Download MendeleyStructural Dissection of Crotalicidin, a Rattlesnake Venom Cathelicidin, Retrieves a Fragment with Antimicrobial and Antitumor Activity.
Falcao, C.B., Perez-Peinado, C., de la Torre, B.G., Mayol, X., Zamora-Carreras, H., Jimenez, M.A., Radis-Baptista, G., Andreu, D.(2015) J Med Chem 58: 8553-8563
- PubMed: 26465972
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01142
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
2MWT - PubMed Abstract:
In silico dissection of crotalicidin (Ctn), a cathelicidin from a South American pit viper, yielded fragments Ctn[1-14] and Ctn[15-34], which were tested to ascertain to what extent they reproduced the structure and activity of the parent peptide. NMR data showing Ctn to be α-helical at the N-terminus and unstructured at the C-terminus were matched by similar data from the fragments. The peptides were tested against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and for toxicity against both tumor and healthy cells. Despite its amphipathic α-helical structure, Ctn[1-14] was totally inert toward bacteria or eukaryotic cells. In contrast, unstructured Ctn[15-34] replicated the activity of parent Ctn against Gram-negative bacteria and tumor cells while being significantly less toxic toward eukaryotic cells. This selectivity for bacteria and tumor cells, plus a stability to serum well above that of Ctn, portrays Ctn[15-34] as an appealing candidate for further development as an anti-infective or antitumor lead.
Organizational Affiliation:
Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra , 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
