Targeting cellular apoptotic pathway with peptides from marine organisms

Apoptosis is a critical defense mechanism against the formation and progression of cancer and exhibits distinct morphological and biochemical traits. Targeting apoptotic pathways becomes an intriguing strategy for the development of chemotherapeutic agents. Peptides from marine organisms have become important sources in the discovery of antitumor drugs, especially when modern technology makes it more and more feasible to collect organisms from seas. This primer summarizes several marine peptides, based on their effects on apoptotic signaling pathways, although most of these peptides have not yet been studied in depth for their mechanisms of action. Novel peptides that induce an apoptosis signal pathway are presented in association with their pharmacological properties.

Graphical abstractSchematic depiction of apoptosis mechanisms for marine antitumor peptides. Apoptosis occurs via different pathways in cells. Some marine anticancer peptides can alter the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, while some others can activate caspases or trigger cytochrome c release. JNK and p38 MAPK pathways and PI3K/AKT pathway are also involved in marine peptide induced apoptosis.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (100 K)Download as PowerPoint slide