Role of membranes in the activities of antimicrobial cationic peptides.
Cationic amphiphilic peptides that are found throughout nature have very broad-spectrum activities against microbes. The initial sites of interaction are with microbial membranes. Although dogma suggests that their lethal action involves disruption of the cytoplasmic membranes, a number of cationic peptides can traverse intact membranes to interact with internal targets.
Hancock
Robert E W
RE
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 300-6174 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3. bob@cmdr.ubc.ca
Rozek
Annett
A
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D008081:Liposomes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D008081:Liposomes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial