Structure and function of a potent lipopolysaccharide-binding antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptide

J Med Chem. 2013 May 9;56(9):3546-56. doi: 10.1021/jm4004158. Epub 2013 Apr 29.

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play pivotal roles in the innate defense of vertebrates. A novel AMP (cathelicidin-PY) has been identified from the skin secretions of the frog Paa yunnanensis . Cathelicidin-PY has an amino acid sequence of RKCNFLCKLKEKLRTVITSHIDKVLRPQG. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that cathelicidin-PY adopts a tertiary structure with a mostly positively charged surface containing a helix (Thr15-Ser19). It possesses strong antimicrobial activity, low hemolytic activity, low cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells, and strong anti-inflammatory activity. The action of antimicrobial activity of cathelicidin-PY is through the destruction of the cell membrane. Moreover, cathelicidin-PY exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Cathelicidin-PY inhibits the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inflammatory response pathways induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The NMR titration experiments indicated that cathelicidin-PY can bind to LPS. In conclusion, we have identified a novel potent peptide antibiotic with both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities and laid the groundwork for future research and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / toxicity
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / toxicity
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / toxicity
  • Anura
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Base Sequence
  • Cathelicidins
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Fungi / drug effects
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Conformation
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Solutions
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Cathelicidins

Associated data

  • GDB/2LR7