Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation...

Area of Science:

• Marine biotechnology
• Antimicrobial drug discovery
• Peptide therapeutics

Background:

• The global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is driven by antibiotic misuse, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a prime example.
• Marine-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as a critical alternative to conventional antibiotics.
• These marine AMPs demonstrate broad therapeutic potential, including antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in marine-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
• To explore the resource exploration, preparation methods, and biomedical applications of marine AMPs.
• To address the challenges associated with marine AMPs, such as instability and scalability.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of marine AMPs research.
• Analysis of resource exploration strategies for novel marine AMPs.
• Evaluation of preparation techniques and current biomedical applications.

Main Results:

• Marine environments are rich sources of diverse AMPs with significant therapeutic potential.
• Recent progress has been made in the exploration, synthesis, and application of these peptides.
• Key challenges include peptide instability and difficulties in large-scale production.

Conclusions:

• Marine AMPs show considerable promise as viable interventions against drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
• Future research should focus on rational design to improve AMP efficacy and safety.
• Synergistic combination strategies may enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of marine AMPs.