TARGETED ANTIMICROBIAL MOIETIES
This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.
1 . A chimeric construct, said construct comprising:
an effector attached to a peptide targeting moiety comprising an amino acid sequence found in Table 3 and/or Table 12.
2 - 5 . (canceled)
6 . The chimeric construct of claim 1 , wherein said effector comprises a moiety selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial peptide, an antibiotic, a ligand, a lipid or liposome, an agent that physically disrupts the extracellular matrix within a community of microorganisms, and a polymeric particle.
7 . The chimeric construct of claim 1 , wherein said effector comprises an antimicrobial peptide comprising an amino acid sequence found in Table 4, and/or Table 5, and/or Table 14, and/or Table 15.
8 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . The chimeric construct of claim 1 , wherein said targeting moiety is chemically conjugated to said effector.
14 . The chimeric construct of claim 13 , wherein said targeting moiety is chemically conjugated to said effector via a linker.
15 . The chimeric construct of claim 13 , wherein said targeting moiety is chemically conjugated to said effector via a linker comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG).
16 . The chimeric construct of claim 13 , wherein said targeting moiety is chemically conjugated to said effector via a non-peptide linker found in Table 16.
17 . The chimeric construct of claim 1 , wherein said targeting moiety is linked directly to said effector.
18 . The chimeric construct of claim 1 , wherein said targeting moiety is linked to said effector via a peptide linkage.
19 . The chimeric construct of claim 18 , wherein said effector comprises an antimicrobial peptide and said construct is a fusion protein.
20 . The chimeric construct of claim 18 , wherein said targeting moiety is attached to said effector by a peptide linker comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence found in Table 16.
21 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a chimeric construct of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
28 .- 29 . (canceled)
30 . An antimicrobial composition effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or of a microorganism and/or the formation and/or maintenance of a biofilm, said composition comprising one or more isolated antimicrobial peptides, the amino acid sequences of said peptides comprising one or more sequences selected from the amino acid sequences listed in Table 4 and/or Table 5.
31 .- 55 . (canceled)
56 . The composition of claim 30 , wherein said peptides comprise all “L” amino acids.
57 . The composition of claim 30 , wherein said peptides comprise all “D” amino acids.
58 . (canceled)
59 . The composition of claim 30 , wherein said peptides are β peptides.
60 . The composition of claim 30 , wherein said peptides comprise one or more protecting groups.
61 - 65 . (canceled)
66 . A method of killing and/or inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of a microorganism, said method comprising contacting said microorganism with a chimeric construct of claim 1 .
67 - 80 . (canceled)
81 . A method of detecting a bacterium and/or a bacterial film, said method comprising:
contacting said bacterium or bacterial film with a composition comprising a detectable label attached to a targeting peptide comprising one or more amino acid sequences found Table 3 and/or Table 12; and
detecting said detectable label wherein the quantity and/or location of said detectable label is an indicator of the presence of said bacterium and/or bacterial film.
82 - 83 . (canceled)
84 . A composition comprising a photosensitizing agent attached to a targeting peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a peptide found in Table 3 and/or Table 12.
85 - 90 . (canceled)
91 . A method of inhibiting the growth or proliferation of a microorganism or a biofilm, said method comprising contacting said microorganism or biofilm with a composition of claim 84 .
92 - 112 . (canceled)