Defensin–lipid interactions in membrane targeting: mechanisms of action and opportunities for the development of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics | Zendy

Matthew J. A. Hein | Zendy; Marc Kvansakul | Zendy; Fung T. Lay | Zendy; Thanh Kha Phan | Zendy; Mark D. Hulett | Zendy

Open Access

Defensin–lipid interactions in membrane targeting: mechanisms of action and opportunities for the development of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics

Author(s) -

Matthew J. A. Hein,

Marc Kvansakul,

Fung T. Lay,

Thanh Kha Phan,

Mark D. Hulett

Publication year - 2022

Publication title -

biochemical society transactions

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.562

H-Index - 144

eISSN - 1470-8752

pISSN - 0300-5127

DOI - 10.1042/bst20200884

Subject(s) - antimicrobial , defensin , antimicrobial peptides , beta defensin , biology , cancer , mechanism (biology) , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , philosophy , epistemology

Defensins are a class of host defence peptides (HDPs) that often harbour antimicrobial and anticancer activities, making them attractive candidates as novel therapeutics. In comparison with current antimicrobial and cancer treatments, defensins uniquely target specific membrane lipids via mechanisms distinct from other HDPs. Therefore, defensins could be potentially developed as therapeutics with increased selectivity and reduced susceptibility to the resistance mechanisms of tumour cells and infectious pathogens. In this review, we highlight recent advances in defensin research with a particular focus on membrane lipid-targeting in cancer and infection settings. In doing so, we discuss strategies to harness lipid-binding defensins for anticancer and anti-infective therapies.

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