Use of luminescent bacteria for rapid screening and characterization of short cationic antimicrobial peptides synthesized on cellulose using peptide array technology

Kai Hilpert, Robert E.W. Hancock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The increasing multi-resistance of pathogenic bacteria requires the development of novel classes of antibiotics. Antimicrobial host defense peptides represent one promising class. Here we describe a protocol for screening large numbers of peptides against any microbe of interest. Peptides synthesized on a cellulose support by peptide array technology can be added to a microbe that expresses the luxCDABE (luciferase) gene cassette. Any substance that decreases the energy level within the microbe will cause a quantifiable decrease in light production. The potency of the compound, at different concentrations, is reflected by the rate of decrease in luminescence. In conjunction with peptide array technology, the screening assay is rapid and high throughput and demonstrates good correlation with conventional killing or minimal inhibitory concentration assays performed with the same peptides synthesized by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis. The protocol can be completed in 3 d.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1652-1660
Number of pages9
JournalNature Protocols
Volume2
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 28 Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

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