Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Robles Loaiza, AA (Author) Other; Pinos Tamayo, EA (Author) Other; Mendes, B (Author) Other; Catia Teixeira (Author) FCUP; Alves, C (Author) Other; Paula Gomes (Author) FCUP; Almeida, JR (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences

Vol. 22 No. 9

Final page: 4400

ISSN: 1661-6596

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-TY3

DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094400

Abstract (EN): Peptide-based drugs are an attractive class of therapeutic agents, recently recognized by the pharmaceutical industry. These molecules are currently being used in the development of innovative therapies for diverse health conditions, including tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis. Despite its socioeconomic influence on public health, leishmaniasis remains long-neglected and categorized as a poverty-related disease, with limited treatment options. Peptides with antileishmanial effects encountered to date are a structurally heterogeneous group, which can be found in different natural sources-amphibians, reptiles, insects, bacteria, marine organisms, mammals, plants, and others-or inspired by natural toxins or proteins. This review details the biochemical and structural characteristics of over one hundred peptides and their potential use as molecular frameworks for the design of antileishmanial drug leads. Additionally, we detail the main chemical modifications or substitutions of amino acid residues carried out in the peptide sequence, and their implications in the development of antileishmanial candidates for clinical trials. Our bibliographic research highlights that the action of leishmanicidal peptides has been evaluated mainly using in vitro assays, with a special emphasis on the promastigote stage. In light of these findings, and considering the advances in the successful application of peptides in leishmaniasis chemotherapy, possible approaches and future directions are discussed here.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 21