Antimicrobial peptide resistance in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity295 @entity2230 @entity693 @entity8582 @entity3631
UNASSIGNED: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role as a host defense against microbial pathogens and are key components of the @entity1 innate immune response. @entity3631 frequently colonizes the @entity1 nasopharynx as a commensal but also is a worldwide cause of @entity693 and rapidly fatal @entity295 . In the @entity1 respiratory tract, the only known reservoir of @entity3631 , meningococci are exposed to @entity1 endogenous AMPs. Thus, it is not surprising that meningococci have evolved effective mechanisms to confer intrinsic and high levels of resistance to the action of AMPs. This article reviews the current knowledge about @entity8582 resistance mechanisms employed by @entity3631 . Two major resistance mechanisms employed by meningococci are the constitutive modification of the lipid A head groups of lipooligosaccharides by @entity2230 and the active efflux pump mediated excretion of AMPs. Other factors influencing @entity8582 resistance, such as the major porin PorB, the pilin biogenesis apparatus, and capsular polysaccharides, have also been identified. Even with an inherently high intrinsic resistance, several @entity8582 resistance determinants can be further induced upon exposure to @entity8582 s. Many well-characterized @entity8582 resistance mechanisms in other Gram-negative bacteria are not found in meningococci. Thus, @entity3631 utilizes a limited but highly effective set of molecular mechanisms to mediate antimicrobial peptide resistance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides.
