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The structure of the antimicrobial human cathelicidin LL-37 shows oligomerization and channel formation in the presence of membrane mimics.

ABSTRACT: The human cathelicidin LL-37 serves a critical role in the innate immune system defending bacterial infections. LL-37 can interact with molecules of the cell wall and perforate cytoplasmic membranes resulting in bacterial cell death. To test the interactions of LL-37 and bacterial cell wall components we crystallized LL-37 in the presence of detergents and obtained the structure of a narrow tetrameric channel with a strongly charged core. The formation of a tetramer was further studied by cross-linking in the presence of detergents and lipids. Using planar lipid membranes a small but defined conductivity of this channel could be demonstrated. Molecular dynamic simulations underline the stability of this channel in membranes and demonstrate pathways for the passage of water molecules. Time lapse studies of E. coli cells treated with LL-37 show membrane discontinuities in the outer membrane followed by cell wall damage and cell death. Collectively, our results open a venue to the understanding of a novel AMP killing mechanism and allows the rational design of LL-37 derivatives with enhanced bactericidal activity.

SUBMITTER: Sancho-Vaello E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7562864 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The structure of the antimicrobial human cathelicidin LL-37 shows oligomerization and channel formation in the presence of membrane mimics.

Sancho-Vaello Enea E Gil-Carton David D François Patrice P Bonetti Eve-Julie EJ Kreir Mohamed M Pothula Karunakar Reddy KR Kleinekathöfer Ulrich U Zeth Kornelius K

Scientific reports 20201015 1

The human cathelicidin LL-37 serves a critical role in the innate immune system defending bacterial infections. LL-37 can interact with molecules of the cell wall and perforate cytoplasmic membranes resulting in bacterial cell death. To test the interactions of LL-37 and bacterial cell wall components we crystallized LL-37 in the presence of detergents and obtained the structure of a narrow tetrameric channel with a strongly charged core. The formation of a tetramer was further studied by cross- ...[more]

PMID: 33060695

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Project description:BackgroundVitamin D insufficiency is common in industrialized and developing nations. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with a higher risk of active tuberculosis. Laboratory studies provided a mechanism for this link on the basis of findings that vitamin D metabolites regulate the expression of cathelicidin (LL-37), which is an endogenous antimicrobial peptide with activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Little information is available on the clinical relation between vitamin D, LL-37 concentrations, and disease severity in patients with tuberculosis.ObjectiveThe primary objective of the study was to evaluate the relation between vitamin D nutriture, serum LL-37 concentrations, and tuberculosis by using samples stored in the Tuberculosis Trials Consortium serum repository.DesignWe measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and LL-37 concentrations in 95 serum specimens from patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and correlated these concentrations to clinical and demographic variables.ResultsThe prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D concentration lt 30 ng/mL] in patients with active tuberculosis was 86% (n = 95) with a mean baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration of 20.4 ng/mL. Factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency were black race and indoor lifestyle. The mean ( plusmn SD) baseline LL-37 concentration was 49.5 plusmn 23.8 ng/mL. Higher LL-37 concentrations correlated with acid fast bacilli sputum smear positivity and weight gt 10% below ideal body weight. Serum vitamin D status of the study subjects did not correlate with serum LL-37 concentrations.ConclusionMore prospectively designed studies are needed to evaluate the clinical implications of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with tuberculosis and the utility of circulating LL-37 as a potential biomarker in patients with active tuberculosis disease. The parent trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00023335.

Dataset Information

The structure of the antimicrobial human cathelicidin LL-37 shows oligomerization and channel formation in the presence of membrane mimics.

Publications

The structure of the antimicrobial human cathelicidin LL-37 shows oligomerization and channel formation in the presence of membrane mimics.

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