Temporin L – Antimicrobial Peptides – AMP

Temporin L is a highly potent anti-microbial peptide (AMP) active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Temporins are a large family of short, linear, AMPs produced in the skin of frogs belonging to Rana species, but are also found in wasp venom. Temporin L was originally isolated from the frog Rana temporaria and has the highest anti-microbial potency among tested temporins, especially against Gram-negative bacteria. Temporin L increases bacterial inner membrane permeability in a dose-dependent manner without destroying cell integrity. At low peptide concentrations, the inner membrane becomes permeable to small molecules but this does not kill the bacteria. At high concentrations, larger molecules, but not DNA, leak out, resulting in cell death. Temporin L has a different mode of action to many AMPs as it does not lyse the cells but instead forms ghost-like bacteria shells.