Structural characterization of scorpion peptides and their bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

PLoS One

Ecology and Survival of Microorganisms Group (ESMG), Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Microbiana (LEMM), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas (CICM), Instituto de Ciencias (IC), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Puebla, México.

Published: March 2020

Scorpion venom peptides represent a novel source of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad-spectrum activity. In this study, we determined the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of three scorpion AMPs, Uy234, Uy17, and Uy192, which are found in the venomous glands of the Urodacus yaschenkoi scorpion, against the clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In addition, we tested the activity of a consensus AMP designed in our laboratory based on some previously reported IsCT-type (cytotoxic linear peptide) AMPs with the aim of obtaining higher antimicrobial activity. All peptides tested showed high antimicrobial activity against MDR clinical isolates, with the highest activity against β-hemolytic Streptococcus strains. The hemolytic activity was determined against human red blood cells and was significantly lower than that of previously reported AMPs. The α-helical structure of the four AMPs was confirmed by circular dichroism (CD). These results suggest that the four peptides can be valuable tools for the design and development of AMPs for use in the inhibition of MDR pathogenic bacteria. A clear index of synergism and additivity was found for the combination of QnCs-BUAP + Uy234, which makes these peptides the most promising candidates against pathogenic bacteria.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6844485PMC
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0222438PLOS

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

clinical isolates
12
isolates multidrug-resistant
8
antimicrobial activity
8
pathogenic bacteria
8
activity
7
peptides
6
amps
6
structural characterization
4
scorpion
4
characterization scorpion
4

Similar Publications

Background: There is a growing body of evidence showing the value of community singing-based rehabilitation on psychosocial well-being and communication for people with post-stroke communication impairment (PSCI). However, there has been little consideration of the potential value an inpatient aphasia-friendly choir may have through the perspective of the stroke multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Aims: To explore the experiences and views of the MDT on the role an established inpatient aphasia-friendly choir, at a stroke rehabilitation centre in South Wales, UK, may play in the rehabilitation of people with PSCI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A strain positive for the metallo-beta-lactamase gene and resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was unexpectedly isolated from a surveillance rectal swab. The characterization of the strain revealed carriage of a 91 kb integrative and conjugative element (ICE) harboring several resistance determinants [, , , , ∆, , and ], closely related with a group of -type ICEs widespread among and other pseudomonads. Results highlighted the possible spreading of similar elements to , mediating the acquisition of relevant resistances.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Enhanced bacteriostatic effects of phage vB_C4 and cell wall-targeting antibiotic combinations against drug-resistant .

Microbiol Spectr

January 2025

Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.

is a vital zoonotic pathogen known for its extensive drug resistance and ability to form biofilms, which contribute to its antibiotic resistance. In this study, the phage vB_C4, specifically targeting , was isolated and subjected to bioinformatic analysis and bacteriostatic activity assays. The combination of phage vB_C4 with antibiotics such as cephalothin and cefoxitin, which target the bacterial cell wall, resulted in a significantly enhanced bacteriostatic effect compared to either the phage or antibiotics alone.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging viral hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate and notable public health impact, caused by a novel phlebovirus, primarily transmitted through infected tick bites. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of co-infections among hospitalized patients with SFTS, characterize isolated pathogens, and evaluate demographics, clinical features, and laboratory variations to identify potential risk factors for co-infections. In a cohort of 78 SFTS patients categorized into co-infection and non-co-infection groups, 44.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Phages demonstrate remarkable promise as antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the emergence of phage-resistant strains poses challenges to their effective application. In this paper, we presented the isolation of a phage adaptive mutant that demonstrated enhanced and sustained antibacterial efficacy through the co-evolution of () 111-2 and phage ZX1Δint .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want 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!