Antimicrobial peptide induced colloidal transformations in bacteria-mimetic vesicles: Combining in silico tools and experimental methods

With the growing challenges of bacteria becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may offer a potential alternative. One most studied AMPs, human cathelicidin derived AMP LL-37 is notable for its activity even though mechanism action not fully understood yet. This work investigates interaction with 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) (POPG) vesicles, which were employed as bacterial membrane model given common presence this phospholipid in membrane. Experimental techniques including small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering used characterize interactions among POPG. Molecular dynamics simulations complement experimental studies molecular-level insights into process. was discovered actively critically interact POPG modifying curvature that eventually leads structural transformations from vesicles mixed micelles. The results shed on mechanisms underlying mimetic can guide further development based materials therapies.