Abstract

PEPTIDES AS ANTIFUNGAL, ANTIBACTERIAL AND IMMUNOMODULATORY AGENTS

Ruchi Omar, Sweta Sharma and Arpita Yadav*

ABSTRACT

The review article discusses the importance of developing non conventional antibacterial or antimicrobial agents. The article describes the sources and important properties of some naturally occurring peptides derived from flora and fauna. It also provides a glimpse of the volume of structural information available on these peptides that can be exploited for molecular modeling and docking studies to reveal their mechanistic aspects. The increased usage of antibiotics in modern society and spread of immunosuppressive diseases like AIDS are day-by-day increasing the demand for safe, natural antibacterials/ antifungals. It is important to understand why these peptides could not emerge as standalone therapeutic agents. Apart from medicinal use these peptides can effectively contribute to agriculture and food industry.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, antifungal, arginine rich, anti HIV, natural, cysteine-rich.