Antimicrobial peptides in silkworm

Abstract

Abstract Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a type of small molecular proteins that play a vital role in the resistance to alien pathogens. AMPs are widespread in bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, plants and animals. AMPs have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and they rarely induce bacteria resistance; thus, they are thought to be good candidates for antibiotics in clinical practice. Recently, AMPs are increasingly attracting attention because of their outstanding features and functions. In addition to their known antibacterial properties, some kinds of AMPs have also been reported to have antiviral, anticancer, antiparasitic, and antioxidant activity. In this review, we introduce the diversity of AMPs, including their structure, function and related mechanisms. We focus primarily on recent studies of silkworm AMPs and summarize their classification, activities and possible mechanisms. Finally, based on the review, probable directions and perspectives for studies of the AMPs of silkworm are discussed and proposed.