Antimicrobial kinocidin compositions and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention provides novel kinocidin peptides comprising a C-terminal portion of a kinocidin, wherein the C-terminal portion encompasses an α-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 γκo 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kinocidin peptide comprising a C-terminal portion amino acid sequence of a kinocidin, wherein said C-terminal portion comprises an α-helical secondary structure , wherein said C-terminal portion further comprises antimicrobial activity, and wherein said kinocidin comprises a γ KC  core. 
     
     
         2 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein the kinocidin is a CXC, CX 3 C, CC, or C class chemokine. 
     
     
         3 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid sequence is KENWVQRVVEKFLKRAENS (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         4 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid sequence is QAPLYKKIIKKLLES (SEQ ID NO: 2). 
     
     
         5 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid sequence is ASPIVKKIIEKMLNSDKSN (SEQ ID NO: 3). 
     
     
         6 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid sequence is selected from the group depicted in  FIG. 21 . 
     
     
         7 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said alpha-helical secondary structure comprises between 10 and 35 amino acids. 
     
     
         8 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said alpha-helical secondary structure comprises a mass between 1100 Da and 3850 Da. 
     
     
         9 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said alpha-helical secondary structure comprises a calculated charge between 0 and (+) 5 at pH 7.0. 
     
     
         10 . The kinocidin peptide of claim I, wherein said alpha-helical secondary structure comprises an estimated isoelectric point between 5 and 15. 
     
     
         11 . The kinocidin peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said alpha-helical secondary structure comprises a hydrophobic moment between 3 and 8. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating an infectious disease or condition in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a kinocidin peptide of  claims 1  through  11 .