Retrocyclins: antiviral and antimicrobial peptides
View Patent ↗Retrocyclin peptides are small antimicrobial agents with potent activity against bacteria and viruses. The peptides are nonhemolytic, and exhibit minimal in vitro cytotoxicity. A pharmaceutical composition comprising retrocyclin as an active agent is administered therapeutically to a patient suffering from a bacterial and/or viral infection, or to an individual facing exposure to a bacterial and/or viral infection, especially one caused by the HIV-1 retrovirus or other sexually-transmitted pathogens.
1. A circular retrocyclin polypeptide comprising two linked nonapeptides, wherein one nonapeptide sequence has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:74 and one nonapeptide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:19 to SEQ ID NO:64: and SEQ ID NO:74 to SEQ ID NO:119; and wherein said circular retrocyclin polypeptide comprises D-amino acids.
2. The circular polypeptide of claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
3. The circular polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide comprises all D-amino acids.
4. The polypeptide according to claim 3 wherein one nonapeptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 and one nonapeptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:74.
5. The polypeptide according to claim 1 wherein one nonapeptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 and one nonapeptide has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:74.
6. A method for administering retrocyclin as a prophylactic agent, the method comprising: administering a peptide according to claim 1 to a patient to inhibit a microbial infection in a patient at risk of developing such infection.
7. A method for killing microbial organisms, the method comprising:
contacting said microbial organism with an effective dose of a cyclic polypeptide as set forth in claim 1 .
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said microbial organism is present in a patient with an established microbial or viral infection.