Antibacterial peptides are proteins that fight bacterial infections. They are part of the body’s innate defense system and are produced by many different species. These peptides kill bacteria quickly without selecting for resistant mutants. They are also synergistic with conventional antibiotics and are useful for treating serious infections.
Antimicrobial peptides can be divided into two categories: cationic peptides and hydrophobic peptides. Cationic antimicrobial peptides are non-specific and have wide-spectrum activity. They can kill bacteria, fungi, yeast, and other organisms. They can also kill cancer cells and enveloped viruses. However, not all peptides can kill all of these organisms. Currently, synthetic peptides are being developed as broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
Antibacterial peptides are considered one of the most important classes of molecules and are currently being studied for their therapeutic potential. Although they have been studied for decades, there are only a few that have been studied extensively in clinical practice. Nonetheless, their potential is significant and there are many new AMPs under evaluation as potential antibacterial therapeutics.
Antimicrobial peptides may play a role in many diseases, including psoriasis and rosacea. Although bacterial infection is rare, the inflammation that occurs in these skin disorders may be due to an increased production of antimicrobial peptides. It has also been shown that UV rays and vitamin D can activate the production of antimicrobial peptides.