An emerging class of drugs, AMLPs (antimicrobial lipopeptides), shows promise in the fight against superbugs, yet until now researchers have lacked a molecular-level understanding of how they act.
According to a new study AMLPs clump together to form microscopic balls called micelles, which selectively kill stick to bacterial membranes – a complex structure that is slower to mutate and develop resistance. Using molecular-dynamics simulations and calculations the researchers found that AMLPs prefer to bind to bacterial membranes as they form micelles. However before they clump together, AMLPs are more likely to bind to whatever membrane they encounter first, whether it is bacterial or mammalian.
Original research paper published in Biophysical Journal on August 18, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected author
