Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) kill microbial cells through insertion and damage/permeabilization of the cytoplasmic membranes. Since their mechanism of action differs from that of antibiotics, they could be very useful for combating drug resistant microbes and for treatment of microbial infections. Pore formation in DMPC bilayers by antimicrobial peptide melittin was monitored by leakage of fluorescent dyes (calcein, FD4 and FD20) of different molecular weights encapsulated within liposomes which indicated a lagtime which was larger for smaller melittin/liposome ratio and larger molecular weight of dye.  In the second part of this study, the antimicrobial activity of native melittin against Gram positive bacteria listeria monocytogenes was characterized by absorbance and plate count which also indicated a lagtime for deactivation that was concentration dependent. Mathematical models for the prediction of minimum inhibitory concentration as well as time of pore formation were proposed. Model predictions were compared with experimental data.

Pore formation in DMPC bilayers and  <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> by antimicrobial peptide melittin

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Pore formation in DMPC bilayers and Listeria monocytogenes by antimicrobial peptide melittin