The orientation of the antibiotic peptide maculatin 1.1 in DMPG and DMPC lipid bilayers. Support for a pore-forming mechanism.
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Maculatin 1.1 is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the Australian tree frog Litoria genimaculata that adopts an amphipathic, alpha-helical structure in solution. Its orientation and conformation when incorporated to pre-formed DMPG (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol) and DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) vesicles was determined using polarised Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection infrared and deuterium exchange experiments. For DMPG membranes, our results show insertion of 70% of the maculatin 1.1 molecules, with an angle of insertion of approximately 35 degrees to the membrane normal and with a predominant alpha-helical structure. These results suggest that maculatin 1.1 acts through a pore-forming mechanism to lyse bacterial membranes. A similar degree of insertion in DMPG (65%) and alpha-helical structure was observed for a biologically inactive, less amphipathic maculatin 1.1 analogue, P15A, although the helix tilt was found to be greater (46 degrees) than for maculatin 1.1. Similar experiments performed using DMPC liposomes showed poor insertion, less than 5%, for both maculatin 1.1 and its analogue. In addition, the shape of the amide I band in these samples is consistent with alpha-helix, beta-structure and disordered structures being present in similar proportion. These results clearly show that maculatin 1.1 inserts preferentially in negatively charged membranes (DMPG) which mimic the negatively charged membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. We attribute the high percentage of insertion of the biologically inactive analogue in DMPG to the fact that its concentration on the membrane surface in our experiments is likely to be much higher than that found in physiological conditions. (+info)
In vitro antiplasmodium effects of dermaseptin S4 derivatives.
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The 13-residue dermaseptin S4 derivative K(4)S4(1-13)a (P) was previously shown to kill intraerythrocytic malaria parasites through the lysis of the host cells. In this study, we have sought peptides that will kill the parasite without lysing the erythrocyte. To produce such peptides, 26 compounds of variable structure and size were attached to the N terminus of P and screened for antiplasmodium and hemolytic activities in cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. Results from this screen indicated that increased hydrophobicity results in amplified antiplasmodium effect, irrespective of the linearity or bulkiness of the additive. However, increased hydrophobicity also was generally associated with increased hemolysis, with the exception of two derivatives: propionyl-P (C3-P) and isobutyryl-P (iC4-P). Both acyl-peptides were more effective than P, with 50% growth inhibition at 3.8, 4.3, and 7.7 microM, respectively. The antiparasitic effect was time dependent and totally irreversible, implying a cytotoxic effect. The peptides were also investigated in parallel for their ability to inhibit parasite growth and to induce hemolysis in infected and uninfected erythrocytes. Whereas the dose dependence of growth inhibition and hemolysis of infected cells overlapped when cells were treated with P, the acyl-peptides exerted 50% growth inhibition at concentrations that did not cause hemolysis. Noticeably, the acyl derivatives, but not P, were able to dissipate the parasite plasma membrane potential and cause depletion of intraparasite potassium under nonhemolytic conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that the acyl-peptides can affect parasite viability in a manner that is dissociated from lysis of the host cell. Overall, the data indicate the potential usefulness of this strategy for development of selective peptides as investigative tools and eventually as antimalarial agents. (+info)
Reduction of stress-induced behavior by antagonism of corticotropin-releasing hormone 2 (CRH2) receptors in lateral septum or CRH1 receptors in amygdala.
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Although corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a regulator of stress responses, acts through two receptors (CRH1 and CRH2), the role of CRH2 in stress responses remains unclear. Knock-out mice without the CRH2 gene exhibit increased stress-like behaviors. This profile could result either directly from the absence of CRH2 receptors or indirectly from developmental adaptations. In the present study, CRH2 receptors were acutely blocked by alpha-helical CRH (alpha(h)CRH, CRH1/CRH2 antagonist; 0, 30, 100, and 300 ng) infusion into the lateral septum (LS), which abundantly expresses CRH2 but not CRH1 receptors. Freezing, locomotor activity, and analgesia were tested after infusion. Intra-LS alpha(h)CRH blocked shock-induced freezing without affecting activity or pain responses; infusions into lateral ventricle or nucleus of the diagonal band had no effects. The same behavioral profile was obtained with d-Phe-CRH((12-41)) (100 ng), another CRH1/CRH2 antagonist. A selective CRH1 antagonist (NBI27914), in doses that reduced freezing on intra-amygdala (central nucleus) infusion (0, 0.2, and 1.0 microg), did not affect freezing when infused into the LS. Ex vivo autoradiography revealed that binding of [125I]sauvagine, a mixed CRH1/CRH2 agonist, was prevented in the LS by previous intra-LS infusion of alpha(h)CRH but not NBI27914. In vitro studies demonstrated that [125I]sauvagine binding in the LS could be inhibited by a CRH1/CRH2 antagonist but not by the selective CRH1 receptor antagonist, confirming that in the LS, alpha(h)CRH antagonized exclusively CRH2 receptors. Acute antagonism of CRH2 receptors in the LS thus produces a behaviorally, anatomically, and pharmacologically specific reduction in stress-induced behavior, in contrast to results of recent knock-out studies, which induced congenital and permanent CRH2 removal. CRH2 receptors may thus represent a potential target for the development of novel CRH system anxiolytics. (+info)
Direct interaction of dermaseptin S4 aminoheptanoyl derivative with intraerythrocytic malaria parasite leading to increased specific antiparasitic activity in culture.
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Antiplasmodial activity of the dermaseptin S4 derivative K(4)S4(1-13) (P) was shown to be mediated by lysis of the host cells. To identify antiplasmodial peptides with enhanced selectivity, we produced and screened new derivatives based on P and singled out the aminoheptanoylated peptide (NC7-P) for its improved antiplasmodial properties. Compared with P, NC7-P displayed both increased antiparasitic efficiency and reduced hemolysis, including against infected cells. Antiplasmodial activity of P and its derivative was time-dependent and irreversible, implying a cytotoxic effect. But, whereas the dose dependence of growth inhibition and hemolysis of infected cells overlapped when treated with P, NC7-P exerted more than 50% growth inhibition at peptide concentrations that did not cause hemolysis. Noticeably, NC7-P but not P, dissipated the parasite plasma membrane potential and caused depletion of intraparasite potassium at nonhemolytic conditions. Confocal microscopy analysis of infected cells localized the rhodaminated derivative in association with parasite membranes and intraerythrocytic tubulovesicular structures, whereas in normal cells, the peptide localized exclusively at the plasma membrane. Overall, the data demonstrate that antimicrobial peptides can be engineered to act specifically on the membrane of intracellular parasites and support a mechanism whereby NC7-P crosses the host cell plasma membrane and disrupts the parasite membrane(s). (+info)
Sauvagine cross-links to the second extracellular loop of the corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor.
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Contact sites between the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRFR1), the sauvagine (SVG) radioligands [Tyr(0),Gln(1)]SVG ((125)I-YQS) and [Tyr(0),Gln(1), Leu(17)]SVG ((125)I-YQLS) were examined. (125)I-YQLS or (125)I-YQS was cross-linked to CRFR1 using the chemical cross-linker, disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), which cross-links the epsilon amino groups of lysine residues that have a molecular distance of 11.4 A. DSS specifically and efficiently cross-linked (125)I-YQLS and (125)I-YQS to CRFR1. CRFR1 contains 5 putative extracellular lysine residues (Lys(110), Lys(111), Lys(113), Lys(257), and Lys(262)) that can cross-link to the 4 lysine residues (Lys(16), Lys(22), Lys(25), and Lys(27)) of the radioligands. Identification of the CNBr-cleaved fragments of CRFR1 cross-linked to (125)I-YQLS or (125)I-YQS established that the second extracellular loop of CRFR1 cross-links to Lys(16) of YQS. Additionally, site-directed mutagenesis (changing Lys to Arg in CRFR1 individually and in combination) revealed that Lys(257) in the second extracellular loop of CRFR1 is an important cross-linking site. In conclusion, it was shown that in SVG-bound CRFR1, Lys(257) of CRFR1 lies in close proximity (11.4 A) to Lys(16) of SVG. (+info)
Roles of diversifying selection and coordinated evolution in the evolution of amphibian antimicrobial peptides.
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Antimicrobial peptides are expressed in the skin of amphibians and are used to prevent infection by microorganisms. Frog species store distinct collections of antimicrobial peptides that show variation in size, charge, conformation, and bactericidal activity, and so the evolution of antimicrobial peptide gene families may reflect the adaptive diversification of these loci. We examined the molecular evolution of antimicrobial peptide transcripts from hylid and ranid frog species. Our results show that after the gene family arose in the common ancestor of the Hylidae and Ranidae, before the divergence of these families in the Mesozoic, it subsequently diversified within these groups with numerous duplication events and divergence of loci. Moreover, we provide evidence that suggests that members of the antimicrobial peptide gene family have been subject to diversifying selection within both propiece and mature domains of hylids and solely within the mature domain of ranids. Finally, our results suggest that coordinated and compensatory amino acid replacements have occurred within the acidic propiece and cationic mature domain of hylid antimicrobial peptide precursors, as has been observed for mammalian defensin genes, but not among those of ranid precursors. (+info)
Identification and characterization of a novel freezing inducible gene, li16, in the wood frog Rana sylvatica.
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The wood frog Rana sylvatica survives for weeks during winter hibernation with up to 65% body water frozen as ice. Natural freeze tolerance includes both seasonal and freeze-induced molecular adaptations that control ice formation, deal with long-term ischemia, regulate cell volume changes, and protect macromolecules. This report identifies and characterizes a novel freeze-inducible gene, li16, that codes for a protein of 115 amino acids. Northern blot analysis showed that li16 transcript levels rose quickly during freezing to reach levels 3.7-fold higher than control values after 24 h; immunoblotting showed a parallel 2.4-fold rise in Li16 protein. Regulatory influences on gene expression were assessed. Nuclear runoff assays confirmed that freezing initiated an increase in the rate of li16 transcription, and analysis of signal transduction pathways via in vitro incubation of liver slices implicated a cGMP-mediated pathway in li16 expression. Gene and protein expression in liver was also strongly stimulated by anoxia exposure, whereas the gene was less responsive to dehydration stress. The strong response of li16 to both freezing and anoxia, and the rapid down-regulation of the gene when oxygen was reintroduced, suggest that the Li16 protein may play a role in ischemia resistance during freezing. (+info)
The highly selective CRF(2) receptor antagonist K41498 binds to presynaptic CRF(2) receptors in rat brain.
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1. Novel analogues of antisauvagine-30 (aSvg-30), a selective antagonist for CRF(2) receptors, have been synthesized and characterized in vitro and in vivo. 2. The analogues were tested for their ability to compete for [(125)I-Tyr(0)]Svg binding and to inhibit Svg-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, permanently transfected with cDNA coding for the human CRF(1) (hCRF(1)), hCRF(2alpha) and hCRF(2beta) receptor. One analogue [D-Phe(11), His(12), Nle(17)]Svg(11-40), named K41498, showed high affinity binding to hCRF(2alpha) (K(i)=0.66+/-0.03 nM) and hCRF(2beta) (K(i)=0.62+/-0.01 nM) but not the hCRF(1) receptor (k(i)=425+50 nM) and decreased Svg-stimulated cAMP accumulation in hCRF(2) expressing cells. In conscious Wistar-Kyoto rats, K41498 (1.84 microg, i.v.) antagonized the hypotensive response to systemic urocortin (1.4 microg, i.v.), but did not block the pressor response to centrally administered urocortin (2.35 microg, i.c.v.). 3. K41498 was subsequently radio-iodinated, and in autoradiographic studies, specific (sensitive to rat urocortin, astressin and aSvg30, but insensitive to antalarmin) binding of (125)I-K41498 (100 pM) was detected in the heart and in selected brain regions including the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), spinal trigeminal nucleus, lateral septum and around the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. 4. Following unilateral nodose ganglionectomy, binding of (125)I-K41498 was reduced by 65% in the ipsilateral NTS, indicative of presynaptic CRF(2) receptors on vagal afferent terminals. 5. These data demonstrate that K41498 is a useful tool to study native CRF(2) receptors in the brain and periphery. (+info)