Insights into the Chemistry, Structure, and Biological Activity of Human Salivary MUC7 Fragments and Their Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes

Overview

Journal Inorg Chem

Specialty Chemistry

Date 2024 Jun 10

PMID 38856909

Authors

Klaudia Szarszon

Silke Andra

Tomasz Janek

Joanna Watly

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mucin 7 (MUC7) is one of the salivary proteins whose role in the innate immune system is widely known, but still, neither its mechanism of action nor the impact of its metal coordination is fully understood. MUC7 and its fragments demonstrate potent antimicrobial activity, serving as a natural defense mechanism for organisms against pathogens. This study delves into the bioinorganic chemistry of MUC7 fragments (L1─EGRERDHELRHRRHHHQSPK; L2─EGRERDHELRHRR; L3─HHHQSPK) and their complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions. The antimicrobial characteristics of the investigated peptides and their complexes were systematically assessed against bacterial and fungal strains at pH 5.40 and pH 7.40. Our findings highlight the efficacy of these systems against , a common oral cavity pathogen. Most interestingly, Zn(II) coordination increased (or triggered) the MUC7 antimicrobial activity, which underscores the pivotal role of metal ion coordination in governing the antimicrobial activity of human salivary MUC7 fragments against .

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