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Structure–activity study of macropin, a novel antimicrobial peptide from the venom of solitary bee Macropis fulvipes (Hymenoptera: Melittidae)
Author(s) -
Monincová Lenka,
Veverka Václav,
Slaninová Jiřina,
Buděšínský Miloš,
Fučík Vladimír,
Bednárová Lucie,
Straka Jakub,
Čeřovský Václav
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of peptide science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1099-1387
pISSN - 1075-2617
DOI - 10.1002/psc.2625
Subject(s) - antimicrobial , peptide , venom , chemistry , antimicrobial peptides , hemolysis , biochemistry , bee venom , amino acid , peptide sequence , stereochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , zoology , gene , immunology
A novel antimicrobial peptide, designated macropin (MAC‐1) with sequence Gly‐Phe‐Gly‐Met‐Ala‐Leu‐Lys‐Leu‐Leu‐Lys‐Lys‐Val‐Leu‐NH 2 , was isolated from the venom of the solitary bee Macropis fulvipes . MAC‐1 exhibited antimicrobial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, antifungal activity, and moderate hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. A series of macropin analogs were prepared to further evaluate the effect of structural alterations on antimicrobial and hemolytic activities and stability in human serum. The antimicrobial activities of several analogs against pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa were significantly increased while their toxicity against human red blood cells was decreased. The activity enhancement is related to the introduction of either l ‐ or d ‐lysine in selected positions. Furthermore, all‐ d analog and analogs with d ‐amino acid residues introduced at the N‐terminal part of the peptide chain exhibited better serum stability than did natural macropin. Data obtained by CD spectroscopy suggest a propensity of the peptide to adopt an amphipathic α ‐helical secondary structure in the presence of trifluoroethanol or membrane‐mimicking sodium dodecyl sulfate. In addition, the study elucidates the structure–activity relationship for the effect of d ‐amino acid substitutions in MAC‐1 using NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.