Self-Assembly of Linear, Natural Antimicrobial Peptides: An Evolutionary Perspective

Verity Baltutis, Paul D. O'Leary, Lisandra L. Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides are an ancient and innate system of host defence against a wide range of microbial assailants. Mechanistically, unstructured peptides undergo a secondary structure transition into amphipathic α-helices, upon contact with membrane surfaces. This leads to peptide binding and removal of the membrane components in a detergent-like manner or via self-organisation into trans-membrane pores (either barrel-stave or toroidal pore) thereby destroying the microbe. Self-assembly of antimicrobial peptides into oligomers and ultimately amyloid has been mostly examined in parallel, however recent findings link diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease as an aberrant activity of a protective neuropeptide with antimicrobial activity. These self-assembled oligomers can also interact with membranes. Here, we review those antimicrobial peptides reported to self-assemble into amyloid, where supported by structural evidence. We consider their membrane activities as antimicrobial peptides and present evidence of consistent self-assembly patterns across major evolutionary groups. Trends are apparent across these groups, supporting the mounting data that self-assembly of antimicrobial peptides into amyloid should be considered as synergistic to the antimicrobial peptide response.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202200240
Number of pages14
JournalChemPlusChem
Volume87
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • amyloids
  • antimicrobial peptides
  • evolution
  • innate immunity
  • self-assembly

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