Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids

Extensive use of classical antibiotics has led to the growing emergence of many resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. To combat this challenge, researchers have turned to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Aurein 1.2 (GLFDIIKKIAESF-NH2) was demonstrated to have broad spectrum bi-functionality ag...

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Main Authors: Nora Angelova, Ivan Iliev, Veronica Nemska, Tatyana Dzimbova, Nelly Georgieva, Dancho Danalev, Emilia Naydenova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/2050
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author Nora Angelova
Ivan Iliev
Veronica Nemska
Tatyana Dzimbova
Nelly Georgieva
Dancho Danalev
Emilia Naydenova
author_facet Nora Angelova
Ivan Iliev
Veronica Nemska
Tatyana Dzimbova
Nelly Georgieva
Dancho Danalev
Emilia Naydenova
author_sort Nora Angelova
collection DOAJ
description Extensive use of classical antibiotics has led to the growing emergence of many resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. To combat this challenge, researchers have turned to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Aurein 1.2 (GLFDIIKKIAESF-NH2) was demonstrated to have broad spectrum bi-functionality against bacterial and cancer cells. The Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (Fmoc-strategy) was used for the synthesis of new analogs of aurein 1.2. The purity of all compounds was monitored by HPLC, and their structures were proven using mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects were studied using 3T3 NRU and MTT tests, respectively. The antibacterial activity was estimated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using broth microdilution method in concentrations from 0 to 320 µg/mL to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antiproliferative activity test shows that the peptide analog EH [Orn]<sup>8</sup> has the highest activity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 44 ± 38 μM) for the three cell lines studied (MCF-12F, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). The same compound exhibited good antimicrobial activity. The obtained results reveal that replacement of Lys with non-proteinogenic amino acids can increase both the potency and activity spectra of natural template peptides, making them suitable candidates for new drug development.
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spelling doaj-art-bdcf34d2488e4afcaf6bd1fd93b616602025-08-20T01:49:14ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-01309205010.3390/molecules30092050Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino AcidsNora Angelova0Ivan Iliev1Veronica Nemska2Tatyana Dzimbova3Nelly Georgieva4Dancho Danalev5Emilia Naydenova6Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1797 Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1797 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment Sport, Faculty of Public Health, Health Care and Sport, South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, 2700 Blagoevgrad, BulgariaDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1797 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1797 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1797 Sofia, BulgariaExtensive use of classical antibiotics has led to the growing emergence of many resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. To combat this challenge, researchers have turned to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Aurein 1.2 (GLFDIIKKIAESF-NH2) was demonstrated to have broad spectrum bi-functionality against bacterial and cancer cells. The Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (Fmoc-strategy) was used for the synthesis of new analogs of aurein 1.2. The purity of all compounds was monitored by HPLC, and their structures were proven using mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects were studied using 3T3 NRU and MTT tests, respectively. The antibacterial activity was estimated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using broth microdilution method in concentrations from 0 to 320 µg/mL to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antiproliferative activity test shows that the peptide analog EH [Orn]<sup>8</sup> has the highest activity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 44 ± 38 μM) for the three cell lines studied (MCF-12F, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). The same compound exhibited good antimicrobial activity. The obtained results reveal that replacement of Lys with non-proteinogenic amino acids can increase both the potency and activity spectra of natural template peptides, making them suitable candidates for new drug development.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/2050antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)aurein 1.2antimicrobial activityantiproliferative activitynonproteinogenic amino acidssecondary structure prediction
spellingShingle Nora Angelova
Ivan Iliev
Veronica Nemska
Tatyana Dzimbova
Nelly Georgieva
Dancho Danalev
Emilia Naydenova
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
Molecules
antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
aurein 1.2
antimicrobial activity
antiproliferative activity
nonproteinogenic amino acids
secondary structure prediction
title Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
title_full Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
title_fullStr Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
title_full_unstemmed Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
title_short Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Analogs of Aurein 1.2 Containing Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids
title_sort design synthesis and biological evaluation of new analogs of aurein 1 2 containing non proteinogenic amino acids
topic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
aurein 1.2
antimicrobial activity
antiproliferative activity
nonproteinogenic amino acids
secondary structure prediction
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/2050
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