| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Oguiura, Nancy
[1]
;
Correa, Poliana Garcia
[1]
;
Rosmino, Isabella Lemos
[1]
;
de Souza, Ana Olivia
[2]
;
Pasqualoto, Kerly Fernanda Mesquita
[3]
Total Authors: 5
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Inst Butantan, Ecol & Evolut Lab, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Inst Butantan, Dev & Innovat Lab, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Alchemy Innovat Res & Dev, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | OXIN; v. 14, n. 1 JAN 2022. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 1 |
| Abstract | |
beta-defensins are antimicrobial peptides presenting in vertebrate animals. They participate in innate immunity, but little is known about them in reptiles, including snakes. Although several beta-defensin genes were described in Brazilian snakes, their function is still unknown. The peptide sequence from these genes was deduced, and synthetic peptides (with approximately 40 amino acids and derived peptides) were tested against pathogenic bacteria and fungi using microbroth dilution assays. The linear peptides, derived from beta-defensins, were designed applying the bioisosterism strategy. The linear beta-defensins were more active against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus. The derived peptides (7-14 mer) showed antibacterial activity against those bacteria and on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nonetheless, they did not present activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trychophyton rubrum, and Aspergillus fumigatus showing that the cysteine substitution to serine is deleterious to antifungal properties. Tryptophan residue showed to be necessary to improve antibacterial activity. Even though the studied snake beta-defensins do not have high antimicrobial activity, they proved to be attractive as template molecules for the development of antibiotics. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 08/06524-3 - Obtainment of antifungal agents from extracts produced by mangrove fungi: isolation and identification of the active compounds |
| Grantee: | Ana Olívia de Souza |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 15/00003-5 - Snake genes of venom toxins and b-defensins |
| Grantee: | Nancy Oguiura |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |