Amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have potential as novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of skin bacterial diseases such as leprosy (caused by Mycobacterium leprae)
Describe the nature of AMPs, where they can be found in nature, the mechanism by which amphipathic cationic AMPs kill bacteria, and how such AMPS could be developed into a treatment for leprosy.
Fill in the blank with correct word.
Answer: AMPs are biologically active 10–50 amino-acid-long peptides, which are naturally produced by a variety of cell and tissue types in invertebrates, plants, and animals as part of the organism's innate immune system. Amphipathic cationic AMPs are structurally and chemically similar to some detergents. Like those detergents, they dissolve negatively charged membrane lipids, generating holes in bacterial cell membranes that destroy the bacterial cell's permeability barrier. Because leprosy is associated with the skin, AMPs that disrupt M. leprae membranes could be incorporated into a salve and applied topically.
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A. alleles B. codons C. genes D. polypeptides
The complement system includes all of the following EXCEPT
a. a group of several plasma proteins. b. induces a cascade of proteins that counteract invasion by coating the invading cells. c. attracts phagocytic leukocytes to attack invading cells. d. causes the lysis of the plasma membranes of invading cells. e. blocks the virus from entering into healthy cells.
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Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
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