Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus
IntroductionScorpion venom-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates for combating bacterial infections owing to their potent activity and unique mechanisms of action. This study focuses on three 13-amino-acid peptides—BmKn1, BmKn2, and BmKn2-7—derived from the venom...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1551816/full |
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| author | Ling Zeng Yulin Sun Hualin Zhang Xiangxi Yi Ran Du Ziming Chen Qi Wang |
| author_facet | Ling Zeng Yulin Sun Hualin Zhang Xiangxi Yi Ran Du Ziming Chen Qi Wang |
| author_sort | Ling Zeng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionScorpion venom-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates for combating bacterial infections owing to their potent activity and unique mechanisms of action. This study focuses on three 13-amino-acid peptides—BmKn1, BmKn2, and BmKn2-7—derived from the venom of Mesobuthus martensii. The aim is to elucidate their structural features, antibacterial efficacy, and immunomodulatory effects in Litopenaeus vannamei infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP).MethodsThe peptides were synthesized and comprehensively characterized for their amphipathic α-helical structures, net charges, and hydrophobicity. Their antibacterial mechanisms were investigated using a series of assays, including membrane permeability (inner/outer membrane disruption), membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, and ATPase activity measurement. In vivo challenge experiments were conducted to evaluate survival rates in L. vannamei infected with VP. Additionally, immune enzyme activities (phenoloxidase [PO], complement component 3 [C3]) and inflammatory/antimicrobial gene expression levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, ALF, Crus) were analyzed. Furthermore, intestinal transcriptome profiling was performed to identify the activated immune pathways.ResultsAll peptides exhibited membrane-targeting activity: BmKn2-7 showed superior outer membrane penetration and depolarization, while BmKn1 was more effective in inner membrane disruption and ROS induction. In vivo, all peptides significantly improved survival rates in VP-infected shrimp (P < 0.01), with BmKn2-7 ≈ BmKn1 > BmKn2 in efficacy. Immune modulation was evident through increased PO and C3 activity (P < 0.05) and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial genes (P < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis revealed BmKn2-7 activated PPAR, AMPK, and FoxO signaling pathways.DiscussionThe amphipathic α-helical structure of these peptides is fundamental to their membrane-disruptive activity. The enhanced outer membrane targeting of BmKn2-7 likely correlates with structural modifications that optimize hydrophobicity and charge distribution. The differential efficacy in immune regulation, such as BmKn2-7's broad pathway activation versus BmKn1's selective ROS induction, indicates structure-dependent functional divergence. These findings highlight the potential of tailored scorpion venom peptides as dual-action agents against bacterial infections and immune dysregulation |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b71f7da665941f181605ee64b53733b |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0b71f7da665941f181605ee64b53733b2025-08-20T02:24:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-04-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15518161551816Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticusLing Zeng0Yulin Sun1Hualin Zhang2Xiangxi Yi3Ran Du4Ziming Chen5Qi Wang6School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, ChinaLife Science & Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, ChinaShenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaIntroductionScorpion venom-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates for combating bacterial infections owing to their potent activity and unique mechanisms of action. This study focuses on three 13-amino-acid peptides—BmKn1, BmKn2, and BmKn2-7—derived from the venom of Mesobuthus martensii. The aim is to elucidate their structural features, antibacterial efficacy, and immunomodulatory effects in Litopenaeus vannamei infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP).MethodsThe peptides were synthesized and comprehensively characterized for their amphipathic α-helical structures, net charges, and hydrophobicity. Their antibacterial mechanisms were investigated using a series of assays, including membrane permeability (inner/outer membrane disruption), membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, and ATPase activity measurement. In vivo challenge experiments were conducted to evaluate survival rates in L. vannamei infected with VP. Additionally, immune enzyme activities (phenoloxidase [PO], complement component 3 [C3]) and inflammatory/antimicrobial gene expression levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, ALF, Crus) were analyzed. Furthermore, intestinal transcriptome profiling was performed to identify the activated immune pathways.ResultsAll peptides exhibited membrane-targeting activity: BmKn2-7 showed superior outer membrane penetration and depolarization, while BmKn1 was more effective in inner membrane disruption and ROS induction. In vivo, all peptides significantly improved survival rates in VP-infected shrimp (P < 0.01), with BmKn2-7 ≈ BmKn1 > BmKn2 in efficacy. Immune modulation was evident through increased PO and C3 activity (P < 0.05) and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial genes (P < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis revealed BmKn2-7 activated PPAR, AMPK, and FoxO signaling pathways.DiscussionThe amphipathic α-helical structure of these peptides is fundamental to their membrane-disruptive activity. The enhanced outer membrane targeting of BmKn2-7 likely correlates with structural modifications that optimize hydrophobicity and charge distribution. The differential efficacy in immune regulation, such as BmKn2-7's broad pathway activation versus BmKn1's selective ROS induction, indicates structure-dependent functional divergence. These findings highlight the potential of tailored scorpion venom peptides as dual-action agents against bacterial infections and immune dysregulationhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1551816/fullscorpion venom peptideBmKn1Litopenaeus vannameiimmunityVibrio parahaemolyticusantibacterial mechanism |
| spellingShingle | Ling Zeng Yulin Sun Hualin Zhang Xiangxi Yi Ran Du Ziming Chen Qi Wang Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus Frontiers in Immunology scorpion venom peptide BmKn1 Litopenaeus vannamei immunity Vibrio parahaemolyticus antibacterial mechanism |
| title | Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| title_full | Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| title_fullStr | Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| title_short | Scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in Litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| title_sort | scorpion venom peptides enhance immunity and survival in litopenaeus vannamei through antibacterial action against vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| topic | scorpion venom peptide BmKn1 Litopenaeus vannamei immunity Vibrio parahaemolyticus antibacterial mechanism |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1551816/full |
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