Sakacin P peptide

• Handling and Storage of Synthetic Peptides
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Batch to batch variation of the purity

Sakacin P is a 43-amino acid antimicrobial peptide (AMP) produced by Pediococcus acidilactici and belongs to the class IIa bacteriocins. It exhibits narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity, primarily against Listeria monocytogenes, but shows limited efficacy against gram-negative bacteria. The peptide features an α-helical structure between positions 18–33, which is critical for its antimicrobial function. Studies have demonstrated that modifying this region by substituting specific amino acids with arginine (R) or lysine (K) can enhance its positive charge and amphipathicity, thereby improving antibacterial activity against gram-negative strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The modified derivatives of Sakacin P, such as Sakacin P16-R8, exhibit increased membrane permeability in bacterial cells, leading to cell death. These peptides demonstrate low cytotoxicity toward eukaryotic cells, maintaining cell viability above 60% even at high concentrations. The antibacterial mechanism involves disrupting bacterial membrane integrity, as evidenced by increased leakage of nucleic acids and proteins, as well as flow cytometry analysis showing significant membrane damage. These properties make Sakacin P and its engineered variants promising candidates for further research in antimicrobial applications.

• Nieto Lozano JC, Meyer JN, Sletten K, Peláz C, Nes IF. Purification and amino acid sequence of a bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici. J Gen Microbiol. 1992 Sep;138(9):1985-90.
• Eijsink VG, Brurberg MB, Middelhoven PH, Nes IF. Induction of bacteriocin production in Lactobacillus sake by a secreted peptide. J Bacteriol. 1996 Apr;178(8):2232-7. doi: 10.1128/jb.178.8.2232-2237.1996.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a common counterion from the purification process using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The presence of TFA can affect the peptide's net weight, appearance, and solubility.

Impact on Net Weight: The TFA salt contributes to the total mass of the product. In most cases, the peptide content constitutes >80% of the total weight, with TFA accounting for the remainder.

Solubility: TFA salts generally enhance the solubility of peptides in aqueous solutions.

In Biological Assays: For most standard in vitro assays, the residual TFA levels do not cause interference. However, for highly sensitive cellular or biochemical studies, please be aware of its presence.