Page data last changed: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
A calcium-dependent lipopeptide that punctures Gram-positive membranes and treats MRSA bloodstream infections.
Also known as: LY146032 · Cubicin
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Daptomycin is a 13-amino-acid cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic originally isolated from Streptomyces roseosporus. In the presence of calcium it inserts into phosphatidylglycerol-rich Gram-positive membranes, oligomerizes and forms ion-leaking lesions that rapidly depolarize the cell. Approved by the FDA in 2003, it treats serious infections including those caused by MRSA. This page is educational and not medical advice.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Soil bacterium Streptomyces roseosporus
Primary research or clinical context: Approved antibiotic for serious Gram-positive infections including MRSA
Calcium-dependent mechanism
Daptomycin's ten-residue ring and three-residue tail carry a decanoyl fatty-acid chain. Calcium ions let it bind phosphatidylglycerol in the bacterial membrane, where it aggregates and alters membrane curvature to create channels. The resulting potassium efflux and depolarization halt macromolecular synthesis and kill the cell.
Clinical use
Daptomycin is used intravenously for complicated skin infections and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including methicillin-resistant strains. It is inactivated by lung surfactant, so it is not used for pneumonia. Clinical use and dosing are managed by prescribers; this page provides educational background only.
Sequence of the selected reference form
Sequence backbone for the reference form: Daptomycin parent cyclic lipopeptide. Termini, stereochemistry and modifications are described below.
WNDTGXDADGSXX
X positions 6: L-ornithine; 12: threo-3-methyl-L-glutamate (2S,3R); 13: L-kynurenine (3-anthraniloyl-L-alanine). X marks a noncanonical residue; see the expanded sequence and reference chemistry below.
Analyze sequences in the playground →Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
FDA names the full stereochemical residue sequence, N-decanoyl group and lactone and reports1620.67g/mol forC72H101N17O26. GSRS has all13 stereocenters defined and the same standard InChI as PubChem21585658. The canonical backbone usesX only for nonproteinogenic residues; it does not pretend the cyclic lipopeptide is an unmodified linear peptide. The alternative PubChem structure has L-Asn2 rather than the D-Asn2 explicitly named by FDA. Its identical elemental formula and nominal mass cannot resolve this epimer difference.
- Molecular form
- Daptomycin parent cyclic lipopeptide
- Species
- Produced by fermentation of Streptomyces roseosporus
- Termini (N / C)
- N-decanoyl-L-Trp / Kyn13 carboxyl forms a lactone with the Thr4 side-chain hydroxyl
Average reference mass · Molecular identity assessment: 2026-10-05
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- PubChem PUG molecular properties, CID 21585658 · 2026-10-05
- PubChem structure-derived biologic notation, CID 21585658 · 2026-10-05
- NIH NCATS/FDA GSRS, UNII NWQ5N31VKK · 2026-10-05
- FDA CUBICIN label (2017), Section11 · 2026-10-05
N-decanoyl-L-Trp-D-Asn-L-Asp-L-Thr-Gly-L-Orn-L-Asp-D-Ala-L-Asp-Gly-D-Ser-threo-3-methyl-L-Glu-L-Kyn; Thr4–Kyn13 lactone
- Molecular formula
- C72H101N17O26
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 1,620.7
- Backbone
- Daptomycin parent cyclic lipopeptide
- C-terminus
- Kyn13 carboxyl forms a lactone with the Thr4 side-chain hydroxyl
- PubChem CID: 21585658
- CAS RN: 103060-53-3
- UNII: NWQ5N31VKK
Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 122 registered studies with “Daptomycin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07376889 | Combination Antibiotic Therapy for Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia | Phase 4 | recruiting | 2026-09-25 |
| NCT07148960 | Does Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia Early Dual Therapy Improve Outcomes? | Phase 4 | enrolling by invitation | 2026-09-17 |
| NCT00967941 | Vancomycin and Daptomycin Plus Cefazolin for Preoperative Vascular Surgery Prophylaxis | — | completed | 2026-09-14 |
| NCT06637332 | Daptomycin vs. Vancomycin for the Treatment of Methicillin Resistant S. Aureus Bacteremia | Phase 4 | recruiting | 2026-09-09 |
| NCT07058415 | Impact of Three Probabilistic Antibiotic Therapy on Digestive Microbiota and Colonization With Multi-resistant | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2026-06-22 |
| NCT05137119 | Staphylococcus Aureus Network Adaptive Platform Trial | Phase 4 | recruiting | 2026-05-06 |
Daptomycin — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Daptomycin parent cyclic lipopeptideAverage reference mass: 1,620.67 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
FAQ about Daptomycin
What is Daptomycin?+
Daptomycin is a 13-amino-acid cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic originally isolated from Streptomyces roseosporus. In the presence of calcium it inserts into phosphatidylglycerol-rich Gram-positive membranes, oligomerizes and forms ion-leaking lesions that rapidly depolarize the cell. Approved by the FDA in 2003, it treats serious infections including those caused by MRSA. This page is educational and not medical advice.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Daptomycin?+
Canadian product status for Daptomycin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the length of the selected reference form for Daptomycin?+
The selected reference form (Daptomycin parent cyclic lipopeptide) has 13 residues or residue-derived units in its backbone. Other forms in this family may have a different length.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Smith et al. (2015). β-Lactam combinations with daptomycin provide synergy against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. J Antimicrob Chemother
- 2.Pujol et al. (2021). Daptomycin Plus Fosfomycin Versus Daptomycin Alone for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia and Endocarditis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin Infect Dis
- 3.Jones et al. (2021). High-Dose Daptomycin and Clinical Applications. Ann Pharmacother
- 4.Jorgensen et al. (1987). In vitro activity of LY146032 (daptomycin) against selected aerobic bacteria. Eur J Clin Microbiol
- 5.Taylor et al. (2016). The action mechanism of daptomycin. Bioorg Med Chem
- 6.Ayala Torres JD Sr et al. (2024). Eosinophilic Pneumonia Induced by Daptomycin. Cureus
- 7.Tótoli et al. (2015). Daptomycin: Physicochemical, Analytical, and Pharmacological Properties. Ther Drug Monit
- 8.Ehlert et al. (1987). In vitro activity of LY146032 (daptomycin), a new peptolide. Eur J Clin Microbiol
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Daptomycin (CID 21585658)
- 10.Wikipedia — Daptomycin