Zhou, L.; Meng, G.; Zhu, L.; Ma, L.; Chen, K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci.2024, 25, 3835.
Zhou, L.; Meng, G.; Zhu, L.; Ma, L.; Chen, K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 3835.
Zhou, L.; Meng, G.; Zhu, L.; Ma, L.; Chen, K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci.2024, 25, 3835.
Zhou, L.; Meng, G.; Zhu, L.; Ma, L.; Chen, K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 3835.
Abstract
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, production pathways of AMPs, and 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, we summarize the types, quantities, and activities of im-mune-related AMPs in each model insect. We also 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 AMP as guardians in insect immunity system and also unlocks a gateway to insect AMP resources, facilitating the use of AMPs to address food safety concerns.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
