Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4
Illustration of the
basic structure and
mechanism of action of the
specifically targeted
antimicrobial peptides
(STAMPs). Adapted from
Eckert et al. (
2012
). (
a
)
Basic structure of STAMPs
showing the targeting
region specific for the
targeted organisms and the
antimicrobial region
consisting of a peptide with
killing activity. (
b
)
STAMPs specifically target
the pathogen of interest
while leaving the healthy
biofilm intact (Eckert
et al.
2012
)
other organisms in the biofilm. Most of these efforts have focused on preventing the
attachment of
S. mutans
to control the cariogenic biofilm. In the case of
S. mutans
initial adherence to the tooth surface is mediated by an adhesin that is expressed on
the surface of the bacterium, the streptococcal antigen I/II (SA I/II). A synthetic
peptide (p1025) corresponding to residues 1025-1044 of the adhesin has been used
to block adhesion of
S. mutans
to teeth but had no effect on adhesion and coloni-
zation of other health-associated organisms such as
Actinomyces
(Kelly et al.
1999
;
Younson and Kelly
2004
).
Synthetic peptides can also be used to kill the pathogen of interest. Histatin-
derived peptides have antibacterial activity in in vitro oral biofilm models as well as
ex vivo treatment of plaque bacteria (Helmerhorst et al.
1999
).
A more targeted approach with great potential has been developed by Eckert
et al. (
2006
). This technique called Specifically Targeted Antimicrobial Peptides
(STAMPs) is based on the fusion of a species-specific targeting peptide domain
with a wide-spectrum antimicrobial peptide domain. The targeting domain provides
specific binding to a selected pathogen and facilitates the targeted delivery of an
attached antimicrobial peptide (Fig.
4
).
6.4 Natural Products
The use of natural products to prevent or treat diseases dates back thousands of
years in almost every civilization around the world. The term “natural product”
refers to a substance produced by living organisms that has distinct pharmacolog-
ical effects. Due to this broad definition natural products provide a diverse array of
chemical structures and possess a plethora of biological activities. A number of
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