Membrane-Targeting Peptides Enhancing Uptake of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Photosensitiser into Clinically Relevant Bacteria

Photodynamic therapy has recently emerged as potential alternative in combating the growing threat of global antibiotic resistance. Free radicals will be generated in the presence of photosensitisers and oxygen under light irradiation of a specific wavelength and cause cytotoxic damage to bacteria. Ruthenium(II) photosensitisers with rich photochemical properties and potential antibacterial activities gained our focus of interest. However, they may experience low bacterial uptake when administered in vivo. Hence, the objective of our study is to investigate the potential of bacterial membrane-targeting peptides - arginine-tryptophan (Arg-Trp or RW) peptides in enhancing bacterial uptake of the Ru(II) complex.