Mechanism of action and initial evaluation of a membrane active all-D-enantiomer antimicrobial peptidomimetic

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Feb 26;110(9):3477-82. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1221924110. Epub 2013 Jan 23.

Abstract

Development of therapy against infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a major unmet need in contemporary medicine. In previous work, our group chemically modified an antimicrobial peptidomimetic motif for targeted applications against cancer and obesity. Here, we show that the modified motif per se is resistant to proteolytic degradation and is a candidate antiinfective agent. We also show that the susceptibility of microorganisms to the drug is independent of bacterial growth phase. Moreover, this peptidomimetic selectively interferes with the integrity and function of the microbial surface lipid bilayer, data indicative that bacterial death results from membrane disruption followed by dissipation of membrane potential. Finally, we demonstrate two potential translational applications: use against biofilms and synergy with antibiotics in use. In summary, we introduce the mechanism of action and the initial evaluation of a prototype drug and a platform for the development of D-enantiomer antimicrobial peptidomimetics that target bacterial membranes of certain gram-negative problem pathogens with promising translational applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / ultrastructure
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Kinetics
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptidomimetics / chemistry*
  • Peptidomimetics / pharmacology*
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Peptidomimetics
  • Phospholipids