Pep5-Cpp, a Cyclin D2-Derived Antimicrobial.
Bianca Silva Souto1,2,3, Vitória Stephani Hasbahr1, Bárbara Ribeiro Lourenço da Silva1
1Applied Toxinology Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Rua Rudolf Virchow 250, Butantã, São Paulo 05345-040, SP, Brazil.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Antimicrobial peptides Pep5-Cpp and its derivatives show potential against bacteria and fungi, with selective activity and low toxicity. Further development is supported for pharmacological applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Peptide Science
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Peptidomic studies identified antitumoral Pep5.
- Coupling Pep5 to a carrier peptide (Cpp) yielded antimicrobial potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate antimicrobial activity of Pep5-Cpp and derivatives (ΔC3-Pep5-Cpp, ΔN-Pep5-Cpp).
- Investigate their mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays against *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Candida albicans*, and *Aspergillus niger*.
- DNA interaction studies, fluorescence assays, biofilm inhibition assays, microbicidal assays, and hemolytic assays.
Main Results:
- Pep5-Cpp and derivatives exhibited varying MIC values against tested microbes.
- Pep5-Cpp interacted with *S. aureus* DNA and increased its fluorescence.
- ΔC3-Pep5-Cpp inhibited biofilm formation (>50%).
- Peptides showed selective microbicidal activity and no significant hemolysis at MIC values.
Conclusions:
- Pep5-Cpp and its derivatives possess significant antimicrobial potential and selectivity.
- Findings support the future pharmacological development of these peptides.
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