Title:Structure, Function, and Physicochemical Properties of Pore-forming
Antimicrobial Peptides
Volume: 25
Issue: 8
Author(s): Narjes Hosseini Goki, Zeinab Amiri Tehranizadeh, Mohammad Reza Saberi, Bahman Khameneh*Bibi Sedigheh Fazly Bazzaz*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Control, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Control, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptide, cationic peptide, structural characteristics, membrane disruption, pore formation, physicochemical properties.
Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a class of antimicrobial agents, possess considerable
potential to treat various microbial ailments. The broad range of activity and rare complete bacterial
resistance to AMPs make them ideal candidates for commercial development. These peptides
with widely varying compositions and sources share recurrent structural and functional features
in mechanisms of action. Studying the mechanisms of AMP activity against bacteria may lead to
the development of new antimicrobial agents that are more potent. Generally, AMPs are effective
against bacteria by forming pores or disrupting membrane barriers. The important structural
aspects of cytoplasmic membranes of pathogens and host cells will also be outlined to understand
the selective antimicrobial actions. The antimicrobial activities of AMPs are related to
multiple physicochemical properties, such as length, sequence, helicity, charge, hydrophobicity,
amphipathicity, polar angle, and also self-association. These parameters are interrelated and need
to be considered in combination. So, gathering the most relevant available information will help
to design and choose the most effective AMPs.