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Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
Published on: May 4, 2018
Dephosphorylation at Ser548 regulates hemocyanin-derived antibacterial peptides and immune defense in Penaeus
Qian Feng1,2, Maoshuai Fu1, Xianliang Zhao1
1Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China.
Abstract:
Phosphorylation plays a critical role in regulating immune responses in invertebrates. In Penaeus vannamei, hemocyanin, a multifunctional immune protein, is cleaved to produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) essential for pathogen defense. This study identifies Ser548 phosphorylation of the hemocyanin small subunit (PvHMCs) as a key regulator of trypsin-mediated hemocyanin degradation and antimicrobial peptides production. Dephosphorylation of Ser548, controlled by PvCK2α kinase and PvPP2AC phosphatase, enhances cleavage, generating peptides with strong antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Streptococcus iniae. Phosphorylation inhibits this process, reducing peptide production and immune efficacy. In vivo, Ser548 dephosphorylation improves bacterial clearance and enhances shrimp survival. These findings reveal a critical molecular mechanism underlying shrimp immunity and suggest targeting hemocyanin phosphorylation to boost disease resistance in aquaculture.
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