Methods and uses of a modified cecropin for treating endoparasitic and bacterial infections

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a modified cecropin protein comprising a cecropin or a variant thereof fused to a hydrophilic tail lacking a C-terminal glycine. The present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions, methods and uses of the modified cecropin protein or nucleic acid for treating or preventing endoparasites, such as Plasmodium, and bacteria.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This non-provisional application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 507,366, filed July 13, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. field of invention [0003] The present disclosure relates to modified cecropin antimicrobial peptides and their methods and uses for inhibiting endoparasites or bacteria and for treating or preventing endoparasites or bacterial infections. Background of the invention [0004] Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease and despite years of research, remains a major global health problem causing disease and death, disproportionately affecting developing countries. The World Health Organization estimates the worldwide incidence of malaria to be approximately 300-500 million clinical cases per year, with at least 1 million deaths. The majority of these individuals were young children [WHO malaria report 2008, Snow et al., 2005, Guerra et al., 2008 and Hay Si et al., 2...

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Problems solved by technology

However, such channels may only form when cecropin density is high and membrane disruption occurs [Christensen, B.J. et al., 1988; Durell, S.R., et al., 1992]

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