Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as immune effectors synthesized by a variety of organisms, not only constitute a robust defense mechanism against a broad spectrum of pathogens in the host but also show promising applications as effective antimicrobial agents. Notably, insects are significant reservoi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/7/3835 |
| _version_ | 1797212475556364288 |
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| author | Lizhen Zhou Guanliang Meng Ling Zhu Li Ma Kangkang Chen |
| author_facet | Lizhen Zhou Guanliang Meng Ling Zhu Li Ma Kangkang Chen |
| author_sort | Lizhen Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as immune effectors synthesized by a variety of organisms, not only constitute a robust defense mechanism against a broad spectrum of pathogens in the host but also show promising applications as effective antimicrobial agents. Notably, insects are significant reservoirs of natural AMPs. However, the complex array of variations in types, quantities, antimicrobial activities, and production pathways of AMPs, as well as evolution of AMPs across insect species, presents a significant challenge for immunity system understanding and AMP applications. This review covers insect AMP discoveries, classification, common properties, and mechanisms of action. Additionally, the types, quantities, and activities of immune-related AMPs in each model insect are also summarized. We conducted the first comprehensive investigation into the diversity, distribution, and evolution of 20 types of AMPs in model insects, employing phylogenetic analysis to describe their evolutionary relationships and shed light on conserved and distinctive AMP families. Furthermore, we summarize the regulatory pathways of AMP production through classical signaling pathways and additional pathways associated with Nitric Oxide, insulin-like signaling, and hormones. This review advances our understanding of AMPs as guardians in insect immunity systems and unlocks a gateway to insect AMP resources, facilitating the use of AMPs to address food safety concerns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:42:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d29ec2e6b2c4c07808648128a50ddae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:42:59Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d29ec2e6b2c4c07808648128a50ddae2024-04-12T13:19:53ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672024-03-01257383510.3390/ijms25073835Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A ReviewLizhen Zhou0Guanliang Meng1Ling Zhu2Li Ma3Kangkang Chen4Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaZoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, 53113 Bonn, GermanySchool of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030810, ChinaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as immune effectors synthesized by a variety of organisms, not only constitute a robust defense mechanism against a broad spectrum of pathogens in the host but also show promising applications as effective antimicrobial agents. Notably, insects are significant reservoirs of natural AMPs. However, the complex array of variations in types, quantities, antimicrobial activities, and production pathways of AMPs, as well as evolution of AMPs across insect species, presents a significant challenge for immunity system understanding and AMP applications. This review covers insect AMP discoveries, classification, common properties, and mechanisms of action. Additionally, the types, quantities, and activities of immune-related AMPs in each model insect are also summarized. We conducted the first comprehensive investigation into the diversity, distribution, and evolution of 20 types of AMPs in model insects, employing phylogenetic analysis to describe their evolutionary relationships and shed light on conserved and distinctive AMP families. Furthermore, we summarize the regulatory pathways of AMP production through classical signaling pathways and additional pathways associated with Nitric Oxide, insulin-like signaling, and hormones. This review advances our understanding of AMPs as guardians in insect immunity systems and unlocks a gateway to insect AMP resources, facilitating the use of AMPs to address food safety concerns.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/7/3835antimicrobial agentsantimicrobial peptide evolutionantimicrobial peptide regulationinsect |
| spellingShingle | Lizhen Zhou Guanliang Meng Ling Zhu Li Ma Kangkang Chen Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review International Journal of Molecular Sciences antimicrobial agents antimicrobial peptide evolution antimicrobial peptide regulation insect |
| title | Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review |
| title_full | Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review |
| title_short | Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review |
| title_sort | insect antimicrobial peptides as guardians of immunity and beyond a review |
| topic | antimicrobial agents antimicrobial peptide evolution antimicrobial peptide regulation insect |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/7/3835 |
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