Antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) are widely distributed in nature. In higher eukaryotes, AMPs provide the host with an important defence mechanism against invading pathogens. AMPs of lower eukaryotes and prokaryotes may support successful competition for nutrients with other microorganisms of the same ecological niche. AMPs show a vast variety in structure, function, antimicrobial spectrum and mechanism of action. Most interestingly, there is growing evidence that AMPs also fulfil important biological functions other than antimicrobial activity. The present review focuses on the mechanistic function of small, cationic, cysteine-rich AMPs of mammals, insects, plants and fungi with antifungal activity and specifically aims at summarizing current knowledge concerning additional biological properties which opens novel aspects for their future use in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

抗菌蛋白 (AMP) 在自然界广泛分布。在高等真核生物中，AMP 为宿主提供了抵御入侵病原体的重要防御机制。低等真核生物和原核生物的 AMP 可能支持与具有相同生态位的其他微生物成功竞争营养。AMPs 在结构、功能、抗菌谱和作用机制方面表现出多种多样。最有趣的是，越来越多的证据表明 AMP 还具有除抗菌活性之外的重要生物学功能。本综述侧重于哺乳动物、昆虫、