Combining Anion Transport and Phospholipid Binding for Improved Antibacterial Activity of Diamidocarbazoles

Increasing bacterial resistance necessitates focusing on new antibiotic targets, such as bacterial membranes. Herein, heteroditopic diamidocarbazole-based receptors are shown to display significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria by combining transmembrane anion transport with phosphatidylethanolamine binding, while remaining nontoxic for human red blood cells. Liposome-based and bacterial studies consistently support this dual mode of action, highlighting the potential of combining anion transport and lipid-binding properties as a strategy for the development of novel antibiotics.