Multi-hit Mechanism Research Articles

Novel antimicrobial peptide DvAMP serves as a promising antifungal agent against Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is an important opportunistic human fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcosis in immunocompromised patients. However, the number of drugs for the treatment of cryptococcosis is restricted, and the development of novel antifungal drugs and innovative strategies for the treatment of cryptococcosis is urgently needed. In this study, we validated that DvAMP is a novel antimicrobial peptide with antimicrobial activity and that it was obtained by pre-screening from the UniProt database of more than three million unknown functional sequences based on the quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) protocol (http://www.chemoinfolab.com/antifungal). The peptide exhibited satisfactory biosafety and physicochemical properties, and relatively rapid fungicidal activity against C. neoformans. Meanwhile, DvAMP was able to inhibit the static biofilm of C. neoformans and cause a reduction in the thickness of the capsule. In addition, DvAMP exerts antifungal effects through membrane-mediated mechanisms (membrane permeability and depolarization) and mitochondrial dysfunction, involving a hybrid multi-hit mechanism. Furthermore, by using the C. neoformans-Galleria mellonella infection model, we demonstrated that DvAMP has significant therapeutic effects in vivo and that it significantly reduces the mortality and fungal burden of infected larvae. These results suggest that DvAMP may be a potential antifungal drug candidate for the treatment of cryptococcosis.

Sporadic vestibular schwannoma: a molecular testing summary

ObjectivesCases of sporadic vestibular schwannoma (sVS) have a low rate of association with germline pathogenic variants. However, some individuals with sVS can represent undetected cases of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)...

An Interferon Regulated MicroRNA Provides Broad Cell-Intrinsic Antiviral Immunity through Multihit Host-Directed Targeting of the Sterol Pathway

In invertebrates, small interfering RNAs are at the vanguard of cell-autonomous antiviral immunity. In contrast, antiviral mechanisms initiated by interferon (IFN) signaling predominate in mammals. Whilst mammalian IFN-induced miRNA are known to inhibit specific viruses, it is not known whether host-directed microRNAs, downstream of IFN-signaling, have a role in mediating broad antiviral resistance. By performing an integrative, systematic, global analysis of RNA turnover utilizing 4-thiouridine labeling of newly transcribed RNA and pri/pre-miRNA in IFN-activated macrophages, we identify a new post-transcriptional viral defense mechanism mediated by miR-342-5p. On the basis of ChIP and site-directed promoter mutagenesis experiments, we find the synthesis of miR-342-5p is coupled to the antiviral IFN response via the IFN-induced transcription factor, IRF1. Strikingly, we find miR-342-5p targets mevalonate-sterol biosynthesis using a multihit mechanism suppressing the pathway at different functional levels: transcriptionally via SREBF2, post-transcriptionally via miR-33, and enzymatically via IDI1 and SC4MOL. Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and enzymatic assays demonstrate the targeting mechanisms reduce intermediate sterol pathway metabolites and total cholesterol in macrophages. These results reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which IFN regulates the sterol pathway. The sterol pathway is known to be an integral part of the macrophage IFN antiviral response, and we show that miR-342-5p exerts broad antiviral effects against multiple, unrelated pathogenic viruses such Cytomegalovirus and Influenza A (H1N1). Metabolic rescue experiments confirm the specificity of these effects and demonstrate that unrelated viruses have differential mevalonate and sterol pathway requirements for their replication. This study, therefore, advances the general concept of broad antiviral defense through multihit targeting of a single host pathway.

Differential scanning calorimetry of whole Escherichia coli treated with the antimicrobial peptide MSI-78 indicate a multi-hit mechanism with ribosomes as a novel target.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of intact Escherichia coli (E. coli) was used to identify non-lipidic targets of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) MSI-78. The DSC thermograms revealed that, in addition to its known lytic properties, MSI-78 also has a striking effect on ribosomes. MSI-78’s effect on DSC scans of bacteria was similar to that of kanamycin, an antibiotic drug known to target the 30S small ribosomal subunit. An in vitro transcription/translation assay helped confirm MSI-78’s targeting of ribosomes. The scrambled version of MSI-78 also affected the ribosome peak of the DSC scans, but required greater amounts of peptide to cause a similar effect to the unscrambled peptide. Furthermore, the effect of the scrambled peptide was not specific to the ribosomes; other regions of the DSC thermogram were also affected. These results suggest that MSI-78’s effects on E. coli are at least somewhat dependent on its particular structural features, rather than a sole function of its overall charge and hydrophobicity. When considered along with earlier work detailing MSI-78’s membrane lytic properties, it appears that MSI-78 operates via a multi-hit mechanism with multiple targets.

Differential scanning calorimetry of whole Escherichia coli treated with the antimicrobial peptide MSI-78 indicate a multi-hit mechanism with ribosomes as a novel target

Differential scanning calorimetry of whole Escherichia coli treated with the antimicrobial peptide MSI-78 indicate a multi-hit mechanism with ribosomes as a novel target

A family with autism and rare copy number variants disrupting the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene DMD and TRPM3

Autism spectrum disorder is a genetically complex and clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. A recent study by the Autism Genome Project (AGP) used 1M single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays to show that rare genic copy number variants (CNVs), possibly acting in tandem, play a significant role in the genetic aetiology of this condition. In this study, we describe the phenotypic and genomic characterisation of a multiplex autism family from the AGP study that was found to harbour a duplication of exons 31–44 of the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene DMD and also a rare deletion involving exons 1–9 of TRPM3. Further characterisation of these extremely rare CNVs was carried out using quantitative PCR, fluorescent in situ hybridisation, long-range PCR amplification and sequencing of junction fragments. The maternal chrX:32,097,213-32,321,945 tandem duplication and paternal chr9:72,480,413-73,064,196 deletion (NCBI build 36 coordinates) were transmitted to both affected boys, potentially signifying a multi-hit mechanism. The DMD reading frame rule predicts a Becker phenotype, characterised by later onset and milder symptoms. When last evaluated, neither child had developed signs of muscular dystrophy. These data are consistent with a degree of comorbidity between autism and muscular dystrophy and suggest that genomic background as well as the position of the mutation within the DMD gene may impact on the neurological correlates of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy. Finally, communicating unexpected findings such as these back to families raises a number of ethical questions, which are discussed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11689-011-9076-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Multi-Hit Inhibition of Circulating and Cell-Associated Components of the Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway by Oxidized Phospholipids

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) that are abundant in atherosclerotic lesions are increasingly recognized as context-dependent lipid mediators demonstrating both pro- and antiinflammatory activities. Molecular mechanisms of their effects are largely unknown. Here we present novel information on the mechanisms whereby OxPLs modulate activation of TLR4 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show, using several cell types and various inflammatory genes as readouts, that different classes and molecular species of OxPLs do not stimulate TLR4 but exert prominent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced reactions. Our data demonstrate that binding of OxPLs to the LPS-binding protein (LBP) and CD14 prevents recognition of LPS by these proteins, thus impairing activation of TLR4. In addition, OxPLs inhibited LBP- and CD14-independent activation of TLR4 by the synthetic TLR4 agonist E6020 indicating that in parallel with LBP and CD14, OxPLs target cell-associated steps in TLR4 cascade. Our data suggest that OxPLs inhibit action of LPS via a multi-hit mechanism. These results support the notion that OxPLs are endogenous inhibitors of TLR4 produced in response to oxidative stress.

Mode of action of membrane active antimicrobial peptides.

Water-membrane soluble protein and peptide toxins are used in the defense and offense systems of all organisms, including plants and humans. A major group includes antimicrobial peptides, which serve as a nonspecific defense system that complements the highly specific cell-mediated immune response. The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics stimulated the isolation and characterization of many antimicrobial peptides for potential use as new target antibiotics. The finding of thousands of antimicrobial peptides with variable lengths and sequences, all of which are active at similar concentrations, suggests a general mechanism for killing bacteria rather than a specific mechanism that requires preferred active structures. Such a mechanism is in agreement with the "carpet model" that does not require any specific structure or sequence. It seems that when there is an appropriate balance between hydrophobicity and a net positive charge the peptides are active on bacteria. However, selective activity depends also on other parameters, such as the volume of the molecule, its structure, and its oligomeric state in solution and membranes. Further, although many studies support that bacterial membrane damage is a lethal event for bacteria, other studies point to a multihit mechanism in which the peptide binds to several targets in the cytoplasmic region of the bacteria.

Clinical presentations andRET protooncogene mutations in seven multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 kindreds

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is a group of related autosomal dominant cancer syndromes caused by mutations in the RET protooncogene. A subset of familial Hirschsprung's disease, aganglionic megacolon, is also caused by mutations in this gene. The authors performed mutation analysis of exons 10, 11, 13, and 16 of the RET gene is six established MTN 2 kindreds and in six patients with apparent sporadic disease, in order to correlate their genotypes and phenotypes. One of these kindred's carried both Hirschsprung's disease and MEN 2A in conjunction with a cysteine-to-arginine substitution of codon 620 of the RET gene. One patient with apparently sporadic disease was found to have a germline M918T mutation. Patients with confirmed familial disease all carried pathologic germline mutations of RET. Several lines of evidence support a gain of function mechanism for tumorigenesis in the MEN 2 syndromes but a loss of function mechanism for aganglionosis in Hirschsprung's disease. The authors propose that a multihit mechanism can reconcile the apparent paradox of a single mutation that gives rise to both gain and loss of function disorders in a single patient.

Purification and characterization of Vibrio metschnikovii cytolysin.

An extracellular cytolysin produced by Vibrio metschnikovii was purified by acid precipitation, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography, and rechromatography on a phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B column and high-performance liquid chromatography on a Mono Q (anion-exchange) column. The purified cytolysin had a molecular weight of 50,000 and an isoelectric point of 5.1. It was inactivated by heating at 60 degrees C for 5 min and was inhibited by Zn2+, Cu2+, and high concentrations of cholesterol. Lysis of calf erythrocytes by cytolysin was temperature dependent and occurred only above 18 degrees C. Moreover, no lysis was observed at high concentrations of erythrocytes, suggesting that the cytolysin lyses erythrocytes by a multihit mechanism. This cytolysin had no immunological cross-reactivities with hemolysins from other Vibrio species tested, indicating that it is a new cytolysin. V. metschnikovii cytolysin lysed erythrocytes from several animal species (calf, rabbit, guinea pig, mouse, human, sheep, chicken, and horse) and cultured cells (Vero and Chinese hamster ovary), caused fluid accumulation in the intestines of infant mice, and increased vascular permeability in rabbit skin.

Neutralization kinetics of bovine viral diarrhea virus by hyperimmune serum: One or multi-hit mechanism

The kinetics of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus neutralization (VN) by hyperimmune serum followed first order kinetics at low dilutions (1:8 and 1:16) of hyperimmune bovine serum. A lag phase in the VN curve occurred when the serum was further diluted. Addition of rabbit anti-bovine IgG, but not anti-IgM, significantly increased the degree of VN after BVD virus was reacted with further diluted (1:256 dilution) anti-BVD bovine hyperimmune serum. Incubation of virus-hyperimmune serum (1:64 dilution) at 4°C for 0 to 60 min, followed by incubation at 37°C indicated VN occurred as a two-stage process: a binding (temperature-independent) phase that was followed by a triggering (temperature-dependent) phase. The data favor the thesis that neutralization of BVD virus occurs by a multi-hit mechanism and requires combination of at least two molecules of antibody with each virus.

Somatic Mutation and Neoplastic Transformation Induced by [methyl- 3 H]Thymidine

A system for the study of neoplastic transformation as induced by the incorporation of (methyl-/sup 3/H)thymidine is described. Normal diploid golden Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts were exposed to (methyl-/sup 3/H)thymidine for 17 hr, followed by a brief chase with deoxycytidine- and thymidine-containing growth medium. Analysis of cell curves suggested multihit mechanism with D/sub q/ and D/sub o/ equal to 0.012 and 0.04 ..mu..Ci/ml, respectively. Transformation studies demonstrate that expression of specific neoplastic phenotypes occurs at different post-treatment population doublings (PTPD), beginning with morphological alteration (PTPD 3-4), followed by enhanced fibrinolytic activity (PTPD 11-16) and the ability to clone in both medium containing 1% serum (PTPD 18-32) and soft agar (PTPD 25-32). All treated lines displayed tumorigenicity when examined at PTPD 46, whereas control cultures did not. Two tumor lines obtained from tumor explants were further characterized. Cells treated with equivalent tritium concentrations of (5-/sup 3/H)uridine display neither elevated somatic mutation nor enhanced morphological transformation. DNA damage occurring as a result of (/sup 3/H)thymidine incorporation was shown via mutagenicity studies at loci coding for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) (HPRT) and the NA/sup +/ /K/sup +/ ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3). (methyl-/sup 3/H)thymidine incorporation resulted in induction of HPRT but not ouabain-resistant mutants. Presentmore » studies substantiate the importance of specific DNA/nuclear damage, induced by incorporation of tritiated thymidine, as a cause of neoplastic transformation.« less

Cytotoxic Effects of Hexavalent and Trivalent Chromium on Mammalian Cells In Vitro

The cytotoxic effects of hexavalent (k(2)Cr(2)O(7)) and trivalent (CrCl(3)) chromium compounds have been studied in cultured hamster fibroblasts (BHK line) and human epithelial-like cells (HEp line).K(2)Cr(2)O(7) stimulates the uptake of labelled thymidine into the soluble intracellular pool (the stimulation of nucleoside uptake represents a specific effect of Cr(6+)) while Cr(3+) always exerts an inhibitory action. DNA Synthesis is inhibited by treatment with both chromium compounds, but especially by K(2)Cr(2)O(7). Moreover, the effective CrCl(3) concentrations reduce the sensitivity of DNA and RNA to hydrolysis with perchloric acid. Treatments with k(2)Cr(2)O(7) in balanced salt solution, where Cr(6+) reduction is less marked, induce more pronounced cytotoxic effects than treatments in complete growth medium.HEp cells turned out to be more sensitive to K(2)Cr(2)O(7) than BHK fibroblasts: in the former line TdR uptake is less stimulated, DNA synthesis and cell survival are more affected. Survival of BHK cells to K(2)Cr(2)O(7) indicates a multi-hit mechanism of cell inactivation, the extrapolation number being about 10.On the basis of quantitative Cr determinations in the treatment solutions and in the treated cells, the cytotoxic effects of Cr are attributed to the action of Cr(6+) at the plasma membrane level on the mechanisms involved in nucleoside uptake, and to the interaction of Cr(3+) at the intracellular level with nucleophilic targets on the DNA molecule.

Properties of purified pneumococcal hemolysin.

With a purified preparation of pneumococcal hemolysin, a sigmoid relationship was found to exist between lysin concentration and hemolytic activity. Hemolysis was inhibited by a high ratio of erythrocytes to lysin, suggesting a multi-hit mechanism of action. Reaction rate decreased rapidly with time, possibly due to competition between ghosts and unlysed erythrocytes for fixation of lysin. The effects of pH and various agents on the processes of lysin adsorption and hemoglobin release were determined. The pneumococcal preparation did not possess nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase activity.

Inactivation of phage T4 by ethylmethane sulfonate

When bacteriophage T4 is treated with the alkylating agent ethylmethane-sulfonate (EMS), inactivation of the plaque-forming capacity(primary, or immediate inactivation) follows a curve which is initially shouldered but becomes exponential at higher doses. This was interpreted by Brookes and Lawley (1963) as indicating a multi-hit mechanism of killing. However, Krieg (1963) obtained a killing curve that failed to become exponential down to 10 -6

X-ray-induced mutation in extracellular bacteriophage T4

Abstract Two kinds of experiments were performed to test for a mutagenic effect of X-rays on extracellular bacteriophage T4: (1) the frequencies of r and r-mottled plaques were determined in platings of irradiated and unirradiated wild-type T4 phage; and (2) the frequencies of rII+ reverse mutants were measured in the progenics of irradiated and control T4rII phage. In both kinds of experiments, the frequency of the mutant type was increased by irradiation of the extracellular phage. “Reconstruction experiments”, in which artificial mixtures of rII and rII+ phage were irradiated, showed that only a minor part of the radiation-induced increase in rII+ frequency could be accounted for by selection in favour of already-existing rII+ revertants. The results indicate that genes can be induced to mutate by exposure to ionizing radiation in the absence of any metabolic activity. A multihit mechanism for the induction of mutations was indicated by the dose-response curve for the frequency of rII+ revertants in progenies from irradiated rII phage. The chemical changes involved are unknown.