Article
Microbiology
Aileen Ute Geers, Mikael Lenz Strube, Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the biosynthetic diversity encoded by divergent microbiomes from different ecosystems and the environmental parameters that drive this diversity. They found that microbiomes with rich and diverse bacterial communities displayed the highest biosynthetic potential. pH and salinity were significant positive factors correlated to the biosynthetic richness in soil and aquatic systems. The researchers were also able to predict the biosynthetic richness and identified grassland biomes as promising sites for the discovery of novel polyketides.
Article
Plant Sciences
Trong-Tuan Dao, Katherine Williams, Kate M. J. de Mattos-Shipley, Zhongshu Song, Yuiko Takebayashi, Thomas J. Simpson, James Spencer, Andrew M. Bailey, Christine L. Willis
Summary: Three new polyketide-derived natural products and six known metabolites were isolated from fermentation of the fungus Cladobotryum sp. Their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus strains revealed the importance of unsaturated decalins for biological activity.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael Brand, Lei Wang, Stefano Agnello, Silvia Gazzola, Flavio M. Gall, Luka Raguz, Marcel Kaiser, Remo S. Schmidt, Amelie Ritschl, Jennifer Jelk, Andrew Hemphill, Pascal Maser, Peter Butikofer, Michael Adams, Rainer Riedl
Summary: Researchers used Trypanosoma brucei as a model organism to study the potent antiprotozoal compound Leucinostatin A and its derivatives, showing that the main site of action is destabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Resistance to the synthetic derivatives was not observed after long-term exposure and screening of thousands of mutants.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrew J. J. Devine, Alice E. E. Parnell, Catherine R. R. Back, Nicholas R. R. Lees, Samuel T. T. Johns, Ainul Z. Z. Zulkepli, Rob Barringer, Katja Zorn, James E. M. Stach, Matthew P. P. Crump, Martin A. A. Hayes, Marc W. W. van der Kamp, Paul R. R. Race, Christine L. L. Willis
Summary: This study reveals the key epoxidation reaction in the synthesis of Abyssomicin C and the structure of the enzyme AbyV involved in this reaction. The combination of selective carbon-13 labeling with NMR spectroscopy proves to be an important tool in studying enzyme-catalyzed reactions in vitro.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aileen Ute Geers, Yannick Buijs, Mikael Lenz Strube, Lone Gram, Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia
Summary: As we approach the post-antibiotic era, the need for new antimicrobial compounds is urgent. Microorganisms have been a rich source of antibiotics, but the rediscovery of known antibiotics and the limited accessibility of most microorganisms in the environment have prompted the exploration of natural microbial communities using novel approaches. This review discusses how sequence-based analyses have revealed the abundant potential for secondary metabolite production in soil, marine, and host-associated microbiomes, with a focus on non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides. However, the complexity of natural microbiomes and the lack of standardized methodology pose challenges in comparing different biomes. Nevertheless, even commonly sampled microbiomes hold promise for discovering novel natural products, and the development of approaches to harness the vast biosynthetic diversity of natural microbiomes for the procurement of new antibiotics is discussed.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Christian A. Umana, Jeffrey L. Henry, Claire T. Saltzman, Dan L. Sackett, Lisa M. Jenkins, Richard E. Taylor
Summary: By understanding the preferences and control of conformational motifs in (-)-zampanolide, we developed a linear analogue with potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells. This discovery provides structural elements for further studying the relationship between structure and activity of this microtubule-stabilizing agent. Furthermore, it challenges the dogma in medicinal chemistry by showing that increased overall conformational flexibility may not always be detrimental to protein binding affinity and biological activity.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan J. Perez
Summary: Endogenous peptides play important roles in cell communication but their potential as therapeutic agents is limited by poor pharmacokinetic profiles. To overcome this limitation, alternative molecules based on stereochemical features can be synthesized to optimize pharmacokinetic profiles. This design process involves synthesis, analysis of analogs, biophysical information, and computational work.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Florian Umstaetter, Julia Werner, Leah Zerlin, Eric Muehlberg, Christian Kleist, Karel D. Klika, Tobias Hertlein, Barbro Beijer, Cornelius Domhan, Stefan Zimmermann, Knut Ohlsen, Uwe Haberkorn, Walter Mier, Philipp Uhl
Summary: As multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat, it is crucial to rethink antibiotic use and development. In this study, highly active polycationic peptide-vancomycin conjugates were synthesized to optimize pharmacokinetics while maintaining or even increasing antimicrobial activity. Linker modification of these conjugates showed promising results in modulating pharmacokinetic behavior and providing potent antimicrobial activity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Noreen Karim, Tempest J. Plott, Blythe P. Durbin-Johnson, David M. Rocke, Michelle Salemi, Brett S. Phinney, Zachary C. Goecker, Marc J. M. Pieterse, Glendon J. Parker, Robert H. Rice
Summary: Hair shaft proteomic analysis can help delineate genetic relatedness among individuals, particularly in families with genetic conditions. Related individuals exhibit more similar proteomic profiles and higher combined paternity and sibship indices compared to unrelated individuals.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
YANG Fu-jia, CHEN Xu, HUANG Mu-chen, YANG Qian, CAI Xi-xi, CHEN Xuan, DU Ming, HUANG Jian-lian, WANG Shao-yun
Summary: This review highlights the characteristics and advantages of food-derived bioactive peptides, discusses their development prospects, and proposes future directions for research and application.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
M. Maingot, M. Bourotte, A. C. Vetter, C. B. Schellhorn, K. Antraygues, H. Scherer, M. Gitzinger, C. Kemmer, G. E. Dale, O. Defert, S. Lociuro, M. Bronstrup, N. Willand, V. Trebosc
Summary: Hospital-acquired infections are increasing and becoming a burden on both clinical practice and finances. Acinetobacter baumannii infections are particularly difficult to treat due to their high level of resistance to antibiotics. A recent study found that the antibiotic rifabutin showed potent activity against extensively drug resistant A. baumannii. Further research focused on synthesizing rifabutin analogs and found that their efficacy in A. baumannii was not reflected in other bacteria. The study also identified the structural features necessary for strong accumulation of rifabutin in A. baumannii.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Uttara Vairagkar, Yasmin Mirza
Summary: Members of the genus Malassezia can cause various skin disorders, and the development of alternative treatments to current antifungal agents is necessary. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MTCC 10456 produced antimicrobial metabolites with antagonistic activity against Malassezia furfur and Malassezia globosa, including bacilysin, homologues of bacillomycin D, and macrolactins. The synergistic effect of these compounds enhanced their antifungal activity against Malassezia spp., showcasing their potential application in dermatology and cosmetic products. This study represents the first report of the co-production and separation of these compounds by a Bacillus strain from the marine environment.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen-Xi Yu, Bing-Yan Wei, Xue-Qing Kong, Cai-Guang Yang, Fa-Jun Nan
Summary: The threat posed by MRSA to public health has led to the need for new antibiotics, and the ring-opened bengamide analogue 2j has shown excellent antibacterial activity against MRSA without activating ClpP.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Zedong Xiang, Qing Xue, Peng Gao, Haitao Yu, Mingze Wu, Zanzan Zhao, Yanan Li, Shaoping Wang, Jiayu Zhang, Long Dai
Summary: This paper presents a systematic review of the research progress on the enzymatic hydrolysis strategy and structure-activity relationship of antioxidant peptides from edible aquatic animals, especially marine animals, over the last decade. The study reveals that peptides extracted from different organs and tissues have varied antioxidant activity. Additionally, the stability of peptides during gastrointestinal digestion poses a challenge for their application in food and pharmaceutical industries.