Molecular characterization of a novel antimicrobial peptide from Mytilus coruscus

► Myticusin-1 is a novel cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide. ► The N-terminal sequence and the cDNA of myticusin-1 were determined. ► Myticusin-1 exhibited antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungus. ► Myticusin-1 is mainly expressed in hemocytes. ► The expression of myticusin-1 reached the highest level at 36 h after challenge.