Antifungal proteins: More than antimicrobials?

Abstract

Antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) are widely distributed in nature. In higher eukaryotes, AMPs provide the host with an important defence mechanism against invading pathogens. AMPs of lower eukaryotes and prokaryotes may support successful competition for nutrients with other microorganisms of the same ecological niche. AMPs show a vast variety in structure, function, antimicrobial spectrum and mechanism of action. Most interestingly, there is growing evidence that AMPs also fulfil important biological functions other than antimicrobial activity. The present review focuses on the mechanistic function of small, cationic, cysteine-rich AMPs of mammals, insects, plants and fungi with antifungal activity and specifically aims at summarizing current knowledge concerning additional biological properties which opens novel aspects for their future use in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

Candida albicans Mucin Msb2 Is a Broad-Range Protectant against Antimicrobial Peptides

“…AMPs not only are of human origin but are also produced by numerous microorganisms (28). Some microbial AMPs, including daptomycin and vancomycin, are of special importance for antibiotic therapy of infectious diseases, because they serve as reserve antibiotics for the treatment of multiresistant Gram-positive bacteria (17)(18)(19).…”

High-throughput fluorescence screening assay for the identification and comparison of antimicrobial peptides’ activity on various yeast species

“…Although the AMPs usually cause cell death by the permeabilization of cell membranes, their mode of action also includes the production of reactive oxygen species or inhibition of intracellular targets (Cruz et al, 2014;Hegedüs and Marx, 2013). Their broad spectrum and quite different mechanism of action to that of conventional antibacterial and antifungal drugs makes them extremely promising for using as therapeutics to combat human bacterial and fungal diseases including mixed resistant infections and biofilms.…”

Ginkgotides: Proline-Rich Hevein-Like Peptides from Gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba

“…Plants have evolved complex and effective defense mechanisms to ward off pathogens and pests (Hegedus and Marx, 2013). General pathogen resistance is accomplished by reinforcement of cell walls, alternating cell membrane permeability and the release of pathogenesis-related biomolecules, hydrolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites (Sels et al, 2008; Wong et al, 2011; Ponce de Leon and Montesano, 2013).…”

“…General pathogen resistance is accomplished by reinforcement of cell walls, alternating cell membrane permeability and the release of pathogenesis-related biomolecules, hydrolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites (Sels et al, 2008; Wong et al, 2011; Ponce de Leon and Montesano, 2013). Among the pathogenesis-related biomolecules, cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) are known to play an important role in the plant defense against fungal pathogenic attacks (Cammue et al, 1994; Sels et al, 2008; Hegedus and Marx, 2013; Ponce de Leon and Montesano, 2013). Hevein, a cystine knot CRP and the prototype of the hevein and hevein-like peptide family, was first isolated from the latex of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis in Archer (1960).…”