Synthetic mimic of antimicrobial peptide with nonmembrane-disrupting antibacterial properties.
Polyguanidinium oxanorbornene ( PGON) was synthesized from norbornene monomers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. This polymer was observed to be strongly antibacterial against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as nonhemolytic against human red blood cells. Time-kill studies indicated that this polymer is lethal and not just bacteriostatic. In sharp contrast to previously reported SMAMPs (synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides), PGON did not disrupt membranes in vesicle-dye leakage assays and microscopy experiments. The unique biological properties of PGON, in same ways similar to cell-penetrating peptides, strongly encourage the examination of other novel guanidino containing macromolecules as powerful and selective antimicrobial agents.
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
Gregory J
GJ
Gabriel
Ahmad E
AE
Madkour
Jeffrey M
JM
Dabkowski
Christopher F
CF
Nelson
Klaus
K
Nüsslein
Gregory N
GN
Tew
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006146:Guanidines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D006146:Guanidines; D011108:Polymers