Antimicrobial properties of hemokinin-1 against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we examined whether hemokinin-1, the newest member of the tachykinin family and a close relative of substance P, has antimicrobial properties which have been attributed to other neuropeptides including substance P.


METHODS
Top agar assays were performed to determine the antimicrobial activity of hemokinin-1 and substance P against various microorganisms.


RESULTS
Here we provide evidence that hemokinin-1 peptide possesses antimicrobial properties against some strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while substance P was only marginally effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study is the first to link hemokinin-1 to the essential role of defending the body against microbial challenges and adds hemokinin-1 to the list of potential drugs that could help in the fight against P. aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen.
Berger
Alexandra
A
Division of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. aberger@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Tran
Anne H
AH
Dedier
Helen
H
Gardam
Michael A
MA
Paige
Christopher J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015320:Tachykinins; C507968:hemokinin-1; D013373:Substance P