The Functional Mechanism and Structure-Activity Relationship of Antibacterial Peptides

The escalating growth and global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance underscore the urgency for the discovery of innovative antimicrobial agents. Antibacterial Peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates, distinctly outperforming conventional antibiotics due to their mitigated propensity for resistance development, expansive antibiofilm activity, and capacity to favorably modulate host immune responses. Consequently, AMPs have garnered significant attention in medical research circles and are anticipated to serve as novel therapeutic alternatives in combating microbial infections, particularly those involving drug-resistant bacteria, thereby inaugurating a novel paradigm in treatment strategies. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate structural and physicochemical attributes of AMPs, providing a concise overview. It further examines the advancements and anticipated clinical trajectories of AMP research, with a pivotal focus on elucidating their antimicrobial mechanisms and the intricate interplay between structure and activity. The aim of this review is twofold: firstly, to enhance the scientific community's comprehension of the antimicrobial mechanisms and Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) across all classes of AMPs; secondly, to address existing research gaps in the SAR of AMPs, thereby laying a solid foundation for future research endeavors and facilitating the development of these promising therapeutic agents.