Synthetic mimic of antimicrobial peptide with nonmembrane-disrupting antibacterial properties.

TitleSynthetic mimic of antimicrobial peptide with nonmembrane-disrupting antibacterial properties.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsGabriel GJ, Madkour AE, Dabkowski JM, Nelson CF, Nüsslein K, Tew GN
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume9
Issue11
Pagination2980-3
Date Published2008 Nov
ISSN1526-4602
KeywordsAnti-Bacterial Agents, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Erythrocytes, Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Guanidines, Humans, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Molecular Mimicry, Polymers
Abstract

Polyguanidinium oxanorbornene ( PGON) was synthesized from norbornene monomers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. This polymer was observed to be strongly antibacterial against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as nonhemolytic against human red blood cells. Time-kill studies indicated that this polymer is lethal and not just bacteriostatic. In sharp contrast to previously reported SMAMPs (synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides), PGON did not disrupt membranes in vesicle-dye leakage assays and microscopy experiments. The unique biological properties of PGON, in same ways similar to cell-penetrating peptides, strongly encourage the examination of other novel guanidino containing macromolecules as powerful and selective antimicrobial agents.

DOI10.1021/bm800855t
Alternate JournalBiomacromolecules
PubMed ID18850741