Peptides as a strategy against biofilm-forming microorganisms: Structure-activity relationship perspectives

Abstract

Biofilm forming microorganisms substantially enhance their virulence and drug resistance causing and alternatives are need to combat this health problem. In this context, peptides are an exceptional strategy in drug design and pharmaceutical innovation due to their diverse chemical features, biological activity and biotechnological relevance. Therefore, this study proposes a comprehensive assessment of a wide range of peptides, targeting biofilms. It provides chemical and molecular information and a Structural Activity Relationship perspective in order to delineate minimal requirements for antibiofilm activity and contributing to the development of new antibiofilm agents. In light of this, it was possible to propose a peptide design model (X₁-X₂-X₃-X₄-X₅-X₆-X₇-X₈-X₉-X₁₀-X₁₁-X₁₂-X₁₃-X₁₄-X₁₅-X₁₆-X₁₇-X₁₈-X₁₉-X₂₀) to be tested in the war against resistant microorganisms.

Keywords: Antibiofilm; Biofilm; Peptides; Peptidomimetics; Structure-activity relationship.