Flavonoids Act As Antimicrobials by Binding to Cell Walls.

is an important pathogen in opportunistic infections in humans. The increased incidence of antimicrobial-resistant isolates has highlighted the need for novel and more potent therapies against this microorganism. is known for presenting different compounds with diverse biological activities, such as anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities.

Effect of cholesterol on the interaction of the amphibian antimicrobial peptide DD K with liposomes.

DD K is an antimicrobial peptide previously isolated from the skin of the amphibian Phyllomedusa distincta. The effect of cholesterol on synthetic DD K binding to egg lecithin liposomes was investigated by intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan residue, measurements of kinetics of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) leakage, dynamic light scattering and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. An 8 nm blue shift of tryptophan maximum emission fluorescence was observed when DD K was in the presence of lecithin liposomes compared to the value observed for liposomes containing 43 mol% cholesterol.