Investigating Potential Applications of the Fish Anti-Microbial Peptide Pleurocidin: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The anti-microbial peptide (AMP) pleurocidin is found in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), an Atlantic flounder species. There is promising evidence for clinical, aquaculture, and veterinary applications of pleurocidin. This review provides an overview of the current literature available on pleurocidin to guide future research directions. By fully elucidating pleurocidin’s mechanism of action and developing novel treatments against pathogenic microbes, populations of flatfish and humans can be protected. This review consulted publications from PubMed and Environment Complete with search terms such as “pleurocidin”, “winter flounder”, and “antimicrobial”. The fish immune system includes AMPs as a component of the innate immune system. Pleurocidin, one of these AMPs, has been found to be effective against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. More investigations are required to determine pleurocidin’s suitability as a treatment against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. There is promising evidence for pleurocidin as a novel anti-cancer therapy. The peptide has been found to display potent anti-cancer effects against human cancer cells. Research efforts focused on pleurocidin may result in novel treatment strategies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and cancer. More research is required to determine if the peptide is a suitable candidate to be developed into a novel anti-microbial treatment. Some of the microbes susceptible to the peptide are also pathogens of fish, suggesting its suitability as a therapeutic treatment for fish species.

In vitro antifungal potency of the moronecidin-like peptide against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis

“…All the measurements were repeated in triplicate in three separate experiments. Changes in the morphological appearance of the cells and mitochondrial activity in the presence of moronecidin-like peptide, were compared with the control ( 23 ). Changes in mitochondrial activity were measured by cell viability and proliferation 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-carboxamide-2H-tetrazolium (XTT) assay ( 38 ).…”

“…Piscidins belong to endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which are potential candidates for antibiotics (22,23). In 2021, pleurocidin was isolated from Pleuronectes americanus and identified as the piscidin family's first member (23). Until now, a variety of AMPs have been reported from different organisms (23)(24)(25).…”

“…In 2021, pleurocidin was isolated from Pleuronectes americanus and identified as the piscidin family's first member (23). Until now, a variety of AMPs have been reported from different organisms (23)(24)(25). Moronecidin is an ɑ-helical AMP, which was first known from hybrid striped bass by Silphaduang et al (26).…”

Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities of Pleurocidin-Amide, a Potent Marine Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from Winter Flounder, Pleuronectes americanus

“…The skin and skin mucus of several fish species have been shown to contain AMPs. Pleurocidin (Ple) is a well-known α-helical cationic AMP isolated from the skin mucous secretion of winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Ple consists of 25 amino acid residues with a net positive charge at physiological pH.…”

Truncated Pleurocidin Derivative with High Pepsin Hydrolysis Resistance to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

“…Pleurocidin (C 129 H 192 N 36 MW: 2711.1, hereinafter referred to as Pleu) is a natural polypeptide isolated from the epidermis of American plaice [ 11 ]. Studies have shown that Pleu has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and can resist a variety of bacteria and fungi.…”