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Protein-Based Films Functionalized with a Truncated Antimicrobial Peptide Sequence Display Broad Antimicrobial
André da Costa1,2, Ana M Pereira1,2, Paula Sampaio1,2
1CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 25, 2021
Summary
New antimicrobial biomaterials combat antibiotic resistance. Researchers created stable, drug-free films from a fusion protein (BMAP-18A200) that effectively kill bacteria and fungi without harming human cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Antimicrobial Research
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Rising antibiotic resistance necessitates novel antimicrobial strategies.
- Development of advanced biomaterials is crucial for combating infections.
- Antimicrobial peptides offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize free-standing antimicrobial films.
- To combine an elastin-like recombinamer (A200) with a truncated antimicrobial peptide (BMAP-18) into a fusion protein (BMAP-18A200).
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility of the resulting biomaterial films.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression and non-chromatographic purification of the BMAP-18A200 fusion protein.
- Fabrication of stable, free-standing films from BMAP-18A200 without cross-linking agents.
- Assessment of antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi.
- Evaluation of cytotoxicity on human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
Main Results:
- The BMAP-18A200 fusion protein was successfully produced and purified.
- Stable, free-standing films were fabricated without cross-linking.
- Films demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens (bacteria and fungi).
- Antimicrobial action was attributed to direct cell contact and disruption of microbial integrity.
- No cytotoxicity was observed on normal human skin cell lines.
Conclusions:
- The BMAP-18A200 fusion protein can be processed into effective, stable antimicrobial films.
- These drug-free biomaterial films show potential for preventing and treating microbial infections.
- The developed material offers a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics for various applications.
