The role of cationic antimicrobial peptides in innate host defences.
Cationic antimicrobial peptides are found in all living species. A single animal can contain >24 different antimicrobial peptides, which fall into four structural classes. These peptides are produced in large quantities at sites of infection and/or inflammation and can have broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoan and antisepsis properties. In addition, they interact directly with host cells to modulate the inflammatory process and innate defences.
Hancock
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Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 300-6174 University Blvd, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z3. bob@cmdr.ubc.ca
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D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002412:Cations; D010455:Peptides