Antibacterial host defence peptides of bovine origin

Host defence (antimicrobial) peptides have both effector functions and regulatory roles in innate immunity, and consequently are involved in host defences against potentially pathogenic microorganisms. The granules of bovine neutrophils contain a number of these peptides. The diverse structure and antibacterial activities of the smallest known bovine host defence peptides, bactenecin, indolicidin and lactoferricin, are discussed here with specific reference to their direct antibacterial modes of action.