Alanine scan reveals modifiable residues in teixobactin

An alanine scan of Lys 10 -teixobactin reveals that a cationic residue at position 10 is not necessary for antibiotic activity and that position 3 tolerates substitution without loss of activity. An unexpected correlation between poor aqueous solubility and better antibiotic activity of the teixobactin analogues is observed. An alanine scan reveals the tolerance of amino acids in teixobactin toward substitution.