Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: David S Weiss, Emory University; Victor I. Band, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-03
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2014 by the authors
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics4010018
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Antibiotics
• ISSN: 2079-6382
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 18
• End Page: 41
• Keywords: antimicrobial peptide; Gram-negative; AMP; antibiotic resistance; CAMP
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Immunology; Biology, Microbiology

Abstract

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are important innate immune defenses that inhibit colonization by pathogens and contribute to clearance of infections. Gram-negative bacterial pathogens are a major target, yet many of them have evolved mechanisms to resist these antimicrobials. These resistance mechanisms can be critical contributors to bacterial virulence and are often crucial for survival within the host. Here, we summarize methods used by Gram-negative bacteria to resist CAMPs. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic strategies against pathogens with extensive CAMP resistance.