Antimicrobial peptide (AMP) (AMP)

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, typically cationic peptides found in all classes of life as critical components of the innate immune response. They act as broad-spectrum anti-infectives and exhibit activities against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, sometimes also showing anti-tumor effects. Their primary mechanisms include disrupting microbial membranes, inhibiting synthesis of macromolecules, and modulating immune responses. They are structurally diverse and classified by sequence, source, 3D structure, and biosynthetic mechanisms. While numerous antimicrobial peptides are clinically or experimentally relevant, "antimicrobial proteins" is a generic term that encompasses many molecules, some of which may be developed as therapeutics, but is not itself a drug target, receptor, or gene product.

Other names

Host defense peptides (HDPs)Antimicrobial host peptidesCationic peptidesDefensinCathelicidinHistatinCecropinMagaininBacteriocinLantibiotic

Membrane disruption and cell lysis ("carpet," "barrel-stave," "toroidal-pore," "disordered toroidal-pore" models); Inhibition of cell wall synthesis; Inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; Activation of autolysins and other cell death pathways; Immune modulation (chemotaxis, induction of cytokines)