scholarly journals Quinolones Sensitize Gram-Negative Bacteria to Antimicrobial Peptides

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 2361-2367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Campos ◽  
Pau Morey ◽  
José A. Bengoechea
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Antibacterial Agents ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Outer Membranes ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Subinhibitory Concentrations

ABSTRACT The treatment of infections caused by bacteria resistant to the vast majority of antibiotics is a challenge worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (APs) make up the front line of defense in those areas exposed to microorganisms, and there is intensive research to explore their use as new antibacterial agents. On the other hand, it is known that subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics affect the expression of numerous bacterial traits. In this work we evaluated whether treatment of bacteria with subinhibitory concentrations of quinolones may alter the sensitivity to APs. A 1-h treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae with 0.25× the MIC of ciprofloxacin rendered bacteria more sensitive to polymyxins B and E, human neutrophil defensin 1, and β-defensin 1. Levofloxacin and nalidixic acid at 0.25× the MICs also increased the sensitivity of K. pneumoniae to polymyxin B, whereas gentamicin and ceftazidime at 0.25× the MICs did not have such an effect. Ciprofloxacin also increased the sensitivities of K. pneumoniae ciprofloxacin-resistant strains to polymyxin B. Two other pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae, also became more sensitive to polymyxins B and E after treatment with 0.25× the MIC of ciprofloxacin. Incubation with ciprofloxacin did not alter the expression of the K. pneumoniae loci involved in resistance to APs. A 1-N-phenyl-naphthylamine assay showed that ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin increased the permeabilities of the K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa outer membranes, while divalent cations antagonized this action. Finally, we demonstrated that ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin increased the binding of APs to the outer membrane by using dansylated polymyxin B.

scholarly journals Polymyxin B Induces Lysis of Marine Pseudoalteromonads

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 3908-3914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mart Krupovič ◽  
Rimantas Daugelavičius ◽  
Dennis H. Bamford
Keyword(s):  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Enteric Bacteria ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membranes ◽  
Long Time ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Cell Envelopes

ABSTRACT Polymyxin B (PMB) is a cationic antibiotic that interacts with the envelopes of gram-negative bacterial cells. The therapeutic use of PMB was abandoned for a long time due to its undesirable side effects; however, the spread of resistance to currently used antibiotics has forced the reevaluation of PMB for clinical use. Previous studies have used enteric bacteria to examine the mode of PMB action, resulting in a somewhat limited understanding of this process. This study examined the effects of PMB on marine pseudoalteromonads and demonstrates that the frequently accepted view that “what is true for Escherichia coli is true for all bacteria” does not hold true. We show here that in contrast to the growth inhibition observed for enteric bacteria, PMB induces lysis of pseudoalteromonads, which is not prevented by high concentrations of divalent cations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a high membrane voltage is required for the interaction of PMB with the cytoplasmic membranes of pseudoalteromonads, further elucidating the mechanisms by which PMB interacts with the cell envelopes of those gram-negative bacteria.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Peptides: Virulence and Resistance Modulation in Gram-Negative Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marylise Duperthuy
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Resistance Modulation ◽  
Subinhibitory Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

Growing resistance to antibiotics is one of the biggest threats to human health. One of the possibilities to overcome this resistance is to use and develop alternative molecules such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, an increasing number of studies have shown that bacterial resistance to AMPs does exist. Since AMPs are immunity molecules, it is important to ensure that their potential therapeutic use is not harmful in the long term. Recently, several studies have focused on the adaptation of Gram-negative bacteria to subinhibitory concentrations of AMPs. Such concentrations are commonly found in vivo and in the environment. It is therefore necessary to understand how bacteria detect and respond to low concentrations of AMPs. This review focuses on recent findings regarding the impact of subinhibitory concentrations of AMPs on the modulation of virulence and resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.

scholarly journals Synergistic Interaction between Silver Nanoparticles and Membrane-Permeabilizing Antimicrobial Peptides

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 3538-3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Ruden ◽  
Kai Hilpert ◽  
Marina Berditsch ◽  
Parvesh Wadhwani ◽  
Anne S. Ulrich
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Internal Target ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Target Sites

ABSTRACT Silver nanoparticles, as well as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), can be used to fight infectious diseases. Since AMPs are known to permeabilize bacterial membranes and might therefore help silver nanoparticles to access internal target sites, we investigated their combined activities and showed synergistic effects between polymyxin B and silver nanoparticles for gram-negative bacteria.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activities of Amine- and Guanidine-Functionalized Cholic Acid Derivatives

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1347-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhong Li ◽  
Matthew R. Lewis ◽  
Amy B. Gilbert ◽  
Mark D. Noel ◽  
David H. Scoville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Cholic Acid ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Outer Membranes ◽  
Cholic Acid Derivatives

ABSTRACT Compounds in a series of cholic acid derivatives, designed to mimic the activities of polymyxin B and its derivatives, act as both potent antibiotics and effective permeabilizers of the outer membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Some of these compounds rival polymyxin B in antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria and are also very active against gram-positive organisms. Other compounds interact synergistically with hydrophobic antibiotics to inhibit bacterial growth.

scholarly journals Apomorphine Targets the Pleiotropic Bacterial Regulator Hfq

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Florian Turbant ◽  
David Partouche ◽  
Omar El Hamoui ◽  
Sylvain Trépout ◽  
Théa Legoubey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Rnas ◽  
Antibacterial Agents ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Translation Efficiency ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Bacterial Adaptation ◽  
E Coli

Hfq is a bacterial regulator with key roles in gene expression. The protein notably regulates translation efficiency and RNA decay in Gram-negative bacteria, thanks to its binding to small regulatory noncoding RNAs. This property is of primary importance for bacterial adaptation and survival in hosts. Small RNAs and Hfq are, for instance, involved in the response to antibiotics. Previous work has shown that the E. coli Hfq C-terminal region (Hfq-CTR) self-assembles into an amyloid structure. It was also demonstrated that the green tea compound EpiGallo Catechin Gallate (EGCG) binds to Hfq-CTR amyloid fibrils and remodels them into nonamyloid structures. Thus, compounds that target the amyloid region of Hfq may be used as antibacterial agents. Here, we show that another compound that inhibits amyloid formation, apomorphine, may also serve as a new antibacterial. Our results provide an alternative in order to repurpose apomorphine, commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, as an antibiotic to block bacterial adaptation to treat infections.

scholarly journals Proteomic response of Escherichia coli to a membrane lytic and iron chelating truncated Amaranthus tricolor defensin

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa B. Moyer ◽  
Ashleigh L. Purvis ◽  
Andrew J. Wommack ◽  
Leslie M. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Amaranthus Tricolor ◽  
Core Motif ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Membrane Lysis

Abstract Background Plant defensins are a broadly distributed family of antimicrobial peptides which have been primarily studied for agriculturally relevant antifungal activity. Recent studies have probed defensins against Gram-negative bacteria revealing evidence for multiple mechanisms of action including membrane lysis and ribosomal inhibition. Herein, a truncated synthetic analog containing the γ-core motif of Amaranthus tricolor DEF2 (Atr-DEF2) reveals Gram-negative antibacterial activity and its mechanism of action is probed via proteomics, outer membrane permeability studies, and iron reduction/chelation assays. Results Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) demonstrated activity against two Gram-negative human bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Quantitative proteomics revealed changes in the E. coli proteome in response to treatment of sub-lethal concentrations of the truncated defensin, including bacterial outer membrane (OM) and iron acquisition/processing related proteins. Modification of OM charge is a common response of Gram-negative bacteria to membrane lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to reduce electrostatic interactions, and this mechanism of action was confirmed for Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) via an N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine uptake assay. Additionally, in vitro assays confirmed the capacity of Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) to reduce Fe3+ and chelate Fe2+ at cell culture relevant concentrations, thus limiting the availability of essential enzymatic cofactors. Conclusions This study highlights the utility of plant defensin γ-core motif synthetic analogs for characterization of novel defensin activity. Proteomic changes in E. coli after treatment with Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) supported the hypothesis that membrane lysis is an important component of γ-core motif mediated antibacterial activity but also emphasized that other properties, such as metal sequestration, may contribute to a multifaceted mechanism of action.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activities of Mefloquine and a Series of Related Compounds

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 848-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kunin ◽  
W. Y. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Walter Reed Army Institute ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Related Compounds

ABSTRACT Mefloquine was found to have bactericidal activity against methicillin- and fluoroquinolone-susceptible and -resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and gentamicin- and vancomycin-resistant strains ofEnterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The MICs were 16 μg/ml, and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were 16 to 32 μg/ml. These concentrations cannot be achieved in serum. Mefloquine was active at a more achievable concentration against penicillin-susceptible and -resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, with MICs of 0.2 to 1.5 μg/ml. Mefloquine was not active against gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. In an attempt to find more active derivatives, 400 mefloquine-related compounds were selected from the chemical inventory of The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. We identified a series of compounds containing a piperidine methanol group attached to pyridine, quinoline, and benzylquinoline ring systems. These had activities similar to that of mefloquine against S. pneumoniae but were far more active against other gram-positive bacteria (MICs for staphylococci, 0.8 to 6.3 μg/ml). They had activities similar to that of amphotericin B againstCandida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans. Combinations of the compounds with gentamicin and vancomycin were additive against staphylococci and pneumococci. The MIC and MBC of gentamicin were decreased by four- to eightfold when this drug was combined with limiting dilutions of the compounds. There was no antagonism with other antimicrobial drugs. The compounds were rapidly bactericidal. They appear to act by disrupting cell membranes. Combinations of the compounds with aminoglycoside antibiotics may have potential for therapeutic use.

scholarly journals Polymyxin B Nephrotoxicity and Efficacy against Nosocomial Infections Caused by Multiresistant Gram-Negative Bacteria

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 2659-2662 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Ouderkirk ◽  
Jill A. Nord ◽  
Glenn S. Turett ◽  
Jay Ward Kislak
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Renal Function ◽  
Renal Toxicity ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Length Of Treatment ◽  
Baseline Renal Function ◽  
Overall Mortality

ABSTRACT Reported rates of nephrotoxicity associated with the systemic use of polymyxins have varied widely. The emergence of infections due to multiresistant gram-negative bacteria has necessitated the use of systemic polymyxin B once again for the treatment of such infections. We retrospectively investigated the rate of nephrotoxicity in patients receiving polymyxin B parenterally for the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant gram-negative bacteria from October 1999 to September 2000. Demographic and clinical information was obtained for 60 patients. Outcome measures of interest were renal toxicity and clinical and microbiologic efficacy. Renal failure developed in 14% of the patients, all of whom had normal baseline renal function. Development of renal failure was independent of the daily and cumulative doses of polymyxin B and the length of treatment but was significantly associated with older age (76 versus 59 years, P = 0.02). The overall mortality was 20%, but it increased to 57% in those who developed renal failure. The organism was cleared in 88% of the patients from whom repeat specimens were obtained. The use of polymyxin B to treat multiresistant gram-negative infections was highly effective and associated with a lower rate of nephrotoxicity than previously described.

scholarly journals Synergy and remarkable specificity of antimicrobial peptides in vivo using a systematic knockout approach

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Austin Hanson ◽  
Anna Dostálová ◽  
Camilla Ceroni ◽  
Mickael Poidevin ◽  
Shu Kondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Cationic Peptides ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are host-encoded antibiotics that combat invading microorganisms. These short, cationic peptides have been implicated in many biological processes, primarily involving innate immunity. In vitro studies have shown AMPs kill bacteria and fungi at physiological concentrations, but little validation has been done in vivo. We utilized CRISPR gene editing to delete most known immune-inducible AMPs of Drosophila, namely: 4 Attacins, 2 Diptericins, Drosocin, Drosomycin, Metchnikowin and Defensin. Using individual and multiple knockouts, including flies lacking these ten AMP genes, we characterize the in vivo function of individual and groups of AMPs against diverse bacterial and fungal pathogens. We found that Drosophila AMPs act primarily against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, contributing either additively or synergistically. We also describe remarkable specificity wherein certain AMPs contribute the bulk of microbicidal activity against specific pathogens, providing functional demonstrations of highly specific AMP-pathogen interactions in an in vivo setting.

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