Prediction and characterization of a novel hemocyanin-derived antimicrobial peptide from shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Abstract

Hemocyanin, the multifunctional glycoprotein in the hemolymph of invertebrates, can generate various antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Given the rising interest in the use of natural therapeutic agents such as AMPs, alternative and more efficient methods for their generation are being explored. In this work, free online software was first applied to predict the generation of antimicrobial peptides from the large subunit of Litopenaeus vannamei hemocyanin. Twenty potential antimicrobial peptides ranging from 1.5 to 1.9 kDa were predicted, five of which had α-helical structures and were selected for antibacterial activity testing. The results indicated that these five peptides had antibacterial activity against seven different bacteria. Of the five peptides, one peptide, designated L1, had the strongest antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, CD and NMR data showed that L1 had both α-helical and β-turns structural composition, and that these structures were essential for L1’s antibacterial activity. Furthermore, SEM analysis revealed that peptide L1 had broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as it could destroy the bacterial cell walls and kill the bacteria. Thus, L1 is a very potent antimicrobial peptide that can be exploited and used in antibacterial therapeutics.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00726-018-2575-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Protein Diversity and Immune Specificity of Hemocyanin From Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

“…Interestingly, other spots ranging from 20 to 60 kDa were also identified as HMC, which should be HMC fragments or modification isoforms ( Figure 1 ). In combination with previous reports that HMC possessed polymorphisms including SNPs ( 30 , 31 ) and alternative splicing variant ( 32 ) and could generate various antimicrobial peptides ( 7 , 12 , 17 , 18 , 51 , 52 ) with resistance to pathogens infection, all these results indicated that HMC varied at nucleotide and protein levels.…”

A Litopenaeus vannamei Hemocyanin-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide (Peptide B11) Attenuates Cancer Cells’ Proliferation

“…The shrimp L. vannamei is reported to generate different AMPs from hemocyanin, both naturally as part of the innate immune system and in response to specific pathogen challenge [13,14,46]. The antimicrobial activities of these shrimp hemocyanin-derived AMPs have been demonstrated [25]; however, their effect on cell proliferation and potential use as antiproliferative or antitumor agents has not been explored.…”

“…Similarly, the pleurocidin family of AMPs (NRC-03 and NRC-07) derived from Atlantic flounder were found to kill breast carcinoma cells, including drug-resistant and slow-growing breast cancer cells [24]. Interestingly, our recent studies involving the screening of L. vannamei hemocyanin identified 20 potential AMPs ranging from 1.5 to 1.9 kDa [25]. While the antibacterial activities of these hemocyanin-derived peptides have been ascertained, whether or not these peptides also have anticancer effects is not known.…”

Functional Characterization, Antimicrobial Effects, and Potential Antibacterial Mechanisms of NpHM4, a Derived Peptide of Nautilus pompilius Hemocyanin

“…The N. pompilius hemocyanin was obtained from our database, which has been published [ 22 ]. First, the antimicrobial peptide server (AntiBP: ; accessed on 19 April 2021) was utilized to search for potential AMPs in the N. pompilius hemocyanin sequence [ 51 ]. Then, the predicted AMPs were validated using the predict antimicrobial region within peptides tool from CAMP ( ; accessed on 19 April 2021) [ 52 ].…”

“…First, the antimicrobial peptide server (AntiBP: https://webs.iiitd.edu. in/raghava/antibp/index.html/; accessed on 19 April 2021) was utilized to search for potential AMPs in the N. pompilius hemocyanin sequence [51]. Then, the predicted AMPs were validated using the predict antimicrobial region within peptides tool from CAMP (http://www.camp.bicnirrh.res.in/; accessed on 19 April 2021) [52].…”