-MSH and other amino acid sequences derived from -MSH were
determined to have antimicrobial influences, including against two major and representative
cutaneous and mucosal pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans,
Pharmaceutical compositions useful as antimicrobial agents, including for use in
reducing the viability of microbes, reducing the germination of yeasts, killing
microbes without reducing the killing of microbes by human neutrophils, for treating
inflammation in which there is microbial infection without reducing microbial killing,
and for increasing the accumulation of cAMP in microbes are disclosed. The antimicrobial
agent is selected from the group consisting of one or more peptides including the
amino acid sequence KPV, one or more peptides including the amino acid sequence
MEHFRWG, or a biologically functional equivalent of any of the foregoing. The most
effective of the peprides were those bearing the C-terminal amino acid sequence
of -MSH. i.e., -MSH (1-13), (6-13), and (11-13).
