Lactoferrin derived peptides: mechanisms of action and their perspectives as antimicrobial and antitumoral agents

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides, AMPs, exert their function acting mainly at the membrane level. In the wide AMPs panorama a particular position is occupied by lactoferrin derived peptides. They also possess antiviral, antifungal and antitumor activities and their parent molecules are available in several mammalian fluids and in dairy industries waste.