New Disulfide-Stabilized Fold Provides Sea Anemone Peptide to Exhibit Both Antimicrobial and TRPA1 Potentiating Properties

Toxins (Basel). 2017 Apr 29;9(5):154. doi: 10.3390/toxins9050154.

Abstract

A novel bioactive peptide named τ-AnmTx Ueq 12-1 (short name Ueq 12-1) was isolated and characterized from the sea anemone Urticina eques. Ueq 12-1 is unique among the variety of known sea anemone peptides in terms of its primary and spatial structure. It consists of 45 amino acids including 10 cysteine residues with an unusual distribution and represents a new group of sea anemone peptides. The 3D structure of Ueq 12-1, determined by NMR spectroscopy, represents a new disulfide-stabilized fold partly similar to the defensin-like fold. Ueq 12-1 showed the dual activity of both a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a potentiating activity on the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). Ueq 12-1 is a unique peptide potentiator of the TRPA1 receptor that produces analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. The antinociceptive properties allow us to consider Ueq 12-1 as a potential analgesic drug lead with antibacterial properties.

Keywords: TRPA1 receptor; antimicrobial; defensive strategies; innate immunity; sea anemones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Analgesics* / chemistry
  • Analgesics* / isolation & purification
  • Analgesics* / pharmacology
  • Analgesics* / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / isolation & purification
  • Peptides* / pharmacology
  • Peptides* / therapeutic use
  • Sea Anemones*
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel / metabolism*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Disulfides
  • Peptides
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel