pppGpp

DJK-5 is an antimicrobial peptide that targets and degrades guanosine pentaphosphate and tetraphosphate (pppGpp and ppGpp). DJK-5 kills bacteria within dentinal tubules, dental plaque and preformed oral biofilms, delays biofilm recovery, reduces the abundance of extracellular polysaccharides and the structural integrity of biofilm matrices, and inhibits the formation and biomass accumulation of dental plaque biofilms. DJK-5 permeabilizes bacterial membranes, induces bacterial morphological changes, inhibits bacterial growth, and exerts a synergistic effect on bacterial biofilms when used in combination with traditional antibiotics and Colistin (HY-113678). DJK-5 exhibits protease resistance and broad-spectrum antibiofilm activity, though its activity decreases in fetal bovine serum. DJK-5 can be used in studies of pulpitis, mixed biofilm infections, skin abscesses, dental caries, infections associated with failed root canal therapy, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-related respiratory tract infections .