An Atlas of Anionic Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibians

Title:An Atlas of Anionic Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibians

Volume: 19 Issue: 8

Author(s): Sarah R. Dennison, Frederick Harris, Manuela Mura and David A. Phoenix*

Affiliation:

• Office of the Vice Chancellor, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA,United Kingdom

Keywords: Anionic antimicrobial peptides, amphibian, amyloid, amyloidogenesis, anticancer, membranolysis.

Abstract: Anionic antimicrobial peptides (AAMPs) with net charges ranging from -1 to -8 have been identified in frogs, toads, newts and salamanders across Africa, South America and China. Most of these peptides show antibacterial activity and a number of them are multifunctional, variously showing antifungal activity, anticancer action, neuropeptide function and the ability to potentiate conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial mechanisms proposed for these AAMPs, include toroidal pore formation and the Shai-Huang-Matsazuki model of membrane interaction along with pH dependent amyloidogenesis and membranolysis via tilted peptide formation. The potential for therapeutic and biotechnical application of these AAMPs has been demonstrated, including the development of amyloid-based nanomaterials and antiviral agents. It is concluded that amphibian AAMPs represent an untapped potential source of biologically active agents and merit far greater research interest.

Cite this article as:

Dennison R. Sarah , Harris Frederick, Mura Manuela and Phoenix A. David *, An Atlas of Anionic Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibians, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2018; 19 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666180226155035