Bioinspired Designs, Molecular Premise and Tools for Evaluating the Ecological Importance of Antimicrobial Peptides

Abstract

This review article provides an overview of recent developments in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), summarizing structural diversity, potential new applications, activity targets and microbial killing responses in general. The use of artificial and natural AMPs as templates for rational design of peptidomimetics are also discussed and some strategies are put forward to curtail cytotoxic effects against eukaryotic cells. Considering the heat-resistant nature, chemical and proteolytic stability of AMPs, we attempt to summarize their molecular targets, examine how these macromolecules may contribute to potential environmental risks vis-à-vis the activities of the peptides. We further point out the evolutional characteristics of the macromolecules and indicate how they can be useful in designing target-specific peptides. Methods are suggested that may help to assess toxic mechanisms of AMPs and possible solutions are discussed to promote the development and application of AMPs in medicine. Even if there is wide exposure to the environment like in the hospital settings, AMPs may instead contribute to prevent healthcare-associated infections so long as ecotoxicological aspects are considered.

Insect Antimicrobial Peptides, a Mini Review

“…In the future, more quantitative studies on the synergistic effects of AMPs with antibiotics should be encouraged. Currently, the market for peptide drugs is increasing steadily, and some products such as Bacitracin, polymyxin and Fuzeon are already on the market [ 5 ]. However, the clinical use of AMPs is still limited by some shortcomings, such as low bioavailability, potential hemolysis, instability to proteases, and unknown toxicity [ 10 ].…”

“…AMPs have a range of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. They have a promising capacity in the therapeutic and prophylactic applications [ 4 , 5 ]. Moreover, AMP-derived drugs are administered as topical formulations to treat skin and wound infections [ 6 ].…”

“…AMPs kill bacteria via a variety of mechanisms including membrane disruption, interference with bacterial metabolism, and targeting of cytoplasmic components [ 5 , 6 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The primary contact between an AMP and the target bacterium occurs via an electrostatic or hydrophobic interaction, which is strongly dependent on the lipid composition of the bacterial membrane [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…For all these modes, a threshold concentration is required to conduct the antibacterial effect [ 10 ]. AMPs can also disrupt intracellular enzymes and DNA when they translocate into the pathogens [ 5 ]. The detailed explanation of these modes can be read in our recent review [ 6 ] as well other publications [ 5 , 10 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Biosurfactants Induce Antimicrobial Peptide Production through the Activation of TmSpatzles in Tenebrio molitor

“…In T. molitor , the identified AMPs include tenecins (-1, -2, -3, -4) [ 48 , 49 , 50 ], attacins [ 51 ], defensins [ 52 ], and coleopterins [ 53 ]. In general, AMPs are known to act against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and fungi [ 48 , 54 , 55 ] by membrane disruption, interference with bacterial metabolism, and targeting of cytoplasmic components [ 47 , 56 , 57 ]. Therefore, based on our in vitro results, it could be suggested that biosurfactants induce the production of active AMPs against E. coli .…”