Antimicrobial Metallopeptides

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides are short amphipathic peptides that are produced by the innate immune system in order to protect a host from pathogens. They have been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity toward Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antifungal, antiprotozoan, and antiviral activity. These peptides are able to exert their activity through a variety of mechanisms that include inhibiting DNA and RNA replication, inhibiting protein synthesis, permeabilizing the cell membrane, disrupting proton and ion transmembrane gradients, and inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Certain antimicrobial peptides are able to utilize metals to modulate their activity through structural changes upon metal binding, metal sequestration, and redox chemistry. This work aims to provide a review of the current literature regarding the influence of metals on the activity of antimicrobial metallopeptides and their uses in drug delivery and the treatment of implant-associated infections.