DJK-5

DJK-5 is a synthetic, all D-enantiomeric (D-amino acid), protease-resistant peptide with broad-spectrum anti-biofilm and antimicrobial activity. It consists of 12 D-amino acids (sequence: H-DVal-DGln-DTrp-DArg-DAla-DIle-DArg-DVal-DArg-DVal-DIle-DArg-NH2; one-letter code: vqwrairvrvir-NH2) and has a molecular weight of approximately 1550.9 Da. Designed to resist enzymatic degradation, DJK-5 disrupts and eradicates established biofilms formed by various bacterial species—including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Cutibacterium acnes—at concentrations below its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). It acts by targeting bacterial membrane integrity and interfering with the stringent stress response in bacteria. In preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models), DJK-5 has demonstrated potent killing of biofilm-associated bacteria as well as synergistic effects when combined with antibiotics such as colistin or daptomycin against multidrug-resistant pathogens in co-biofilms. Its primary research applications are in the prevention and treatment of chronic infections associated with biofilms on medical devices or tissues[1][3][4][7].

Other names

DJK-5 peptideDJK5 peptideDJK 5 peptidevqwrairvrvir-NH2vqwrairvrvir-NH-2vqwrairvrvir-NH 2