Porcine antimicrobial peptides : New prospects for ancient molecules of host defense

• Published in: Veterinary research (Paris) Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 277 - 296
• Main Authors: ZHANG, G, ROSS, C. R, BLECHA, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.05.2000; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animal biology; Animal genetics; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - chemistry; Bacteriology; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Biological and medical sciences; Cathelicidins; Cell Behavior; Cellular Biology; Defensins; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Immunity, Innate; Immunology; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Microbiology and Parasitology; Molecular biology; Molecular Sequence Data; Neurons and Cognition; Pathogenicity, virulence, toxins, bacteriocins, pyrogens, host-bacteria relations, miscellaneous strains; Peptides; Proteins - chemistry; Proteolipids - chemistry; Pulmonary Surfactants - chemistry; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Swine - physiology; Peptides; Animal origin; Review; Biological activity; Antimicrobial agent; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Endogenous; Swine; Non specific immunity; Artiodactyla; Defensin; Mechanism of action; Ungulata; défensine; peptide antimicrobien; cathelicidin; defensin; cathélicidine; immunité naturelle; antimicrobial peptide; innate immunity > -porc; pig
• ISSN: 0928-4249; 1297-9716
• DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2000121

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, endogenous, polycationic molecules that constitute a ubiquitous and significant component of innate immunity. These natural antibiotics have broad microbicidal activity against various bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. Because most AMPs kill bacteria by physical disruption of cell membranes, which may prevent microorganisms from developing resistance against these agents, they are being explored as possible alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Pigs, like many other mammals, produce an impressive array of AMPs, which are synthesized predominantly by host leukocytic phagocytes or mucosal epithelial cells. Currently, more than a dozen distinct porcine AMPs have been identified and a majority belongs to the cathelicidin family. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in porcine AMP research with an emphasis on the diverse biological functions of each peptide. Mechanisms of action of these AMPs and their role in the resistance to infections are considered. Finally, the current status of pharmaceutical and agricultural uses of AMPs as well as future prospects for their application in the food animal industry is discussed.