Anti-microbial peptides and coatings

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides and methods of use are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolated peptide comprising the amino acid sequence WWWX 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 W (SEQ ID NO: 16), wherein X 1 -X 4  are any amino acid. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein X 1  is Ile, Leu, or Val. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein X 2  and X 3  are Arg, Lys, or His. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein X 4  is Ile, Arg, or Lys. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide comprises at least one D-amino acid. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein all of the amino acids are D-amino acids. 
     
     
         7 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide comprises at least one modification selected from the group consisting of amidation and acetylation. 
     
     
         8 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is less than 12 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         9 . A composition comprising at least one peptide of  claim 1  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one antibiotic. 
     
     
         11 . A method for inhibiting a microbial infection in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject at least one peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the administration of at least one additional antibiotic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said microbial infection is a staphylococcal infection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said microbial infection is a methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA) infection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said antimicrobial peptide is covalently attached to the surface of a medical device or implant 
     
     
         16 . A medical device or implant comprising at least one antimicrobial peptide of  claim 1  covalently attached to the surface of the medical device or implant. 
     
     
         17 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is less than 25 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         18 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is antibacterial. 
     
     
         19 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is less than 10 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         20 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1  consisting the amino acid sequence WWWX 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 W (SEQ ID NO: 16), wherein X 1 -X 4  are any amino acid.