Francisella tularensis is the cause of the zoonotic disease tularemia. In Sweden and Scandinavia, epidemiological studies have implicated mosquitoes as a vector. Prior research has demonstrated the presence of Francisella DNA in infected mosquitoes but has not shown definitive transmission of tularemia from a mosquito to a mammalian host. We hypothesized that antimicrobial peptides, an important component of the innate immune system of higher organisms, may play a role in mosquito host-defense to Francisella. We established that Francisella sp. are susceptible to two cecropin antimicrobial peptides derived from the mosquito Aedes albopictus as well as Culex pipiens. We also demonstrated induced expression of Aedes albopictus antimicrobial peptide genes by Francisella infection C6/36 mosquito cell line. We demonstrate that mosquito antimicrobial peptides act against Francisella by disrupting the cellular membrane of the bacteria. Thus, it is possible that antimicrobial peptides may play a role in the inability of mosquitoes to establish an effective natural transmission of tularemia.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2016.05.018 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Detection and Treatment with Peptide Power: A New Weapon Against Bacterial Biofilms.
ACS Biomater Sci Eng
January 2025
Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, P. R. China.
Bacterial biofilms, complex microbial communities encased in a protective extracellular matrix, pose a significant threat to public health due to their inherent antibiotic resistance. This review explores the potential of peptides, particularly antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as innovative tools to combat biofilm-related infections. AMPs, characterized by their potent antimicrobial activity and tissue permeability, offer a promising approach to overcome the challenges posed by biofilms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn silico screening and immunogenic features of putative tick cement protein PA107 from Ixodes ricinus tick.
Exp Appl Acarol
January 2025
Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Tick salivary proteins are crucial for efficient and successful tick feeding. Most of them are still uncharacterized, especially those involved in the formation of tick cement. Tick salivary protein PA107 is a putative cement protein, which is transcribed in salivary glands during the initial phase of tick feeding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudy of cathelicidin (LL-37) immunoexpression in the skin of vitiligo patients.
Arch Dermatol Res
January 2025
Dermatology and Venereology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder acquired and caused by the loss or destruction of melanocytes from the epidermis. There is strong proof that vitiligo is mainly an autoimmune disease. Cathelicidin (LL37), an antimicrobial polypeptide, is an important part of the innate immune system and has a role in different skin autoimmune diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarboxy-Amidated AamAP1-Lys has Superior Conformational Flexibility and Accelerated Killing of Gram-Negative Bacteria.
Biochemistry
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
C-terminal amidation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a frequent minor modification used to improve antibacterial potency, commonly ascribed to increased positive charge, protection from proteases, and a stabilized secondary structure. Although the activity of AMPs is primarily associated with the ability to penetrate bacterial membranes, hitherto the effect of amidation on this interaction has not been understood in detail. Here, we show that amidation of the scorpion-derived membranolytic peptide AamAP1-Lys produces a potent analog with faster bactericidal activity, increased membrane permeabilization, and greater Gram-negative membrane penetration associated with greater conformational flexibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDecoding the Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against .
ACS Infect Dis
January 2025
Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR─Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India.
Tuberculosis (TB), a leading infectious disease caused by the pathogen , poses a significant treatment challenge due to its unique characteristics and resistance to existing drugs. The conventional treatment regimens, which are lengthy and involve multiple drugs, often result in poor patient adherence and subsequent drug resistance, particularly with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. This highlights the urgent need for novel anti-TB therapies and new drug targets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!