| abstract |
A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is disclosed. These peptides can be encompassed by the formulas: X1X1PX2X3X2P(X2X2P)nX2X3(X5)o (SEQ ID NO: 23); X1X1PX2X3X4(X5)rPX2X3X3 (SEQ ID NO: 24); X1X1X3(PW)uX3X2X5X2X2X5X2(X5)o (SEQ ID NO: 25); X1X1X3X3X2P(X2X2P)nX2(X5)m (SEQ ID NO: 26); wherein m is 1 to 5; n is 1 or 2; o is 2 to 5; r is 0 to 8; u is 0 or 1; X1 is Isoleucine, Leucine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Tryptophan or Methionine; X2 represents Tryptophan or Phenylalanine; X3 represents Arginine or Lysine; X4 represents Tryptophan or Lysine; and X5 represents Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Arginine, Lysine or Proline. The invention also provides a method of producing a cationic peptide variant having antimicrobial activity. |