Antimicrobial peptide glatiramer acetate targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides to breach membranes without altering lipopolysaccharide modification.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of innate immunity across all domains of life. Natural and synthetic AMPs are receiving renewed attention in efforts to combat the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and the loss of antibiotic efficacy. The gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most concerning infecting bacteria in AMR, particularly in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) where respiratory infections are difficult to eradicate and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Cationic AMPs exploit the negatively charged lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on P. aeruginosa to bind and disrupt bacterial membrane(s), causing lethal damage. P. aeruginosa modifies its LPS to evade AMP killing. Free-LPS is also a component of CF sputum and feeds pro-inflammatory cy

SUBMITTER: Murphy RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11702655 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature