FuK

FuK is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) modified with fluorinated non-natural amino acids, serving as an analog of WK2. In mice, its LD50 is 72.34 mg/kg, and it exhibits no hemolytic activity. FuK maintains high stability in conditions involving trypsin, chymotrypsin, and saline environments. It exerts bactericidal effects by increasing bacterial outer membrane permeability, inducing cytoplasmic membrane depolarization, and disrupting membrane potential. It is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and MRSA. FuK demonstrates synergistic antibacterial effects when used with Polymyxin B, Vancomycin, and Ciprofloxacin, and inhibits ciprofloxacin-induced bacterial resistance. Additionally, FuK is safe in vivo, significantly reducing bacterial load and inflammatory cell infiltration in a murine MRSA model, and promoting collagen fiber formation in skin wounds.