Vol 8, No 1 (2005)
Other materials agreed with the Editors
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2005-06-21
12th European Symposium on Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals, 9–11th September, 2004, Gdańsk–Sopot — an update. Lecture: W. Kamysz, Are antimicrobial peptides an alternative for conventional antibiotics?
Wojciech Kamysz
Nucl. Med. Rev 2005;8(1):78-86.
Vol 8, No 1 (2005)
Lecture
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2005-06-21
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are widespread in living organisms and
constitute an important component of innate immunity to microbial
infections. By the early 1980s, more than 800 different
antimicrobial peptides had been isolated from mammals, amphibians,
fish, insects, plants and bacterial species. In humans,
they are produced by granulocytes, macrophages and most
epithelial and endothelial cells. Newly discovered antibiotics
have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and even antiprotozoal
activity. Occasionally, a single antibiotic may have a very wide
spectrum of activity and may show activity towards various kinds
of microorganisms. Although antimicrobial activity is the most
typical function of peptides, they are also characterized by numerous
other properties. They stimulate the immune system,
have anti-neoplastic properties and participate in cell signalling
and proliferation regulation. As antimicrobial peptides from higher
eukaryotes differ structurally from conventional antibiotics
produced by bacteria and fungi, they offer novel templates for
pharmaceutical compounds, which could be used effectively
against the increasing number of resistant microbes.
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are widespread in living organisms and
constitute an important component of innate immunity to microbial
infections. By the early 1980s, more than 800 different
antimicrobial peptides had been isolated from mammals, amphibians,
fish, insects, plants and bacterial species. In humans,
they are produced by granulocytes, macrophages and most
epithelial and endothelial cells. Newly discovered antibiotics
have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and even antiprotozoal
activity. Occasionally, a single antibiotic may have a very wide
spectrum of activity and may show activity towards various kinds
of microorganisms. Although antimicrobial activity is the most
typical function of peptides, they are also characterized by numerous
other properties. They stimulate the immune system,
have anti-neoplastic properties and participate in cell signalling
and proliferation regulation. As antimicrobial peptides from higher
eukaryotes differ structurally from conventional antibiotics
produced by bacteria and fungi, they offer novel templates for
pharmaceutical compounds, which could be used effectively
against the increasing number of resistant microbes.
Keywords
antimicrobial peptides; peptide antibiotics
Title
12th European Symposium on Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals, 9–11th September, 2004, Gdańsk–Sopot — an update. Lecture: W. Kamysz, Are antimicrobial peptides an alternative for conventional antibiotics?
Journal
Nuclear Medicine Review
Issue
Vol 8, No 1 (2005)
Article type
Other materials agreed with the Editors
Pages
78-86
Published online
2005-06-21
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731
Article views/downloads
1976
Bibliographic record
Nucl. Med. Rev 2005;8(1):78-86.
Keywords
antimicrobial peptides
peptide antibiotics
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