Conventional and Unconventional Antimicrobials from Fish, Marine Invertebrates and Micro-algae

Marine Drugs

Valerie J. Smith²  Andrew P. Desbois¹ 

[1] Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK;Scottish Oceans Institute, formerly the Gatty Marine Laboratory, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK

关键词: amphipathicity;    antimicrobial peptides;    fatty acids;    innate defence;    pigments;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md8041213

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

All eukaryotic organisms, single-celled or multi-cellular, produce a diverse array of natural anti-infective agents that, in addition to conventional antimicrobial peptides, also include proteins and other molecules often not regarded as part of the innate defences. Examples range from histones, fatty acids, and other structural components of cells to pigments and regulatory proteins. These probably represent very ancient defence factors that have been re-used in new ways during evolution. This review discusses the nature, biological role in host protection and potential biotechnological uses of some of these compounds, focusing on those from fish, marine invertebrates and marine micro-algae.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland