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Studies on the antileishmanial properties of the antimicrobial peptides temporin A, B and 1Sa

Chadbourne, F.L.; Raleigh, C.; Ali, H.Z.; Denny, P.W.; Cobb, S.L.

Authors

F.L. Chadbourne

C. Raleigh

H.Z. Ali



Abstract

Given the paucity and toxicity of available drugs for leishmaniasis, coupled with the advent of drug resistance, the discovery of new therapies for this neglected tropical disease is recognised as being of the utmost urgency. As such antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as promising compounds against the causative Leishmania species, insect vector-borne protozoan parasites. Here the AMP temporins A, B and 1Sa have been synthesised and screened for activity against Leishmania mexicana insect stage promastigotes and mammalian stage amastigotes, a significant cause of human cutaneous disease. In contrast to previous studies with other species the activity of these AMPs against L. mexicana amastigotes was low. This suggests that amastigotes from different Leishmania species display varying susceptibility to peptides from the temporin family, perhaps indicating differences in their surface structure, the proposed target of these AMPs. In contrast, insect stage L. mexicana promastigotes were sensitive to two of the screened temporins which clearly demonstrates the importance of screening AMPs against both forms of the parasite.

Citation

Chadbourne, F., Raleigh, C., Ali, H., Denny, P., & Cobb, S. (2011). Studies on the antileishmanial properties of the antimicrobial peptides temporin A, B and 1Sa. Journal of Peptide Science, 17(11), 751-755. https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.1398

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Aug 1, 2011
Publication Date Nov 1, 2011
Deposit Date Jul 19, 2011
Journal Journal of Peptide Science
Print ISSN 1075-2617
Electronic ISSN 1099-1387
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 11
Pages 751-755
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.1398
Keywords Leishmania mexicana, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Drug therapy, Antimicrobial peptides, Temporins.