Inhibition of OmpT activity using D-amino acid peptides

Abstract

Foodborne diseases such as food poison and diarrhoea are widespread in the world and it has led to many cases of hospitalisation and in extreme cases, death. One of its main causes is due to bacterial pathogens such Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) [1]. Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) are secreted from epithelial cells lining the host intestinal lumen to kill off the E. Coli pathogen [2]. However, OmpT is an outer membrane protease present on the surface of E. Coli membrane and that it acts as a defence mechanism against anti-microbial peptides by cleaving the AMPs [3]. In order to kills off the E. Coli effective, an inhibitor is required to slow down or stop OmpT activity. One possible way to inhibit OmpT activity is through the use of D-amino acid peptides. D-amino acid peptides are stereoisomer from the more commonly found L-amino acids. These peptides are more resistant to degradation and are not cleaved by OmpT [4]. As such this report aims to investigate whether D-amino acid peptide can be developed into inhibitors of OmpT activity.