Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Fibroblast-derived CCL2 orchestrates immune responses and defends against Staphylococcus aureus skin infection.

Cellular & molecular immunology·2026

Same author

Prognostic role of HSPs in human colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC cancer·2026

Same author

Disease context dictates the cellular targets of IL-17 in inflammatory skin disease.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Part I. The role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathophysiology of dermatologic disease.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2026

Same author

Dermal fibroblasts respond to IL-4 and IL-13 and promote T cell recruitment in atopic dermatitis.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2026

Same author

Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis: How a common bacterium exploits and drives disease.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Production and Visualization of Bacterial Spheroplasts and Protoplasts to Characterize Antimicrobial Peptide Localization

Production and Visualization of Bacterial Spheroplasts and Protoplasts to Characterize Antimicrobial Peptide Localization

Published on: August 11, 2018

Antimicrobial peptides.

Ling-Juan Zhang¹, Richard L Gallo¹

¹Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Current Biology : CB

|January 15, 2016

Summary

Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) are crucial natural defenses in all organisms. Understanding their diverse roles in immunity and potential links to autoimmune diseases is essential.

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Immunology
Microbiology

Background:

Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) are vital components of the innate immune system across all multicellular organisms.
These molecules exhibit broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancer cells, acting as a primary defense mechanism.
In higher eukaryotes, AMPs also possess immunomodulatory functions, influencing cytokine and growth factor pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an updated overview of the current understanding of antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs).
To highlight the diverse biological activities and roles of AMPs in various organisms.
To emphasize the importance of studying AMPs due to their involvement in immune homeostasis and potential links to autoimmune diseases.

Main Methods:

More Related Videos

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Published on: May 4, 2018

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Published on: January 13, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Production and Visualization of Bacterial Spheroplasts and Protoplasts to Characterize Antimicrobial Peptide Localization

Production and Visualization of Bacterial Spheroplasts and Protoplasts to Characterize Antimicrobial Peptide Localization

Published on: August 11, 2018

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Published on: May 4, 2018

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Published on: January 13, 2023

This primer synthesizes current research and literature on AMPs.
It reviews the established knowledge regarding AMP classification, function, and mechanisms of action.
The content is based on a comprehensive analysis of existing scientific publications.

Main Results:

AMPs are a diverse group of molecules with significant roles in host defense and immune regulation.
Their activities range from direct pathogen killing to complex immunomodulatory effects.
Dysregulation of AMPs can contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions.

Conclusions:

A thorough understanding of AMPs is critical for both basic science and potential therapeutic applications.
Further research into AMPs will illuminate their complex roles in health and disease.
AMPs represent a key area of study in immunology, microbiology, and biochemistry.