Abstract

Dermaseptins are peptides found in skin secretions of Phyllomedusinae frogs. These peptides exert lytic action on various microorganisms, and do not have a considerable haemolytic effect apart from dermaseptin S4 (DS-S4) that presents a potent cytotoxic effect. This investigation was an attempt to synthesize several biochemically modified, shorter bioactive analogues of DRS-S4, and to improve its biological profile with respect to that of the parent peptide. Peptides were synthesized and then tested on fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus) and viruses (HSV-1). Our results show that the N-terminus is necessary for the antifungal activity of peptide, but antiviral effect is determined by C-terminal domain and/or entire peptide sequence.

Key words: Antimicrobial peptides, dermaseptin, structure-activity relationship, peptide synthesis.