Simple Strategy for Taming Membrane-Disrupting Antibiotics

A strategy has been devised for increasing the cellular selectivity of membrane-disrupting antibiotics based on the attachment of a facially amphiphilic sterol. Using Amphotericin B (AmB) as a prototype, covalent attachment of cholic acid bound to a series of alpha,omega-diamines has led to a dramatic reduction in hemolytic activity, a significant reduction in toxicity toward HEK293T cells, and significant retention of antifungal activity.