biostudies-literatureUnknown12Raeder SBAntimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat to global health and challenges the way we treat infections. Peptides containing the PCNA interacting motif APIM (APIM-peptides) were recently shown to bind to the bacterial PCNA homolog, the beta (β)-clamp, and to have both antibacterial and anti-mutagenic activities. In this study we explore the antibacterial effects of these peptides on <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>, a bacterial species commonly found in prosthetic joint infections (PJI). Drug-resistant bacterial isolates from PJIs often lead to difficult-to-treat chronic infections. We show that APIM-peptides have a rapid bactericidal effect which when used at sublethal levels also increase the efficacy of gentamicin. In addition, APIM-peptides reduce development and eliminate alreadFrontiers in microbiology631557https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8009970biostudies-literatureNovel Peptides Targeting the β-Clamp Rapidly Kill Planktonic and Biofilm <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> Both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.PMC8009970Bergh KWitso ENepal AOtterlei MSandbakken ETLoseth KRaeder SBfalseNovel Peptides Targeting the β-Clamp Rapidly Kill Planktonic and Biofilm <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> Both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat to global health and challenges the way we treat infections. Peptides containing the PCNA interacting motif APIM (APIM-peptides) were recently shown to bind to the bacterial PCNA homolog, the beta (β)-clamp, and to have both antibacterial and anti-mutagenic activities. In this study we explore the antibacterial effects of these peptides on <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>, a bacterial species commonly found in prosthetic joint infections (PJI). Drug-resistant bacterial isolates from PJIs often lead to difficult-to-treat chronic infections. We show that APIM-peptides have a rapid bactericidal effect which when used at sublethal levels also increase the efficacy of gentamicin. In addition, APIM-peptides reduce development and eliminate alread2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212025-04-04T18:37:47.616Z2022-02-09T12:46:49.952ZS-EPMC80099703381531310.3389/fmicb.2021.631557