Neuroprotective effects on microglia and insights into the structure-activity relationship of an antioxidant peptide isolated from Pelophylax perezi

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Placido, A (Author) Other; do Amaral, CP (Author) Other; Catia Teixeira (Author) FCUP; Nogueira, A (Author) Other; Brango Vanegas, J (Author) Other; Barbosa, EA (Author) Other; Moreira, DC (Author) Other; Silva Carvalho, AE (Author) Other; da Silva, MD (Author) Other; Dias, JD (Author) Other; Albuquerque, P (Author) Other; Saldanha Araujo, F (Author) Other; Lima, FCDA (Author) Other; Batagin Neto, A (Author) Other; Kuckelhaus, S (Author) Other; Bessa, LJ (Author) Other; Freitas, J (Author) Other; Brand, GD (Author) Other; Santos, NC (Author) Other; Relvas, JB (Author) Other; Paula Gomes (Author) FCUP; Leite, JRSA (Author) Other; Eaton, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine

Vol. 26

Pages: 2793-2807

ISSN: 1582-1838

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-F5C

DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17292

Abstract (EN): Tryptophyllins constitute a heterogeneous group of peptides that are one of the first classes of peptides identified from amphibian's skin secretions. Here, we report the structural characterization and antioxidant properties of a novel tryptophyllin-like peptide, named PpT-2, isolated from the Iberian green frog Pelophylax perezi. The skin secretion of P. perezi was obtained by electrical stimulation and fractionated using RP-HPLC. De novo peptide sequencing was conducted using MALDI MS/MS. The primary structure of PpT-2 (FPWLLS-NH2) was confirmed by Edman degradation and subsequently investigated using in silico tools. PpT-2 shared physicochemical properties with other well-known antioxidants. To test PpT-2 for antioxidant activity in vitro, the peptide was synthesized by solid phase and assessed in the chemical-based ABTS and DPPH scavenging assays. Then, a flow cytometry experiment was conducted to assess PpT-2 antioxidant activity in oxidatively challenged murine microglial cells. As predicted by the in silico analyses, PpT-2 scavenged free radicals in vitro and suppressed the generation of reactive species in PMA-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells. We further explored possible bioactivities of PpT-2 against prostate cancer cells and bacteria, against which the peptide exerted a moderate antiproliferative effect and negligible antimicrobial activity. The biocompatibility of PpT-2 was evaluated in cytotoxicity assays and in vivo toxicity with Galleria mellonella. No toxicity was detected in cells treated with up to 512 mu g/ml and in G. mellonella treated with up to 40 mg/kg PpT-2. This novel peptide, PpT-2, stands as a promising peptide with potential therapeutic and biotechnological applications, mainly for the treatment/prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15