Proteomic Studies for the Identification and Characterization of Marine Bioactive Molecules, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biotechnology Related to Drug Discovery or Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 961

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, QLD 4225, Australia
2. Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Military Rd., East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Interests: marine biology; sequencing; molecular biology; biomedical products; gene expression; genomics; molecular genetics; epigenetics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of "Proteomic Studies for the Identification and Characterization of Marine Bioactive Molecules", we are delighted to announce the second edition of this Special Issue.

The marine environment provides a rich source of bioactive compounds which can be efficiently applied in various industries, benefiting the shift towards environmentally sustainable green sectors, environmental protection, and the balanced use of natural resources. Proteomic studies assess all proteins produced in organisms, differential gene expression, and their impact on proteomics profiles, as well as the proteins’ activity, stability, degradation, modification, interactions, and their effect on metabolic pathways. Wide-ranging aspects of proteomics research are emerging, including modern technologies implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods. The extension of knowledge regarding proteomics facilitates a better understanding of the bioactive capacities of bioproducts found in aquatic species and is especially important in the field of medical research, which urgently requires new and improved drug therapies.

We would like to invite scientists to submit their high-quality studies, including novel research and review articles addressing proteomics research, to this Special Issue of Marine Drugs in relation to the following topics:

  • Protein expression profiling and the influence of differential gene expression;
  • Proteome mining for the identification of biological target molecules;
  • Post-translational modification of proteins and its impact on function;
  • Functional proteomics, including protein production, degradation, and/or stability;
  • Structural proteomics and protein–protein interactions.

Dr. Nedeljka Rosic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • omics
  • proteomics
  • bioproducts
  • anti-bacterial
  • anti-tumor
  • anti-viral
  • anti-aging
  • anti-inflammatory
  • anti-fungal

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 6743 KiB  
Article
Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Undaria pinnatifida Fucoidan In Vivo—A Proteomic Investigation
by Cheng Yang, Corinna Dwan, Barbara C. Wimmer, Maurizio Ronci, Richard Wilson, Luke Johnson and Vanni Caruso
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(5), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23050189 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 880
Abstract
Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a bioactive sulphated polysaccharide, is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms by which UPF regulates inflammation and neuronal health remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of [...] Read more.
Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a bioactive sulphated polysaccharide, is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms by which UPF regulates inflammation and neuronal health remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UPF supplementation on pro-inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle, small intestine, and the hypothalamus, as well as plasma cytokine levels. Additionally, a brain proteomic investigation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was performed to assess UPF’s impact on neuronal protein expression in mice. A total of 64 C57BL/6J mice were administered either a standard chow or high-fat diet (HFD) with or without UPF (400 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. In HFD-fed mice, UPF significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in skeletal muscle, small intestine, and hypothalamus, while also lowering circulating IL-1α and IL-6 levels. Proteomic analysis of the NAc revealed that UPF modulated proteins involved in oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter regulation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In contrast, in chow-fed mice, UPF had no effect on the neuroinflammatory–oxidative stress markers but influenced the abundance of proteins associated with immune response and innate immunity. These findings suggest that UPF modulates stress-response pathways in a diet-dependent manner, supporting its potential neuroprotective role in inflammation-related disorders and brain health. Full article
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