KDAMP – Antimicrobial Peptides – AMP

Keratin-Derived anti-microbial Peptides (KDAMPs), are peptide fragment of the intermediate filament protein cytokeratin 6A. They were originally isolated from lysates of human corneal epithelial cells. KDAMPs exhibit coil structures with low α-helical content and are smaller and more stable than other known host-expressed anti-microbials. Multiple length KDAMPs have been studied for their anti-microbial properties, and different fragments show different anti-microbial spectrums. The 19 mer KDAMP peptide is rapidly bactericidal against multiple clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and shows even greater activity against-Streptococcus pyogenes. However it is not active against Staphylococcus aureus-or-Escherichia coli.