As this book. Antibacterial Peptide Protocols, will attest, my enthusi asm for the field of antibacterial peptides is based on a conviction (and I am unashamed to say, prejudice) that these substances are in essence antibiotics produced by the host that then participate in host defense against infectious agents. Because of their capacity to exert antibiotic-like action against patho genic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses), there is reason to believe that these agents will soon be used clinically to treat infectious diseases. In fact, in recent years, biotechnology companies have been formed for the sole purpose of developing antibacterial peptides for clinical use. It should be emphasized that antibacterial peptides will likely play a major role in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly with the increasing prob lem of multidrug-resistant microbes and the relative dearth of new antibiotics being provided by pharmaceutical companies. The topic of this volume of Methods in Molecular Biology, the diverse methods used in research on antibacterial peptides, is thus quite timely. As the subject of antibacterial peptides develops into its own discipline (something strongly suggested by the explosion in the number of papers published over the past decade), it is essential that reliable techniques and strategies be made available not only to those of us in the field, but also to the newcomers and researchers in complementary disciplines.

Klappentext

Leading experts review for the first time in one volume all the mjaor biochemical, molecular, bacteriological, and physical techniques available to assess antimicrobial peptides. These state-of-the-art methods ensure easily reproducible results in such important procedures as the isolation and characterization of antimicrobial peptides, the molecular characterization of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, and the use of expression systems to isolate peptides. Bioassays and microbial genetic techniques are also included, as are antibacterial assays as the final readout system.

Inhalt
Origins and Development of Peptide Antibiotic Research.- Origins and Development of Peptide Antibiotic Research.- Isolation and Characterization of Antibacterial Peptides.- HPLC Methods for Purification of Antimicrobial Peptides.- Strategies for the Isolation and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides of Invertebrates.- Big Defensin and Tachylectins-1 and -2.- Tachyplesin and Anti-Lipopolysaccharide Factor.- Circular Dichroism Studies of Secondary Structure of Peptides.- Analytical Ultracentrifugation Studies of Association of Peptides.- NMR Characterization of Amphipathic Helical Peptides.- Molecular Biology of Antibacterial Peptides.- Laboratory Production of Antimicrobial Peptides in Native Conformation.- An Approach Combining Rapid cDNA Amplification and Chemical Synthesis for the Identification of Novel, Cathelicidin-Derived, Antimicrobial Peptides.- Molecular Biological Strategies in the Analysis of Antibiotic Peptide Gene Families.- Assay Systems for Studying Antibacterial Peptides.- Designer Assays for Antimicrobial Peptides.- Interaction of Cationic Peptides with Bacterial Membranes.- The Genetic Basis of Microbial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides.- Assay of Antibacterial Activities of the Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein in Natural Biological Fluids.- Assay Systems for Measurement of Chemotactic Activity.- Neutralization of the In Vivo Activity of E. Coli-Derived Lipopolysaccharide by Cationic Peptides.