Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus

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 threedimensional 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.

Antimicrobial Peptides with Antibacterial Activity against Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains: Classification, Structures, and Mechanisms of Action

“…In addition, when murine models were intravenously infected with VISA strains and treated with this peptide, a 60% reduction in mortality was observed [ 49 ]. Finally, several AMPs with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria have been identified in wasp [ 48 , 94 ]. In this respect, agelaia-MPI and protonectin are venom-derived peptides isolated from two species of wasps, Parachartergus fraternus and Agelaia pallipes pallipes, which showed antimicrobial activity against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus strains [ 48 ].…”

“…Finally, several AMPs with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria have been identified in wasp [ 48 , 94 ]. In this respect, agelaia-MPI and protonectin are venom-derived peptides isolated from two species of wasps, Parachartergus fraternus and Agelaia pallipes pallipes, which showed antimicrobial activity against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus strains [ 48 ]. Agelaia-MPI is a peptide highly hemolytic that exhibited a potent antibacterial effect against VRSA strains (MIC between 4 and 8 μg/mL) [ 48 ].…”

“…In this respect, agelaia-MPI and protonectin are venom-derived peptides isolated from two species of wasps, Parachartergus fraternus and Agelaia pallipes pallipes, which showed antimicrobial activity against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus strains [ 48 ]. Agelaia-MPI is a peptide highly hemolytic that exhibited a potent antibacterial effect against VRSA strains (MIC between 4 and 8 μg/mL) [ 48 ]. Despite its moderated hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes, protonectin showed antibacterial activity against VRSA strains (MIC = 16 μg/mL) [ 48 ].…”

“…Agelaia-MPI is a peptide highly hemolytic that exhibited a potent antibacterial effect against VRSA strains (MIC between 4 and 8 μg/mL) [ 48 ]. Despite its moderated hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes, protonectin showed antibacterial activity against VRSA strains (MIC = 16 μg/mL) [ 48 ]. NeuroVAL and protonectin-F, analogues peptides of agelaia-MPI and protonectin, respectively, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency [ 48 ].…”

“…Despite its moderated hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes, protonectin showed antibacterial activity against VRSA strains (MIC = 16 μg/mL) [ 48 ]. NeuroVAL and protonectin-F, analogues peptides of agelaia-MPI and protonectin, respectively, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency [ 48 ]. Despite its reduced toxic effect on eukaryotic cells, NeuroVAL showed higher inhibitory concentration against VRSA strains (MIC > 128 μg/mL) compared to the canonical agelaia-MPI peptide [ 48 ].…”