By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Science, Space & Technology

Space Science Digital
Contact
Search
  • Home
  • Environment

    Analysis of Magellan data shows apparent volcanic activity on Venus

    March 21, 2023

    Alpha Centauri planets? TOLIMAN will search

    April 6, 2023

    What are white dwarf stars? How do they form?

    April 25, 2023

    Largest cosmic explosion ever seen is still ongoing

    May 13, 2023
  • Space Flight

    SpaceX launches Crew-6 astronaut team to International Space Station

    March 2, 2023

    The First City on Mars review: How to make life on Mars a reality

    February 8, 2023

    SpaceX conducts doubleheader with Starlink mission followed by launch for SES

    March 17, 2023

    JWST has broken the record for most distant galaxy ever confirmed

    December 9, 2022
  • Cosmology

    Zodiacal light and how to see it

    February 13, 2023

    NASA Restores a Spacecraft by Turning it Off and Then On Again

    March 9, 2023

    The Best Way to Learn About Venus Could Be With a Fleet of Balloons

    March 16, 2023

    Hubble spots a tiny amorphous galaxy in the local universe

    March 24, 2023
  • Latest
  • About Us
Reading: Trapping and killing superbugs with novel peptide ‘nanonets’
Share
Aa
Space Science DigitalSpace Science Digital
  • Environment
  • Space Flight
  • Cosmology
  • Technology
Search
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Environment
    • Technology
    • Cosmology
    • Space Flight
  • More Foxiz
    • Blog Index
    • Forums
    • Complaint
    • Sitemap
Follow US
© 2023 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.
Space Science Digital > Blog > Technology > Trapping and killing superbugs with novel peptide ‘nanonets’
Technology

Trapping and killing superbugs with novel peptide ‘nanonets’

By Aimee Daly March 6, 2023 5 Min Read
Share


A scanning electron microscopy image of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli entrapped by a meshwork of self-assembling peptide nanonets. Credit: National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore (NUS) pharmaceutical scientists have developed synthetic peptide nanonets for treating infections by bacteria strains resistant to last-resort antibiotics.

In nature, trap-and-kill is a common immune defense mechanism employed by various species, including humans. In response to the presence of pathogens, peptides are released from host cells and they promptly self-assemble in solution to form cross-linked nanonets, which then entrap the bacteria and render them more vulnerable to antimicrobial components.

Several research groups have explored synthetic biomimetics of nanonets as an avenue for addressing the global healthcare challenge of widespread antibiotic resistance. However, most prominent studies in the field only yielded disjointed short nanofibrils restricted to the bacterial surfaces and are incapable of physically immobilizing the bacteria. Additionally, these designs were lacking in control over the initiation of the self-assembly process.

A research team led by Associate Professor Rachel EE from the Department of Pharmacy, NUS has designed short β-hairpin peptides of 15 to 16 residues that are capable of self-assembling into nanonets selectively in response to lipopolysaccharide or lipoteichoic acid, which are integral membrane components unique to bacteria.

Trapping and killing superbugs with novel peptide 'nanonets'
a) General structure and sequence of the β-hairpin peptides. Striated black lines between the side strands represent hydrogen bonds between the backbone amides. Sequences of the reverse turns are outlined to the right, with “DP” denoting D-Proline. Orange codes for the position replaced by Ala via Ala scanning. b) Proposed mechanistic pathways of bacteria-induced formation of peptide nanonets. As the peptide molecules in solution encounter LPS or LTA on the bacterial surface, amyloid nucleation is initiated. Amyloid fibrils undergo elongation as hairpin peptides stack at the tail-end of the fibril. Once the nanofibrils grow sufficiently long, they start to form physical cross-links. Eventually, a mature interlocking network of fibrils entraps other bacteria in the surroundings. Credit: Advanced Functional Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202210858

This specificity towards bacteria is an appealing attribute not yet achieved in the field. The peptide nanonets displayed both trapping and antimicrobial killing functionalities, thus offering a direct upgrade from the trap-only nanonets in nature as well as synthetic designs reported in the field. This opens up opportunities for modulating the activity spectrum of the material.

The team further demonstrated functional tunability of the peptides, where potency and fibrillation capacity could be modulated by changing only one or two amino acids at the hairpin turn region of the sequences. Of interest, the nanonets displayed robustness against enzymatic degradation by trypsin, which is a major challenge limiting clinical applications of simple antimicrobial peptides.

Biological evaluations of the peptide nanonets using murine models showed significant antimicrobial efficacy against colistin-resistant bacteria and no systemic toxicity. This work was performed in collaboration with Associate Professor Rajamani Lakshminarayanan who holds joint appointments with the Department of Pharmacy, NUS and the Singapore Eye Research Institute. These findings were published in Advanced Functional Materials.

Prof Ee said, “Our peptide-based nanonets have shown potentials as an alternative anti-infective strategy to address antibiotic resistance. Our next challenge is to optimize the design for clinical application in humans.”

In an ongoing effort to fully elucidate the functions of the peptide nanonets, the team is investigating their potential in simultaneously subduing inflammatory responses, a common co-occurrence at the site of bacterial infection.

More information:
Nhan Dai Thien Tram et al, Bacteria‐Responsive Self‐Assembly of Antimicrobial Peptide Nanonets for Trap‐and‐Kill of Antibiotic‐Resistant Strains, Advanced Functional Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202210858

Provided by
National University of Singapore


Citation:
Trapping and killing superbugs with novel peptide ‘nanonets’ (2023, March 6)
retrieved 8 March 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-03-superbugs-peptide-nanonets.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.



TAGGED: killing, nanonets, peptide, superbugs, Trapping

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Aimee Daly March 6, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

HOT NEWS

SpaceX launches Crew-6 astronaut team to International Space Station

Space Flight
March 2, 2023

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered…

October 27, 2024

NASA Says Spacecraft Crash Test Successfully Changes Asteroid’s Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions…

October 11, 2022

World-Saving Spacecraft Passes Test

NASA says its DART spacecraft successfully shifted the path of an asteroid. For us earthlings,…

October 11, 2022

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Staff develops transistors with sliding ferroelectricity based mostly on polarity-switchable molybdenum disulfide

Credit score: Yang et al. (Nature Electronics, 2023). Over the previous few years, engineers have been making an attempt to…

Technology
December 23, 2023

Unimolecular self-assembled hemicyanine-oleic acid conjugate acts to eradicate most cancers stem cells: Research

Schematic illustration of unimolecular self-assembled CyOA NPs enhanced phototoxicity to CSCs by implementing oxygen-economical PDT. Credit score: Analysis Most cancers…

Technology
December 22, 2023

Nanotechnology approaches for creating biodeterioration-resistant wooden

chematic illustration of methods utilized for growth of biodeterioration-resistant wooden. Credit score: Ayyoob Arpanaei a,*, Qiliang Fu a,b, Tripti Singh…

Technology
December 21, 2023

Scientists create chiral polyoxometalate-based frameworks with enhanced stability and catalytic exercise

The chiral POM-based frameworks have enhanced stability, chiral catalysis, chiral separation, and proton conductivity. Credit score: Polyoxometalates, Tsinghua College Press…

Technology
December 21, 2023
We use our own and third-party cookies to improve our services, personalise your advertising and remember your preferences.
  • Jobs Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Exclusives
  • Learn How
  • Support
  • Solutions
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Editorial Policy
  • Marketing Solutions
  • Industry Intelligence

Follow US: 

Space Science Digital

Welcome to spacescience.digital, A source for the latest news and developments in the exciting field of space science. Our blog covers a wide range of topics, from the latest space missions and discoveries to updates on technology and scientific breakthroughs. We are passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe with our readers and providing them with engaging and informative content. Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the mysteries of space and the frontiers of human knowledge.

© 2024 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?