title: Current and potential applications of host-defense peptides and proteins in urology.
abstract: The use of antibiotics has become increasingly disfavored as more multidrug resistant pathogens are on the rise. A promising alternative to the use of these conventional drugs includes antimicrobial peptides or host-defense peptides. These peptides typically consist of short amino acid chains with a net cationic charge and a substantial portion of hydrophobic residues. They mainly target the bacterial cell membrane but are also capable of translocating through the membrane and target intracellular components, making it difficult for bacteria to gain resistance as multiple essential cellular processes are being targeted. The use of these peptides in the field of biomedical therapies has been examined, and the different approaches to using them under various settings are constantly being discovered. In this review, we discuss the current and potential applications of these host-defense peptides in the field of urology. Besides the use of these peptides as antimicrobial agents, the value of these biological molecules has recently been expanded to their use as antitumor and anti-kidney-stone agents.
authors: The Stone Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3Z6.
authors: Joey Chor Yee
authors: 0000-0002-2020-1788
authors: JC
authors: Lo
authors: The Stone Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3Z6.
authors: Dirk
authors: 0000-0002-3547-0438
authors: D
authors: Lange
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014572:Urology
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins