magainin

Magainin is a naturally occurring peptide, a small type of protein, produced by certain frog species, notably the African clawed frog. These molecules play a role in the frog's immune defense by attacking and destroying bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. They work by disrupting the cell membranes of these microbes, causing them to break apart and die. Scientists are interested in magainin because, due to its ability to target microbes effectively, it has potential as a basis for new antibiotics, especially as resistance to traditional antibiotics increases.