Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an essential part of innate immune defense against microbial infection. Naturally occurring AMPs are basic peptides composed of 12–50 aminoacids that are ubiquitously distributed throughout all kingdoms of life. AMPs display a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity disrupting bacterial membranes. In this context the interaction of AMPs, like human defensins and cathelicidines, with model bacterial membranes have been studied. Other studies are based on the interaction with membranes by Humanin (HN) a recently identified neuroprotective peptide, able to inhibit neurotoxicity induced by various insults which can be related to Alzheimer Disease.
Researchers involved
- Alessio Bonucci - Ph.D. student