Copsin

Copsin is a fungal defensin that acts as an antimicrobial polypeptide secreted from the inky cap mushroom, first reported at the end of 2014.

In October 2014, a collaboration of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland and the University of Bonn, Germany reported, that they had identified a new antimicrobial peptide, excreted from the inky cap mushroom (Coprinopsis cinereacopsin) grown on horse dung.

[1] The polypeptide was recombinantly produced in a yeast named Pichia pastoris[1] which grew over five days.

[3] It was reported to be potent in the petri dish against Gram positive bacteria which have a cell wall, including Enterococcus faecium and Listeria monocytogenes.

[1] The "exceptionally stable protein", can be boiled at 100 degrees Celsius, can be mixed in strong acid for hours, and can also survive very aggressive enzymes, " remaining completely active".