Finding hidden antibacterial peptides in the heparinome

Proteins that bind heparin may also hide sequences that recognise bacterial lipopolysaccharide. We combined computational screening, peptide synthesis and structural characterisation to explore this connection.

Five selected peptides showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria. HBP-5 stood out, with antibacterial activity in the nanomolar range and strong binding to both heparin and LPS. The work identifies heparin-binding proteins as a source of cryptic antimicrobial sequences and provides candidates for further study.

Published in Molecular Systems Biology. The findings concern experimental peptides, not an approved antibiotic.