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Peptide Therapeutics Versus Superbugs: Highlight on Current Research and Advancements

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Abstract

Antibiotics have saved several millions of lives, but its persistent use of antibiotics in the treatment of various infections, whether bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic has lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistant strains poses a serious challenge to existing antimicrobial therapies. Due to the increase in drug-resistant pathogens and failure of antibiotics the urgent need for the discovery of novel antimicrobials has been continuously emphasized in the global forum. Here we review about antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), their structural insights and recent developments. We had summarized the major classes, mechanism of action and biophysical parameters that modulate therapeutic potency of AMPs. Also, we had briefed the challenges involved in developing therapeutic peptides and the global market potential for peptide therapeutics.

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Fig. 1

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, 2015

Fig. 2

Source: Antimicrobial Peptide Database—UNMC, (http://aps.unmc.edu/AP/main.php)

Fig. 3

Adapted from Jirku et al. (2015). Antimicrobial peptides in human sepsis

Fig. 4

Source: THPdb database (http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/thpdb/roa.php)

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank SERB and UGC, Government of India, for financial support through major project. A special thanks to Prof. Dr. K. Ruckmani, Head and Director, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Centre for. Excellence in Nanobio Translational REsearch. (CENTRE), University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, Tamil Nadu, India for her constant support.

Funding

This study was supported by Science and Engineering research board, Department of Science and Technology under the scheme of Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science. Sanction Order No: SB/EMEQ-034/2014 dated 06.07.2015. University Grants Commission, National Fellowship for SC, Award Letter No.: F1-17.1/2017-18/RGNF-2017-18-SC-TAM-45554. Dated: 16/08/2017.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Anna University, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India

    Krishnanand Nagarajan, Sathish Kumar Marimuthu, Selvamani Palanisamy & Latha Subbiah

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  1. Krishnanand Nagarajan
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  2. Sathish Kumar Marimuthu
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  3. Selvamani Palanisamy
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  4. Latha Subbiah
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Correspondence to Krishnanand Nagarajan.

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Nagarajan, K., Marimuthu, S.K., Palanisamy, S. et al. Peptide Therapeutics Versus Superbugs: Highlight on Current Research and Advancements. Int J Pept Res Ther 24, 19–33 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-017-9650-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-017-9650-0

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