Non-prime- and prime-side profiling of Pro-Pro endopeptidase specificity using synthetic combinatorial peptide libraries and mass spectrometry.

A group of bacterial proteases, the Pro-Pro endopeptidases (PPEPs), possess the unique ability to hydrolyze proline-proline bonds in proteins. Since a protease's function is largely determined by its substrate specificity, methods that can extensively characterize substrate specificity are valuable tools for protease research. Previously, we achieved an in-depth characterization of PPEP prime-side specificity.

Novel Antibacterial Agents SAAP-148 and Halicin Combat Gram-Negative Bacteria Colonizing Catheters.

The antibiotic management of catheter-related infections (CRIs) often fails owing to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains and/or biofilm/persister apparitions. Thus, we investigated the efficacy of two novel antimicrobial agents, i.e.

Encapsulation in oleyl-modified hyaluronic acid nanogels substantially improves the clinical potential of the antimicrobial peptides SAAP-148 and Ab-Cath.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to antibiotics for treatment of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. However, their narrow therapeutic window due to in vivo toxicity and limited stability hampers their clinical use. Here, we evaluated encapsulation of two amphiphilic AMPs, SAAP-148 and snake cathelicidin Ab-Cath, into oleyl-modified hyaluronic acid (OL-HA) nanogels to improve their selectivity index.

C-Terminal PEGylation Improves SAAP-148 Peptide's Immunomodulatory Activities.

Synthetic antibacterial and anti-biofilm peptide (SAAP)-148 was developed to combat bacterial infections not effectively treatable with current antibiotics. SAAP-148 is highly effective against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria without inducing resistance; however, challenges for further development of SAAP-148 include its cytotoxicity and short circulation half-life. To circumvent these drawbacks, a library of SAAP-148 linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) groups of various lengths was synthesized and screened for in vitro antibacterial activity and hemolytic activity.