coxsackieviruses, and echoviruses, pose a significant threat to global public health. Targeting the helicase activity of Enteroviral 2C with designed peptides, such as 2CL and B-2CL, show promising potential as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs against enteroviruses, offering strong in vitro and in vivo antiviral efficacy.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
RiBang Wu, JiaFeng Huang, Ran Huan, LeiLei Chen, CuiPing Yi, Dan Liu, Meng Wang, CongLing Liu, HaiLun He
Summary: This study elucidated the antioxidant mechanism of the peptide PMRGGGGYHY and identified its major antioxidant active sites through quantum calculations. The modified peptide showed significantly improved antioxidant activity, and removal of glycine residues enhanced this activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daria V. Antoshina, Sergey V. Balandin, Ivan V. Bogdanov, Maria A. Vershinina, Elvira V. Sheremeteva, Ilia Yu. Toropygin, Ekaterina I. Finkina, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
Summary: The research highlights the unique antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of acidocin A, as well as its effects on the permeability of E. coli membranes. Additionally, the immunomodulatory effects of acidocin A may impact the functional state of the human intestinal tract.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Luofeng Yu, Zifang Shang, Qizhe Jin, Siew Yin Chan, Weilin Hong, Nan Li, Peng Li
Summary: As the development of new antibiotics falls behind the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, alternative strategies are urgently needed. Antibody-drug conjugates offer a promising solution by precisely delivering cytotoxic drugs to target cells for effective disease treatment. Antibody-antimicrobial conjugates (AACs) have gained significant attention as they can specifically target bacteria, reducing drug dosage and adverse effects, and slowing down antimicrobial resistance. This review discusses the selection and progress of antibodies, antimicrobial payloads, and linkers that constitute AACs, as well as the commonly used conjugation strategies and recent applications. The challenges and opportunities of this technology are also discussed.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Gessica Ciulla, Fabrizio Gelain
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides, mainly composed of peptide-based molecules, play a crucial role in innate immunity by exhibiting antibacterial properties. The study of the immune system has revealed the significance of natural peptides in the defense mechanisms of various organisms. The understanding of the antibacterial mechanisms and structure-activity relationships of peptide-based agents can potentially contribute to the development of novel antibiotic peptide-based libraries in response to the rising concern of antibiotic resistance.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Conrad Fischer, Tess Lamer, Wang Wang, Shaun M. K. McKinnie, Xavier Iturrioz, Catherine Llorens-Cortes, Gavin Y. Oudit, John C. Vederas
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wang Wang, Mengcheng Shen, Conrad Fischer, Ratnadeep Basu, Saugata Hazra, Pierre Couvineau, Manish Paul, Faqi Wang, Sandra Toth, Doran S. Mix, Marko Poglitsch, Norma P. Gerard, Michel Bouvier, John C. Vederas, Josef M. Penninger, Zamaneh Kassiri, Gavin Y. Oudit
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sorina Chiorean, Isaac Antwi, Daniel W. Carney, Ioli Kotsogianni, Andrew M. Giltrap, Francesca M. Alexander, Stephen A. Cochrane, Richard J. Payne, Nathaniel I. Martin, Antoine Henninot, John C. Vederas
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Andrew G. Masoud, Jiaxin Lin, Abul K. Azad, Maikel A. Farhan, Conrad Fischer, Lin F. Zhu, Hao Zhang, Banu Sis, Zamaneh Kassiri, Ronald B. Moore, Daniel Kim, Colin C. Anderson, John C. Vederas, Benjamin A. Adam, Gavin Y. Oudit, Allan G. Murray
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Wayne Vuong, Fabricio Mosquera-Guagua, Randy Sanichar, Tyler R. McDonald, Oliver P. Ernst, Lei Wang, John C. Vederas
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Diana P. Gomez-Mendoza, Rafael Pereira Lemos, Itamar C. G. Jesus, Vladimir Gorshkov, Shaun M. K. McKinnie, John C. Vederas, Frank Kjeldsen, Silvia Guatimosim, Robson Augusto Santos, Adriano M. C. Pimenta, Thiago Verano-Braga
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Conrad Fischer, Tess Lamer, Kleinberg Fernandez, Mahmoud Gheblawi, Wang Wang, Cameron Pascoe, Gareth Lambkin, Xavier Iturrioz, Catherine Llorens-Cortes, Gavin Y. Oudit, John C. Vederas
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wayne Vuong, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Conrad Fischer, Elena Arutyunova, Tess Lamer, Justin Shields, Holly A. Saffran, Ryan T. McKay, Marco J. van Belkum, Michael A. Joyce, Howard S. Young, D. Lorne Tyrrell, John C. Vederas, M. Joanne Lemieux
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wayne Vuong, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Conrad Fischer, Elena Arutyunova, Tess Lamer, Justin Shields, Holly A. Saffran, Ryan T. McKay, Marco J. van Belkum, Michael A. Joyce, Howard S. Young, D. Lorne Tyrrell, John C. Vederas, M. Joanne Lemieux
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Albert Remus R. Rosana, Stanley Pokorny, Jennifer G. Klutsch, Cherry Ibarra-Romero, Randy Sanichar, Daniel Engelhardt, Marco J. van Belkum, Nadir Erbilgin, Joerg Bohlmann, Allan L. Carroll, John C. Vederas
Summary: The mountain pine beetle has become an invasive species in certain regions of Canada, with the research on Beauveria bassiana showing potential as a biocontrol agent and identifying three phenotypic groups. There are significant differences in infection rates and mortality rates among various populations of bark beetles.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Pollyana Maria de Oliveira Pimentel, Diego Rodney Rodrigues de Assis, Melisa Gualdron-Lopez, Andreia Barroso, Fatima Brant, Paulo Gaio Leite, Bruno Cabral de Lima Oliveira, Lisia Esper, Shaun M. K. McKinnie, John C. Vederas, Marta do Nascimento Cordeiro, Pablo Victor Mendes dos Reis, Mauro Martins Teixeira, Adriano Monteiro de Castro Pimenta, Marcia Helena Borges, Maria Elena de Lima, Fabiana Simao Machado
Summary: The study found that components of Tityus serrulatus venom have therapeutic effects on Trypanosoma cruzi infection, increasing nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokine production while decreasing parasite replication and release, with a positive effect on p38 activation. This research opens up new perspectives for finding new strategies for Chagas Disease treatment.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isaac Antwi, Sorina Chiorean, Marco J. van Belkum, John C. Vederas
RSC MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Samara Pinto Custodio Bernardo, Albert Remus R. Rosana, Adriane Nunes de Souza, Sorina Chiorean, Meire Lelis Leal Martins, John C. Vederas
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Conrad Fischer, Yeong-Chan Ahn, John C. Vederas
NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Microbiology
Jeella Z. Acedo, Sorina Chiorean, John C. Vederas, Marco J. van Belkum
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2018)
