Human natriuretic peptides exhibit antimicrobial activity.

Here we describe a novel function for members of the well-characterized human natriuretic peptide family. Human „brain-type natriuretic peptide“ (hBNP-32) as well as other members of this peptide class are antimicrobially active against Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria and yeast in a dose-dependent manner. This activity of natriuretic peptides is comparable to that of known antimicrobial peptides such as casocidins or magainins.