Summary

High potency, specificity and a good safety profile are the main strengths of bioactive peptides as new and promising therapies that may fill the gap between small molecules and protein drugs. These positive attributes of peptides, along with advances in drug delivery technologies, have contributed to a renewed interest in the discovery, optimization and development of peptides as pharmacological therapy. The entry collection aims to cover all aspects of peptide research in relation to health promotion.

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Entries
Topic Review
Melittin
Melittin, a 26-amino acid peptide, is the main component of the venom of four honeybee species and exhibits neuroprotective actions. Melittin alleviates HT22 in vivo and in vitro oxidative stress injury induced by Aβ25–35; For the first time, melittin has been reported to enhance cognitive function in a learning memory-deficit model; Melittin ameliorating mechanisms were observed via the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, stimulating 1-HO production and the regulation of the TrkB/CREB/BDNF pathway.
  • 708
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
PD-1 and Its Ligands in Allergy
Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 are receptors that act in co-stimulatory and coinhibitory immune responses. Signaling the PD-1/PD-L1 or PD-L2 pathway is essential to regulate the inflammatory responses to infections, autoimmunity, and allergies, and it has been extensively studied in cancer.
  • 694
  • 13 Jun 2022
Topic Review
FDA Approved Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) are now amongst the fastest growing drug classes in oncology, as they combine the best features of mAbs and small molecule drugs, creating a single moiety that is highly specific and cytotoxic.
  • 2.1K
  • 16 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Nonribosomal Peptide and Polyketide Against Human Pathogens
Antibiotics are majorly important molecules for human health. Following the golden age of antibiotic discovery, a period of decline ensued, characterised by the rediscovery of the same molecules. At the same time, new culture techniques and high-throughput sequencing enabled the discovery of new microorganisms that represent a potential source of interesting new antimicrobial substances to explore. 
  • 633
  • 15 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid whose metabolites play key roles in diverse physiological processes.They influence immune reactions, have antioxidant properties, and can function as anabolic signals. Apart from this, they act as regulators of the circadian rhythm, and can thus modulate sleep disorders or cognitive functions. Given these diverse roles, Trp metabolism has a significant impact on the clinical outcome of critically ill patients
  • 941
  • 10 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Nanotechnology-Based Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Peptides
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as alternative diagnostic and therapeutic agents in biomedical applications. Their clinical applications are limited to topical application due to their systemic toxicity, susceptibility to protease degradation, short half-life, and rapid renal clearance. To circumvent these challenges and improve AMP’s efficacy, different approaches such as peptide chemical modifications and the development of AMP delivery systems have been employed. Nanomaterials have been shown to improve the activity of antimicrobial drugs by providing support and synergistic effect against pathogenic microbes. 
  • 674
  • 04 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disease characterized by abnormalities in ciliary structure/function. Low plasmatic level of this vitamin is present in the PCD population. The utility of vitamin D supplementation may be essential in this group of individuals.
  • 670
  • 04 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Skin Collagen Fiber Turnover and Functioning
Clinically, collagen formation disorders manifest themselves as increased flabbiness and looseness of the skin and as early signs of facial aging. In addition to the clinical picture, it is important for cosmetologists and dermatologists to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of collagenopathies. This entry summarized and systematized the available information concerning the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in skin collagen fiber turnover.
  • 576
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Oxytocin
Oxytocin (OT) influences various physiological functions such as uterine contractions, maternal/social behavior, and analgesia. OT acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) for κ-opioid but not δ-opioid receptors and enhances κ-opioid receptor activity.
  • 829
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Cry Proteins in Biotechnology
A hallmark of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria is the formation of one or more parasporal crystal (Cry) proteins during sporulation. The toxicity of these proteins is highly specific to insect larvae, exerting lethal effects in different insect species but not in humans or other mammals. In 1989, a nomenclature was proposed to classify proteins according to their sequence and specificity. In this initial nomenclature, there were only four classes. The first class included proteins with action against Lepidoptera with a size of approximately 130–140 kDa. The second class included smaller proteins (65 kDa) with activity against Lepidoptera and Diptera; this class included only two members: CryIIA and CryIIB. The third class constituted the active toxin against Coleoptera, CryIIIA. The last class was Cry1A, the members of which were closely related: they were called Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Ac.
  • 2.1K
  • 01 Feb 2022
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