1Undergraduate student, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: 152001016.sdc@saveetha.com
2Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding Author: Sarita Bhandari, Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria that causes a variety of clinical manifestations mainly skin infections among humans which includes impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles, cellulitis, scalded skin syndrome etc. The most common mode of transmission of S. aureus is through direct contact. The LuxR receptor plays a key role in the quorum-sensing system which increases the expression of many virulence factors. The function of Lux R as a quorum sensor is mediated by the binding of AHL (N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone) molecules to the N-terminal receptor of the proteins.
Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate the novel AA10 peptide against the LuxR receptor of staphylococcus aureus using peptide docking and zebrafish toxicity analysis.
Materials and method: A novel peptide sequence with 10 amino acids containing Alanine, Cysteine, Glycine, cysteine, Glycine, Leucine, Leucine, Lysine, serine, alanine in sequence (ACGCGLLKSA) was designed using chem draw software. Helical wheel structure of the designed peptide AA10 was obtained from EMBOSS pep wheel software. The toxicity of the designed peptide was assessed using the Toxin pred software and its bioactivity was analyzed using Autodock software. A zebrafish embryo toxicity test was also conducted and the results were recorded.
Result: The peptide designed contains 10 amino acids including Alanine, Cysteine, Glycine, cysteine, Glycine, Leucine, Leucine, Lysine, serine, alanine in sequence (ACGCGLLKSA). The designed peptide exhibits increased binding affinity with the LuxR receptor. The results of the zebrafish embryo toxicity test proved the non toxic nature of the designed peptide with an increased number of surviving zebrafish embryos.
Conclusion: From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the novel AA10 peptide exhibited good bioactivity and high binding affinity with the LuxR receptor in silico. It was also found to be non toxic in both in silico and in vivo analysis.
Keywords: AA10 peptide, LuxR receptor, quorum sensing, staphylococcus aureus, zebrafish
How to cite this article: Revathy E, Bhandari S. Investigating AA10 peptide against Lux R receptor of Staphylococcus aureus using peptide docking and zebrafish toxicity analysis. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 170-176. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.18
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None