Antimicrobialpeptidesfunction Antibacterial peptides (AMPs) represent a critical class of molecules with significant potential as therapeutic agents. This review delves into the multifaceted nature of antibacterial peptides, exploring their structure, diverse mechanisms of action against pathogens, and their emerging roles in addressing the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.作者：J Portelinha·2021·被引用次数：106—Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising platformwith great potential for the identification of new lead compounds that can combat the ... As promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics, AMPs offer a unique approach to combating infections, exhibiting broad-spectrum activity and novel modes of action.作者：N Kumar·2024·被引用次数：12—Thisreviewaims to shed light on the history, diversity, and mechanisms of action of AMPs and the data on new AMPs identified by traditional as well as genome ...
Antimicrobial peptides, often referred to as AMPs, are a diverse group of small molecules, typically composed of 6 to 60 amino acid residues作者：C Bucataru·2024·被引用次数：181—This reviewsummarizes the mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides against bacteria, discusses the mechanisms of drug resistance, the limitations and challenges of .... They are naturally produced by multicellular organisms as part of their innate immune defense system, providing protection against a wide array of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasitescritical view of antimicrobial peptides: exploring their potential .... Their amphipathic nature, characterized by both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, is crucial for their interaction with microbial cell membranes.作者：J Wang·2025·被引用次数：70—Notably,both newly designed peptides demonstrated low off-target hemolysis toxicity, excellent plasm stability, and strong antibacterial ...
AMPs can be broadly classified based on their structural features, such as:
* Alpha-helical peptides: These peptides adopt an alpha-helical conformation, often with a distinct separation of charged and hydrophobic residues that facilitates membrane disruption.
* Beta-sheet peptides: Characterized by beta-sheet structures stabilized by disulfide bonds, these peptides can also interact with and permeabilize bacterial membranes.
* Peptides with mixed alpha/beta structures: This category encompasses peptides that exhibit a combination of helical and sheet elements.
* Extended or random coil peptides: Some AMPs do not adopt rigid secondary structures in isolation but can form ordered structures upon interaction with microbial targets.
This structural diversity underpins their varied mechanisms of action and their ability to target different types of microbes.
The primary mechanism by which many antibacterial peptides exert their effects involves disruption of the microbial cell membranePeptide Antimicrobial Agents - PMC - NIH. Their amphipathic properties allow them to insert into the lipid bilayer, leading to pore formation, membrane permeabilization, and ultimately, cell death.Antimicrobial Peptides—Mechanisms of Action, Antimicrobial Effects ... - NIH Several models describe this interaction, including the barrel-stave, toroidal pore, and carpet models.作者：Y Huan·2020·被引用次数：1772—Antibacterial peptides account for a large part of AMPs andhave a broad inhibitory effect on common pathogenic bacteria, such as VRE, Acinetobacter baumannii, ...
Beyond membrane disruption, AMPs can also act through intracellular mechanisms. These include:
* Inhibition of essential cellular processes: Some AMPs can translocate across the bacterial membrane and interfere with vital functions such as DNA replication, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and enzymatic activity.
* Induction of oxidative stress: Certain AMPs can trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species within microbial cells, leading to cellular damageA Review of Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Therapeutic ....
* Modulation of host immune responses: Intriguingly, some AMPs also possess immunomodulatory properties, which can aid in clearing infections by influencing the host's own defenses, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair.
The ability of AMPs to target multiple cellular components and pathways makes it challenging for bacteria to develop resistance作者：N Dad·2025·被引用次数：2—This review critically evaluates thepromise and limitations of AMPs as therapeutic antibacterial agents. We also explore the potential of AMP-antibiotic ....
The unique properties of antibacterial peptides make them highly attractive for a variety of therapeutic applications, particularly in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. Their potential applications include:
* Treatment of bacterial infections: AMPs show potent activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains like methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
* Wound healing: AMPs can promote wound healing by their antimicrobial activity, reducing bacterial load, and by modulating the inflammatory response作者：MD Seo·2012·被引用次数：650—In this review, we focus onsmall peptides, especially those with less than twelve amino acids, and provide an overview of the relationships between their ....
* Antimicrobial coatings and materials: Incorporating AMPs into medical devices, implants, and wound dressings can prevent biofilm formation and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
* Food preservation: Certain AMPs exhibit good antibacterial effects against foodborne pathogens, offering a natural alternative for food preservation.
* Drug delivery: AMPs are being explored as carriers for delivering other therapeutic agents to specific sites within the body.
Despite their promise, challenges remain in translating AMPs into widely used clinical drugs. These include issues related to their stability, delivery, potential toxicity, and cost-effective production. However, ongoing research into peptide design, chemical modifications, and novel delivery systems, such as nanocarriers, is steadily addressing these limitations作者：N Kumar·2024·被引用次数：12—Thisreviewaims to shed light on the history, diversity, and mechanisms of action of AMPs and the data on new AMPs identified by traditional as well as genome ....
As the global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance intensifies, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is paramount. Antibacterial peptides, with their distinct mechanisms of action and inherent ability to evade resistance, stand out as a crucial frontier in this battle. Continued research into their intricate properties, mechanisms, and diverse applications, coupled with advancements in peptide engineering and clinical development, holds significant promise for ushering in a new era of effective infection control. The exploration of both naturally occurring and synthetically designed peptides, including those with low off-target hemolysis toxicity and excellent plasma stability, will be key to unlocking their full therapeutic potential.
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