A synthetic peptide of human apoprotein E with antibacterial activity

In recent years, several endogenous mammalian antibacterial peptides have b een described. An amphipathic cationic alpha-helix is a common feature in m any cases; therefore, other peptides with this characteristic might also po ssess antibiotic activity. In fact, a 30-mer peptide of apoprotein E 133-16 2 (LRVRLASHLRKLRKRLLRDADDLQKRLAVY) was found to have antibiotic activity co mparable to those of a classic antibiotic (Gentamicin) and a neutrophil-der ived antibiotic peptide (CAP18). Calculation of cationicity, hydrophobicity , and hydrophobic moment and the helical wheel diagram of apoprotein E 133- 162 revealed close similarities to CAP18. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.