Abstract
The number of bacterial and fungal strains that have developed resistance against the classical antibiotics continues to grow. The intensified search for new antibiotic lead compounds has resulted in the discovery of numerous endogenous peptides with antimicrobial properties in plants, bacteria and animals. Their possible applications as anti-infective agents are often limited by their size, in reference to production costs and susceptibility to proteases. In this article, we report recent isolations of antimicrobial compounds from insects, with molecular masses less than 1 kDa. Experimental approaches are discussed and the first data on the antimicrobial properties of β-alanyl-tyrosine (252 Da), one of such low molecular mass compounds isolated from the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata, are presented. We also offer evidence for the constitutive presence of antimicrobial compounds in insects of different orders, in addition to the previously identified inducible antimicrobial peptides.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Compounds, Alanyl-Tyrosine, Neobellieria bullata
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Antimicrobial Compounds of Low Molecular Mass are Constitutively Present in Insects: Characterisation of β-Alanyl-Tyrosine
Volume: 9 Issue: 2
Author(s): K. Meylaers, A. Cerstiaens, E. Vierstraete, G. Baggerman, C. W. Michiels, A. De Loof and L. Schoofs
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antimicrobial Compounds, Alanyl-Tyrosine, Neobellieria bullata
Abstract: The number of bacterial and fungal strains that have developed resistance against the classical antibiotics continues to grow. The intensified search for new antibiotic lead compounds has resulted in the discovery of numerous endogenous peptides with antimicrobial properties in plants, bacteria and animals. Their possible applications as anti-infective agents are often limited by their size, in reference to production costs and susceptibility to proteases. In this article, we report recent isolations of antimicrobial compounds from insects, with molecular masses less than 1 kDa. Experimental approaches are discussed and the first data on the antimicrobial properties of β-alanyl-tyrosine (252 Da), one of such low molecular mass compounds isolated from the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata, are presented. We also offer evidence for the constitutive presence of antimicrobial compounds in insects of different orders, in addition to the previously identified inducible antimicrobial peptides.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Meylaers K., Cerstiaens A., Vierstraete E., Baggerman G., Michiels W. C., Loof De A. and Schoofs L., Antimicrobial Compounds of Low Molecular Mass are Constitutively Present in Insects: Characterisation of β-Alanyl-Tyrosine, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2003; 9 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033392279
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033392279 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
This thematic issue will emphasize the recent breakthroughs in the mechanisms of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis and devotes some understanding of both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. It is expected to include studies about cellular and genetic aspects, which help to precipitate the disease, and the immune system-gut microbiome relations ...read more
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employed in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction, to monitoring of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
IL-8 and MCP-1 Impact on Tau Phosphorylation and Phosphatase Activity
Current Alzheimer Research Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Isoforms as Novel Drug Targets
Current Drug Targets Sevoflurane But Not Propofol Provided Dual Effects of Cell Survival in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells
Current Alzheimer Research Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 in Cancer Immune Suppression
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Targeting Death Receptors to Fight Cancer: From Biological Rational to Clinical Implementation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Antiproliferative Activity of microRNA-125a and its Molecular Targets
MicroRNA Protein Folding and Misfolding, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Neurodegenerative Diseases: in Trace of Novel Drug Targets
Current Protein & Peptide Science Molecular Imaging of Therapeutic Potential of Reporter Probes
Current Drug Targets Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Gas1 and its Possible Therapeutic Applications
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Sulfation of Phenylephrine by the Human Cytosolic Sulfotransferases
Drug Metabolism Letters Serotonin 5-HT6 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Alzheimers Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Oncogenic Fusion Tyrosine Kinases as Molecular Targets for Anti-Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNA Regulatory Network in Human Colorectal Cancer
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Function and Regulation of BMP6 in Various Kinds of Stem Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design Involvement of L-Carnitine in Cellular Metabolism: Beyond Acyl-CoA Transport
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Biochemical Markers of Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Endostatin: Preclinical Development as an Anticancer Agent
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore as a Suitable Targ e t for Neuroprotective Agents Against Alzheimer’s Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Marine Derived Anticancer Drugs Targeting Microtubule
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Calpains as a Target for Therapy of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Putative Role of Lithium
Current Drug Metabolism