Antimicrobial and anticancer peptides & conjugates and compositions, methods, articles & kits relating thereto

Abstract

Peptides and conjugates are described herein, including peptides having antimicrobial and/or anticancer properties, as are compositions, articles, and kits comprising such peptides and conjugates, and methods for using the peptides and conjugates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A peptide comprising:
 (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in Formula (I) (SEQ ID NO:1):   
       
         
           
                 
                 
               
                     
                   X aa1  X aa2  X aa3  X aa4  X aa5  X aa6  X aa7  X aa8  X aa9  X aa10  X aa11   
                 
             
                
               
            
           
         
         wherein independently of each other:
 X aa1  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa2  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa3  is Phe, Ala, or Trp, 
 X aa4  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa5  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa6  is Phe or Trp, 
 X aa7  is Phe or Trp, 
 X aa8  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa9  is Lys or Arg, 
 X aa10  is Leu, Phe, or Trp, and 
 X aa11  is Lys or Arg; or 
 
         (b) the amino acid sequence set forth in Formula (I) (SEQ ID NO:1) with one substitution or insertion; 
         with the proviso that the amino acid sequence is not KRFKKFFKKLK (SEQ ID NO:2), KRAKKFFKKPK (SEQ ID NO:3), KRAKKFFKKLK (SEQ ID NO:4), or RRFRRFFRRLR (SEQ ID NO: 10). 
       
     
     
         2 . The peptide of  claim 1 , wherein:
 X aa3  is Phe,   X aa6  is Phe,   X aa7  is Phe, and   X aa10  is Leu.   
     
     
         3 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa1  is Arg. 
     
     
         4 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa2  is Lys. 
     
     
         5 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa4  is Lys. 
     
     
         6 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa5  is Lys. 
     
     
         7 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa8  is Lys. 
     
     
         8 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa9  is Lys. 
     
     
         9 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein X aa11  is Lys. 
     
     
         10 . The peptide of  claim 2 , wherein:
 X aa1  is Arg,   X aa2  is Lys,   X aa4  is Lys,   X aa5  is Lys,   X aa8  is Lys,   X aa9  is Lys, and   X aa11  is Lys.   
     
     
         11 . The peptide of  claim 10 , wherein the peptide comprises (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in Formula (I) (SEQ ID NO:1). 
     
     
         12 . The peptide of  claim 1 , wherein:
 X aa1  is Lys,   X aa2  is Arg,   X aa4  is Lys,   X aa5  is Lys,   X aa8  is Lys,   X aa9  is Lys, and   X aa11  is Lys.   
     
     
         13 . The peptide of  claim 12 , wherein X aa3  is Phe. 
     
     
         14 . The peptide of  claim 12 , wherein X aa6  is Phe. 
     
     
         15 . The peptide of  claim 12 , wherein X aa7  is Phe. 
     
     
         16 . The peptide of  claim 12 , wherein X aa10  is Leu. 
     
     
         17 . The peptide of  claim 12 , wherein:
 X aa3  is Phe,   X aa6  is Phe,   X aa7  is Phe, and   X aa10  is Leu.   
     
     
         18 . The peptide of  claim 17 , wherein the peptide comprises (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in Formula (I) (SEQ ID NO:1). 
     
     
         19 . A method for preventing, reducing or inhibiting growth of a bacteria or fungi on a surface or in a fluid, the method comprising contacting the surface or the fluid with a composition comprising the peptide of  claim 1 , thereby preventing, reducing or inhibiting growth of the bacteria or fungi on the surface or in the fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the surface is on a prosthetic or an implant.