Zn(II) Induces Fibril Formation and Antifungal Activity in Shepherin I, An Antimicrobial Peptide from Capsella bursa-pastoris

Inorg Chem. 2023 Dec 4;62(48):19786-19794. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03409. Epub 2023 Nov 20.

Abstract

Shepherin I is a glycine- and histidine-rich antimicrobial peptide from the root of a shepherd's purse, whose antimicrobial activity was suggested to be enhanced by the presence of Zn(II) ions. We describe Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of this peptide, aiming to understand the correlation between their metal binding mode, structure, morphology, and biological activity. We observe a logical sequence of phenomena, each of which is the result of the previous one: (i) Zn(II) coordinates to shepherin I, (ii) causes a structural change, which, in turn, (iii) results in fibril formation. Eventually, this chain of structural changes has a (iv) biological consequence: The shepherin I-Zn(II) fibrils are highly antifungal. What is of particular interest, both fibril formation and strong anticandidal activity are only observed for the shepherin I-Zn(II) complex, linking its structural rearrangement that occurs after metal binding with its morphology and biological activity.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial Peptides
  • Capsella*
  • Peptides
  • Zinc / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antimicrobial Peptides
  • Peptides
  • Zinc