Biomimetic antimicrobial peptides against gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract

Anti-Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), face significant challenges due to their robust cell wall structures, biofilm formation, and resistance mechanisms. Natural antimicrobial peptides (NAMPs) with a long history of development and wide use in clinical applications demonstrate broad-spectrum antibacterial activities through multi-target mechanisms, including disrupting bacterial cell walls and membranes. Owing to methodological limitations, conventional approaches for discovering NAMPs are becoming less effective in identifying new candidates. Therefore, biomimetic antimicrobial peptides (BAMPs) have been developed through structural modifications to enhance stability, safety, and antimicrobial efficacy. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in NAMPs and BAMPs against Gram-positive bacteria, and describes their mechanisms of action, including targeting peptidoglycan precursors in bacterial cell walls, disrupting membrane integrity, and interfering with DNA/RNA to inhibit bacterial growth. This review emphasizes the bacterial trapping mechanism via in situ self-assembly. We also highlight molecular modifications to optimize BAMPs that improve their antimicrobial potential and expand their application in clinic. Finally, we discuss the current limitations and future perspectives of NAMPs and BAMPs, provide valuable guidance for designing next-generation antimicrobial agents.