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Expression of 4kD scorpion defensin and its in vitro synergistic activity with conventional antibiotics

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Abstract

The 4kD scorpion defensin (SD) is a potent disulfide-linked peptide. In this study, we expressed it in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and purified it using Ni–NTA His Bind Resin. We investigated its in vitro antibacterial activity and effect in combination with several conventional antibiotics. We first examined its antibacterial activity towards several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Then we used the broth microdilution method to test drugs alone and in combination and used the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC index) to classify the drug interactions. Our study showed the expressed SD peptide has antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli and S. aureus etc. Synergy or additive interaction was observed between SD and Norfloxacin, Polymyxin B and Ampicillin. Cell growth tests showed that combination of SD and Norfloxacin can improve their activity against bacteria. This result maybe permit lower using of the conventional antibiotic agents more effectively and safely.

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Abbreviations

SD:

The 4 kDa scorpion defensin

FIC:

Fractional inhibitory concentration

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Acknowledgments

We thank Pro. Wang Chuanqing for kindly offering the bacterial strains. This work was supported by grants of Henan University of Science and Technology Youth Fund Project (2010QN0015) and Ph.D. Programs Foundation (09001279).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food and Bioengineering College, He’nan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, He’nan, People’s Republic of China

    Mingfu Niu, Qiang Gong, Cuili Qin & Wenhui Wang

  2. College of Animal Science and Technology, He’nan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, He’nan, People’s Republic of China

    Xiang Li & Chen Wang

  3. Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Diagnosis and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Puyan Chen

Authors
  1. Mingfu Niu
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  2. Xiang Li
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  3. Qiang Gong
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  4. Chen Wang
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  5. Cuili Qin
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  6. Wenhui Wang
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Correspondence to Mingfu Niu.

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Niu, M., Li, X., Gong, Q. et al. Expression of 4kD scorpion defensin and its in vitro synergistic activity with conventional antibiotics. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 29, 281–288 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-012-1181-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-012-1181-4

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