Novel α-MSH peptide analogues with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

ABSTRACT: Previous investigations indicate that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and certain synthetic analogues of it exert antimicrobial effects against bacteria and yeasts. However, these molecules have weak activity in standard microbiology conditions and this hampers a realistic clinical use. The aim in the present study was to identify novel peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in growth medium. To this purpose, the Gly10 residue in the [DNal(2')-7, Phe-12]-MSH(6-13) sequence was replaced with conventional and unconventional amino acids with different degrees of conformational rigidity. Two derivatives in which Gly10 was replaced by the residues Aic and Cha, respectively, had substantial activity against Candida strains, including C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. krusei

SUBMITTER: Grieco P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3634028 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature