The F-actin depolymerisation potency of a fragment of kabiramide C was increased when modified with a WH2 consensus actin-binding motif LKKV. Despite its low affinity for actin monomers, a shorter analogous fragment not bearing LKKV was identified as a potent inhibitor of actin polymerisation and a promoter of its depolymerisation, resulting in a loss of actin stress fibres in cells.