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Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis

Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2022

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Other Authors: Taute, Helena
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2022
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Taute, Helena
author_browse Taute, Helena
author_facet Taute, Helena
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2022
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/87276
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:38.698Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
publishDateSort 2022
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/87276 Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis Taute, Helena jonathanodingo@gmail.com Bester, M.J. Gaspar, A.R.M. (Anabella Regina Marques) Odingo, J.O. Staphylococcus epidermidis Antimicrobial peptides Antibiotics Minimum bactericidal concentration Infections UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2022 Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) is a resident member of the skin microbiota, however, this organism acts opportunistically by causing moderate to severe infection further complicated by biofilm development. With the development of antimicrobial resistance, the number of antibiotics available for treatment are limited and increasingly, there is a need for new drugs with novel modes of action. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates to conventional antibiotics due to their broad spectrum of activity and varied mechanisms of killing. In this study the antibacterial activity and mode of action of two synthetic AMPs, Os and Os-C, derived from OsDef2 defensin, was investigated. The antibacterial activities of the synthetic peptides were evaluated using planktonic S. epidermidis because of the high propensity of this microorganism to form biofilms. The inhibitory activity of Os and Os-C was determined in 1% TSB for 6 hours and had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 and 3.34 µM respectively. Both peptides had a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 10 µM with 99.5% killing after 3 hours. The mode of action of Os and Os-C was further investigated using the Live/Dead permeability and the membrane depolarisation assays. At concentrations below the MIC of Os (7 µM), Os-C (20 µM), and the control melittin (0.4 µM), Os and melittin to the same extent permeabilised the cell membrane of S. epidermidis. In contrast, Os-C had no effect. Os caused some membrane depolarisation while membrane depolarisation was identified as a key event in the mode of action of Os-C. Subsequent morphological analysis of S. epidermidis cells using scanning electron microscopy revealed that melittin, Os, and Os-C induced the formation of membrane blebs and indents. Deflated cells, ghost cells, as well as cellular debris were also present. In addition, Os-C induced the formation of cellular extensions/protrusions. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was demonstrated that melittin caused membrane indentation, cytoplasmic retraction, cell wall fragmentation, as well as the formation of irregular septa and intracellular lamellae. Os caused intracellular coagulation, lysis with extruded intracellular material, cell wall fragmentation, as well as irregular septa formation. In contrast, Os-C caused membrane invagination and the formation of irregular septa in addition to mesosome sacs and tubules. These morphological features identify the membrane lytic effects of Os whereas Os-C stimulated mesosome formation. Both Os and Os-C have MIC and MBC values within the micromolar range with a killing time of 3 hours. Although both peptides interact with the S. epidermidis membrane, the mode of action is different with Os causing direct membrane disruption while Os-C induced membrane depolarisation and mesosome formation usually associated with the formation of reactive oxygen species. It was thus concluded that these two peptides could be developed for topical use given the nature of S. epidermidis infections and the sensitivity of these peptides to high salt environments. Anatomy MSc (Anatomy) Unrestricted 2022-09-21T12:53:58Z 2022-09-21T12:53:58Z 2023 2022 Dissertation * A2023 https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/87276 DOI: 10.25403/UPresearchdata.21162520 en © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Staphylococcus epidermidis
Antimicrobial peptides
Antibiotics
Minimum bactericidal concentration
Infections
UCTD
Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title_full Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title_fullStr Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title_short Investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C against Staphylococcus epidermidis
title_sort investigating the antibacterial activity and mode of action of antimicrobial peptides os and os c against staphylococcus epidermidis
topic Staphylococcus epidermidis
Antimicrobial peptides
Antibiotics
Minimum bactericidal concentration
Infections
UCTD
url https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/87276