Streptococci obtained from rumen sources were tested for the production of antibacterial compounds using a deferred-antagonism plating assay. Of 35 isolates tested, 7 were identified that inhibited the growth of other streptococci. None of the inhibitory activity was due to bacteriophage. Three isolates, LRC0253, LRC0255, and LRC0476, were selected for further characterization. Analysis of 16S ...

Functional mapping was carried out to address the amino acid residues responsible for the activity of the antibacterial peptide apidaecin from the honeybee by an in vivo assay system developed previously. The C-terminal region and many of the proline and arginine residues which are present at high frequency in apidaecin were found to play an important role in its antibacterial activity.

We have isolated from the blood of immune-challenged and untreated mussels (Mytilus edulis) antibacterial and antifungal peptides. We have characterized two isoforms of a novel 34-residue, cysteine-rich, peptide with potent bactericidal activity and partially characterized a novel 6.2-kDa antifungal peptide containing 12 cysteines. We report the presence of two members of the insect defensin fa...

Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been used to prepare antifouling copolymer brushes based on 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEO(2)MA) and hydroxyl-terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (HOEGMA). The amount of hydroxyl reactive groups incorporated into the brushes was varied by changing the composition of the monomer mixture. These coatings were ...

We have previously described the antibacterial capacity of protegrin-1 (PG-1), a cysteine-rich, cationic peptide from porcine leukocytes, against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We now report genetic and biochemical evidence that gonococcal susceptibility to the lethal action of PG-1 and other structurally unrelated antibacterial peptides, including a peptide (LL-37) that is expressed constitutively by ...

Cyclodextrin derivatives prepared to mimic a membrane active antibacterial peptide polymyxin B strongly permeabilized bacterial membrane and inhibited bacterial proliferation.

BACKGROUND Antibiotic residues can cause antibiotic resistance in livestock and their food safety-related issues have increased the consumer demand for products lacking these residues. Hence, developing safe and effective antibiotic alternatives is important to the animal feed industry. With their strong antibacterial actions, antimicrobial peptides have potential as antibiotic alternatives. ...

Enzymatic proteolysis of food proteins is considered a promising method to generate antibacterial peptides. The objective of the present study was to isolate and characterize peptide fraction from the pepsin hydrolysate of half-fin anchovy (Setipinna taty) with antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The most active peptide fraction HAHp2-3-I was isolated by a series of chromatographic...

The Drosophila innate immune system discriminates between pathogens and responds by inducing the expression of specific antimicrobial peptide-encoding genes through distinct signaling cascades. Fungal infection activates NF-kappaB-like transcription factors via the Toll pathway, which also regulates innate immune responses in mammals. The pathways that mediate antibacterial defenses, however, a...

Melittin, the 26-residue predominant toxic peptide from bee venom, exhibits potent antibacterial activity in addition to its hemolytic activity. The synthetic peptide of 15 residues corresponding to its C-terminal end (MCF), which encompasses its most amphiphilic segment, is now being shown to possess antibacterial activity about 5-7 times less compared to that of melittin. MCF, however, is 300...