Synthesis, Antitumor and Antibacterial Studies of New Shortened Analogues of (KLAKLAK)2-NH2 and Their Conjugates Containing Unnatural Amino Acids

(1) Background: (KLAKLAK)₂ is a representative of the antimicrobial peptide group which also shows good Anticancer properties. (2) Methods: Herein, we report synthesis using SPPS and characterization by HPLC/MS of a series of shortened analogues of (KLAKLAK)₂. They contain single sequence KLAKLAK as C-terminal amides. In addition, substitution of some natural Amino acids with unnatural β-Ala and nor-Leu is realized. In addition, these structures are conjugated with second pharmacophore with well proven Anticancer properties 1,8-naphthalimide or caffeic acid. Cytotoxicity, antiproliferative effect and antimicrobial activity of newly synthesized structures were studied. (3) Results: The obtained experimental results reveal significant selective index for substances with common chemical structure KLβAKLβAK-NH₂. The Antibacterial properties of newly synthesized analogues at two different concentrations 10 μM and 20 μM, were tested against Gram-negative Microorganisms Escherichia coli K12 407. Only two of the studied compounds KLAKLAK-NH₂ and the one conjugated with second pharmacophore 1,8-naphthalimide and unnatural amino acid nor-Leu showed moderate activity against tested strains at concentration of 20 μM. (4) Conclusions: The obtained results reveal that the introducing of 1,8-naphthalimideGly- and Caf- increase the cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity of the Peptides but not their selectivity. Only two compounds KLAKLAK-NH₂ and 1,8-naphthalimideGKnLAKnLAK-NH₂ show moderate activity against Escherichia coli K12 at low concentration of 20μM.

(KLAKLAK)2-NH2; 1,8-naphthalimide; anticancer peptides; anticancer properties; antimicrobial activity; caffeic acid; unnatural amino acids.