RK22 Antimicrobial Peptide (MRSA-Active)
11-mer antimicrobial peptide RK22 from Hirudinaria manillensis salivary-gland transcriptome — Lu 2023 demonstrates MRSA killing + biofilm eradication.
Preclinical / mechanisticLast updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- 11-mer antimicrobial peptide RK22 from Hirudinaria manillensis salivary-gland transcriptome — Lu 2023 demonstrates MRSA killing + biofilm eradication.
- Evidence level
- Preclinical (animal)
- Drug vs leech
- Synthetic analog
- Safety domains
- Antibiotic stewardship · Aeromonas infection
Clinical translation limit
RK22's antimicrobial activity in vitro + animal MRSA model does NOT establish clinical efficacy in humans. No FDA-approved derivative; H. manillensis is not on the FDA K040187 cleared device species list.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antimicrobial
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 1,400 Da
- Source species
- Hirudinaria manillensis
- Discovered
- 2023 · Lu X et al.
Biological Targets
- → Staphylococcus aureus (incl. methicillin-resistant strains); biofilm matrix
Key Citations
- Lu X et al. (2023), Int J Mol Sci · PMID 37686259
External Resources
Related Antimicrobial Compounds
Theromacin
Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-negative bacteria — innate immunity of leech.
Theromyzin
Antimicrobial peptide; structural analogue of mammalian defensin family.
Macrostomin
Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-positive bacteria — amphipathic alpha-helix.
Hirunipins
Newly-characterized antimicrobial peptide family (Kumar 2025) — candidate next-generation antibiotics against AMR pathogens.