How Insertion of a Single Tryptophan in the N-Terminus of a Cecropin A-Melittin Hybrid Peptide Changes Its Antimicrobial and Biophysical Profile

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Ferreira, AR (Author) Other; Catia Teixeira (Author) FCUP; Sousa, CF (Author) Other; Bessa, LJ (Author) Other; Paula Gomes (Author) FCUP; Paula Gameiro (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Membranes

Vol. 11

Pages: 1-19

ISSN: 2077-0375

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-AS8

DOI: 10.3390/membranes11010048

Abstract (EN): In the era of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for efficient antibiotic therapies to fight bacterial infections. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) are promising lead compounds given their membrane-targeted mechanism of action, and high affinity towards the anionic composition of bacterial membranes. We present a new CAMP, W-BP100, derived from the highly active BP100, holding an additional tryptophan at the N-terminus. W-BP100 showed a broader antibacterial activity, demonstrating a potent activity against Gram-positive strains. Revealing a high partition constant towards anionic over zwitterionic large unilamellar vesicles and inducing membrane saturation at a high peptide/lipid ratio, W-BP100 has a preferential location for hydrophobic environments. Contrary to BP100, almost no aggregation of anionic vesicles is observed around saturation conditions and at higher concentrations no aggregation is observed. With these results, it is possible to state that with the incorporation of a single tryptophan to the N-terminus, a highly active peptide was obtained due to the pi-electron system of tryptophan, resulting in negatively charged clouds, that participate in cation-pi interactions with lysine residues. Furthermore, we propose that W-BP100 action can be achieved by electrostatic interactions followed by peptide translocation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19