Rational design and characterization of cell-selective antimicrobial peptides based on a bioactive peptide from Crocodylus siamensis hemoglobin.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing health concern. Antimicrobial peptides are a potential solution because they bypass conventional drug resistance mechanisms. Previously, we isolated a peptide from Crocodylus siamensis hemoglobin hydrolysate, which has antimicrobial activity and identified the main peptide from this mixture (QL17).

Rational Design of RN15m4 Cathelin Domain-Based Peptides from Siamese Crocodile Cathelicidin Improves Antimicrobial Activity.

Antimicrobial peptides are becoming a new generation of antibiotics due to their therapeutic potential and ability to decrease drug-resistant bacteria development. Cathelicidins are known as effective peptides of vertebrate immunity that play crucial roles in the defensive strategy against pathogens. To improve its potency, the RN15 antibacterial peptide derived from the cathelin domain of Crocodylus siamensis cathelicidin has been modified and its antimicrobial properties investigated.

Identification of the first Crocodylus siamensis cathelicidin gene and RN15 peptide derived from cathelin domain exhibiting antibacterial activity.

Cathelicidins are effector molecules of vertebrate immunity that play vital roles against microbial invasion. They are widely identified in mammals, but few have been reported in Crocodilians, which are considered to be species with a powerful immune system. In the present study, we identified and characterized a novel cathelicidin from the blood of the Siamese crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis.