title: Apoptosis-inducing antifungal peptides and proteins.
abstract: Despite the availability of various classes of antimycotics, the treatment of patients with systemic fungal infections is challenging. Therefore the development of new antifungals is urgently required. Promising new antifungal candidates are antimicrobial peptides. In the present review, we provide an overview of antifungal peptides isolated from plants, insects, amphibians and mammals that induce apoptosis. Their antifungal spectrum, mode of action and toxicity are discussed in more detail.
authors.affiliation: CMPG, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Brucker
authors.forename: Bruno P A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cammue
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thevissen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001688:Biological Products; D011506:Proteins