7 - Insect peptides with antimicrobial effects

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of biochemically diverse and pharmacologically active compounds effective against a myriad of pathogens. The AMPs can work synergistically with antibiotics. Recent research has proven the efficacy of AMPs against various infections, especially multidrug resistant pathogens. Insects are known to be resistant to bacterial and fungal infections. This resistance is the presence of specific innate immune proteins in insects, which are potential therapeutic proteins for human infections. The AMPs obtained from insects are cationic and have a peptide chain of less than 100 amino acids. To date, various insect-derived AMPs such as attacins, cecropins, defensins, gloverins, lebocins, and moricins have been discovered and still new are being explored as treatment modalities. Seven AMPs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This chapter aims to comprehend the current knowledge about insect AMPs and discuss about the progress gained in different classes of insect AMPs.