This reference summarizes the latest research on the structure, function, and design of synthetic and natural peptide antibiotics, describing practical applications of these compounds in food preservation and packaging, and in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases by direct anti-bacterial action and as part of the adaptive immune response. Peptide Antibiotics discusses these unique compounds and their many and exciting applications, including: 7the distribution and classification of diverse antimicrobial peptides throughout nature 7the role in host defense of mucosal surface peptide antibiotics such as defensins and cathepsins 7the biosynthesis of lanthionine-containing antibiotics including nisin, epidermin, and mersacidin 7the genetic basis determining the production of bacterial peptide antibiotics 7the potential commercial use of magainin, nisin, and lacticin peptides as anti-infective agents 7the use of nisin as a commercial food preservative With contributions from 19 world-renowned experts in the field, Peptide Antibiotics is an indispensable source of information for pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal and organic chemists and biochemists, microbiologists, infectious disease specialists, molecular biologists, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.
