Eukaryotic and Bacterial Antimicrobial Peptides

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) form part of the innate immune response found among all classes of life. The term AMPs also encompasses bacteriocins (bacterial AMPs), antimicrobial compounds that bacteria use to gain a competitive advantage against closely related species. AMPs target a wide spectrum of target organisms ranging from bacteria, fungi and viruses to cancer cells and parasites and many are potent antibiotics, which demonstrate potential as novel therapeutic agents. AMPs are characterised by their secondary structural form and have specific biochemical properties conferred by the amino acids that form them that define their bioactivity. Many AMPs destabilise biological membranes by forming transmembrane channels, and some also have the ability to enhance immunity by functioning as immunomodulators. Key Concepts AMPs can be ribosomally or nonribosomally synthesised, and they have a wide range of bioactive functions including antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity. Bacterial AMPs (bacteriocins) are produced by bacteria to leverage a competitive advantage in microbiomes and each has a narrow target spectrum of closely related species. Eukaryotic AMPs have a broader target profile and are part of the innate immune response found among all classes of multi‐celled life. The bioactive functions of AMPs are conferred by a series of characteristics which may include structure, sequence, amphipathy, hydrophobicity and solubility. Many AMPs are membrane‐acting and affect bacterial membranes to induce cell lysis. The role of AMPs as potent, broad‐spectrum antibiotics means they have potential as novel therapeutic agents.