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
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Molecular Diversity in Gene-Encoded, Cationic Antimicrobial Polypeptides
Volume: 8 Issue: 9
Author(s): Alessandro Tossi and Luca Sandri
Affiliation:
Keywords: antimicrobial proteins, hymenoptaecins, holotricin2, coleoptericins, hemiptericin, gloverins, acalopetins, beta-hairoins, ranaboxes, tachypleus tridentatus
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.
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Cite this article as:
Tossi Alessandro and Sandri Luca, Molecular Diversity in Gene-Encoded, Cationic Antimicrobial Polypeptides, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2002; 8 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023395475
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023395475 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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