title: Host defense antimicrobial peptides as antibiotics: design and application strategies.
abstract: This review deals with the design and application strategies of new antibiotics based on naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The initial candidate can be designed based on three-dimensional structure or selected from a library of peptides from natural or laboratory sources followed by optimization via structure-activity relationship studies. There are also advanced application strategies such as induction of AMP expression from host cells by various factors (e.g., metals, amino acids, vitamin D and sunlight), the use of engineered probiotic bacteria to deliver peptides, the design of prodrug and peptide conjugates to improve specific targeting. In addition, combined uses of newly developed AMPs with existing antimicrobial agents may provide a practical avenue for effective management of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs), including biofilms. Finally, we highlight AMPs already in use or under clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA.
authors.forename: Biswajit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiling
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA; Department of Physics, JNTUA College of Engineering, Anantapur 515002, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zarena
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA. Electronic address: gwang@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Guangshun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides