Defensins and cystein rich peptides: two types of antimicrobial peptides in marine molluscs

This review focuses on defensins and cystein rich peptides, which are the most abundant natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) described in molluscs. These are compact peptides, 3-5 kDa in molecular mass, cationic and amphipatic; the presence of at least six cysteine residues forming three or four disulfide bridges is their prime structural characteristic. A 3-D structural characterization of these molecules has been included in recent investigations, using currently-available techniques. AMPs have been purified from hemocytes, epithelial tissue and plasma as well as cloned and chemically synthesized. Their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi has been shown; only a synthetic mytilin fragment has displayed activity against viruses.