Alyteserin-1c – Antimicrobial Peptides – AMP

Alyerserin-1c is a C-terminally α-amidated 23 residue Cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with a net charge of +2. Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) are produced by the innate immune system and are expressed when the host is challenged by a pathogen. The Alyerserin family of peptides was first identified in norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions of the midwife toad-Alytes obstetricans-(Alytidae). Alyteserin-1 peptides have limited structural similarity to the ascaphins from the skins of frogs of the Leiopelmatidae family. Alyteserin-1 peptides are selective at inhibiting growth activity of Gram-negative bacteria-such as Escherichia coli and show weak haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Alyteserin contain at least 50% hydrophobic amino acids. Hydrophobic residues contribute to the insertion of the peptide into the hydrophobic membrane core which results in membrane disruption and death of the pathogen. Due to their mechanism of action it is less likely for resistance to develop towards such peptides compared to conventional antibiotics.