Antimicrobial Activity of the Scolopendrasin V Peptide Identified from the Centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans

Abstract

In a previous study, we analyzed the transcriptome of using next-generation sequencing technology and identified several antimicrobial peptide candidates. One of the peptides, scolopendrasin V, was selected based on the physicochemical properties of antimicrobial peptides using a bioinformatics strategy. In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial activities of scolopendrasin V using the radial diffusion assay and colony count assay. We also investigated the mode of action of scolopendrasin V using flow cytometry. We found that scolopendrasin V's mechanism of action involved binding to the surface of microorganisms via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides, lipoteichoic acid, and peptidoglycans, which are components of the bacterial membrane. These results provide a basis for developing peptide antibiotics.

Bioactive Peptides and Proteins from Centipede Venoms

“…Similar to the general antibacterial mechanism of most AMPs, scolopendin 2 forms pores in the microbial plasma membrane, then releases the cytoplasmic matrix, depolarizes the membrane potential, and eventually leads to microbial death [ 30 ]. The scolopendrasin I, II, V and VII peptides from the whole S. subspinipes mutilans , displayed antimicrobial and anticancer activities, of which scolopendrasin V exerted antimicrobial activities by binding the surface of the microbial cell membrane [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. With the emergence of novel AMPs, more investigations on antibacterial mechanisms are in progress.…”

Biologically active metabolite(s) from haemolymph of red-headed centipede Scolopendra subspinipes possess broad spectrum antibacterial activity

“…Several molecules were identified containing isoquinoline group, chromene derivatives, thiazine groups, imidazoles, pyrrole-containing analogs, sulfonamides, furanones, and flavanones with known antibacterial properties (Ali et al 2016). Among other species, forest centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes , (also named as Vietnamese or Chinese Red-headed centipede) is commonly used in folk medicine, for its various health benefits in the treatment of wounds, pain, inflammation, sores and tumors (Lee et al 2017; Bajpai et al 2017; Ding et al 2016; Choi et al 2008). Mainly, distributed in East Asian countries, they are large with the maximum length of 20 cm and feeds primarily on insects, arachnids and small vertebrate animals, and encounter pathogens in their natural habitat (Bush et al 2001).…”

Genetic variation of COI gene of the Korean medicinal centipede Scolopendra mutilans Koch, 1878 (Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae)

“…The centipede known as "Wang-ji-ne" or "O-gong" in Korea is an important medicinal resource for anticonvulsants and antispasmodics in oriental medicine (Hong 1976;Kong et al 2013;Oh et al 2002;Park et al 2017;Pemberton 1999). Currently, many pharmacological studies of this organism have been performed in relation to components of its venom and extractions from the body (see Hakim et al 2015;Lee et al 2017).…”