Enhancement of antimicrobial function by L/D-lysine substitution on a novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide, phylloseptin-TO2: a structure-related activity research study

Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health globally, reducing the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. ESKAPE pathogens are a group of highly transmissible bacteria that mainly contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance and cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Phylloseptins, a class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from Phyllomedusidae frogs, have been proven to have antimicrobial activity via membrane interaction. However, their relatively high cytotoxicity and low stability limit the clinical development of these AMPs. This project aims to study the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of a phylloseptin-like peptide, phylloseptin-TO2 (PSTO2), following rational amino acid modification. Here, PSTO2 (FLSLIPHAISAVSALAKHL-NH2), identified from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa tomopterna, was used as the template for modification to enhance antimicrobial activity. Adding positive charges to PSTO2 through substitution with L-lysines enhanced the interaction of the peptides with cell membranes and improved their antimicrobial efficacy. The analogues SRD7 and SR2D10, which incorporated D-lysines, demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while also showing reduced haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity, resulting in a higher therapeutic index. Additionally, SRD7, modified with D-lysines, exhibited notable anti-proliferative properties against human lung cancer cell lines, including H838 and H460. This study thus provides a potential development model for new antibacterial and anti-cancer drugs combating antibiotic resistance.