title: Direct antimicrobial properties of substance P.
abstract: The structural similarity between substance P (SP, Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH(2)) and Arg/Pro rich bactericidal peptides suggests a possible direct effect of SP on invasive microbes. We now present evidence that substance P possesses direct antimicrobial activity, highest against S. aureus. A substance P antagonist also possesses such activity but while less potent than substance P agonist S. aureus, is more potent than substance P against C. albicans. Our data also show that the endogenous peptides bradykinin and neurotensin, that also play role in modulation of the host-defense system in situ, have antimicrobial properties but are less potent than substance P.
authors.affiliation: Industrial Chemistry Research Institute, Rydygiera Street 8, 01793 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kowalska
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Andrzej W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Lipkowski
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013373:Substance P / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010455:Peptides; D013373:Substance P