Structural Characteristics of Glycocins: Unraveling the Role of S-Linked Carbohydrates and Other Structural Elements

J Chem Inf Model. 2022 Feb 28;62(4):927-935. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01001. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

Abstract

Glycocins are antimicrobial peptides with glycosylations, often an S-linked monosaccharide. Their recent structure elucidation has brought forth questions about their mechanisms of action as well as the impact of S-glycosylation on their structural behavior. Here, we investigated structural characteristics of glycocins using a computational approach. Depending on the peptide's class (sublancin- or glycocin F-like), the sugar changes the peptide's flexibility. Also, the presence of glycosylation is necessary for the lack of structure of Asm1. The C-terminal tail in glycocin F-like peptides influenced their structured regions, acting like a regulator. These findings corroborate the versatility of these post-translational modifications, pointing toward their potential use in molecular engineering.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriocins* / metabolism
  • Carbohydrates
  • Glycosylation
  • Peptides

Substances

  • Bacteriocins
  • Carbohydrates
  • Peptides