Marcelo P. Bemquerer

Structure and Membrane Interactions of the Antibiotic Peptide Dermadistinctin K by Multidimensional Solution and Oriented 15N and 31P Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

DD K, a peptide first isolated from the skin secretion of the Phyllomedusa distincta frog, has been prepared by solid-phase chemical peptide synthesis and its conformation was studied in trifluoroethanol/water as well as in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecylphosphocholine micelles or small unilamellar vesicles. Multidimensional solution NMR spectroscopy indicates an alpha-helical conformation in membrane environments starting at residue 7 and extending to the C-terminal carboxyamide. Furthermore, DD K has been labeled with (15)N at a single alanine position that is located within the helical core region of the sequence. When reconstituted into oriented phosphatidylcholine membranes the resulting (15)N solid-state NMR spectrum shows a well-defined helix alignment parallel to the membrane surface in excellent agreement with the amphipathic character of DD K. Proton-decoupled (31)P solid-state NMR spectroscopy indicates that the peptide creates a high level of disorder at the level of the phospholipid headgroup suggesting that DD K partitions into the bilayer where it severely disrupts membrane packing.

Effect of cholesterol on the interaction of the amphibian antimicrobial peptide DD K with liposomes.

DD K is an antimicrobial peptide previously isolated from the skin of the amphibian Phyllomedusa distincta. The effect of cholesterol on synthetic DD K binding to egg lecithin liposomes was investigated by intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan residue, measurements of kinetics of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) leakage, dynamic light scattering and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. An 8 nm blue shift of tryptophan maximum emission fluorescence was observed when DD K was in the presence of lecithin liposomes compared to the value observed for liposomes containing 43 mol% cholesterol. The rate and the extent of CF release were also significantly reduced by the presence of cholesterol. Dynamic light scattering showed that lecithin liposome size increase from 115 to 140 nm when titrated with DD K but addition of cholesterol reduces the liposome size increments. Isothermal titration microcalorimetry studies showed that DD K binding both to liposomes containing cholesterol as to liposomes devoid of it is more entropically than enthalpically favored. Nevertheless, the peptide concentration necessary to furnish an adjustable titration curve is much higher for liposomes containing cholesterol at 43 mol% (2 mmol L(-1)) than in its absence (93 micromol L(-1)). Apparent binding constant values were 2160 and 10,000 L mol(-1), respectively. The whole data indicate that DD K binding to phosphatidylcholine liposomes is significantly affected by cholesterol, which contributes to explain the low hemolytic activity of the peptide.

Steady-state luminescence investigation of the binding of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions with synthetic peptides derived from plant thionins.

This work reports Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence titrations in which the lanthanide ions were used as spectroscopic probes for Ca(II) ions to determine the metal binding ability of Ac-NESVKEEGGW-NH(2) and Ac-NESVKEDGGW-NH(2). These decapeptides correspond to the putative calcium binding region of the plant antifungal proteins SI-alpha1 from Sorghum bicolor and of Zeathionin from Zea mays, respectively. The luminescence spectra for the Eu(III)-decapeptide system (red emission) with the excitation at the Trp band at 280 nm showed an enhancement of the intensities of the 5D(0)-->7F(J) transitions (where J=0-4) with increments of Eu(III) ion concentration. The photoluminescence titration data of the terbium ion (green emission) in the decapeptide solutions showed intensification of the 5D(4)-->7F(J) transitions (J=0-6), similar to that observed for the Eu(III) ion. Thus, energy transfer from Ac-NESVKEEGGW-NH(2) and Ac-NESVKEDGGW-NH(2) to the trivalent lanthanide ions revealed that these peptides are capable of binding to these metal ions with association constants of the order of 10(5) M(-1). The amino acid derivative Ac-Trp-OEt also transferred energy to Tb(III) and Eu(III) ions as judged from the quenching of tryptophan luminescence. However, the energy transfers were significantly lower. Taken together the luminescence titration data indicated that Ac-NESVKEEGGW-NH(2) and Ac-NESVKEDGGW-NH(2) bind efficiently to both trivalent lanthanide ions and that these ions may be used as probes to distinguish an anionic peptide from a neutral amino acid derivative.

Antimicrobial compounds produced by Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei 2a, a bacteriocinogenic strain isolated from a Brazilian meat product.

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are gaining increased importance due to their activity against undesirable microorganisms in foods. In this study, a concentrated acid extract of a culture of Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei 2a, a bacteriocinogenic strain isolated from a Brazilian pork product, was purified by cation exchange and reversed-phase chromatographic methods. The amino acid sequences of the active antimicrobial compounds determined by Edman degradation were compared to known protein sequences using the BLAST-P software. Three different antimicrobial compounds were obtained, P1, P2 and P3, and mass spectrometry indicated molecular masses of 4.4, 6.8 and 9.5xa0kDa, respectively. P1 corresponds to classical sakacin P, P2 is identical to the 30S ribosomal protein S21 of L. sakei subsp. sakei 23xa0K, and P3 is identical to a histone-like DNA-binding protein HV produced by L. sakei subsp. sakei 23xa0K. Total genomic DNA was extracted and used as target DNA for PCR amplification of the genes sak, lis and his involved in the synthesis of P1, P2 and P3. The fragments were cloned in pET28b expression vector and the resulting plasmids transformed in E. coli KRX competent cells. The transformants were active against Listeria monocytogenes, indicating that the activity of the classical sakacin P produced by L. sakei 2a can be complemented by other antimicrobial proteins.

Purification and partial characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Eikenella corrodens

Aims:u2002 The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize a bacteriocin produced by Eikenella corrodens A32E2.

Two Kunitz-Type Inhibitors with Activity Against Trypsin and Papain from Pithecellobium dumosum Seeds: Purification, Characterization, and Activity Towards Pest Insect Digestive Enzyme

Two trypsin inhibitors (called PdKI-3.1 and PdKI-3.2) were purified from the seeds of the Pithecellobium dumosum tree. Inhibitors were obtained by TCA precipitation, affinity chromatography on Trypsin-Sepharose and reversed-phase-HPLC. SDS-PAGE analysis with or without reducing agent showed that they are a single polypeptide chain, and MALDI-TOF analysis determined molecular masses of 19696.96 and 19696.36 Da, respectively. The N-terminal sequence of both inhibitors showed strong identity to the Kunitz family trypsin inhibitors. They were stable over a wide pH (2-9) and temperature (37 to 100 degrees C) range. These inhibitors reduced over 84% of trypsin activity with inhibition constant (Ki) of 4.20 x 10(-8) and 2.88 x 10(-8) M, and also moderately inhibited papain activity, a cysteine proteinase. PdKI-3.1 and PdKI-3.2 mainly inhibited digestive enzymes from Plodia interpunctella, Zabrotes subfasciatus and Ceratitis capitata guts. Results show that both inhibitors are members of the Kunitz-inhibitor family and that they affect the digestive enzyme larvae of diverse orders, indicating a potential insect antifeedant.

The structure of CMS2MS2, a mitogenic protein isolated from Carica candamarcensis

Abstract In a recent study we showed that two proteinases (CMS2MS2 and CMS2MS3) from Carica candamarcensis enhance mammalian cell proliferation. The aim of the present study is the determination of the primary structure of CMS2MS2 and prediction of its three-dimensional structure. The protein contains 214 residues, including the catalytic triad composed of Cys25, His159, and Asn175. A phylogenetic tree analysis demonstrated that CMS2MS2 ranks closer to chymopapain than to papain. The overall predicted three-dimensional structure is similar to proteinases from the papain family. These results suggest that minor structural differences within CMS2MS2 must account for its proliferative action.

Improved purification process of β- and α-trypsin isoforms by ion-exchange chromatography

The purpose of this work was to improve the separation and yield of pure β- and α-trypsin isoforms by ion-exchange chromatography and to characterize some physical-chemical properties of these isoforms. Purification of trypsin isoforms was performed by ion-exchange chromatography in 0.1 mol/L tris-HC buffer, pH 7.10 at 4oC. The sample loading, salt concentration, flow rate and pH of mobile phase were varied to determine their effects on the resolution of the separation. The resolution was optimized mainly between β- and α-trypsin. Pure isoforms were obtained by chromatographying 100 mg of commercial trypsin during seven days, yielding 51 mg of high purity β-trypsin and 13 mg of α-trypsin partially pure, with small amounts of contaminating of ψ-trypsin. Thus, time and resolution of purification were optimized yielding large amounts of pure active enzymes that are useful for several research areas and biotechnology.

A New Family of Small (4kDa) Neurotoxins from the Venoms of Spiders of the Genus Phoneutria

A family of 4kDa neurotoxic peptides was purified from venoms of Phoneutria spiders. All have six cysteine residues, and low similarity with other neurotoxins. Three toxins caused moderate inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels. The structure of toxin PRTx27C3 was modeled and compared with toxin ADO1. The importance of four residues is suggested.

Actinomycetemcomitin: a new bacteriocin produced by Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans

Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans P7–20 strain isolated from a periodontally diseased patient has produced a bacteriocin (named as actinomycetemcomitin) that is active against Peptostreptococcus anaerobius ATCC 27337. Actinomycetemcomitin was produced during exponential and stationary growth phases, and its amount decreased until it disappeared during the decline growth phase. It was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation (30–60% saturation), and further by FPLC (mono-Q ionic exchange and Phenyl Superose hydrophobic interaction) and HPLC (C-18 reversed-phase). This bacteriocin loses its activity after incubation at a pH below 7.0 or above 8.0, following heating for 30xa0min at 45°C, and after treatment with proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, and papain. Actinomycetemcomitin has a molecular mass of 20.3xa0KDa and it represents a new bacteriocin from A. actinomycetemcomitans.