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Peer-reviewedCC BYCurrent Opinion in Chemical Biology

Therapeutic potential and resistance of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides

  • Chaoran Liang1
  • Tianmeng Zhang1
  • Aydın Menekşe1
  • John D. Wade2
  • Wenyi Li3
  1. 1Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
  2. 2Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected]
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Abstract

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has underscored the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) constitute a unique class of antimicrobial peptides characterised by high proline/arginine content and predominantly non-lytic mechanisms of action. Unlike many other membrane-disrupting peptides, PrAMPs often enter bacterial cells through dedicated uptake pathways and primarily act on intracellular targets, most notably the 70S ribosome, and other pathways such as interactions with DnaK. However, bacterial resistance to PrAMPs can emerge through reduced peptide uptake and changes in membrane composition. This review summarises current knowledge on the structural features, antibacterial mechanisms, and resistance of PrAMPs. In addition, recent advances in peptide engineering and multitarget design strategies aimed at overcoming resistance are discussed. This review aims to highlight the distinctive antibacterial properties and the therapeutic potential of PrAMPs within the broader landscape of antimicrobial peptides.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{liang2026therapeutic,
  title = {{Therapeutic potential and resistance of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides}},
  author = {Chaoran Liang and Tianmeng Zhang and Aydın Menekşe and John D. Wade and Wenyi Li},
  journal = {Current Opinion in Chemical Biology},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1016/j.cbpa.2026.102699},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2026.102699},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Therapeutic potential and resistance of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides
AU  - Chaoran Liang
AU  - Tianmeng Zhang
AU  - Aydın Menekşe
AU  - John D. Wade
AU  - Wenyi Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/15
JO  - Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
DO  - 10.1016/j.cbpa.2026.102699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2026.102699
AB  - The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has underscored the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) constitute a unique class of antimicrobial peptides characterised by high proline/arginine content and predominantly non-lytic mechanisms of action. Unlike many other membrane-disrupting peptides, PrAMPs often enter bacterial cells through dedicated uptake pathways and primarily act on intracellular targets, most notably the 70S ribosome, and other pathways such as interactions with DnaK. However, bacterial resistance to PrAMPs can emerge through reduced peptide uptake and changes in membrane composition. This review summarises current knowledge on the structural features, antibacterial mechanisms, and resistance of PrAMPs. In addition, recent advances in peptide engineering and multitarget design strategies aimed at overcoming resistance are discussed. This review aims to highlight the distinctive antibacterial properties and the therapeutic potential of PrAMPs within the broader landscape of antimicrobial peptides.
SN  - 1367-5931
SN  - 1879-0402
ER  -