Membrane Disruptive Action of Cationic Antibacterial Peptide B1CTcu3

• Published in: Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology 2022-08, Vol.23 (16), p.e202200239-n/a
• Main Authors: Ajayakumar, Neethu, Narayanan, Pratibha, Anitha, Anju Krishnan, Mahendran, Kozhinjampara R., Kumar, Kesavakurup Santhosh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial activity; Antibacterial agents; antibiofilm activity; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Biofilms; Breast cancer; Cell membranes; Channel pores; Cytotoxicity; Drug resistance; Flow cytometry; helical structures; Lipid bilayers; Lipids; membrane activity; Methicillin; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Peptides; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Scanning electron microscopy; Staphylococcus aureus; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1439-4227; 1439-7633
• DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200239

A twenty‐two‐residue peptide Brevinin1 Clinotarsus curtipus‐3 (B1CTcu3), identified from the skin secretion of frog Clinotarsus curtipes of the Western Ghats, exhibited a broad range of antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, including the methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It showed anti‐biofilm activity even at sub‐minimum inhibitory concentration (sub‐MIC) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Analysis of the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images, confocal images, flow cytometric data and the effect of salt concentration on antibacterial potency suggests that the killing action of the peptide is through the membranolytic process. Single channel electric recording confirmed that the peptide elicited pores on the bacterial cell membrane as it induces a heterogeneous channel in the lipid bilayer. It also showed cytotoxicity against MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell with IC50 of 25 μM. B1CTcu3 peptide could serve as the template for next‐generation antibacterial agents, particularly against antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria. B1CTcu3, an α‐helical peptide identified from the skin secretion of Clinotarsus curtipes exhibited a broad range of antibacterial activity against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. It also exhibits anti‐biofilm properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. B1CTcu3 induces pores on the bacterial membrane which leads to the killing of bacteria.