A Novel Class of Cationic and Non-Peptidic Small Molecules as Hits for the Development of Antimicrobial Agents.

ABSTRACT: Cationic and non-peptide small molecules containing a total of six positive charges arranged on one side and a long aliphatic tail on the other have been synthesized and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The positive charges have been contributed by two aminophenol residues. These molecules have showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including multidrug-resistant strains. Our structure⁻activity relationship studies demonstrated the importance of the length and flexibility of the hydrophobic tail for the antimicrobial activity. Importantly, these compounds are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells at the concentration affecting growth in bacteria, reflecting an acceptable margin of safety. The small size and easy synthetic accessibility of our

SUBMITTER: Jimenez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6099707 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature