N-Lipidated Peptide Dimers: Effective Antibacterial Agents against Gram-Negative Pathogens through Lipopolysaccharide Permeabilization

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 27;58(16):6533-48. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00628. Epub 2015 Aug 12.

Abstract

Treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens is challenging, and there is concern regarding the toxicity of the most effective antimicrobials for Gram-negative pathogens. We hypothesized that conjugating a fatty acid moiety onto a peptide dimer could maximize the interaction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and facilitate the permeabilization of the LPS barrier, thereby improving potency against Gram-negative pathogens. We systematically designed a series of N-lipidated peptide dimers that are active against Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The optimized lipid length was 6-10 carbons. At these lipid lengths, the N-lipidated peptide dimers exhibited strong LPS permeabilization. Compound 23 exhibited synergy with select antibiotics in most of the combinations tested. 23 and 32 also displayed rapid bactericidal activity. Importantly, 23 and 32 were nonhemolytic at 10 mg/mL, with no cellular or in vivo toxicity. These characteristics suggest that these compounds can overcome the limitations of current Gram-negative-targeted antimicrobials such as polymyxin B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / toxicity
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Survival
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Lipopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Lipopeptides / toxicity
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Permeability
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbapenems
  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipopeptides
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase