Model self-assembling arginine-based tripeptides show selective activity against Pseudomonas bacteria

Three model arginine-rich tripeptides RXR (X = W, F or non-natural residue 2-napthylalanine) were investigated as antimicrobial agents, with a specific focus to target Pseudomonas aeruginosa through membrane lysis. Activity against biofilms was related to binding of the second messenger molecule, nucleotide bis-(3 '-5 ')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Strong selective activity against P. aeruginosa in planktonic form was observed for RFR and RWR.