NLM Logo

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
Tree Number(s)
D12.644.050
D12.644.066.500
D12.776.543.695.054
Unique ID
D023181
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D023181
Scope Note
Small cationic peptides that are an important component, in most species, of early innate and induced defenses against invading microbes. In animals they are found on mucosal surfaces, within phagocytic granules, and on the surface of the body. They are also found in insects and plants. Among others, this group includes the DEFENSINS, protegrins, tachyplesins, and thionins. They displace DIVALENT CATIONS from phosphate groups of MEMBRANE LIPIDS leading to disruption of the membrane.
Entry Term(s)
Amphipathic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides
Cationic Host Defense Peptides
Host Defense Peptide
Host Defense Peptides
Microbicidal Cationic Proteins
Pharm Action
Anti-Infective Agents
Previous Indexing
Proteins (1981-2000)
See Also
Blood Bactericidal Activity
Public MeSH Note
2001; MICROBICIDAL CATIONIC PROTEINS (now ANTIMICROBIAL CATIONIC PEPTIDES) was indexed under PROTEINS 1981-2000
History Note
2001; use ANTIMICROBIAL CATIONIC PEPTIDES (NM) to search MICROBICIDAL CATIONIC PROTEINS 1981-2000
Date Established
2001/01/01
Date of Entry
2000/06/21
Revision Date
2021/05/10
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides Preferred
Amphipathic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Narrower
Host Defense Peptides Related
page delivered in 0.188s