Cathelicidins are a family of multi-functional antimicrobial peptides found in almost all types of vertebrates, where they play vital roles in the immune system. As they possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, cathelicidins are not only strongly resistant to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but they are also active against many antibiotic-resistant clinical bacteria, adopting a special antimicrobial mechanism that is unlikely to lead to microbial resistance. Cathelicidins likewise possess simple structures, and low hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. Collectively, these features suggest potentially novel and exciting prospects for cathelicidins' application in medicine. Here, we review the structures, classification, activities, mechanisms, as well as prospective developments in the usage and application of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1141.2012.05523 | DOI Listing |
Chembiochem
January 2025
Southeast University, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, 2 Sipailou, Xuanwu District, 210096, Nanjing, CHINA.
In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a potent weapon against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Among AMPs, the ones containing tryptophan (W) and arginine (R) exhibit enhanced antimicrobial properties, benefiting from the unique physicochemical features of the two amino acids. Herein, we designed three hexapeptides, including WR, DWR (D-isomer), and RF, derived from the original sequence, RWWRWW-NH2 (RW).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Insect Biochem Physiol
January 2025
Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
At present, there is no clear consensus on the impact of carbohydrate feeds on bee colony health, and comprehensive research and evaluation in this context is lacking. To comprehensively and objectively examine the health status of honeybees after consuming those carbohydrates from multiple perspectives, experimental techniques, including high-throughput sequencing of the transcriptome, proboscis extension reflex (PER), and measuring bee growth parameters were employed. This study showed that compared with honey, feeding high fructose syrup (HFS) resulted in a decrease in the survival rate and body weight of bees, while sucrose decreased the learning and memory ability of bees.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adv Res
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China. Electronic address:
Introduction: In recent years, cationic amphipathic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown great promise in combating antibiotic resistance on account of their distinctive membrane-disruptive mechanism. However, the clinical application of AMPs is restricted by their unsatisfactory stability and safety. Although attempts have been made to improve the stability and safety of AMPs, many of them are accompanied by a decline in their antimicrobial activity and bacterial selectivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
January 2025
School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
The utilization of chemical pesticides recovers 30%-40% of food losses. However, their application has also triggered a series of problems, including food safety, environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, and incidents of poisoning. Consequently, green pesticides are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to their chemical counterparts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Nutr Food Res
January 2025
Food Research Center (FoRC), CEPIX-USP, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Beneficial properties of different natural antimicrobials are topics of scientific curiosity for improving safety and extending the shelf life of food commodities. In this regard, phenolic compounds, natural molecules known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties can be right choice. Moreover, bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides produced by various microorganisms, capable of inhibiting the growth of other bacteria, particularly closely related species can be genuine alternative.
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