Improving the biological activity of the antimicrobial peptide anoplin by membrane anchoring through a lipophilic amino acid derivative

Slootweg, J. C., van Schaik, T. B., Quarles van Ufford, H. (L.) C., Breukink, E., Liskamp, R. M. J. and Rijkers, D. T.S. (2013) Improving the biological activity of the antimicrobial peptide anoplin by membrane anchoring through a lipophilic amino acid derivative. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 23(13), pp. 3749-3752. (doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.05.002)

Abstract

The lipophilic amino acid, (<i>S</i>)-2-aminoundecanoic acid, was synthesized and incorporated at a number of specific positions within the peptide sequence of anoplin. These lipophilic anoplin analogs showed to be more active against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> compared to native anoplin, while the EC₅₀-value of hemolysis was at least one order of magnitude lower than the MIC values. This was in sharp contrast to the N-acylated anoplin derivative, where a gain in activity also led to a complete loss of selectivity. Thus, the incorporation of a lipophilic amino acid residue into anoplin enhanced the antimicrobial activity, while selectivity towards microbial membranes was retained.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Liskamp, Professor Robert
• Authors: Slootweg, J. C., van Schaik, T. B., Quarles van Ufford, H. (L.) C., Breukink, E., Liskamp, R. M. J., and Rijkers, D. T.S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0960-894X
• ISSN (Online): 1464-3405