The antimicrobial peptide TAT-RasGAP317-326 inhibits the formation and expansion of bacterial biofilms in vitro

Tytti Heinonen; Simone Hargraves; Maria Georgieva; Christian Widmann; Nicolas Jacquier

doi:10.1016/j.jgar.2021.03.022

The antimicrobial peptide TAT-RasGAP_317-326 inhibits the formation and expansion of bacterial biofilms in vitro

J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2021 Jun:25:227-231. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.03.022. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Authors

Tytti Heinonen¹, Simone Hargraves¹, Maria Georgieva², Christian Widmann², Nicolas Jacquier³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
² Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 7, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
³ Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Nicolas.Jacquier@chuv.ch.

PMID: 33852935
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.03.022

Abstract

Objectives: Biofilms are structured aggregates of bacteria embedded in a self-produced matrix that develop in diverse ecological niches. Pathogenic bacteria can form biofilms on surfaces and in tissues, causing nosocomial and chronic infections that are difficult to treat. While antibiotics are largely inefficient in limiting biofilm formation and expansion, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as alternative antibiofilm treatments. In this study, we explore the effect of the newly described AMP TAT-RasGAP_317-326 on Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Methods: Efficiency of TAT-RasGAP_317-326 on biofilms was tested in vitro. Both viability of bacteria contained in the biofilm as well as biomass of the biofilm were quantified using resazurin and crystal violet staining, respectively. The antibiofilm effect of TAT-RasGAP_317-326 was compared with a selection of classical antibiotics and AMPs.

Results: We observe that TAT-RasGAP_317-326 inhibits biofilm formation at concentrations equivalent or two times greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of planktonic bacteria. Moreover, TAT-RasGAP_317-326 limits the expansion of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa established biofilms at twice the concentration inhibiting biofilm formation.

Conclusion: These results underscore the potential use of TAT-RasGAP_317-326 against biofilms and encourage further studies in the development of AMPs to treat biofilm-related infections.

Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Antimicrobial peptide; Biofilm; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; TAT-RasGAP(317-326).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bacteria
Biofilms*
GTPase-Activating Proteins
Peptide Fragments
Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
ras GTPase-Activating Proteins*

Substances

GTPase-Activating Proteins
Peptide Fragments
Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
TAT-RasGAP(317-326)
ras GTPase-Activating Proteins