Modulation of backbone flexibility for effective dissociation of antibacterial and hemolytic activity in cyclic peptides

Alberto Oddo, Thomas Thyge Thomsen, Hannah M. Britt, Anders Løbner-Olesen, Peter Waaben Thulstrup, John M. Sanderson, Paul Robert Hansen

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to antibiotic therapy is on the rise and threatens to evolve into a worldwide emergency: alternative solutions to current therapies are urgently needed. Cationic amphipathic peptides are potent membrane-active agents that hold promise as the next-generation therapy for multidrug-resistant infections. The peptides' behavior upon encountering the bacterial cell wall is crucial, and much effort has been dedicated to the investigation and optimization of this amphipathicity-driven interaction. In this study we examined the interaction of a novel series of nine-membered flexible cyclic AMPs with liposomes mimicking the characteristics of bacterial membranes. Employed techniques included circular dichroism and marker release assays, as well as microbiological experiments. Our analysis was aimed at correlating ring flexibility with their antimicrobial, hemolytic, and membrane activity. By doing so, we obtained useful insights to guide the optimization of cyclic antimicrobial peptides via modulation of their backbone flexibility without loss of activity.

Original languageEnglish
JournalACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Volume7
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)741-745
Number of pages5
ISSN1948-5875
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Aug 2016

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