Open AccessResistance to antimicrobial peptides in G ram‐negative bacteria
Author(s) -
Gruenheid Samantha,
Moual Hervé
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02528.x
Subject(s) - antimicrobial peptides , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biology , antimicrobial , gram negative bacteria , innate immune system , pathogenic bacteria , antibiotic resistance , immune system , immunology , escherichia coli , antibiotics , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Antimicrobial peptides ( AMP s) are present in virtually all organisms and are an ancient and critical component of innate immunity. In mammals, AMP s are present in phagocytic cells, on body surfaces such as skin and mucosa, and in secretions and body fluids such as sweat, saliva, urine, and breast milk, consistent with their role as part of the first line of defense against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. AMP s are microbicidal and have also been shown to act as immunomodulators with chemoattractant and signaling activities. During the co‐evolution of hosts and bacterial pathogens, bacteria have developed the ability to sense and initiate an adaptive response to AMP s to resist their bactericidal activity. Here, we review the various mechanisms used by Gram‐negative bacteria to sense and resist AMP ‐mediated killing. These mechanisms play an important role in bacterial resistance to host‐derived AMP s that are encountered during the course of infection. Bacterial resistance to AMP s should also be taken into consideration in the development and use of AMP s as anti‐infective agents, for which there is currently a great deal of academic and commercial interest.