Konkuk University's Tuberculosis-Enzyme-Inspired Peptide YK-mAK-17 Improved Survival in Mice With CRAB and MRSA Septic Shock
Konkuk University researchers modeled antimicrobial peptides on a Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme, adenylate kinase, that recognizes both Gram-negative and Gram-positive cell-wall molecules, then added non-natural amino acids, an N-terminal fatty acid chain, and an arginine extension. The lead peptide, YK-mAK-17, killed carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and MRSA quickly by disrupting their membranes, showed little resistance development, and improved survival and reduced organ damage in mice with septic shock caused by either bacterium, the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry paper reports.