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New 19-Residue Peptaibols from Trichoderma Clade Viride

Summary

This research identified and characterized new antimicrobial peptides produced by two species of beneficial fungi. These peptides, called peptaibols, have unique structural properties and selective antimicrobial activity. Impact on everyday life: – Could lead to development of new natural antibiotics – Provides tools for controlling harmful bacteria and fungi – Advances our understanding of how beneficial fungi help protect plants – May help improve agricultural and pharmaceutical applications – Demonstrates potential for developing environmentally-friendly antimicrobial compounds

Background

Trichoderma koningiopsis and T. gamsii belong to clade Viride of Trichoderma, the largest and most diverse group of this genus. They produce bioactive secondary metabolites including peptaibols with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Peptaibols contain unusual amino acid residues like α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), isovaline (Iva), and a C-terminal 1,2-amino alcohol that make them unique among peptides.

Objective

To investigate the peptaibiomes of T. koningiopsis and T. gamsii using HPLC-ESI-MS and characterize their antibiotic activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.

Results

The examined strains produced 19-residue peptaibols, most previously unknown but similar to trikoningins, tricholongins, trichostrigocins, trichorzianins and trichorzins. A new group of peptaibols from T. koningiopsis was named ‘Koningiopsin’. Molecular dynamics simulation of Trikoningin KA V revealed many residues show high preference for left-handed helix formation. The peptaibol extracts showed stronger inhibition against Gram-positive versus Gram-negative bacteria, no effect on yeasts, and varying levels of inhibition against filamentous fungi.

Conclusion

The study identified 30 peptaibol sequences from the two species, with structural analysis revealing fluctuating right- and left-handed helical conformations. The peptaibols showed selective antimicrobial activity, being most effective against Gram-positive bacteria and certain filamentous fungi while having no effect on yeasts.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms6030085
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