title: Insect antibacterial proteins: not just for insects and against bacteria.
abstract: In response to a bacterial infection, insects launch an array of countermeasures. Among these are the antibacterial proteins, which effectively lyse bacteria or are bacteriostatic. These proteins were generally assumed to be restricted to insects, yet recent information has shown some homologous counterparts in vertebrates, including humans. Recent data have revealed that at least some of these proteins can also act against eukaryotic cells, including human infectious parasites. The latter activities have opened up new possibilities for disease control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Houston, TX 77204-5513.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kimbrell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023082:Defensins; D006801:Humans; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007313:Insecta / Q000276:immunology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D023082:Defensins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C062933:abaecin protein, Apis mellifera; C064722:royalisin; C031161:cecropin A