Novel Feleucin-K3-Derived Peptides Modified with Sulfono-γ-AA Building Blocks Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections

J Med Chem. 2023 Jan 26;66(2):1254-1272. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01396. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

Abstract

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections has led to dramatically increased morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have great potential as new therapeutic agents to reverse this dangerous trend. Herein, a series of novel AMP Feleucin-K3 analogues modified with unnatural peptidomimetic sulfono-γ-AA building blocks were designed and synthesized. The structure-activity, structure-toxicity, and structure-stability relationships were investigated to discover the optimal antimicrobial candidates. Among them, K122 exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high selectivity. K122 had a rapid bactericidal effect and a low tendency to induce resistance. Surprisingly, K122 showed excellent effectiveness against bacterial pneumonia. For biofilm and local skin infections, K122 significantly decreased the bacterial load and improved tissue injury at a dose of only 0.25 mg/kg, which was 160 times lower than the concentration deemed to be safe for local dermal applications. In summary, K122 is an outstanding candidate for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Infective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents