LL37

LL-37 | Research Use Only

What it is

LL-37 is a 37-amino-acid cationic peptide derived from the C-terminal region of the human cathelicidin precursor hCAP18/CAMP. In the scientific literature, it is widely described as the principal human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide and a multifunctional component of innate host defense, which is why it is commonly studied in antimicrobial, immunology, and cell-signaling research.

Origins and scientific context

LL-37 is not a synthetic analog in origin, but an endogenous human host-defense peptide produced by proteolytic processing of the cathelicidin precursor protein. Reviews describe it as the only human cathelicidin identified to date and note that it is generated from hCAP18 to yield the active LL-37 peptide studied in infection, inflammation, and tissue-response models.

Molecular profile

PubChem lists LL-37 with the molecular formula C205H340N60O53 and a molecular weight of approximately 4493 g/mol. It is commonly identified by the sequence LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES, and literature describes the peptide as amphipathic and positively charged, features that are central to its membrane and receptor interactions in experimental systems.

Scientific overview

In simplified terms, LL-37 is used in research to study innate immune defense, membrane-active antimicrobial mechanisms, and host-cell signaling. Reviews describe LL-37 as a peptide with both direct antimicrobial activity and broader immunomodulatory effects, including roles in inflammatory signaling, chemotaxis, biofilm-related studies, and tissue-response pathways.

What researchers study with LL-37

Key research focus areas often include
• Innate immune and antimicrobial peptide signaling
• Host-pathogen and membrane interaction models
• Chemotaxis, inflammatory signaling, and receptor activation studies
• Biofilm, wound-environment, and tissue-response research

Regulatory and compliance notice

Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use. This description is provided for scientific context and must not be used to market LL-37 for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Citations and references

PubChem compound entry for LL-37, includes molecular formula, molecular weight, and sequence information.

Kuroda et al. The Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37, review describing LL-37 as the principal human cathelicidin and summarizing structure and biologic activity.

Oren et al. Structure and organization of the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in phospholipid membranes, paper describing LL-37 as the first amphipathic alpha-helical peptide isolated from human.

Verjans et al. Molecular mechanisms of LL-37-induced receptor activation, review covering receptor signaling and host-cell effects of LL-37.

Duplantier and van Hoek. The Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 as a Potential Treatment for Polymicrobial Infected Wounds, review covering antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immunologic research context.