Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD) peptides inhibit Streptococcus mitis to adhere to fibronectin.

Fibronectin (Fn) is a multifunctional adhesive protein found on cell surfaces as well as in plasma. It is also believed to play an important role in bacterial adherence to host tissues. Molecular analyses of Fn have shown that the amino acid triplet arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence functions as a binding site. We examined the role of the RGD sequence on bacterial adherence to Fn. The pretreatment of Streptococcus mitis with synthetic RGD-containing peptide reduced the number of bound bacteria to the Fn coated plates by 76%. In contrast, a control peptide containing the RGE sequence showed no inhibition. These data indicate that synthetic RGD peptides may be useful for the inhibition of bacterial adherence to Fn on host cell surfaces.