Effects of Calcium Ions on the Antimicrobial Activity of Gramicidin A

Overview

Journal Biomolecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2022 Dec 23

PMID 36551225

Authors

Shang-Ting Fang

Shu-Hsiang Huang

Chin-Hao Yang

Jen-Wen Liou

Hemalatha Mani

Yi-Cheng Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Gramicidin A (gA) is a linear antimicrobial peptide that can form a channel and specifically conduct monovalent cations such as H across the lipid membrane. The antimicrobial activity of gA is associated with the formation of hydroxyl free radicals and the imbalance of NADH metabolism, possibly a consequence caused by the conductance of cations. The ion conductivity of gramicidin A can be blocked by Ca ions. However, the effect of Ca ions on the antimicrobial activity of gA is unclear. To unveil the role of Ca ions, we examined the effect of Ca ions on the antimicrobial activity of gramicidin A against (). Results showed that the antimicrobial mechanism of gA and antimicrobial activity by Ca ions are concentration-dependent. At the low gA concentration (≤1 μM), the antimicrobial mechanism of gA is mainly associated with the hydroxyl free radical formation and NADH metabolic imbalance. Under this mode, Ca ions can significantly inhibit the hydroxyl free radical formation and NADH metabolic imbalance. On the other hand, at high gA concentration (≥5 μM), gramicidin A acts more likely as a detergent. Gramicidin A not only causes an increase in hydroxyl free radical levels and NAD/NADH ratios but also induces the destruction of the lipid membrane composition. At this condition, Ca ions can no longer reduce the gA antimicrobial activity but rather enhance the bacterial killing ability of gramicidin A.

Citing Articles

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