Recent advances in knowledge of the properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are reviewed. AMPs are typically small, positively charged, amphipathic peptides that interact electrostatically and non-stereospecifically with the bacterial cell membrane, resulting in its permeabilization and cell death. Classes of AMPs, their mechanisms of action, hemolytic activity, and cytotoxicity towards host cells are discussed. A particular focus is AMPs with potential for use in defense against biological warfare agents. Some AMPs cytotoxic to Bacillus anthracis have been described. Synthesis of these peptides in multivalent form leads to a synergistic increase in antibacterial activity. Strategies to enhance the potency, stability, and selectivity of AMPs are discussed.

中文翻译：

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抗菌肽在对抗生物战威胁因子的生物防御中的特性和应用。

综述了有关抗菌肽（AMPs）特性的最新进展。AMPs通常是小的，带正电荷的两亲性肽，与细菌细胞膜发生静电和非立体特异性相互作用，从而导致其通透性和细胞死亡。讨论了AMPs的种类，作用机理，溶血活性和对宿主细胞的细胞毒性。特别关注的是具有用于防御生物战剂的潜力的AMP。已经描述了一些对炭疽芽孢杆菌具有细胞毒性的AMP。这些肽以多价形式的合成导致抗菌活性的协同增加。讨论了增强AMPs的效力，稳定性和选择性的策略。