Use of atomic force microscopy as a tool to understand the action of antimicrobial peptides on bacteria

Visualizing the membrane disruption action of antimicrobial peptides by cryo-electron tomography

The abuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens, presenting a pressing challenge in global healthcare. Membrane-disrupting antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) combat so-called superbugs via mechanisms different than conventional antibiotics and have good application prospects in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry. However, the mechanism-of-action of AMPs has not been fully characterized at the cellular level due to a lack of high-resolution imaging technologies that can capture cellular-membrane disruption events in the hydrated state. Previously, we reported PepD2M, a de novo-designed AMP with potent and wide-spectrum bactericidal and fungicidal activity. In this study, we use cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to directly visualize the pepD2M-induced disruption of the outer and inner membranes of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, and compared with a well-known pore-forming peptide, melittin. Our high-resolution cryo-ET images reveal how pepD2M disrupts the E. coli membrane using a carpet/detergent-like mechanism. Our studies reveal the direct membrane-disrupting consequence of AMPs on the bacterial membrane by cryo-ET, and this information provides critical insights into the mechanisms of this class of antimicrobial agents.

New and old tools to evaluate new antimicrobial peptides

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to the overuse of antimicrobials together with the existence of naturally untreatable infections well demonstrates the need for new instruments to fight microbes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising family of molecules in this regard, because they abundantly occur in nature and the results of preliminary studies of their clinical potential have been encouraging. However, further progress will benefit from the standardization of research methods to assess the antimicrobial properties of AMPs. Here we review the diverse methods used to study the antimicrobial power of AMPs and recommend a pathway to explore new molecules. The use of new methodologies to quantitatively evaluate the physical effect on bacterial biofilms such as force spectroscopy and surface cell damage evaluation, constitute novel approaches to study new AMPs.

Analysis of cell surface alterations in Legionella pneumophila cells treated with human apolipoprotein E

Binding of human apolipoprotein E (apoE) to Legionella pneumophila lipopolysaccharide was analysed at the molecular level by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thereby providing biophysical evidence for apoE-L. pneumophila lipopolysaccharide interaction. Atomic force microscopy imaging of apoE-exposed L. pneumophila cells revealed alterations in the bacterial cell surface topography and nanomechanical properties in comparison with control bacteria. The changes induced by apoE binding to lipopolysaccharide on the surface of L. pneumophila cells may participate in: (1) impeding the penetration of host cells by the bacteria; (2) suppression of pathogen intracellular growth and eventually; and (3) inhibition of the development of infection.

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm susceptibility to small and potent β(2,2)-amino acid derivatives

Small antimicrobial β(2,2)-amino acid derivatives (Mw < 500 Da) are reported to display high antibacterial activity against suspended Gram-positive strains combined with low hemolytic activity. In the present study, the anti-biofilm activity of six β(2,2)-amino acid derivatives (A1-A6) against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) was investigated. The derivatives displayed IC50 values between 5.4 and 42.8 μM for inhibition of biofilm formation, and concentrations between 22.4 and 38.4 μM had substantial effects on preformed biofilms. The lead derivative A2 showed high killing capacity (log R), and it caused distinct ultrastructural changes in the biofilms as shown by electron and atomic force microscopy. The anti-biofilm properties of A2 was preserved under high salinity conditions. Extended screening showed also high activity of A2 against Escherichia coli (XL1 Blue) biofilms. These advantageous features together with high activity against preformed biofilms make β(2,2)-amino acid derivatives a promising class of compounds for further development of anti-biofilm agents.