Design and synthesis of cationic antibacterial peptide based on Leucrocin I sequence, antibacterial peptide from crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) white blood cell extracts

J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2014 Mar;67(3):205-12. doi: 10.1038/ja.2013.114. Epub 2013 Nov 6.

Abstract

Leucrocin I is an antibacterial peptide isolated from crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) white blood cell extracts. Based on Leucrocin I sequence, cationic peptide, NY15, was designed, synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Bacillus sphaericus TISTR 678, Bacillus megaterium (clinical isolate), Vibrio cholerae (clinical isolate), Salmonella typhi (clinical isolate), Salmonella typhi ATCC 5784 and Escherichia coli 0157:H7. The efficacy of the peptide made from all L-amino acids was also compared with all D-amino acids. The peptide made from all D-amino acids was more active than the corresponding L-enantiomer. In our detailed study, the interaction between peptides and the cell membrane of Vibrio cholerae as part of their killing mechanism was studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy. The results show that the membrane was the target of action of the peptides. Finally, the cytotoxicity assays revealed that both L-NY15 and D-NY15 peptides are non-toxic to mammalian cells at bacteriolytic concentrations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alligators and Crocodiles / blood*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / toxicity
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / toxicity
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Cell Extracts
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Toxicity Tests
  • Vero Cells
  • Vibrio cholerae / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cell Extracts