Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health & Well-being (SDG 3)
Rationally designing effective antimicrobial peptides for targeting bacterial membranes
Vakare Teresaite, Ioana-Diana Vlad, Rhiannon Brooks * London Metropolitan University E-mail: brooksr@staff.londonmet.ac.uk
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising solution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to their broad-spectrum activity and customisable nature. Unlike traditional antibiotics, AMPs appear to disrupt bacterial membranes, making it harder for bacteria to develop resistance without incurring significant structural and energy costs. 1 One example is Lynronne-1, an AMP identified in the rumen microbiome, which has shown effectiveness against pathogens like MRSA and A. baumannii . Structural studies revealed its amphipathic helix and cationic residues are crucial for interacting with bacterial membranes selectively. 2, 3 Building on this research, efforts are now focused on AMPs derived from milk proteins. These peptides are being modified to enhance their antimicrobial properties while reducing toxicity. By altering their structure, the aim is to improve the peptides’ stability, potency, and selectivity for bacterial targets. This work seeks to create safer and more effective therapeutic options, offering a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics. This research highlights the potential of synthetic AMPs, particularly those derived from natural sources like milk proteins, to combat resistant bacteria. By refining their structure, these peptides could provide powerful tools in the fight against AMR, contributing to more sustainable and targeted antimicrobial therapies. 4 Key words: Antimicrobial Peptides, Antimicrobial Resistance, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Rational Design, Biological Membranes References 1. S. Ji, F. An, T. Zhang, M. Lou, J. Guo, K. Liu, Y. Zhu, J. Wu, R. Wu, Eur. J. Med. Chem. , 2024, 265 , 116072. 2. L.B. Oyama, S.E. Girdwood, A.R. Cookson et al., npj Biofilms Microbiomes , 2017, 3 , 33. 3. E. S. Jayawant, J. Hutchinson, D. Gašparíková, C. Lockey, L. Pruñonosa Lara, C. Guy, R. L. Brooks and A. M. Dixon, ChemBioChem , 2021, 22 , 2430–2439. 4. T. Sarkar, M. Chetia and S. Chatterjee, Front. Chem. , 2021, 9 .
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© The Author(s), 2025
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