Efficacy of the de novo-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide, WLBU2, against Oral Bacteria

Center for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY and Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: knova2{at}uky.edu.

	Abstract

The efficacy of a novel, synthetic antimicrobial peptide (WLBU2) was evaluated against three oral microorganisms (grown planktonically), Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. WLBU2 killed all three species, with F. nucleatum being the most susceptible. WLBU2 also reduced the bacterial burden of S. gordonii and F. nucleatum biofilms.