A novel non‐cytotoxic synthetic peptide, Pug‐1, exhibited an antibiofilm effect onStreptococcus mutansadhesion

Abstract

Significance and Impact of the Study: Our data highlighted that pomegranate-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) inhibit Streptococcus mutans adhesion, virulence-associated genes and enzymes. This in vitro study supports the hypothesis that pomegranate AMPs would be noncytotoxic to human keratinocytes, with a potent anticariogenic effect via an anti-adherence mode-of-action. The present study provides evidence for further investigation of these AMPs as therapeutic and preventive agents for dental caries. AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synthetic peptides on the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans and their cytotoxicity on a human keratinocyte cell line. Four pomegranate-derived peptides; Pug-1, Pug-2, Pug-3 and Pug-4 were synthesized. Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175 and DMST 41283) were used. The antibacterial and anti-adherence activities of the peptides were evaluated. The effect of the peptides on S. mutans glucosyltransferase (Gtf) activity was measured. The peptides' cytotoxicity was evaluated on a HaCaT cell line using an MTT assay. The bactericidal penetration depth of Pug-1 into the biofilm was investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Among the four peptides, Pug-1 (200 µg ml À1 ) exhibited antibacterial activity on S. mutans (DMST 41283). All peptides demonstrated anti-adherence activity. Streptococcus mutans Gtf activity was significantly inhibited by Pug-1. Interestingly, Pug-1 peptide was not cytotoxic to the HaCaT cell line. Pug-1 (100-200 µg ml À1 ) exhibited bactericidal penetration at approximately 50-100% of the biofilm depth. Therefore, Pug-1 might be a candidate of anticariogenic agent.

Assessment of in vitro activities of novel modified antimicrobial peptides against clarithromycin resistant Mycobacterium abscessus

“…Anti-inflammatory activity of KLK (flesh fly) was demonstrated [ 46 ]. Recently, the antibiofilm effect of novel AMPs extracted from pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) on Streptococcus mutans adhesion was reported [ 47 ]. These AMPs were in the candidate pool that this study planned to test for potential antimicrobial activity against drug resistant bacteria including clarithromycin resistant Mab .…”

“… c Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) [ 46 ]. d Punica granatum (Pomegranate peel) [ 47 ]. e In vitro screening antimicrobial activities of 13 AMPs against M .…”

Antimicrobial Peptide Modifications against Clinically Isolated Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella

“…To search for a template, six AMPs that have never been tested against Salmonella were used in this study, including peptide KLK (KLKLLLLLKLK) and KLK1 (KLKLLL-LLKL) derived from sapecin B of flesh fly (Sarcophaga peregrina) larva [12][13][14][15][16][17], BmKn-2 (FIGAIARLLSKIF), and BmKn-22 (FIGAIARLLSK) derived from scorpion (Buthus martensii Karsch) venom [18][19][20][21][22], and Pug-1 (LLKLFFPFLETGE) and Pug-4 (FPSFLVGR) derived from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit [23]. The peptides were screened for their antibacterial potential against Salmonella using the broth microdilution method (as detailed in Section 2.4.1).…”