Antimicrobial peptides containing arginine

Tetradecapeptides (RLARLAR)₂, D-(RLARLAR)₂, (RLARLAA)₂, and (RLGRLGR)₂ were synthesized by a solid phase method using Fmoc-amino acids. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized peptides was studied against Escherichia coli cells. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was, correspondingly, 3, 1, 3, and 12 M, which is comparable with MIC of such natural antimicrobial peptides as temporin, magainin, and dermaseptin. It was found that all of the synthesized peptides have no effect on human erythrocytes and rat thymocytes. The peptides form -helices in 30% trifluoroethanol and in 2.5 mM SDS, which have amphipathic structure.     

Peptide Fragments and Structural Analogues of Chemokine MCP-1: Synthesis and Effect on the MCP-1-Induced Migration of Mononuclear Cells

Fourteen fragments and structural analogues of chemokine MCP-1 were synthesized using the Fmoc-strategy of solid phase peptide synthesis. The effect of synthesized peptides on the MCP-1-stimulated migration of mononuclear cells was examined. Both in vitro stimulants and inhibitors of the monocyte migration were found among the peptides. A possible participation of the C-terminal part of the MCP-1 molecule in the inhibition of the MCP-1-stimulated cell migration was found for the first time.     

Bradykinin in Solid-phase Peptide Synthesis

Bradykinin (Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg; BK) occupies a special place in the history of the development of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). It was the first biologically-active peptide to be synthesized by Merrifield using the new method. Since that time many hundreds of BK analogs have been synthesized by SPPS. Certain of these analogs show potential as drug candidates. Dedicated to the memory of Bruce Merrifield. John Stewart (left) and RB Merrifield (right) with the first automatic peptide synthesizer.      

Novel Nociceptin Analogues: Synthesis and Biological Activity

Syntheses are described of the nociceptin (1–13) amide [NC(1–13)-NH₂] and of several analogues in which either one or both the phenylalanine residues (positions 1 and 4), the arginine residues (positions 8 and 12) and the alanine residues (positions 7 and 11) have been replaced by N-benzyl-glycine, N-(3-guanidino-propyl)-glycine and β-alanine, respectively. The preparation is also described of NC(1–13)-NH₂ analogues in which either galactose or N-acetyl-galactosamine are β-O-glycosidically linked to Thr⁵ and/or to Ser¹⁰. Preliminary pharmacological experiments on mouse vas deferens preparations showed that Phe⁴, Thr⁵, Ala⁷ and Arg⁸ are crucial residues for OP₄ receptor activation. Manipulation of Phe¹ yielded peptides endowed with antagonist activity but [Nphe¹] NC(1–13)-NH₂ acted as an antagonist still possessing weak agonist activity. Introduction of the βAla residue either in position 7 or 11 of the [Nphe¹] NC(1–13)-NH₂ sequence, abolished any residual agonist activity and [Nphe¹, βAla⁷] NC(1–13)-NH₂ and [Nphe¹, βAla¹¹] NC(1–13)-NH₂ acted as competitive antagonists only. Modification of both Ala⁷ and Ala¹¹ abolished the antagonist activity of [Nphe¹]NC(1–13)-NH₂ probably by hindering receptor binding. Changes at positions 10 and 11 gave analogues still possessing agonist activity. [Ser(βGal)¹⁰] NC(1–13)-NH₂ displayed an activity comparable with that of NC(1–13)-NH₂, [Ser(βGalNAc)¹⁰] NC(1–13)-NH₂ and [βAla¹¹] NC(1–13)-NH₂ were five and 10 times less active, respectively.The α-amino acid residues are of the l-configuration. Standard abbreviations for amino acid derivatives and peptides are according to the suggestions of the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomeclature (1984), Eur. J. Biochem. 138, 9–37. Abbreviations listed in the guide published in (2003), J. Peptide Sci. 9, 1–8 are used without explanation.     

In vitro growth inhibition of human intestinal bacteria by sarcotoxin IA, an insect bactericidal peptide

Sacotoxin IA, an anti-microbial peptide of insects, inhibited the growth of harmful human intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium ramosum and Clostridium paraputrificum, in vitro. Interestingly, E. coli O157 which is well-known to cause food poisoning, was most sensitive to the peptide among the bacteria tested. The peptide, however, did not affect the growth of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides thetaiotamicron, Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides ovatuss which are abundant in the intestines of healthy people. The evidence suggests that sarcotoxin IA could change the composition of the intestinal flora to improve human health.     

Characterization of two novel antimicrobial peptides from the cuticular extracts of the ant Trichomyrmex criniceps (Mayr), (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from cuticular extracts of worker ants of Trichomyrmex criniceps (Mayr, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were isolated and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Eight peptides ranging in mass from 804.42 to 1541.04 Da were characterized using a combination of analytical and bioinformatics approach. All the eight peptides were novel with no similarity to any of the AMPs archived in the Antimicrobial Peptide Database. Two of the eight novel peptides, the smallest and the largest by mass were named Crinicepsin‐1 and Crinicepsin‐2 and were chemically synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis. The two synthetic peptides had antibacterial and weak hemolytic activity.     

Opioid Peptides: Synthesis and Biological Activity of New Endomorphin Analogues

Summary Syntheses are described of new endomorphin 1 and 2 peptoid–peptide hybrids in which Tyr¹ and either one or both Phe³ and Phe⁴ have been replaced by N-substituted-glycine. The preparation is also described of two glycosylated Hyp²-endomorphin 2 analogues in which either 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl glucose or glucose are β-O-glycosidically linked to the hydroxyproline residue. The Hyp²-endomorphin sequences have also been elongate by adding a C-terminal β-alanine residue and several linear dimers have been prepared by coupling either the native peptides or the modified analogues. The cyclo endomorphin 2 has also been synthesized. Preliminary pharmacological experiments on isolated organ preparations showed that the agonist activities of both endomorphin 1 and 2 are not significantly affected by the Pro/Hyp substitution. Phe⁴/Nphe substitution in the endomorphin 1 reduced the potency on guinea pig ileum (GPI) by about 100 times and abolished the agonist activity on mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparation. The decrease of the agonist activity induced by modification of one phenylalanine residue only, either Phe³ or Phe⁴, is lower on endomorphin 2. Either modification of both Phe³ and Phe⁴ or glycosylation of the Hyp²-endomorphin 2 cancelled any agonist activity on both preparations. The linear peptide dimers [endomorphin 1]₂, [endomorphin 2]₂, [Hyp²-endomorphin 1]₂, [Hyp²-endomorphin 2]₂, [Hyp²-endomorphin 1-Hyp²-endomorphin 2]₂ or [Hyp²-endomorphin 2-Hyp²-endomorphin 1]₂, are 7–19 times less potent than endomorphin 1 on GPI and significantly less active than endomorphins 1 and 2 on MVD. The other afforded modifications significantly affected or abolished the agonist activity of the resulting endomorphin analogues on both GPI and MVD preparations.The α-amino acid residues are of the L-configuration. Standard abbreviations for amino acid derivatives and peptides are according to the suggestions of the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature (1984) Eur. J. Biochem., 138, 9–37. Abbreviations listed in the guide published in (2003) J. Peptide Sci., 9, 1–8 are used without explanation.     

The Synthesis of Phosphopeptides Using Microwave-assisted Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis

A series of phosphorylated peptides were synthesised using microwave mediated solid phase peptide synthesis. Acidic cleavage of peptides from the solid support using microwave irradiation often resulted in reattachment of the phosphate benzyl protecting group to the peptide chain. However for most phosphopeptide sequences performing the cleavage reaction at room temperature in order to minimize this undesired alkylation was successful. Notably for phosphopeptides containing a methionine residue flanking the phosphorylated residue (for serine and threonine) the trifluoroacetic acid mediated cleavage afforded the benzylated side product as a major component. This detrimental process was not observed for a corresponding tyrosine containing sequence.     

复合抗菌肽PL在毕赤酵母中的分泌表达及其活性研究

为了获得抗菌活性较强的抗菌肽,将几种抗菌肽串联起来在毕赤酵母中表达,并比较其与单独抗菌肽的抑菌活性。以GenBank中的Protegrin-1(PG-1)、ScorpionDefensin(SD)、Metalnikowin-2A和SheepMyeloidAntibacterialPeptide(SMAP-29)(序列号分别为AAB27599,AAAB27538、P80409和P49928)成熟肽段作为模板序列,根据巴斯德毕赤氏酵母(P.pastoris)偏好密码子,设计并人工合成复合抗菌肽pl基因,同时用SOE法获得ScorpionDefensin的基因,分别克隆到pPICZαA载体中,转化P.pastoris受体菌X-33,在醇氧化酶(AOX)启动子调控下,复合抗菌肽PL及SD均获得表达。体外抑菌试验检测复合抗菌肽PL与单独的蝎子防御素SD的热稳定性、酸稳定性、最低抑菌浓度等,结果显示复合抗菌肽PL及SD具有很强的热酸稳定性,而针对不同的细菌,复合抗菌肽则表现出了强于单独的SD的活性,特别是对大肠杆菌。上述结果说明了该复合抗菌肽具有很好的开发前景。     

Synthesis of multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs)—strategies and limitations

Dendrimeric platforms such as MAPs can be synthesized either entirely by solid‐phase methods (SPPS, direct approach) or by conjugation in solution of preformed, SPPS‐made building blocks (indirect approach). Although MAPs and MAP‐like constructs have been extensively and successfully used for various biological (mainly immunological) applications, experimental reports are most often lacking in chemical detail about their preparation and characterization. Here, we provide complete accounts of the synthesis and analytical documentation of MAPs and similar dendrimers by either all‐SPPS (direct) or chemoselective thioether ligation (indirect) methods. We have chosen as model epitopes a 24‐residue sequence of the ectodomain of protein M2 from influenza virus (M2e), which is found to be a rather challenging peptide epitope, and a far more manageable, shortened (12‐residue) version of the same peptide. The advantages and shortcomings of both direct and indirect methods are discussed. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

牛气管黏膜抗菌肽成熟肽基因的克隆及序列分析

目的:获得牛气管黏膜抗菌肽(bTAP)成熟肽的基因序列,为后续的研究工作奠定基础。方法:从新屠宰的黄牛气管黏膜中提取总RNA,反转录获得cDNA,以此cDNA为模板进行PCR扩增目的片段,并将其克隆至pMD18-T载体中,经鉴定随机挑选1个阳性重组子进行测序,将测序结果与已报道的序列进行比较,并做NCBIBlast比对。结果:PCR扩增出bTAP成熟肽基因,核苷酸序列测定验证了其正确性;NCBIBlast比对表明,与bTAP成熟肽基因同源性较高的分别是牛β-防御素11、牛β-防御素12、牛β-防御素402、牛β-防御素403、绵羊β-防御素1、绵羊β-防御素2、山羊β-防御素1及山羊β-防御素2,核苷酸序列同源性分别为78.07%、78.95%、80.70%、83.33%、83.33%、80.70%、81.58%和81.58%,氨基酸序列同源性分别为68.42%、65.79%、68.42%、76.32%、71.05%、63.16%、63.16%和68.42%。结论:成功克隆了bTAP成熟肽的基因序列,NCBIBlas比对表明bTAP与防御素可能来自一个共同的祖系基因。     

Influence of Water Activity and Support Material on the Enzymatic Synthesis of a Cck-8 Tripeptide Fragment

The kinetically controlled condensation of Z-Gly-Trp-OMe and H-Met-OEt catalyzed by α-chymo-trypsin in organic media is reported. The influence of thermodynamic water activity and the support material used to adsorb α-chymotrypsin, on both the product yield and enzymatic activity was investigated. Polyamide based materials were the best support at low water activity rendering the highest reaction rates and yields. The activity of the adsorbed enzyme at low water activities depends on both the accessible surface area and the hydrophobicity of the support. Polyamide had both adequate hydrophilicity and high surface area yielding the best results. Polypropylene based supports were strongly hydrophobic and, although they presented a high surface area, the enzymatic activity was much lower. The solvents used to carry out the synthesis were acetonitrile and ethyl acetate. No significant differences were observed on the performance of the reaction in either solvent. The tripeptide selected is a fragment of the cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8), a biological active peptide involved in the control of gastrointestinal function.     

抗菌肽GK1在大肠杆菌中的融合表达

为高效表达抗菌肽GK1并避免GK1的高抗菌活性对大肠杆菌宿主菌的致命影响, 将经改造后的人胰岛素原(mhPI)与GK1的融合基因(mhPI-GK1)克隆到表达载体pET28a中, 构建出表达质粒pET28a-mhPI-GK1, 转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行表达。融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中以包涵体形式表达, 表达量占菌体总蛋白的20%。经CNBr裂解、阳离子交换层析和RP-HPLC纯化后, 每升发酵液可获得5.7 mg纯度大于97%的重组GK1。质谱检测显示重组GK1的分子量为2794.0 D, 抑菌活性实验表明纯化后的重组GK1和化学合成GK1具有相同的抗菌活性。为利用基因工程方法大规模生产GK1奠定了基础。     

生长激素释放肽的合成及促生长活性

用固相多肽合成法合成了生长激素释放肽(GHRP),这是一种含D-型氨基酸的外源性激素,具有促进脑下垂体分泌生长激素功能的人工合成六肽,其氨基酸序列为His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂.观察了使用不同剂量的GHRP对不同日龄小鼠的促生长效应,当使用最佳剂量(1000μg/kg)时,可使25日龄小鼠体重较对照组增加14.8%,同时发现鼠龄越小对GHRP越敏感,当使用剂量高达10mg/kg时仍然安全无毒.     

大孔吸附树脂对家蝇抗菌肽的吸附与分离纯化

通过比较6种不同型号的大孔吸附树脂对家蝇蛋白的吸附解吸特性,发现D101大孔吸附树脂的性能优于其他5种,吸附流速、浓度影响大孔吸附树脂的动态吸附性能。D101大孔吸附树脂对未经诱导的家蝇蛋白的吸附量可达217．18mg／g（以干树脂总量为基准）,洗脱率为76．48％。吸附后的大孔吸附树脂用15％、35％、55％的乙醇溶液阶段洗脱,各洗脱组分的疏水性逐渐增大,蛋白质含量也明显增加。用E.coli、S．aureus和B．subtilis对各洗脱组分进行抑菌活性测定,抑菌活性随洗脱组分的疏水性增加而增大。测得55％乙醇洗脱组分的抑菌活性最大,其中对E.coli的抑菌圈直径达5．8mm。     

用混合氨基酸接肽的方法合成OX型肽亚库

肽库合成是药物研究组合化学策略的重要技术之一。建立合成OX型肽亚库的固相合成方法 ,接肽反应采用等摩尔的Fmoc氨基酸混合物和DIC HOBt缩合方法 ,以高浓度的缩合剂和不断缩减溶剂的策略促进偶联反应进行完全。产物的氨基酸组成分析结果显示 ,所使用的常见氨基酸都能以相近的摩尔比例接肽至X位置。推测经多次接肽后最终形成的肽亚库中 ,含低活力氨基酸较多的肽其浓度虽然会较低一些 ,但影响不会太大 ,且本合成方法成本相对较低 ,故可为抗原表位分析、多肽药物筛选及构效关系分析提供一种有用的工具。     

Preparation of cyclic peptide libraries using intramolecular oxime formation.

A new method for the synthesis of cyclic head-to-side chain peptide libraries has been developed in which the key cyclization step involves reaction between a C-terminal ketone and an N-terminal hydroxylamine to form a macrocyclic oxime. This methodology efficiently delivers cyclic products that consist of mixtures of syn and anti isomers.     

中国林蛙皮肤抗菌肽抗菌的特性

从林蛙皮肤中分离到具有抗菌活性的多肽混合物——多肽FⅢ。抑菌实验表明,林蛙皮肤中小分子活性肽对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌都具有一定的抗菌作用,并且此粗提物的抗菌活性远远高于传统食品防腐剂苯甲酸钠和山梨酸钾的抗菌活性。     

Temporin A and its retro-analogues: synthesis, conformational analysis and antimicrobial activities.

Temporin A (TA) is a hydrophobic peptide isolated from the skin of the European red frog Rana temporaria. Strong antimicrobial activity against gram-positive cocci and Candida, as well as its small molecular weight (10-13 aa residues), makes TA an interesting antimicrobial compound. However, its synthesis is rather problematic. Here, the synthesis of two retro-analogues of TA--retro-TA and (6-1)(7-13)-TA--is reported. The synthesis of retro-TA was performed without any problems, while during the synthesis of (6-1)(7-13)-TA problems similar to those encountered during the synthesis of TA were faced. Antimicrobial assays showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of retro-TA to be, in most cases, only one dilution higher than those of original TA, but still remained relatively low. An analysis of the circular dichroism spectra of the peptides shows that TA and (6-1)(7-13)-TA adopt an alpha-helical structure in a hydrophobic environment, while retro-TA forms mainly unordered conformation under both hydrophobic and hydrophilic conditions. One can postulate that differences in conformation of the peptide chain might be responsible for the lower antimicrobial activity of retro-TA as compared to that of the parent molecule. In any case, retro-TA can be interesting owing to its simple and nonproblematic synthesis.