An Investigation into the Modulation of the Quorum Sensing Circuitry of Enterococcus faecalis with Rationally Designed Peptide Analogs of Native Signaling Molecule GBAP

Abstract

Rising antibiotic resistance over the past several decades calls for more effective antibiotics or a sustainable alternative. In the bacterial species Enterococcus faecalis, this can be accomplished through targeted attacks on the communication pathway controlled by quorum sensing: the ability of the bacteria to act as a group, sometimes leading to pathogenicity. In this study, a structure activity relationship was established between the quorum sensing circuitry in E. faecalis and the native signaling peptide. These results were then used to design other peptide modulators aimed to better activate the pathway. Using this method of rational design, the most potent peptide modulator known to date was discovered.