LL-37 5mg

🔬 LL-37 (Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide) — Overview

LL-37 is a naturally occurring human antimicrobial peptide derived from the precursor protein cathelicidin (hCAP-18). It is part of the innate immune system and is expressed in epithelial cells, neutrophils, and various tissues. LL-37 is studied extensively in research for its roles in host defense, immune modulation, wound healing, and inflammatory signaling.

📌 Brief Functional Description

• Antimicrobial defense: Exhibits broad activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi through membrane-disruptive mechanisms.
• Immune modulation: Influences cytokine release, chemotaxis, and immune cell activation rather than acting solely as an antimicrobial agent.
• Wound healing & tissue repair: Studied for effects on angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and cell migration.
• Research relevance: Explored in models of infection, inflammation, dermatology, and regenerative biology.

🧪 Chemical & Structural Information

🔢 CAS Number

• 162458-24-0

🧬 Molecular Formula

• C₂₀₅H₃₄₀N₆₀O₅₃

⚖️ Molecular Weight

• ≈4,493 g/mol (Da)

🧬 Amino Acid Sequence & Structure

• LL-37 is a 37-amino-acid linear peptide beginning with two leucines (hence “LL”).
• Sequence: LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES
• The peptide is cationic and amphipathic, allowing it to interact with and disrupt microbial membranes.
• In membrane-like environments, LL-37 adopts an α-helical structure, which is critical for its biological activity.

General structural description:

37-amino-acid cationic peptide with amphipathic alpha-helical regions 

🧠 Mechanism & Biological Context

• Membrane interaction: LL-37 binds to negatively charged microbial membranes, leading to membrane destabilization and cell death.
• Signaling roles: Interacts with host receptors and intracellular pathways to modulate inflammation, angiogenesis, and immune cell recruitment.
• Context-dependent effects: Depending on concentration and environment, LL-37 can act as an antimicrobial agent, immune regulator, or tissue-repair signal.
• Unlike hormones or receptor-specific peptides, LL-37 functions through both physical membrane interactions and signaling modulation.

⚠️ Safety & Regulatory Notes

• Research Use Only: LL-37 is not FDA-approved as a therapeutic drug.
• Due to potent immune and inflammatory effects, it is studied under controlled experimental conditions.
• Activity is dose- and context-dependent, and excessive concentrations may provoke inflammatory responses in research models.

🧪 Quick Reference