Antibiotic peptides as mediators of innate immunity
M Zasloff - Current opinion in immunology, 1992 - Elsevier
M Zasloff
Current opinion in immunology, 1992•ElsevierAntibiotic peptides are widely distributed in nature. Almost all function as membrane-active
agents, disrupting target-cell permeability. Several exhibit a striking selectivity for single-
celled microbes over metazoan cells, and as such are amongst the simplest components of
the animal's defensive system, which distinguishes environmental microbes from 'self'.
agents, disrupting target-cell permeability. Several exhibit a striking selectivity for single-
celled microbes over metazoan cells, and as such are amongst the simplest components of
the animal's defensive system, which distinguishes environmental microbes from 'self'.
Abstract
Antibiotic peptides are widely distributed in nature. Almost all function as membrane-active agents, disrupting target-cell permeability. Several exhibit a striking selectivity for single-celled microbes over metazoan cells, and as such are amongst the simplest components of the animal's defensive system, which distinguishes environmental microbes from ‘self’.
Elsevier
