Deciphering the Role of Intramolecular Networking in Cholic Acid–Peptide Conjugates on the Lipopolysaccharide Surface in Combating Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections

The presence of lipopolysaccharide and emergence of drug resistance make the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections highly challenging. Herein, we present the synthesis and antibacterial activities of cholic acid–peptide conjugates (CAPs), demonstrating that valine–glycine dipeptide-derived CAP 3 is the most effective antimicrobial. Molecular dynamics simulations and structural analysis revealed that a precise intramolecular network of CAP 3 is maintained in the form of evolving edges, suggesting intramolecular connectivity. Further, we found high conformational rigidity in CAP 3 that confers maximum perturbations in bacterial membranes relative to other small molecules. Interestingly, CAP 3-coated catheters did not allow the formation of biofilms in mice, and treatment of wound infections with CAP 3 was able to clear the bacterial infection. Our results demonstrate that molecular conformation and internal connectivity are critical parameters to describe the antimicrobial nature of compounds, and...