RESUMO
The present study describes the synthesis and biological studies of a small series of head-to-tail cyclic tetrapeptides of the general structure c(Lys-ß2,2 -Xaa-Lys) containing one lipophilic ß2,2 -amino acid and Lys, Gly, Ala, or Phe as the Xaa residue in the sequence. The peptides were investigated for antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative reference strains and 30 multiresistant clinical isolates including strains with extended spectrum ß-lactamase-carbapenemase (ESBL-CARBA) production. Toxicity was determined against human red blood cells. The most potent peptides showed high activity against the gram-positive clinical isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 4-8 µg/mL and low haemolytic activity. The combination of high antimicrobial activity and low toxicity shows that these cyclic tetrapeptides containing lipophilic ß2,2 -amino acids form a valuable scaffold for designing novel antimicrobial agents.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/síntese química , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptídeos Cíclicos/síntese química , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Desenho de Fármacos , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/efeitos dos fármacos , Bactérias Gram-Positivas/efeitos dos fármacos , Halogenação , Estrutura Molecular , Oligopeptídeos/síntese química , Oligopeptídeos/química , Oligopeptídeos/farmacologia , Peptídeos Cíclicos/química , Peptídeos Cíclicos/farmacologia , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
Staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) elements are, so far, the only vectors described for the mecA gene encoding methicillin resistance in staphylococci. SCCmec elements are classified according to the type of recombinase they carry and their general genetic composition. SCCmec types I-V have been described, and SCC elements lacking mecA have also been reported. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about SCC structure and distribution, including genetic variants and rudiments of the elements. Its origin is still unknown, but one assumes that staphylococcal cassette chromosome is transferred between staphylococci, and mecA-positive coagulase-negative staphylococci may be a potential reservoir for these elements. Staphylococcal genomes seem to change continuously as genetic elements move in and out, but no mechanism of transfer has been found responsible for moving SCC elements between different staphylococcal species. Observations suggesting de novo production of methicillin-resistant staphylococci and horizontal gene transfer of SCCmec will be discussed.