Figure 1.

Mechanism of action of the antimicrobial peptide against bacteria. AMP interacts with bacterial membrane via electrostatic interactions. This approach makes it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance to it. Some AMP acts on membrane, while others do not. Membrane peptides have cationic peptides that disrupt the bacterial membrane when interacting with it. On the other hand, non-membrane peptides translocate across the membrane without causing any damage. There is also some AMP that creates trans-membrane pores on the membrane. Others AMP does not disrupt cell functions as they translocate across the membrane. Protein synthesis, several enzymatic activities, cell signaling activities, and other critical intercellular functions are also disrupted by AMPs (A). Some AMP also disrupts biofilm formation (B). While interacting with bacterial membrane, some AMP usually undergoes some conformational changes. Currently, three different models are used to define AMP mechanisms of action across the bacterial membrane. (C) Barrel stave model: aggregation of AMP with each other. This aggregate is inserted into the lipid bilayer of the cell and then arranged parallel to the phospholipids leading to the formation of a channel (D). Toroidal pore model: AMPs embedded in the cell membrane. Accumulation of these AMPs leads to the formation of the ring hole (E). Carpet model: AMP accumulates on the cell surface leading to damage to the membrane in the form of a detergent [161,162].