Identification and Characterization of RK22, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from Hirudinaria manillensis against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Basic science / preclinical published in Int J Mol Sci (2023)
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, which are compounded by drug resistance. By manipulating the coagulation system, S. aureus gains a significant advantage over host defense mechanisms, with hypercoagulation induced by S. aureus potentially aggravating infectious diseases. Recently, we and other researchers identified that a higher level of LL-37, one endogenous antimicrobial peptide with a significant killing effect on S. aureus infection, resulted in thrombosis formation through the induction of platelet activation and potentiation of the coagulation factor enzymatic activity. In the current study, we identified a novel antimicrobial peptide (RK22) from the salivary gland transcriptome of Hirudinaria manillensis (H. manillensis) through bioinformatic analysis, and then synthesized it, which exhibited good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, including a clinically resistant strain with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25 μg/mL. The RK22 peptide rapidly killed S. aureus by inhibiting biofilm formation and promoting biofilm eradication, with good plasma stability, negligible cytotoxicity, minimal hemolytic activity, and no significant promotion of the coagulation system. Notably, administration of RK22 significantly inhibited S. aureus infection and the clinically resistant strain in vivo. Thus, these findings highlight the potential of RK22 as an ideal treatment candidate against S. aureus infection.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Identification of RK22, a novel antimicrobial peptide from the salivary gland transcriptome of Hirudinaria manillensis, with MIC 6.25 ug/mL against MRSA. Demonstrates biofilm inhibition, plasma stability, low cytotoxicity, and in-vivo MRSA-clearance efficacy.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio identificó RK22, un nuevo péptido antimicrobiano del transcriptoma de la glándula salival de Hirudinaria manillensis, mediante análisis bioinformático y síntesis química. RK22 mostró actividad antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus, incluyendo una cepa clínicamente resistente (CIM 6,25 μg/mL), eliminando a S. aureus mediante la inhibición de la formación de biopelículas y promoviendo la erradicación de biopelículas, con buena estabilidad plasmática, citotoxicidad insignificante, actividad hemolítica mínima y sin promoción significativa del sistema de coagulación. La administración de RK22 inhibió significativamente la infección por S. aureus y la cepa clínicamente resistente in vivo. Para el dominio de ASH, esto es relevante como caracterización de un péptido bioactivo de una glándula salival de sanguijuela con propiedades antimicrobianas. La salvedad es que, si bien se presentan datos in vivo, no se informan en el resumen ensayos en humanos ni afirmaciones de eficacia clínica.
Citación
Identification and Characterization of RK22, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from Hirudinaria manillensis against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Lu X et al. · International journal of molecular sciences, 2023
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026