Temporins: Multifunctional Peptides from Frog Skin

Temporins are short peptides secreted by frogs from all over the world. They exert
antimicrobial activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant pathogens; recent
studies highlight other possible applications of these peptides as anticancer or antiviral agents. This
review is meant to describe the main features of temporins produced by different ranid genera. Due
to the abundance of published papers, we focus on the most widely investigated peptides. We report
studies on their mechanism of action and three-dimensional structure in model systems mimicking
bacterial membranes or in the presence of cells. The design and the antimicrobial activity of peptide
analogues is also described, with the aim of highlighting elements that are crucial to improve the
bioactivity of peptides while reducing their toxicity. Finally, a short section is dedicated to the
studies aimed at applying these peptides as drugs, to produce new antimicrobial materials or in other
technological uses.