Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges

Gao, Bin; Yang, Na; Teng, Da; Hao, Ya; Wang, Jianhua; Mao, Ruoyu

doi:10.3390/md23120463

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Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges

by

Bin Gao

^1,2,3,

Na Yang

^1,2,3,*

,

Da Teng

^1,2,3

,

Ya Hao

^1,2,3,

Jianhua Wang

^1,2,3

and

Ruoyu Mao

^1,2,3,*

¹

Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

²

Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

³

Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(12), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120463 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 12 November 2025 / Revised: 26 November 2025 / Accepted: 28 November 2025 / Published: 1 December 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Antimicrobial Peptides)

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Abstract

The pervasive misuse of antibiotics has precipitated a global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), epitomized by the proliferation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Marine-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives, exhibiting broad therapeutic potential, including antimicrobial and anticancer activities. This review summarizes recent advances in marine AMPs, encompassing resource exploration, preparation methods, and biomedical applications, while addressing challenges such as instability and limited scalability. Future perspectives emphasize rational AMPs design to enhance efficacy and safety, alongside synergistic combination strategies, underscoring the potential of marine AMPs as viable interventions against drug-resistant pathogens.

Keywords: marine antimicrobial peptides; resource exploration; antimicrobial mechanism; bioactivity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gao, B.; Yang, N.; Teng, D.; Hao, Y.; Wang, J.; Mao, R. Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges. Mar. Drugs 2025, 23, 463. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120463

AMA Style

Gao B, Yang N, Teng D, Hao Y, Wang J, Mao R. Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges. Marine Drugs. 2025; 23(12):463. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120463

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gao, Bin, Na Yang, Da Teng, Ya Hao, Jianhua Wang, and Ruoyu Mao. 2025. "Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges" Marine Drugs 23, no. 12: 463. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120463

APA Style

Gao, B., Yang, N., Teng, D., Hao, Y., Wang, J., & Mao, R. (2025). Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges. Marine Drugs, 23(12), 463. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120463

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Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances in Discovery, Multifunctional Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Translation Challenges

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