Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions

• Tipo: Outra Publicação em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2021

Autores

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

Revista

Título: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences

Vol. 22 Nº 9

Página Final: 4400

ISSN: 1661-6596

Editora: MDPI

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citações

Scopus - 2 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: 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.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 21