Chapter 14 - Venom peptides and peptidomimetics as therapeutics

Abstract

In the last 10 years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a huge public health concern with an estimated 10 million deaths per year and a projected $100 trillion impact on global the economy. Resistance to common antibiotics is the main reason for this projection. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to find alternative ways to combat microbial infections. The use of venom peptidomimetics and peptides from a variety of sources represents a promising approach to the menace of AMR, as several approved drugs were discovered using venoms. Peptidomimetics and peptides act on many cellular and molecular targets to treat a wide range of disease conditions, ranging from cancer to microbial infections. In recent studies, microbial ATP synthase has been targeted to combat microbial infection. ATP synthase is the smallest known biological nanomotor and generator of the universal cellular energy currency. Thus, ATP synthase is being pursued as a potent molecular drug target for the application of venom peptides peptidomimetics. Venom peptides have been shown to bind and interact at the peptide binding site β DEELSEED-motif of ATP synthase. Selective inhibition of ATP synthase by natural or modified peptides may deprive cells of required energy, leading to target cell death.