Cathelicidins: microbicidal activity, mechanisms of action, and roles in innate immunity

Balaji Ramanathan; Elizabeth G Davis; Christopher R Ross; Frank Blecha

doi:10.1016/s1286-4579(02)01549-6

Cathelicidins: microbicidal activity, mechanisms of action, and roles in innate immunity

Microbes Infect. 2002 Mar;4(3):361-72. doi: 10.1016/s1286-4579(02)01549-6.

Authors

Balaji Ramanathan¹, Elizabeth G Davis, Christopher R Ross, Frank Blecha

Affiliation

¹ Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-5802, USA.

PMID: 11909747
DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(02)01549-6

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides are important host-defense molecules of innate immunity. Cathelicidins are a diverse family of potent, rapidly acting and broadly effective antimicrobial peptides, which are produced by a variety of cells. This review examines the classification, antimicrobial spectrum, mechanism of action, and regulation of cathelicidins.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Amino Acid Sequence
Anti-Infective Agents* / metabolism
Anti-Infective Agents* / pharmacology
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides* / classification
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides* / genetics
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides* / metabolism
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides* / pharmacology
Blood Proteins / biosynthesis
Blood Proteins / genetics
Blood Proteins / metabolism
Immunity, Innate
Models, Genetic
Protein Precursors / biosynthesis
Protein Precursors / genetics
Protein Precursors / metabolism

Substances

Anti-Infective Agents
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
Blood Proteins
Protein Precursors
cathelicidin 2 protein, mammal
cathelicidin 3 protein, Equus caballus