scholarly journals Peptidomic Analysis of Skin Secretions of the Caribbean Frogs Leptodactylus insularum and Leptodactylus nesiotus (Leptodactylidae) Identifies an Ocellatin with Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gervonne Barran ◽  
Jolanta Kolodziejek ◽  
Laurent Coquet ◽  
Jérôme Leprince ◽  
Thierry Jouenne ◽  
...  

Ocellatins are peptides produced in the skins of frogs belonging to the genus Leptodactylus that generally display weak antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria only. Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from Leptodactylus insularum Barbour 1906 and Leptodactylus nesiotus Heyer 1994, collected in the Icacos Peninsula, Trinidad, led to the purification and structural characterization of five ocellatin-related peptides from L. insularum (ocellatin-1I together with its (1–16) fragment, ocellatin-2I and its (1–16) fragment, and ocellatin-3I) and four ocellatins from L. nesiotus (ocellatin-1N, -2N, -3N, and -4N). While ocellatins-1I, -2I, and -1N showed a typically low antimicrobial potency against Gram-negative bacteria, ocellatin-3N (GIFDVLKNLAKGVITSLAS.NH2) was active against an antibiotic-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae and reference strains of Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range 31.25–62.5 μM), and was the only peptide active against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 31.25 μM) and Enterococcus faecium (MIC = 62.5 μM). The therapeutic potential of ocellatin-3N is limited by its moderate hemolytic activity (LC50 = 98 μM) against mouse erythrocytes. The peptide represents a template for the design of long-acting, non-toxic, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents for targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Mandel ◽  
Janna Michaeli ◽  
Noa Nur ◽  
Isabelle Erbetti ◽  
Jonathan Zazoun ◽  
...  

AbstractNew antimicrobial agents are urgently needed, especially to eliminate multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria that stand for most antibiotic-resistant threats. In the following study, we present superior properties of an engineered antimicrobial peptide, OMN6, a 40-amino acid cyclic peptide based on Cecropin A, that presents high efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria with a bactericidal mechanism of action. The target of OMN6 is assumed to be the bacterial membrane in contrast to small molecule-based agents which bind to a specific enzyme or bacterial site. Moreover, OMN6 mechanism of action is effective on Acinetobacter baumannii laboratory strains and clinical isolates, regardless of the bacteria genotype or resistance-phenotype, thus, is by orders-of-magnitude, less likely for mutation-driven development of resistance, recrudescence, or tolerance. OMN6 displays an increase in stability and a significant decrease in proteolytic degradation with full safety margin on erythrocytes and HEK293T cells. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that OMN6 is an efficient, stable, and non-toxic novel antimicrobial agent with the potential to become a therapy for humans.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Sherella Dijksteel ◽  
Peter H. Nibbering ◽  
Magda M. W. Ulrich ◽  
Esther Middelkoop ◽  
Bouke K. H. L. Boekema

Abstract Background Accurate determination of the efficacy of antimicrobial agents requires neutralization of residual antimicrobial activity in the samples before microbiological assessment of the number of surviving bacteria. Sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) is a known neutralizer for the antimicrobial activity of aminoglycosides and polymyxins. In this study, we evaluated the ability of SPS to neutralize residual antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial peptides [SAAP-148 and pexiganan; 1% (wt/v) in PBS], antibiotics [mupirocin (Bactroban) and fusidic acid (Fucidin) in ointments; 2% (wt/wt))] and disinfectants [2% (wt/wt) silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) and 0.5% (v/v) chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol]. Methods Homogenates of human skin models that had been exposed to various antimicrobial agents for 1 h were pipetted on top of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on agar plates to determine whether the antimicrobial agents display residual activity. To determine the optimal concentration of SPS for neutralization, antimicrobial agents were mixed with PBS or increasing doses of SPS in PBS (0.05–1% wt/v) and then 105 colony forming units (CFU)/mL MRSA were added. After 30 min incubation, the number of viable bacteria was assessed. Next, the in vitro efficacy of SAAP-148 against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was determined using PBS or 0.05% (wt/v) SPS immediately after 30 min incubation of the mixture. Additionally, ex vivo excision wound models were inoculated with 105 CFU MRSA for 1 h and exposed to SAAP-148, pexiganan, chlorhexidine or PBS for 1 h. Subsequently, samples were homogenized in PBS or 0.05% (wt/v) SPS and the number of viable bacteria was assessed. Results All tested antimicrobials displayed residual activity in tissue samples, resulting in a lower recovery of surviving bacteria on agar. SPS concentrations at ≥0.05% (wt/v) were able to neutralize the antimicrobial activity of SAAP-148, pexiganan and chlorhexidine, but not of SSD, Bactroban and Fucidin. Finally, SPS-neutralization in in vitro and ex vivo efficacy tests of SAAP-148, pexiganan and chlorhexidine against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria resulted in significantly higher numbers of CFU compared to control samples without SPS-neutralization. Conclusions SPS was successfully used to neutralize residual activity of SAAP-148, pexiganan and chlorhexidine and this prevented an overestimation of their efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-654
Author(s):  
А. A. Meleshko ◽  
A. G. Afinogenova ◽  
G. E. Afinogenov ◽  
A. A. Spiridonova ◽  
V. P. Tolstoy

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are promising antibacterial agents. They have a broad antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. The use of NPs reduces the possibility of the microbial resistance development. This review briefly shows the general mechanisms and the main factors of antibacterial activity of NPs. In this article, a comprehensive review of the recent researches in the field of new antimicrobial agents with superior long-term bactericidal activity and low toxicity is provided. The review gives the examples of synthesis of double and triple nanocomposites based on following oxides: CuO, ZnO, Fe3O4, Ag2O, MnO2, etc. including metal and nonmetal doped nanocomposites (for example with Ag, Ce, Cr, Mn, Nd, Co, Sn, Fe, N, F, etc.). Compared with bactericidal action of individual oxides, the nanocomposites demonstrate superior antibacterial activity and have synergistic effects. For example, the antimicrobial activity of ZnO against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was increased by -100% by formation of triple nanocomposites ZnO—MnO2—Cu2O or ZnO—Ag2O—Ag2S. Similar effect was showed for Ce-doped ZnO and Zn-doped CuO. The present article also provides the examples of nanocomposites containing NPs and organic (chitosan, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, biopolymers, etc.) or inorganic materials with special structure (graphene oxide, TiO2 nanotubes, silica) which demonstrate controlled release and longterm antibacterial activity. All of the considered nanocomposites and their combinations have a pronounced long-term antimicrobial effect including against antibiotic-resistant strains. They are able to prevent the formation of microbial biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces, have low toxicity to eukaryotic cells, demonstrate anti-inflammatory and woundhealing properties in compositions with polymers (sodium alginate, collagen, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.). The use of nanoscale systems can solve several important practical problems at the same time: saving of long-term antimicrobial activities while reducing the number of compounds, creation of new antimicrobial agents with low toxicity and reduced environmental impact, development of new biocidal materials, including new coatings for effective antimicrobial protection of medical devices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Simons ◽  
Kamel Alhanout ◽  
Raphaël E. Duval

Currently, the emergence and ongoing dissemination of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria are critical health and economic issue, leading to increased rates of morbidity and mortality related to bacterial infections. Research and development for new antimicrobial agents is currently needed to overcome this problem. Among the different approaches studied, bacteriocins seem to be a promising possibility. These molecules are peptides naturally synthesized by ribosomes, produced by both Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), which will allow these bacteriocin producers to survive in highly competitive polymicrobial environment. Bacteriocins exhibit antimicrobial activity with variable spectrum depending on the peptide, which may target several bacteria. Already used in some areas such as agro-food, bacteriocins may be considered as interesting candidates for further development as antimicrobial agents used in health contexts, particularly considering the issue of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this review is to present an updated global report on the biology of bacteriocins produced by GPB and GNB, as well as their antibacterial activity against relevant bacterial pathogens, and especially against multidrug-resistant bacteria.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Gupta ◽  
Rajendra Singh ◽  
Pankaj K. Sonar ◽  
Shailendra K. Saraf

A series of new 4-thiazolidinone derivatives was synthesized, characterized by spectral techniques, and screened for antimicrobial activity. All the compounds were evaluated against five Gram-positive bacteria, two Gram-negative bacteria, and two fungi, at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 µg/mL, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of all the compounds were also determined and were found to be in the range of 100–400 µg/mL. All the compounds showed moderate-to-good antimicrobial activity. Compounds4a[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(4-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-quinazolin-2-yl)-thiazolidin-4-one] and4e[3-(4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one] were the most potent compounds of the series, exhibiting marked antimicrobial activity againstPseudomonas fluorescens,Staphylococcus aureus,and the fungal strains. Thus, on the basis of results obtained, it may be concluded that synthesized compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-536
Author(s):  
Md. Sirajul Islam ◽  
Md. Mokhlesur Rahman ◽  
Md. Mizanur Rahaman

Abstract Amphibians, like some animals and plants, defend themselves against various pathogenic organisms by producing and secreting various peptides and small molecules from granular skin glands. In this study, we evaluated for the first time, the antibiotic activity of the skin secretions of 8 different frog species (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, E. hexadactylus, Fejervarya teraiensis, F. asmati, F. syhadrensis, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Microhyla ornata and Polypedates leucomystax) from Bangladesh. These secretions were collected by a nonlethal approach through chemical stimulation and the antibacterial activity was evaluated by broth macrodilution method against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Our study revealed that all the skin secretions (8 out of 8) from the selected frogs have antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and 7 out of 8 skin secretions possess antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria tested. Further analysis of data showed that these secretions are significantly more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oussama Cherif ◽  
Fatma Masmoudi ◽  
Fatma Allouche ◽  
Fakher Chabchoub ◽  
Mohamed Trigui

AbstractAn efficient synthesis of new pyrrolopyrimidinones 3a-d and isoxazolopyrimidinones 4a-c from the respective aminocyanopyrroles 1a-d and aminocyanoisoxazoles 2a-c is presented. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against a panel of bacteria and fungi. Compound 4c exhibits remarkable activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic fungi.


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