Isomerization of an antimicrobial peptide broadens antimicrobial spectrum to gram-positive bacterial pathogens

PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e46259. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046259. Epub 2012 Oct 2.

Abstract

The branched M33 antimicrobial peptide was previously shown to be very active against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. In an attempt to produce back-up molecules, we synthesized an M33 peptide isomer consisting of D-aminoacids (M33-D). This isomeric version showed 4 to 16-fold higher activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, than the original peptide, while retaining strong activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of both peptides was influenced by their differential sensitivity to bacterial proteases. The better activity shown by M33-D against S. aureus compared to M33-L was confirmed in biofilm eradication experiments where M33-L showed 12% activity with respect to M33-D, and in vivo models where Balb-c mice infected with S. aureus showed 100% and 0% survival when treated with M33-D and M33-L, respectively. M33-D appears to be an interesting candidate for the development of novel broad-spectrum antimicrobials active against bacterial pathogens of clinical importance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms
  • Isomerism
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Peptides

Grants and funding

This research was financed by the Italian Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis (project FFC#24/2011 adopted by FFC delegations from Legnago, Varese, Reggio Emilia and Assistgroup), the Tuscan Regional Administration (Project SPAC: POR CReO FESR 2007–2013) and PROGETTO PRIN (2008KCLR7M_004). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.