Exploring the Role of Teichoic Acid in Bacillus subtilis Selectivity to AMP-Induced Damage

Sogand Sasan Moghadam
PhD Student
Department of Biochemistry

Date: October 7, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Abstract:

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effective against many infectious pathogens, including bacteria. However, AMP interactions with the bacterial cell envelope components, such as teichoic acids (TAs), that they encounter before reaching the cell membrane have not been studied. This research assesses the contribution of negatively charged glycopolymer TA to positively charged MSI-78 (AMP) activity and cell specificity in Bacillus subtilis and red blood cells (RBCs). We use zeta-potential measurements to quantify surface charge and membrane permeabilization in both B. subtilis and RBC membranes.  Selectivity will be probed in assays where both B. subtilis and RBCs are present, by monitoring the release of green fluorescent protein from B. subtilis or hemoglobin from RBCs.  Our findings will show whether TA protects or sensitizes B. subtilis to MSI-78-induced damage and identify the glycopolymer’s role in AMP selectivity. This information could help design more effective AMPs by optimizing TA-AMP interactions.