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.

Descriptor ID	D023181
MeSH Number(s)	D12.644.050 D12.776.543.695.054
Concept/Terms	Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides Cationic Peptides, Antimicrobial Peptides, Antimicrobial Cationic Microbicidal Cationic Proteins Cationic Proteins, Microbicidal Proteins, Microbicidal Cationic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Antimicrobial Peptides, Cationic Peptides, Cationic Antimicrobial Amphipathic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Amphipathic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides".