title: Comparing bacterial membrane interactions of antimicrobial peptides and their mimics.
abstract: Interactions with bacterial membranes are integral to the mechanisms of action of all antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), regardless of their final cellular targets. Here, we describe in detail two biophysical techniques that can be used to measure the membrane activities of AMPs and antimicrobial peptidomimetics: (1) a calcein leakage assay to investigate interactions between AMPs/peptidomimetics with large unilamellar vesicles and (2) a potential-sensitive dye-based depolarization assay to investigate interactions with the membranes of live bacteria. By comparing the membrane interactions of AMPs and their mimics, these techniques can provide insights into their extent of mimicry and their antimicrobial mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Nathaniel P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Chongsiriwatana
authors.forename: Annelise E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Barron
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000378:metabolism*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D005452:Fluoresceins; D010455:Peptides; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes; C007740:fluorexon