Abstract
Molecular interaction of polymeric drugs and their analogues with phospholipid model membranes are reviewed. Antibacterial agents can be classified into three groups, depending on their target sites in bacterial cells; the cell wall, the cytoplasmic membrane and the cytoplasm. In this article, cationic biocides which affect the cytoplasmic membrane are described in detail. Typical examples are quarternary ammonium salts and biguanides. Also described are the molecular structures of the cytoplasmic membrane and the cell wall of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The interactions of divalent cations and basic proteins with phospholipid bilayers are summerized and correlated to the mode of action of the polycation-type biocides. The specific interaction of the polycation-type biocides with acidic species in the membrane is discussed in comparison with that of monomeric biocides.
