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<h2>Cnidarian Venoms: The Bioactive Legacy of Ancient Hunters</h2><p>Cnidarians are a diverse group of aquatic animals. They include jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. These creatures are known for their stinging cells, called cnidocytes. These cells help them capture prey and defend against predators, by releasing a venom secretion containing a variety of bioactive compounds.&nbsp; These compounds include toxins, peptides and non-proteincaeus substances. Scientists study these compounds for their potential applications in medicine and biotechnology.</p><figure id="figure-fdv9jwlvucm126os98"><img id="fdv9jwlvucm126os98" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524096613842-71a8c45f08a2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzN3x8c2VhJTIwYW5lbW9uZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MTMxOTMzMzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="orange and white fishes" title="orange and white fishes" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524096613842-71a8c45f08a2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzN3x8c2VhJTIwYW5lbW9uZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MTMxOTMzMzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>their potential therapeutic uses. For example, some toxins can be used as painkillers. Others may help in developing treatments for various diseases.</p><h3>The Unleashed Power of Cnidarian Venoms</h3><p>Cnidarians, the largest phylum of venomous animals, hold immense potential for medical and scientific advancements. Among them, sea anemones are particularly notable, as most characterized cnidarian toxins have been derived from these fascinating creatures. Their toxins, known for modulating nerve activity, present exciting possibilities for the development of new treatments for chronic pain, epilepsy, and autoimmune diseases. Beyond medicine, these potent compounds may also inspire the creation of environmentally friendly insecticides, offering sustainable solutions for pest control and ecological preservation.</p><figure id="figure-tgmkws9b0sm126otnq"><img id="tgmkws9b0sm126otnq" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1520302659201-7ecf4ae863d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNXx8bWFyaW5lfGVufDB8fHx8MTcxMzE5MjA4N3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="purple and green coral reefs" title="purple and green coral reefs" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1520302659201-7ecf4ae863d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNXx8bWFyaW5lfGVufDB8fHx8MTcxMzE5MjA4N3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Wide-Ranging Applications of Cnidarian-Derived Peptides and Toxins</h3><p>The bioactive compounds found in cnidarian venoms, particularly peptides derived from species like Stichodactyla helianthus, are being explored for a broad spectrum of applications. Notably, certain peptide-based toxins are currently under development as treatments for autoimmune diseases, such as ShK, a peptide that selectively targets specific ion channels involved in immune system regulation. This peptide shows great promise in treating conditions like multiple sclerosis by modulating immune responses without causing widespread immune suppression.</p><p>In addition, these peptides are being investigated for their potential in creating environmentally friendly insecticides. Their unique selectivity for ion channels found in pests—but not in humans or beneficial species—makes them ideal candidates for sustainable pest control solutions. Beyond agriculture, cnidarian toxins are being studied for their use in treating neurological disorders and providing pain relief, opening new avenues for managing chronic pain and nerve-related conditions by specifically targeting nerve pathways.</p><p>Moreover, cnidarians represent an underexplored source of bioactive compounds with diverse antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antiparasitic, and antibiofilm properties. This untapped chemical diversity holds tremendous potential for the development of new therapeutics and biotechnological applications, further highlighting the vast promise of cnidarian venoms in medicine and beyond.</p><figure id="figure-hf6hp7s1zcm126oulm"><img id="hf6hp7s1zcm126oulm" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1582560475093-ba66accbc424?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMHx8bWVkaWNhbCUyMHJlc2VhcmNofGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNjMxMDM1NHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="medical research" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1582560475093-ba66accbc424?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMHx8bWVkaWNhbCUyMHJlc2VhcmNofGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNjMxMDM1NHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h2>Current Status and Future Directions in the Biodiscovery of Cnidarian Toxins and Bioactive Peptides<br></h2><p>Herein, we are launching a Special Issue titled "<a data-mce-href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/special_issues/TAL5WM104S" href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/special_issues/TAL5WM104S">Current Status and Future Directions in the Biodiscovery of Canonical Toxins and Bioactive Peptides from Cnidarians</a>," in collaboration with guest editors Guillermin Aguero-Chapin, Professor Olga Castañeda Pasarón, and Maria Vittoria Modica. Published in the journal Toxins, this issue seeks to provide an updated exploration of the diverse cnidarian toxins, advanced methodologies for their study, and their applications in biotechnology.</p><figure id="figure-evww85oknm127jr1u"><img id="evww85oknm127jr1u" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29gf8og62NmgpPIr1aOp7r4GxVqVLgkzFdeaxN8jd8D4jAB4h48wGnWN2gIjUeEv.jpg" alt="Senior man, insurance and contract with financial advisor and retirement plan to sign. Document, pension deal and business analyst with male person and paperwork in office for signature of will" title="Senior man, insurance and contract with financial advisor and retirement plan to sign. Document, pension deal and business analyst with male person and paperwork in office for signature of will" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><p>We invite researchers specializing in cnidarian bioactive compounds, venom analysis, and omics technologies to submit their contributions, helping to expand our understanding of these marine organisms and guide future directions in toxin research.<br></p>

Exploring Toxins and Bioactive Peptides from Cnidarians

Sea anemones are a group of marine,Sea anemones are classified in the phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, subclass Hexacorallia for education.

<p>Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health issue that threatens our ability to effectively treat infections. Traditional antimicrobials are becoming less effective as bacteria develop resistance, leading to increased mortality rates and healthcare costs. In the search for alternative solutions, marine-derived antimicrobials have emerged as a promising avenue for combating antimicrobial resistance.</p><p>Marine organisms, such as sponges, algae, and bacteria, produce a wide array of bioactive compounds that exhibit antimicrobial properties. These compounds have evolved as a defense mechanism against pathogens in the marine environment, making them potentially valuable in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.</p><figure id="figure-z7nic616slv128qo2"><img id="z7nic616slv128qo2" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1546026423-cc4642628d2b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxjb3JhbHN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzEzMTE5NjI2fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="live corals" title="live corals" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1546026423-cc4642628d2b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxjb3JhbHN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzEzMTE5NjI2fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>One of the key advantages of marine-derived antimicrobials is their structural diversity, which allows for the discovery of novel compounds with unique mechanisms of action. This diversity increases the likelihood of finding effective treatments against resistant bacteria that have evolved to evade traditional antibiotics.</p><h3>The Potential of Marine-Derived Antimicrobials</h3><p>Research into marine-derived antimicrobials has already yielded promising results, with several compounds showing potent antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens. These compounds have demonstrated effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains.</p><p>Furthermore, marine-derived antimicrobials have shown potential for combating biofilm formation, a common defense mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics. By disrupting biofilms, these compounds could make bacteria more vulnerable to traditional antimicrobial treatments.</p><figure id="figure-3jgvzr69vulv128tig"><img id="3jgvzr69vulv128tig" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1583818253917-00853f2201bf?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c2VhJTIwYW5lbW9uZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MTMxOTIyMTB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="coral reef under the sea" title="coral reef under the sea" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1583818253917-00853f2201bf?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c2VhJTIwYW5lbW9uZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MTMxOTIyMTB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>Another advantage of marine-derived antimicrobials is their low toxicity to human cells, making them potentially safer alternatives to existing antibiotics. This reduced toxicity could lead to fewer side effects and a lower risk of developing resistance compared to conventional antimicrobial agents.</p><h3>Challenges and Future Directions</h3><p>Despite their promise, the development of marine-derived antimicrobials faces several challenges, including the difficulty of isolating and synthesizing these complex compounds. Researchers are working to overcome these obstacles through advanced technologies and innovative strategies to harness the full potential of marine resources.</p><figure id="figure-r1q9alo7ddlv12vl99"><img id="r1q9alo7ddlv12vl99" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1nOjNe3WI91WGWYxvB9rXI9eIeDAsblepI8mhT0VmkUm4BTFZUh2zo9raOda7I7M.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1nOjNe3WI91WGWYxvB9rXI9eIeDAsblepI8mhT0VmkUm4BTFZUh2zo9raOda7I7M.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>Collaboration between scientists, industry partners, and regulatory agencies is essential to accelerate the translation of marine-derived antimicrobials from the laboratory to clinical use. As part of our initiative at <a href="https://www.pagbiomics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.pagbiomics.com">PagBiOmicS</a>, focused on OMICs and bioinformatics applications for discovering bioactive peptides derived from marine organisms with broad biomedical and industrial applications, especially in the field of antimicrobials (AMPs), we are pleased to announce a special issue in Frontiers: "<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/64183/exploring-the-depths-marine-derived-antimicrobials-as-new-frontiers-in-combating-antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/64183/exploring-the-depths-marine-derived-antimicrobials-as-new-frontiers-in-combating-antimicrobial-resistance">Exploring the Depths: Marine-Derived Antimicrobials as New Frontiers in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance</a>", edited together with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermin-aguero-chapin-998801106/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermin-aguero-chapin-998801106/">Guilermin Aguero-Chapin</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marrero/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marrero/">Yovani Marrero-Ponce</a>. We appreciate all our colleagues interested in contributing directly to contact us or help spread the word, as a contribution to the discovery and development of new alternatives to widely used antibiotics, and therefore in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Thank you!</p><figure id="figure-2uq6whvcwlv1360kl"><img id="2uq6whvcwlv1360kl" src="https://cdn.durable.co/shutterstock/6lB74h7PthUyVeW7nFnBylZu301UrgvcVUnGWD8WIjgghdw0CeHmEcvSTPFswnRx.jpeg" alt="Clarke's Anemonefish (Clownfish) fish in fluorescent red sea anemone" title="Clarke's Anemonefish (Clownfish) fish in fluorescent red sea anemone" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

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Exploring Toxins and Bioactive Peptides from Cnidarians

Exploring the Depths: Marine-Derived Antimicrobials as Ne...