Authors: Tossi, A.; Sandri, L.

Source: Current Drug Metabolism, Volume 8, Number 9, 1 April 2002 , pp. 743-761(19)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Gene-encoded, ribosomally synthesised antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an ancient and pervasive component of the innate defence mechanisms used by multicellular organisms to control the natural flora and combat pathogens. Bacteria also produce such AMPs to maintain ecological niches free of rival strains. Several hundred different peptides have been characterised to date, and they show a marked degree of variability in both sequence and structure, having evolved to act against distinct microbial targets in different physiological contexts. Many of these peptides appear to function via a selective, but not receptor-mediated, permeabilisation of microbial membranes, while others interact with specific membrane associated or intracellular targets. This review presents a broad survey of different AMP structural classes, emphasising both their molecular diversity and underlying similarities. The mode of action of these peptides and potential for biomedical and other application is also briefly discussed.

Keywords: antimicrobial proteins; hymenoptaecins; holotricin2; coleoptericins; hemiptericin; gloverins; acalopetins; beta-hairoins; ranaboxes; tachypleus tridentatus

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023395475

Publication date: 2002-04-01

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  Each thematic issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design covers all subject areas of major importance to modern drug design, including: medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug targets and disease mechanism.

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