calixarenes and 1-2-dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine

Two p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives bearing one or two nalidixic acid groups connected to the lower rim of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene through the propylenic spacer were studied upon interaction with model bacterial membranes. Indeed, these derivatives were developed recently as new macrocyclic antibiotic carriers for antibacterial therapy. To obtain molecular level information about the interaction between the calixarene conjugates and a membrane lipid, atomistic molecular dynamics simulation, as well as surface pressure, surface potential, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, and Brewster angle microscopy studies of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE)-calixarene derivative films were performed. The results obtained indicate that the interaction between the calixarene derivatives and DMPE occurs via the phosphate and carbonyl groups present in the lipid. Although both calixarene derivatives increase the chain tilt and conformational disordering of the DMPE molecules, these effects are more important in the case of the monosubstituted derivative. Importantly, the two derivatives have an opposite impact on hydration of the phosphoglyceride polar head.

Topics: Bacteria; Calixarenes; Membrane Potentials; Membranes, Artificial; Microscopy; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Molecular Structure; Nalidixic Acid; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Pressure; Spectrum Analysis; Surface Properties

Literature data indicate that some calixarene derivatives with antimicrobial activities may be useful as drugs; one of the aspects of the biological activity of different classes of antibiotics concerns interactions with lipid membranes. Here, the possibility of incorporation and/or translocation of three amphiphilic p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives across membranes was studied using lipid monolayers. The derivatives used have 6-aminopenicillanic acid or benzylpenicillin moieties grafted in alternate positions at the calixarene lower rim; 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE), a model bacterial membrane lipid, was used to prepare the monolayers. The miscibility of calixarene-antibiotic conjugates with lipid films was studied using surface pressure and surface potential measurements, as well as Brewster angle microscopy. The results obtained show that the miscibility is significantly different for the 6-aminopenicillanic acid and the two benzylpenicillin derivatives. Molecular modeling allowed the assessment of the lowest energy conformations of the calixarene derivatives and gave more insight into the interactions with the DMPE films.

Topics: beta-Lactams; Calixarenes; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry, Physical; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Membranes, Artificial; Models, Molecular; Penicillanic Acid; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet