The mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) involves two primary pathways.
AMP Mechanisms of Action
AMPs function through different mechanisms to combat microbes:
- Membrane Disruption: AMPs can disrupt the cell membrane of microbes. This disruption leads to cell lysis (bursting) and subsequent cell death.
- Intracellular Inhibition: AMPs can enter cells without disrupting the membrane. Once inside, they inhibit essential functions by binding to nucleic acids or intracellular proteins. (10–12)
- This mechanism targets essential intracellular functions.
- Binding to nucleic acids or proteins disrupts normal cellular processes.
In summary, AMPs either kill microbes by directly attacking their membranes or by entering the cells and interfering with their internal machinery. Both mechanisms result in the inactivation or death of the targeted microbe.
