Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
09:02
Characterization of Intra-Cartilage Transport Properties of Cationic Peptide Carriers
Published on: August 10, 2020
7.9K
Small Cationic Peptides: Influence of Charge on Their Antimicrobial Activity
José Javier López Cascales1, Siham Zenak2, José García de la Torre3
1Grupo de Bioinformatica y Macromoleculas (BioMac), Area de Química Física, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Aulario II, Campus de Alfonso XIII, 30203 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain.
ACS Omega
|September 18, 2018
Summary
Antimicrobial peptides
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial in innate immunity.
- Their activity relies on electrostatic interactions with pathogen membranes.
- Higher positive charge usually enhances AMP activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effect of cationic charge on antimicrobial peptide (AMP) activity.
- Understand the perturbation effects of AMPs on cell membrane models.
- Elucidate the molecular mechanism of AMP action related to charge.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and antibacterial activity assays of two cationic peptides.
- Thermodynamic studies of peptide-membrane interactions.
- Analysis of peptide-induced perturbations on bilayer structure.
Main Results:
- Observed a decrease in antimicrobial activity beyond a critical positive charge.
- Characterized the thermodynamic and structural effects of peptide insertion.
- Identified specific perturbation patterns related to peptide charge.
Conclusions:
- Cationic charge plays a complex role in AMP activity, not solely dependent on magnitude.
- Membrane perturbation and structural changes are key to understanding AMP mechanisms.
- Findings offer insights into designing more effective antimicrobial peptides.
Related Concept Videos
03:27Ions and Ionic Charges
79.2K
In ordinary chemical reactions, the nucleus — which contains the protons and neutrons of each atom and thus identifies the element — remains unchanged. Electrons, however, can be added to atoms by transfer from other atoms, lost by transfer to other atoms, or shared with other atoms. The transfer and sharing of electrons among atoms govern the chemistry of the elements. During the formation of some compounds, atoms gain or lose electrons to form electrically charged particles called...
79.2K
02:42Formal Charges
40.6K
In some cases, there are seemingly more than one valid Lewis structures for molecules and polyatomic ions. The concept of formal charges can be used to help predict the most appropriate Lewis structure when more than one reasonable structure exists.
40.6K
03:08Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge
62.2K
The elements in groups of the periodic table exhibit similar chemical behavior. This similarity occurs because the members of a group have the same number and distribution of electrons in their valence shells.
62.2K
02:43Peptide Bonds
83.1K
A peptide bond covalently attaches amino acids through a dehydration reaction. One amino acid's carboxyl group and another amino acid's amino group combine, releasing a water molecule. The resulting bond is the peptide bond. The products that such linkages form are peptides. As more amino acids join this growing chain, the resulting chain is a polypeptide. Each polypeptide has a free amino group at one end. This end has the N-terminal, or the amino-terminal, and the other end has a free...
83.1K
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
999
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...
999
01:23Antimicrobial Proteins
14.4K
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...
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
14.4K