ABSTRACT This review gives a critical account of the available literature data and the results of our investigations devoted to the molecular mechanisms of action of natural and synthetic cationic peptides on the functional activity of hormonal, primarily G protein-coupled, signaling systems. The following groups of cationic peptides are considered: (i) natural peptides, such as peptide toxins from insect venoms, some peptide hormones of vertebrates acting on the post-receptor stages of signal transduction, antimicrobial peptides of higher eukaryotes and peptides autoinducers of bacteria; (ii) synthetic peptides corresponding to intracellular regions of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); and (iii) synthetic peptides with regular structure, non-homologous to GPCRs, and lysine-based lipoamines. A prospective use of cationic peptides in medicine and biotechnology as non-hormonal regulators and modulators of the functional activity of chemosignaling systems is discussed.
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