Immunocontinuum: perspectives in antimicrobial peptide mechanisms of action and resistance.
Antimicrobial peptides are present in organisms spanning virtually every kingdom, and employ sophisticated mechanisms to exert rapid microbicidal action consistent with their key roles in host defense. Offsetting these mechanisms, some microbial pathogens have evolved complex countermeasures to neutralize exposure to and subvert mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides. The following discussion highlights recent advances that offer greater understanding of the mechanisms of action and resistance of antimicrobial peptides.
Yount
Nannette Y
NY
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Center at Harbor-UCLA, Medical Center, CA 90059, USA.
Yeaman
Michael R
MR
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D015195:Drug Design; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D007113:Immunity, Innate
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides