Defensins are the most widespread antimicrobial peptides characterised in insects. These cyclic peptides, 4-6 kDa size, folded into α-helical/β-sheet mixed structures and have a common conserved motif of three intramolecular disulfide bridges with Cys1-Cys4, Cys2-Cys5 Cys3-Cys6 connectivity. They ability to kill especially Gram-positive bacteria some fungi, but Gram-negative more resistant against them. Among them medicinally important compounds lucifensin II, which recently been identified...

Three novel structurally related pentadecapeptides, named lasioglossins, were isolated from the venom of eusocial bee Lasioglossum laticeps. Their primary sequences established as H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Lys-NH(2) (LL-I), H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Lys-NH(2) (LL-II) and H-Val-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Leu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Lys-Val-Val-Lys-NH(2) (LL-III). These lasioglossins exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against both...

Abstract Recently, we identified a new insect defensin, named lucifensin that is secreted/excreted by the blowfly Lucilia sericata larvae into wound as disinfectant during medicinal process known maggot therapy. Here, report total chemical synthesis of this peptide 40 amino acid residues and three intramolecular disulfide bridges using different protocols. Oxidative folding linear yielded with pattern identical to native lucifensin. The synthetic was active against Gram‐positive bacteria not...

A novel homolog of insect defensin, designated lucifensin II (Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann [Diptera: Calliphoridae] defensin), was purified from hemolymph extract larvae the blowfly L. cuprina. The full-length primary sequence this peptide 40 amino acid residues and three intramolecular disulfide bridges determined by electrospray ionization-orbitrap mass spectrometry Edman degradation is almost identical to previously identified sericata Meigen defensin). Lucifensin differs that only one...

Abstract A novel antimicrobial peptide designated melectin was isolated from the venom of cleptoparasitic bee Melecta albifrons . Its primary sequence established as H‐Gly‐Phe‐Leu‐Ser‐Ile‐Leu‐Lys‐Lys‐Val‐Leu‐Pro‐Lys‐Val‐Met‐Ala‐His‐Met‐Lys‐NH 2 by Edman degradation and ESI‐QTOF mass spectrometry. Synthetic exhibited activity against both Gram‐positive ‐negative bacteria it degranulated rat peritoneal mast cells, but its hemolytic low. The CD spectra measured in presence trifluoroethanol...

Venoms of hymenopteran insects have attracted considerable interest as a source cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In the venom solitary bee Hylaeus signatus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), we identified new hexadecapeptide sequence Gly-Ile-Met-Ser-Ser-Leu-Met-Lys-Lys-Leu-Ala-Ala-His-Ile-Ala-Lys-NH2. Named HYL, it belongs to category α-helical amphipathic AMPs. HYL exhibited weak activity against several strains pathogenic bacteria and moderate Candida albicans, but its hemolytic human red...

Antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate-based bone cement has been implemented in orthopaedics to cope with implant-related infections associated the formation of bacterial biofilms. In context emerging resistance current antibiotics, we examined efficacy short antimicrobial peptide-loaded inhibiting adhesion and consequent biofilm on its surface.The ability α-helical peptides composed 12 amino acid residues prevent [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), epidermidis,...

Herein we present the first report on protease-catalysed ligation of cleavage-sensitive peptide and protein fragments in ionic-liquid-containing solvent systems. By applying newly established [MMIM][Me2PO4]/buffer mixture as a reaction medium, significant advantages over purely aqueous or conventional organic solvent-containing media could be identified, including particular use active wild-type proteases biocatalysts, suppression any competitive proteolytic side reactions, high turnover...

We examined the benefits of short linear α-helical antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) invented in our laboratory for treating bone infection and preventing microbial biofilm formation on model implants due to causative microorganisms osteomyelitis. For this purpose, we introduced a induced osteomyelitis that utilizes human femur heads obtained from hospital after their replacement with artificial prostheses. found focus set up spongy part treated AMP-loaded calcium phosphate cement was eradicated...

A novel antimicrobial peptide, designated macropin (MAC‐1) with sequence Gly‐Phe‐Gly‐Met‐Ala‐Leu‐Lys‐Leu‐Leu‐Lys‐Lys‐Val‐Leu‐NH 2 , was isolated from the venom of solitary bee Macropis fulvipes . MAC‐1 exhibited activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, antifungal activity, moderate hemolytic human red blood cells. series analogs were prepared to further evaluate effect structural alterations on activities stability in serum. The several pathogenic Pseudomonas...

The peptide named codesane (COD), consisting of 18 amino acid residues and isolated from the venom wild bee Colletes daviesanus (Hymenoptera : Colletidae), falls into category cationic α ‐helical amphipathic antimicrobial peptides. In our investigations, synthetic COD exhibited activity against Gram‐positive Gram‐negative bacteria Candida albicans but also noticeable hemolytic activity. its analogs (collectively referred to as CODs) were studied for mechanism their action. interaction CODs...

Abstract In this study, bare gold nanoparticles (GNPs) immobilized in the sol–gel‐pretreated fused‐silica (FS) capillary as a stationary phase for open‐tubular electrochromatography (OT‐CEC) are first time shown to be able separate both hydrophobic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) well hydrophilic cationic antimicrobial peptides. Model mixture of four PAHs, naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and anthracene, was resolved by OT‐CEC GNP‐modified FS capillaries using hydro‐organic background...

HYL-20 (GILSSLWKKLKKIIAK-NH2) is an analogue of a natural antimicrobial peptide (AMP) previously isolated from the venom wild bee. We examined its activity against three strains Enterococcus faecalis while focusing on susceptibility to proteolytic degradation by two known proteases-gelatinase (GelE) and serine protease (SprE)-which are secreted these bacterial strains. found that was primarily deamidated at C-terminal which made susceptible consecutive intramolecular cleavage GelE. Further...

Candida albicans is the main causative agent of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a common mycosis in women, relapses which are difficult to manage due biofilm formation. This study aimed at developing novel non-toxic compounds active against spp. biofilms. We synthesised analogues natural antifungal peptides LL-III (LL-III/43) and HAL-2 (peptide VIII) originally isolated from bee venoms elucidated their structures by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The haemolytic, cytotoxic,...

ABSTRACT Candida albicans has several virulence factors at its disposal, including yeast–hyphal transition associated with biofilm formation, phospholipases, proteases and hemolytic activity, all of which contribute to pathogenesis. We used synthetic derivative LL-III/43 antimicrobial peptide lasioglossin LL-III enhance effect azoles on attenuation C. factors. was able inhibit initial adhesion or formation strains 50 µM. Azoles, however, were ineffective this concentration. Using...