Does the Electrical Double Layer Contribute to the Mechanism of Action of Antimicrobial Peptides?

Abstract

Abstract This concept paper elucidates the possible influence of the electrical double layer (EDL) and the polyelectrolytic nature of bacterial cell walls on the behavior of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and lipopeptides. It proposes that the presence of EDL adjacent to lipid membranes may play a crucial role in inducing peptide aggregation and conformational changes, thus affecting their antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the negatively charged components in both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial cell walls may act as polyelectrolytes, effectively reducing the critical micellization concentration (CMC) of positively charged peptides and lipopeptides. This reduction is expected to facilitate their aggregation, potentially enhancing their accumulation at the bacterial membrane and increasing their effectiveness in disrupting membrane integrity and exerting antimicrobial activity. Therefore, understanding the interplay between EDL effects, polyelectrolytic properties of bacterial cell walls, and the behavior of antimicrobial peptides is essential for elucidating their mechanisms of action and optimizing their therapeutic potential.

Keywords

• Antimicrobial Peptides
• Electrical Double Layer
• Lipid Membranes
• Polyelectrolyte
• Surface-Induced Aggregation