Report: Antibacterial activity of a peptide derived from HIV-1 MN strain gp41 envelope glycoprotein against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2016 Nov;29(6):2119-2124.

Abstract

Peptides derived from HIV-1 transmembrane proteins have been extensively studied for antimicrobial activities, and they are known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These AMPs have also been reported to potently combat the drug-resistant microbes. In this study, we demonstrated that peptide #6383 originated from HIV-1 MN strain membrane-spanning domain of gp41 was active (2-log reductions) at 100βg/mL (56.5βM) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 10% and 50% human plasma-supplemented phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The activity was further enhanced (3-log reductions) in the presence of 5% human serum albumin (HSA) alone. All bactericidal activities were achieved within 6 hours. At 100μg/mL, the peptide showed only 13% toxicity against human erythrocytes. This peptide can serve as an attractive template for a design of a novel peptide antibiotic against drug-resistant bacteria. By sequence-specific engineering or modifications, we anticipated that the bactericidal activity and the reduced toxicity against human erythrocytes will be improved.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / toxicity
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / isolation & purification
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / pharmacology*
  • HIV-1 / chemistry*
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Peptide Fragments / isolation & purification
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Peptide Fragments / toxicity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Peptide Fragments