A Convenient Chemoenzymatic Preparation of Chimeric Macrocyclic Peptide Antibiotics with Potent Activity against Gram-Negative Pathogens

The continuing rise of antibiotic resistance, particularly among Gram-negative pathogens, threatens to undermine many aspects of modern medical practice. To address this threat, novel antibiotics that utilize unexploited bacterial targets are urgently needed. Over the past decade, a number of studies have highlighted the antibacterial potential of macrocyclic peptides that target Gram-negative outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Recently, it was reported that the antibacterial activities of OMP-targeting macrocyclic peptidomimetics of the antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 are dramatically enhanced upon linking to polymyxin E nonapeptide (PMEN). In this study, we describe a convergent, chemoenzymatic route for the convenient preparation of such conjugates. Specifically, we investigated the use of both amide bond formation and azide-alkyne ligation for connecting an OMP-targeting macrocyclic peptide to a PMEN building block (obtained by enzymatic degradation of polymyxin E). The conjugates obtained via both approaches display potent antibacterial activity against a range of Gram-negative pathogens including multi-drug-resistant isolates.

Automated summary

The escalating antibiotic resistance, especially among Gram-negative pathogens, calls for novel antibiotics targeting unexploited bacterial targets. Recent studies have shown that combining OMP-targeting macrocyclic peptides with PMEN enhances their antibacterial activity, effectively combating a range of Gram-negative pathogens, including multi-drug-resistant isolates.