Tachyplesin I induce drug resistance in bacteria in vitro

Abstract

Tachyplesin I is a 17 amino acid cationic antibacterial peptide with a typical cyclic antiparallel β-sheet structure. It is not clear whether tachyplesin I can induce resistance in bacteria. Therefore, two selection procedures by gradually increasing the induction concentration of tachyplesin I were performed to determine whether tachyplesin I could induce resistance in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The results showed that tachyplesin I did not induce resistance in Escherichia coli ATCC25922, F41 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 in this study whereas high resistance to benzylpenicillin was induced using the same procedures in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923. Furthermore, no cross-resistance between tachyplesin I and benzylpenicillin was observed. It is suggested that tachyplesin I may be a safe antibacterial agent for future use in clinical practice. © Medwell Journals, 2012.