Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-ucla Medical Center

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-ucla Medical Center

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation

Nannette Y Yount

Michael R Yeaman

Eric P Brass

John E Edwards, Jr

Computational systems and methods are described for identifying new type-II bacteriocins using a systemic consensus formula and other related criteria. Newly identified type-II bacteriocin peptides are tested experimentally and show potent microbiocidal activities.

Antimicrobial type-II bacteriocins

Computational systems and methods are described for identifying new α-helical antimicrobial peptides using a systemic consensus formula. Newly identified α-helical antimicrobial peptides are tested experimentally and show potent microbiocidal activities.

Antimicrobial peptides with alpha-core helices

Computational systems and methods are described for identifying new type-ll bacteriocins using a systemic consensus formula and other related criteria. Newly identified type-ll bacteriocin peptides are tested experimentally and show potent microbicidal activities. Further provided are the sequences of Newly identified type-ll bacteriocin peptides, and a method of treating an infection in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence disclosed.

The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an &#x3b1;-helical secondary structure and further displays antimicrobial activity. The kinocidin peptides of the invention are derived from and correspond to a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin that includes a &#x3b3;core and that can be a CXC, CC, or C class chemokine. Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of this novel class of antimicrobial peptides and amino acid sequences of particular kinocidin peptides are also disclosed. The invention also provides related antimicrobial methods.

Antimicrobial kinocidin compositions and methods of use

The invention provide isolated peptides, protides and conjugates having novel peptide sequences which are able to induce antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative or programmed cell death activity. The invention also provides a method of inducing programmed cell death in a cell by contacting the cell with an isolated peptide, protide or conjugate described herein. In some aspects, the method can be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease, such as an infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, or inflammatory disease.

Peptides and methods for inducing cell death

The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an &#x3b1;-helical secondary structure and further displays antimicrobial activity. The kinocidin peptides of the invention are derived from and correspond to a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin that includes a &#x3b3;&#x3ba;o core and that can be a CXC, CC, or C class chemokine. Structural, physicochemical and functional properties of this novel class of antimicrobial peptides and amino acid sequences of particular kinocidin peptides are also disclosed. The invention also provides related antimicrobial methods.

This invention is directed to multifunctional, context-activated protides that have two or more effectors with individually distinct biological functions and one or more corresponding activator sites that can each initiate or amplify the biological function of one or more effectors upon context-activation. The context-activated protides of the invention are useful in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and therapy of a broad range of pathological conditions.

Growing community of inventors

San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States of America

Nannette Y Yount