Peptide conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers increase survival of mice challenged with Ames Bacillus anthracis.
Nucleic Acid Ther
; 22(5): 316-22, 2012 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22978365
ABSTRACT
Targeting bacterial essential genes using antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) represents an important strategy in the development of novel antibacterial therapeutics. PMOs are neutral DNA analogues that inhibit gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. In this study, several cationic, membrane-penetrating peptides were conjugated to PMOs (PPMOs) that target 2 bacterial essential genes acyl carrier protein (acpP) and gyrase A (gyrA). These were tested for their ability to inhibit growth of Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium and causative agent of anthrax. PPMOs targeted upstream of both target gene start codons and conjugated with the bacterium-permeating peptide (RFF)(3)R were found to be most effective in inhibiting bacterial growth in vitro. Both of the gene-targeted PPMOs protected macrophages from B. anthracis induced cell death. Subsequent, in vivo testing of the PPMOs resulted in increased survival of mice challenged with the virulent Ames strain of B. anthracis. Together, these studies suggest that PPMOs targeting essential genes have the potential of being used as antisense antibiotics to treat B. anthracis infections.
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Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Bacillus anthracis
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Péptidos de Penetración Celular
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Morfolinos
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Carbunco
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nucleic Acid Ther
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article