title: Cathelicidins: microbicidal activity, mechanisms of action, and roles in innate immunity.
abstract: Antimicrobial peptides are important host-defense molecules of innate immunity. Cathelicidins are a diverse family of potent, rapidly acting and broadly effective antimicrobial peptides, which are produced by a variety of cells. This review examines the classification, antimicrobial spectrum, mechanism of action, and regulation of cathelicidins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-5802, USA.
authors.forename: Balaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blecha
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C121625:cathelicidin 2 protein, mammal; C121626:cathelicidin 3 protein, Equus caballus