Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hui Shao, Jin Zhou, Xiaoqian Lin, Yue Zhou, Yumeng Xue, Weili Hong, Xubo Lin, Xiaoling Jia, Yubo Fan
Summary: Developing new antimicrobial agents to combat drug-resistant pathogens and biofilms is an urgent task. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have potential due to their unique membrane rupture mechanism, but their high toxicity and low stability limit their application. In this study, a biomimetic strategy was used to construct cationic peptide-conjugated liposomes, inspired by cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), to enhance antibacterial efficacy and biosafety. Computational simulation and experimental investigations identified the optimal peptide-conjugated liposomes, which showed enhanced antibacterial efficacy without compromising cytotoxicity. This bio-inspired design could contribute to the development of next-generation antimicrobials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Motoharu Hirano, Chihiro Saito, Hidetomo Yokoo, Chihiro Goto, Ryuji Kawano, Takashi Misawa, Yosuke Demizu
Summary: Magainin 2, an antimicrobial peptide, relies on 17 amino acid residues for its antimicrobial activity, and derivatives with hydrocarbon stapling side chains can enhance this activity by stabilizing helical structures. The study found that hydrocarbon stapling significantly stabilizes helical structures of peptides, leading to improved antimicrobial activity without significant hemolytic effects. These findings suggest potential for developing novel antimicrobial agents based on Magainin 2 derivatives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingrui Liao, Haoning Gong, Xuebo Quan, Ziwei Wang, Xuzhi Hu, Zheng Chen, Zongyi Li, Huayang Liu, Lin Zhang, Andrew J. J. McBain, Thomas A. A. Waigh, Jian Zhou, Jian Ren Lu
Summary: This study characterizes the interaction of short cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with bacterial outer and inner membranes and their impact on antimicrobial efficacy. The results show that different AMPs form distinct intramembrane nanoaggregates, with smaller sizes and greater extent of insertion correlating with better antimicrobial efficacy and faster killing.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrianne M. Lima, Mayara I. G. Azevedo, Lyndefania M. Sousa, Nayara S. Oliveira, Claudia R. Andrade, Cleverson D. T. Freitas, Pedro F. N. Souza
Summary: This review focuses on plant-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), providing information on their classification, characteristics, mechanisms of action, and potential medical applications. Despite concerns about toxicity and limitations in administration, synthetic AMPs with improved features can be designed using bioinformatics tools.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maytham Hussein, Rafah Allobawi, Irini Levou, Mark A. T. Blaskovich, Gauri G. Rao, Jian Li, Tony Velkov
Summary: Polymyxins combined with synthetic cannabidiol showed synergistic antibacterial activity against both polymyxin-susceptible and polymyxin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates. Metabolomics study revealed that the combination therapy significantly perturbed metabolic pathways involved in bacterial cell envelope and membrane lipids. The study suggests the possibility of cannabidiol repositioning, in combination with polymyxins, for treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Nithya, Olivia Vincent, Bibhu Ranjan Sarangi, Bharat Kumar
Summary: We investigated the kinetics of pore formation in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) using the antimicrobial peptide nisin and fluorescence microscopy. By proposing a model and deriving an analytical expression for the fluorescence intensity of GUV over time, we examined the role of charged lipid composition on the rate of pore formation by nisin in the vesicle membrane. Our results showed a good fit between the analytical equation and experimental data, and the membrane surface potential could be estimated based on the fit parameters. Additionally, we demonstrated that the formation of multiple pores on the vesicle membrane was influenced by the charged lipid composition.
Article
Biology
Pramod K. Jangir, Lois Ogunlana, Petra Szili, Marton Czikkely, Liam P. Shaw, Emily J. Stevens, Yu Yang, Qiue Yang, Yang Wang, Csaba Pal, Timothy R. Walsh, Craig R. MacLean
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have potential as a solution to antibiotic resistance crisis, but the evolution of resistance to therapeutic AMPs could lead to resistance to host AMPs, compromising the innate immune response. The study found that the globally disseminated mobile colistin resistance (MCR) in Escherichia coli increased resistance to human and animal AMPs and enhanced bacterial growth and virulence. These findings have significant implications for the use of AMPs and suggest that eradicating MCR may be challenging even with the withdrawal of colistin.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
D. K. Baxani, W. D. Jamieson, D. A. Barrow, O. K. Castell
Summary: In this study, a high-throughput membrane platform was developed using droplet bilayers encapsulated within a hydrogel shell. Through concentration screening and electrophysiology experiments, maximal activity enhancement at specific peptide concentrations and low conductance pore activity were revealed.
Review
Microbiology
Sara M. M. Robledo, Silvia Perez-Silanes, Celia Fernandez-Rubio, Ana Poveda, Lianet Monzote, Victor M. Gonzalez, Paloma Alonso-Collado, Javier Carrion
Summary: In 2020, the WHO established a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, aiming to control and eradicate 20 diseases including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. The WHO has also been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance since 2015. Natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) show promise as alternative therapies for neglected zoonoses by improving efficacy while avoiding toxicity and resistance. Encapsulation and functionalization methods are being used to overcome limitations of antimicrobial peptides for approval in clinical programs against leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivo Kabelka, Robert Vacha
Summary: The barrier function of biological membranes can be disrupted by membrane-active peptides, but the mechanism behind their activity is not fully understood for the development of more effective peptides. Alpha-helical amphiphilic peptides have specific design rules for their activity on membranes, and the presence of a kink can affect peptide affinity and stability. Flexibility plays a crucial role in pore formation by membrane-active peptides.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Vanessa Escobar, Natale Scaramozzino, Jasmina Vidic, Arnaud Buhot, Raphael Mathey, Carole Chaix, Yanxia Hou
Summary: Foodborne pathogens cause a significant number of illnesses worldwide. In recent decades, there has been a growing development of accurate biosensors for detecting bacterial pathogens in food, using peptides as recognition biomolecules. This review discusses strategies for designing and screening sensitive peptide bioreceptors, as well as advanced techniques for peptide-based biosensors and innovative approaches like electronic noses for food monitoring. These biosensors and electronic noses offer promising alternatives for highly sensitive, cost-effective, and rapid pathogen detection, some of which can be used as portable devices for on-site analysis.
Article
Biophysics
Emanuelle D. Freitas, Rogerio A. Rataglioli, Josephine Oshodi, Marisa M. Beppu
Summary: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of bioactive materials in mitigating viral infections. Bioinspired antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as suitable building blocks for antimicrobial coatings due to their versatile design and environmentally friendly features. This review discusses the advances and opportunities in using AMPs to create virucidal coatings, including the fundamental characteristics of peptide structure, advances in coating medical devices, and the role of different materials in designing antiviral coatings.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ziyu Yang, Bijun Qiu, Danhong Cheng, Na Zhao, Yao Liu, Min Li, Qian Liu
Summary: This study aims to understand the colonization mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal cavity of pediatric patients and healthy children. The results showed that virulent clones of S. aureus were prevalent in pediatric patients and exhibited higher resistance to antibiotics. These strains were able to evade the immune system through an antimicrobial peptide resistance mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Binghui Yang, Jinlong Ma, Wen Yang, Chen Qu, Bing Li, Mei Xu, Yujia Gao, Qingsong Xu
Summary: The study investigated the role of an MEK homologue gene (EsMEK) in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. EsMEK was found to be constitutively expressed in all tissues, with higher expression in hepatopancreas, hemocytes, and gills. LPS and Aeromonas hydrophila challenge increased EsMEK mRNA levels in hemocytes, and inhibition of EsMEK led to decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lena Heinbockel, Gunther Weindl, Wilmar Correa, Julius Brandenburg, Norbert Reiling, Karl-Heinz Wiesmuller, Tobias Schuerholz, Thomas Gutsmann, Guillermo Martinez de Tejada, Karl Mauss, Klaus Brandenburg
Summary: Pep19-2.5 has been described as efficiently combating infection-inducing bacteria by binding and neutralizing their most potent toxins, LPS and LP, independent of bacterial resistance. Its mode of action involves both Coulomb/polar and hydrophobic interactions with the toxins, making it a promising therapeutic option against severe bacterial infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shruti Mukherjee, Amaravadhi Harikishore, Anirban Bhunia
Summary: Envelope (E) proteins play crucial roles in SARS-CoV-1 and NCOVID19 viruses, assembling into homopentamers and affecting viral replication through glycosylation motif and hydrophobic helical bundle regions. This study developed a SARS-2 E protein model based on the structure of SARS-CoV-1 E protein, focusing on potential drug targets for inhibiting viral replication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen Gao, Li Jin, Chunhong Liu, Ning Zhang, Ruiyan Zhang, Zuzana Bednarikova, Zuzana Gazova, Anirban Bhunia, Hans-Christian Siebert, Huijun Dong
Summary: In this study, the inhibitory effects of Sennoside A and Sennoside C on amyloid fibrillation were evaluated using human lysozyme as a model. Both compounds were found to inhibit the fibrillation of lysozyme in a dose-dependent manner, with interactions mainly through hydrogen bonds, vander-Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy confirmed the reduction in fibrillation, supporting the conclusion that both Sennoside A and Sennoside C can significantly inhibit amyloid fibrillation of lysozyme.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ritobrita Chakraborty, Sandip Dey, Pallabi Sil, Simanta Sarani Paul, Dipita Bhattacharyya, Anirban Bhunia, Jayati Sengupta, Krishnananda Chattopadhyay
Summary: The study presents a novel mechanism of stabilizing alpha-synuclein oligomers by heme, which targets the His50 residue and alters the protein conformation to form non-toxic, non-fibrillating oligomers. This findings provide important insights into the structure of transient oligomers and offer a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing amyloid fibril formation.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ipsita Chakraborty, Rajiv K. Kar, Dibakar Sarkar, Sourav Kumar, Nakul C. Maiti, Atin Kumar Mandal, Anirban Bhunia
Summary: The dynamics of solvents play a significant role in the fibrillation of amyloidogenic systems, and can be effectively studied through NMR methods. Validation with MD simulations has shown the pivotal role of solvent environment in linking aggregation properties of amyloid systems. Time-dependent modulation of solvent dynamics probed with NMR can provide insights into amyloidogenesis and toxicity profiles.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Humaira Ilyas, Mariena J. A. van der Plas, Monica Agnoletti, Sourav Kumar, Atin Kumar Mandal, Hanudatta S. Atreya, Anirban Bhunia, Martin Malmsten
Summary: The study investigated how PEGylation affects the interaction of host defense peptides with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and the suppression of LPS-induced cell activation. The results showed that PEGylation did not compromise the anti-inflammatory effects of the peptides and even improved the suppression of LPS-induced cell activation.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kamal D. Patel, Sk Abdul Mohid, Arkajyoti Dutta, Shalini Arichthota, Anirban Bhunia, Devyani Haldar, Vijayalekshmi Sarojini
Summary: This study developed a novel substrate-based sirtuin inhibitor that successfully penetrated bacterial cell membranes and inhibited bacterial transcription activity, showing excellent antibacterial potency against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. These peptides also demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation, disrupt preformed biofilms, and showed selectivity towards bacterial membranes, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for antimicrobial treatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Luisa Mangoni, Anirban Bhunia, Bruno Botta, Francesca Ghirga
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Akanksha Gandhi, Rupesh Kariyat, Amaravadhi Harikishore, Marzieh Ayati, Anirban Bhunia, Nirakar Sahoo
Summary: Plants and insect herbivores engage in a relentless battle, with plants evolving strategies to detect and defend against herbivores through physical, structural, and chemical barriers. Plants perceive herbivory through mechanical and chemical means, with ion channels acting as first responders in defense signaling pathways. Recent studies have focused on early plant defense signaling in response to herbivory, highlighting the crucial role of ion channels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kanti Kusum Yadav, Monalisha Ojha, Ranit Pariary, Manoranjan Arakha, Anirban Bhunia, Suman Jha
Summary: The study explores the effects of surface potential and functional groups on the fibrillation of bovine insulin using zinc oxide nanoparticles. It is found that zinc oxide nanoparticles with positive surface potential enhance insulin fibrillation, but the addition of amino acids as surface functional groups mitigates this effect. The change in interfacial functional groups also reverses the interface-mediated destabilization of insulin conformation. The interaction between the amino acid functional groups and key amyloidogenic sequences of insulin is believed to stabilize the conformation and reduce fibrillation and cytotoxicity.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Surajit Bhattacharjya, Sk Abdul Mohid, Anirban Bhunia
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effective therapeutic modalities against drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This review article discusses the 3-D structures and mode of actions of several potent AMPs, as well as studies on human peptide LL37 and de novo-designed peptides. The challenges in clinical trials of AMPs are also summarized.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Md Asfakur Rahman, Nirakar Sahoo, Veerachandra Yemmireddy
Summary: The effect of sanitizer use conditions on the susceptibility, biofilm forming ability and pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes was investigated in this study. Different concentrations and treatment times of sodium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride, and peroxyacetic acid were tested, and it was found that there was no significant difference in reduction among the three sanitizers. The survival and susceptibility of the bacteria varied depending on the concentration and treatment time of the sanitizer used.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hans-Christian Siebert, Thomas Eckert, Anirban Bhunia, Nele Klatte, Marzieh Mohri, Simone Siebert, Anna Kozarova, John W. Hudson, Ruiyan Zhang, Ning Zhang, Lan Li, Konstantinos Gousias, Dimitrios Kanakis, Mingdi Yan, Jesus Jimenez-Barbero, Tibor Kozar, Nikolay E. Nifantiev, Christian Vollmer, Timo Brandenburger, Detlef Kindgen-Milles, Thomas Haak, Athanasios K. Petridis
Summary: The global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 has provided an opportunity and challenge to accumulate a large amount of biomedical data and test new concepts and strategies to combat the pandemic. This study correlated clinical biomedical data with structural biology and biophysical data to evaluate new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2. The methods used were effective in identifying potential peptide sequences and carbohydrate moieties to protect the blood-brain barrier and develop new therapeutic approaches against long-COVID symptoms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ranit Pariary, Sandip Dolui, Gourav Shome, Sk Abdul Mohid, Achintya Saha, Bhisma N. Ratha, Amaravadhi Harikishore, Kuladip Jana, Atin K. Mandal, Anirban Bhunia, Nakul C. Maiti
Summary: Our studies demonstrate that Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 shows promise as a chemical chaperone for stabilising the alpha-helical native human insulin conformers, preventing their aggregation and increasing insulin secretion. This multipolar effect, along with its non-toxic nature, could be valuable for the development of highly bioactive, targeted, and biostable therapeutic insulin.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ashim Paul, Sourav Kumar, Sujan Kalita, Sourav Kalita, Dibakar Sarkar, Anirban Bhunia, Anupam Bandyopadhyay, Amal Chandra Mondal, Bhubaneswar Mandal
Summary: Synthetic antibodies show great promise in combating diseases and biomedical applications, but designing a therapeutic synthetic antibody to prevent amyloid-beta aggregation remains challenging. A novel synthetic paratope, SP1, has been reported to prevent A beta aggregation, reverse amyloid fibrils, and reduce neurotoxicity in human cells. This new paratope engineering module may lead to cost-effective molecular probes for combating protein misfolding-related diseases.