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Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus
Author(s) -
Muller Jessica A. I.,
Lawrence Nicole,
Chan Lai Yue,
Harvey Peta J.,
Elliott Alysha G.,
Blaskovich Mark A. T.,
Gonçalves Jacqueline C.,
Galante Priscilla,
Mortari Marcia R.,
ToffoliKadri Mônica C.,
Koehbach Johannes,
Craik David J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.202000716
Subject(s) - antimicrobial , peptide , circular dichroism , antimicrobial peptides , chemistry , biochemistry , cytotoxicity , combinatorial chemistry , bioorganic chemistry , stereochemistry , in vitro , enzyme , organic chemistry
Abstract Agelaia‐MPI and protonectin are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus that show antimicrobial and neuroactive activities. Previously, two analogues of these peptides, neuroVAL and protonectin‐F, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency. Here, the three‐dimensional structures of neuroVAL, protonectin and protonectin‐F were determined by using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were tested for the parent peptides and analogues. All peptides showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, with agelaia‐MPI being the most active. Protonectin and protonectin‐F were found to be toxic to cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Internalization experiments revealed that these peptides accumulate inside both cell types. By contrast, neuroVAL was nontoxic to all tested cells and was able to enter cells without accumulating. In summary, neuroVAL has potential as a nontoxic cell‐penetrating peptide, while protonectin‐F needs further modification to realize its potential as an antitumor peptide.