Title:Recent Studies on the Antimicrobial Peptides Lactoferricin and Lactoferrampin
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
Author(s): C. Yin, J.H. Wong and T.B. Ng
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptide, lactoferrampin, lactoferricin, mechanism, modification.
Abstract: Lactoferricin and lactoferrampin, peptides derived from the whey protein lactoferrin, are antimicrobial
agents with a promising prospect and are currently one of the research focuses. In this review, a basic
introduction including location and solution structures of these two peptides is given. Their biological activities
encompassing antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities with possible mechanisms are
mentioned. In terms of modification studies, research about identification of their active derivatives and crucial
amino acid residues is also discussed. Various attempts at modification of lactoferricin and lactoferrampin such
as introducing big hydrophobic side-chains; employing special amino acids for synthesis; N-acetylization,
amidation, cyclization and peptide chimera are summarized. The studies on lactoferricin-lactoferrampin
chimera are discussed in detail. Future prospects of lactoferricin and lactoferrampin are covered.
