Rational design of oncocin derivatives with superior protease stabilities and antibacterial activities based on the high-resolution structure of the oncocin-DnaK complex

Countering MDR pathogens: The proline‐rich designer peptide oncocin is highly active against a number of antibiotic‐resistant, Gram‐negative pathogens. Here we deduce residues critical to its activity and the crystal structure of an oncocin–DnaK complex from a positional Ala scan. New lead compounds were highly resistant against serum and E. coli proteases.