title: Broad-spectrum antibacterial activity by a novel abiogenic peptide mimic.
abstract: The human-mediated use and abuse of classical antibiotics has created a strong selective pressure for the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance. As resistance levels rise, and the efficacy of classical antibiotics wanes, the intensity of the search for alternative antimicrobials has increased. One class of molecules that has attracted much attention is the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). They exhibit broad-spectrum activity, they are potent and they are widespread as part of the innate defence system of both vertebrates and invertebrates. However, peptides are complex molecules that suffer from proteolytic degradation. The ability to capture the essential properties of antimicrobial peptides in simple easy-to-prepare molecules that are abiotic in origin and non-proteolytic offers many advantages. Mechanistic and structural knowledge of existing AMPs was used to design a novel compound that mimics the biochemical activity of an AMP. This report describes the development and in vitro characterization of a small peptide mimic that exhibited quick-acting and selective antibacterial activity against a broad range of bacteria, including numerous clinically relevant strains, at low MIC values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nüsslein
authors.affiliation: Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Lachelle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arnt
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rennie
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Cullen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Tew
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010455:Peptides