Methods for investigating biofilm inhibition and degradation by antimicrobial peptides

Li Av Segev-Zarko, Yechiel Shai

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a growing problem worldwide. One extensively studied resistance mechanism is biofilm colonization—microbial colonies formed by many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria species. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are innate immune system molecules serving as a first line of defense in fighting invading pathogens. The AMPs’ underlying mechanism and biophysical properties required for anti-biofilm activity are not fully known. Here we present protocols for investigating AMPs’ biological activity against major stages of biofilm life cycle, namely, planktonic stage (MIC assay), initial adhesion to surfaces (bacterial attachment assay), and formation or degradation of sessile microcolonies (biofilm formation and degradation assays). Furthermore, we demonstrate experiments that allow determination and comparison between peptide biophysical properties (secondary structure, hydrophobicity, and oligomerization) and how they affect their mechanism (peptide-binding assays) of anti-biofilm activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages309-322
Number of pages14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1548
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Keywords

  • Anti-biofilm activity
  • Antimicrobial peptides
  • Biofilm
  • Biophysics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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