Cell Penetrating Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides (SAMPs) Exhibiting Potent and Selective Killing of Mycobacterium by Targeting Its DNA. Issue 9 (21st January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Aashish; Pohane, Amol Arunrao; Bansal, Sandhya; Bajaj, Avinash; Jain, Vikas; Srivastava, Aasheesh
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 21:Issue 9(2015)
• Page Start: 3540
• Page End: 3545
• Publication Date: 2015-01-21
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201404650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are powerful defence tools to tackle pathogenic microbes. However, limited natural production and high synthetic costs in addition to poor selectivity limit large‐scale use of AMPs in clinical settings. Here, we present a series of synthetic AMPs (SAMPs) that exhibit highly selective and potent killing of <italic>Mycobacterium</italic> (minimum inhibitory concentration &lt;20 μg mL⁻¹) over <italic>E. coli</italic> or mammalian cells. These SAMPs are active against rapidly multiplying as well as growth saturated <italic>Mycobacterium</italic> cultures. These SAMPs are not membrane‐lytic in nature, and are readily internalized by <italic>Mycobacterium</italic> and mammalian cells; whereas in <italic>E. coli</italic>, the lipopolysaccharide layer inhibits their cellular uptake, and hence, their antibacterial action. Upon internalization, these SAMPs interact with the unprotected genomic DNA of mycobacteria, and impede DNA‐dependent processes, leading to bacterial cell death.</p> </abstract>