Novel antimicrobial compounds

Abstract

The invention features an antimicrobial composition comprising a substance P peptide and methods of inhibiting growth of a microorganism by contacting the microorganism with a substance P peptide. Bacterial and fungal pathogens are inhibited by the substance P compositions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An antimicrobial composition comprising a substance P peptide.  
     
     
         2 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide comprises residues 1-8 of SEQ ID No: 1.  
     
     
         3 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 2 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide comprises residues 1-8 of SEQ ID No: 2.  
     
     
         4 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 2 , wherein the sequence is at least 50% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID Nos: 1 or 2.  
     
     
         5 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence Xaa 1 -Pro-Xaa 2 -Pro-Xaa 3 -Xaa 4 -Xaa 5 -Xaa 6  (SEQ ID NO: 12), wherein Xaa 1  and Xaa 2  are positively charged amino acids, Xaa 3  and Xaa 4  are any amino acids other than Pro, and Xaa 5  and Xaa 6  are hydrophobic amino acids.  
     
     
         6 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 5 , wherein Xaa 5  and Xaa 6  are aromatic amino acids.  
     
     
         7 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide comprises amino acids 1-10 of SEQ ID Nos: 1 or 2.  
     
     
         8 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide comprises Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Xaa (SEQ ID NO: 13), wherein Xaa is not a methionine residue.  
     
     
         9 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 6 , wherein Xaa 5  and Xaa 6  are selected from the group consisting of Phe and Trp.  
     
     
         10 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , having at least one dextrorotatory amino acid.  
     
     
         11 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide inhibits growth of a bacteriim, fungus, or virus.  
     
     
         12 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 11 , wherein the peptide inhibits growth of a cell selected from the genera consisting of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Shigella, Campylobacter, Hemophilus, Proteus, Yersinia, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Serratia.  
     
     
         13 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 11 , wherein the peptide inhibits growth of a cell selected from the genera consisting of Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus, Epidermophyton, Histoplasma, Microsporum, and Trichophyton.  
     
     
         14 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a second antimicrobial agent.  
     
     
         15 . A method for inhibiting growth or survival of a microorganism, comprising directly contacting the microorganism with a substance P peptide or a peptide mimetic thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 1-8 of SEQ ID Nos: 1 or 2.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 1 -10 of SEQ ID Nos: 1 or 2.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the microorganism is a bacteria or a fungus.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the bacteria is selected from the group of cutaneous, mucosal, or enteric bacteria.  
     
     
         20 . A method of inhibiting a microbial infection, comprising identifying a mammal suffering from or at risk of developing the infection and administering to the mammal a substance P peptide or peptide mimetic thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide or peptide mimetic is administered topically.  
     
     
         22 . A method of inhibiting a microbial infection, comprising introducing into an articulating joint of an animal a substance P peptide or peptide mimetic thereof.  
     
     
         23 . A method of inhibiting a microbial infection, comprising introducing directly into an abscess a substance P peptide or peptide mimetic thereof.  
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising at least one unit dose of an antimicrobial substance P peptide having at least 50% identity to positions 1-8 of SEQ ID Nos: 1 or 2.