Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens
The intensification of aquaculture has escalated disease outbreaks and overuse of antibiotics, driving the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a promising alternative due to their rapid, broad-spectrum activity, low AMR risk, and additional bioactiviti...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/156 |
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| author | Tomás Rodrigues Francisco Antonio Guardiola Daniela Almeida Agostinho Antunes |
| author_facet | Tomás Rodrigues Francisco Antonio Guardiola Daniela Almeida Agostinho Antunes |
| author_sort | Tomás Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The intensification of aquaculture has escalated disease outbreaks and overuse of antibiotics, driving the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a promising alternative due to their rapid, broad-spectrum activity, low AMR risk, and additional bioactivities, including immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antifouling properties. AMPs derived from aquatic invertebrates, particularly marine-derived, are well-suited for aquaculture, offering enhanced stability in high-salinity environments. This study compiles and analyzes data from AMP databases and over 200 scientific sources, identifying approximately 350 AMPs derived from aquatic invertebrates, mostly cationic and α-helical, across 65 protein families. While in vitro assays highlight their potential, limited in vivo studies hinder practical application. These AMPs could serve as feed additives, therapeutic agents, or in genetic engineering approaches like CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgenesis to enhance resilience of farmed species. Despite challenges such as stability, ecological impacts, and regulatory hurdles, advancements in peptidomimetics and genetic engineering hold significant promise. Future research should emphasize refining AMP enhancement techniques, expanding their diversity and bioactivity profiles, and prioritizing comprehensive in vivo evaluations. Harnessing the potential of AMPs represents a significant step forward on the path to aquaculture sustainability, reducing antibiotic dependency, and combating AMR, ultimately safeguarding public health and ecosystem resilience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f3ab0a5256e44db0a13b57d19d6da276 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-f3ab0a5256e44db0a13b57d19d6da2762025-01-24T13:42:51ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113115610.3390/microorganisms13010156Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture PathogensTomás Rodrigues0Francisco Antonio Guardiola1Daniela Almeida2Agostinho Antunes3CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, PortugalImmunobiology for Aquaculture Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, PortugalThe intensification of aquaculture has escalated disease outbreaks and overuse of antibiotics, driving the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a promising alternative due to their rapid, broad-spectrum activity, low AMR risk, and additional bioactivities, including immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antifouling properties. AMPs derived from aquatic invertebrates, particularly marine-derived, are well-suited for aquaculture, offering enhanced stability in high-salinity environments. This study compiles and analyzes data from AMP databases and over 200 scientific sources, identifying approximately 350 AMPs derived from aquatic invertebrates, mostly cationic and α-helical, across 65 protein families. While in vitro assays highlight their potential, limited in vivo studies hinder practical application. These AMPs could serve as feed additives, therapeutic agents, or in genetic engineering approaches like CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgenesis to enhance resilience of farmed species. Despite challenges such as stability, ecological impacts, and regulatory hurdles, advancements in peptidomimetics and genetic engineering hold significant promise. Future research should emphasize refining AMP enhancement techniques, expanding their diversity and bioactivity profiles, and prioritizing comprehensive in vivo evaluations. Harnessing the potential of AMPs represents a significant step forward on the path to aquaculture sustainability, reducing antibiotic dependency, and combating AMR, ultimately safeguarding public health and ecosystem resilience.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/156antimicrobial peptidesaquatic invertebratesaquaculturebioactive compoundscryptidespathogens |
| spellingShingle | Tomás Rodrigues Francisco Antonio Guardiola Daniela Almeida Agostinho Antunes Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens Microorganisms antimicrobial peptides aquatic invertebrates aquaculture bioactive compounds cryptides pathogens |
| title | Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens |
| title_full | Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens |
| title_fullStr | Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens |
| title_short | Aquatic Invertebrate Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight Against Aquaculture Pathogens |
| title_sort | aquatic invertebrate antimicrobial peptides in the fight against aquaculture pathogens |
| topic | antimicrobial peptides aquatic invertebrates aquaculture bioactive compounds cryptides pathogens |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/156 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tomasrodrigues aquaticinvertebrateantimicrobialpeptidesinthefightagainstaquaculturepathogens AT franciscoantonioguardiola aquaticinvertebrateantimicrobialpeptidesinthefightagainstaquaculturepathogens AT danielaalmeida aquaticinvertebrateantimicrobialpeptidesinthefightagainstaquaculturepathogens AT agostinhoantunes aquaticinvertebrateantimicrobialpeptidesinthefightagainstaquaculturepathogens |