Dual Mode of Anti-Biofilm Action of G3 against Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Oral biofilms, formed by multiple microorganisms and their extracellular polymeric substances, seriously affect people’s life. The emergence of the resistance of biofilms to conventional antibiotics and their side effects on the oral cavity have posed a great challenge in the treatment of dental diseases. Recently, antimicrobial peptides have been recognized as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics due to their broad antibacterial spectrum, high antibacterial activity, and specific mechanism. However, the research of their anti-biofilm behaviors is still in its infancy, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-biofilm activities of a designed helical peptide (G3) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), one of the primary causative pathogens of caries. The results indicated that G3 inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation by interfering with different stages of biofilm development. At the initial stage, G3 inhibited the bacterial adhesion by decreasing the bacterial surface charges, hydrophobicity, membrane integrity, and adhesion-related gene transcription. At the later stage, G3 interacted with extracellular DNA to destabilize the 3D architecture of mature biofilms and thus dispersed them. The high activity of G3 against S. mutans biofilms, along with its specific modes of action, endows it great application potential in preventing and treating dental plaque diseases.

Natural Berberine-Hybridized Benzimidazoles as Novel Unique Bactericides against Staphylococcus aureus

“…The biofilm formation of S. aureus made conventional antibiotics hard to adequately attack and destroy infectious biofilm populations. − Thus, new antibacterial agents inhibiting biofilm formation were imperative to confront Staphylococcus infection. The ability of compound 7d to disrupt the preformed biofilm of S.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Methacrylate-Functionalized Betulin Derivatives as Antibacterial Comonomer for Dental Restorative Resins

“…As reported, secondary caries has been considered as the main reason for restoration failures, , affecting the longevity of composite restorations. A remedy to this problem is to develop antibacterial dental composites, which can be generally achieved by adding releasable antibacterial agents including silver-containing particles, ,, zinc-containing materials, − antibiotics, and chlorhexidine , into the polymer matrix through a simple physical blending method. However, the main disadvantage of these releasable agents is their rapid initial release, resulting in short-term effectiveness. , The idea of using “immobilized bactericide” was first proposed by Imazato et al to achieve long-term antibacterial activity through the synthesis of quaternary ammonium monomethacrylate monomers (QAMs) as the antibacterial agent, − but the mechanical performance of dental materials could be reduced if the amount of QAMs was not well controlled. , Therefore, the developed antibacterial monomers should possess a rigid skeleton and the polymerizable double bond, considering the chemical structure of the most commonly used resin monomer, bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA).…”

“…As reported, secondary caries has been considered as the main reason for restoration failures, 11,12 affecting the longevity of composite restorations. A remedy to this problem is to develop antibacterial dental composites, which can be generally achieved by adding releasable antibacterial agents including silver-containing particles, 11,13,14 zinc-containing materials, 15−18 antibiotics, 19 and chlorhexidine 20,21 into the polymer matrix through a simple physical blending method. However, the main disadvantage of these releasable agents is their rapid initial release, resulting in short-term effectiveness.…”

Mechanism of Antimicrobial Peptides: Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory and Antibiofilm Activities

“…For example, peptide G3 can inhibit bacterial adhesion by reducing surface charge, hydrophobicity, membrane integrity, and adhesion-related gene transcription in the initial stage. In the subsequent stage, G3 interacts with extracellular DNA, destroying the 3D structure of mature biofilms and dispersing them ( Table 3 and Figure 2 ) [ 141 ].…”