Advances in the discovery, mechanism of action, optimization of activity and potential for clinical application of antimicrobial peptides

The emergence of antibiotic resistance, resulting from antibiotic misuse, particularly the birth of multidrugresistant bacterium, has seriously jeopardized human health, and the search for new alternative antibiotics is therefore imminent. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as biomaterials, have revolutionized the development of powerful candidates because of their uniquely nonspecific mechanism of membrane rupture. Nevertheless, natural AMP has a number of problems, such as weak biological activity, greater toxicity and poor stabilization, that significantly inhibit their applications. Luckily, in recent years, advances in molecular design, modification and optimisation strategies have demonstrated the potential for enhancing the biological and chemical properties of antimicrobial peptides, thus advancing their application. In this paper, we first reviewed the origin and biodiversity of antimicrobial peptides, followed by summarizing the antimicrobial mechanisms of AMPs and the advances in antimicrobial peptide design and optimization strategies, providing a theoretical basis for the discovery and study of peptide-based antibacterial materials as well as more effective alternatives to antibiotics. Finally, we describe the applications of antimicrobial drugs based on peptides, as well as the present challenges and future perspectives of the field.