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The Antimicrobial Peptide Gad‐1 Clears Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms under Cystic Fibrosis Conditions
Author(s) -
Portelinha Jasmin,
AngelesBoza Alfredo M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.202000816
Subject(s) - biofilm , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , cystic fibrosis , antimicrobial , antibiotics , ciprofloxacin , antibiotic resistance , kanamycin , biology , chemistry , bacteria , genetics
Bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are an emerging health issue and lead to a premature death. CF is a hereditary disease that creates a thick mucus in the lungs that is prone to bacterial biofilm formation, specifically Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. These biofilms are very difficult to treat because many of them have antibiotic resistance that is worsened by the presence of extracellular DNA (eDNA). eDNA helps to stabilize biofilms and can bind antimicrobial compounds to lessen their effects. The metallo‐antimicrobial peptide Gaduscidin‐1 (Gad‐1) eradicates established P. aeruginosa biofilms through a combination of modes of action that includes nuclease activity that can cleave eDNA in biofilms. In addition, Gad‐1 exhibits synergistic activity when used with the antibiotics kanamycin and ciprofloxacin, thus making Gad‐1 a new lead compound for the potential treatment of bacterial biofilms in CF patients.