A Supramolecular Antibiotic Switch for Antibacterial Regulation
Graphical Abstract
A supramolecular antibiotic switch to reversibly “turn-on” and “turn-off” antibacterial activity on demand was developed as a proof-of-concept to regulate antibacterial activity. The switch relies on the supramolecular assembly and disassembly of a poly(phenylene vinylene) derivative (PPV) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]). This strategy does not require any chemical modification on the active sites of the antibacterial agent.
Abstract
A supramolecular antibiotic switch is described that can reversibly “turn-on” and “turn-off” its antibacterial activity on demand, providing a proof-of-concept for a way to regulate antibacterial activity of biotics. The switch relies on supramolecular assembly and disassembly of cationic poly(phenylene vinylene) derivative (PPV) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) to regulate their different interactions with bacteria. This simple but efficient strategy does not require any chemical modification on the active sites of the antibacterial agent, and could also regulate the antibacterial activity of classical antibiotics or photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. This supramolecular antibiotic switch may be a successful strategy to fight bacterial infections and decrease the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics from a long-term point of view.
