Insights into Antimicrobial Peptides from Limacus flavus Mucus

Secretion of the arthrodial membrane gland of a harvester (Arachnida: Opiliones): Antimicrobial activity

Because of the exoskeleton, arthropods must have flexible areas to be able to move. Such regions are called arthrodial membranes and are particularly vulnerable to bacteria and fungi. Here, we analyzed the secretion in the glands underneath it in a Neotropical harvester Mischonyx squalidus (Arachnida: Opiliones) and tested whether it has antiseptical properties. Wepuncturedthemembrane,collectedand quantified ina spectrophotometer. We also fractionated and analyzed the samples in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and then incubated the treated fractions and determined growth inhibition by measuring absorbance. The secretions resulted in 100 fractions, among which two had activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus luteus and against the yeast Candida albicans. The low concentrations at which the secretions were active are relevant from a biotechnological point of view. For the organism, the secretions possibly prevent infections, including when they are attacked in these regions by predators that pick that spot to bite.

Applications of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in antimicrobial peptides field: Current state and new applications

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute a group of small molecular peptides that exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial activity. These peptides are abundantly present in the innate immune system of various organisms. Given the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, microbiological studies have identified AMPs as potential natural antibiotics. In the context of antimicrobial resistance across various human pathogens, AMPs hold considerable promise for clinical applications. However, numerous challenges exist in the detection of AMPs, particularly by immunological and molecular biological methods, especially when studying of newly discovered AMPs in proteomics. This review outlines the current status of AMPs research and the strategies employed in their development, considering resent discoveries and methodologies. Subsequently, we focus on the advanced techniques of mass spectrometry for the quantification of AMPs in diverse samples, and analyzes their application, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, we propose suggestions for the future development of tandem mass spectrometry for the detection of AMPs.