Demicidin is an antimicrobial peptide that helps to fight off pathogenic bacteria or fungus that are present on the skin. Upon detection of bacteria on the surface of the skin, dermcidin assembles itself, through the aid of Zn2+ ions, into a pore formation (Figure 1).
How does dermcidin work?
These peptides are toxic to a broad spectrum of bacteria, binding to their membranes and disrupting their function. For instance, dermcidin is an antimicrobial peptide secreted by sweat glands that attacks any bacteria on our skin. ... This allows ions to flood across the cell membrane, ultimately killing the cell.
What do defensins do?
Defensins are capable of killing bacteria or inhibiting bacterial growth through a multiplicity of antimicrobial mechanisms such as direct membrane disruption (11, 65, 66) and inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis (67–69). Defensins can also reduce bacterial infection by neutralizing secreted toxins (70–73).
