title: Algicidal effect of hybrid peptides as potential inhibitors of harmful algal blooms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To biochemically characterize synthetic peptides to control harmful algal blooms (HABs) that cause red tides in marine water ecosystems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We present an analysis of several short synthetic peptides and their efficacy as algicidal agents. By altering the amino acid composition of the peptides we addressed the mode of algicidal action and determine the optimal balance of cationic and hydrophobic content for killing. In a controlled setting, these synthetic peptides disrupted both plasma and chloroplast membranes of several species known to result in HABs. This disruption was a direct result of the hydrophobic and cationic content of the peptide. Furthermore, by using an anti-HAB bioassay in scallops, we determined that these peptides were algicidal without being cytotoxic to other marine organisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These synthetic peptides may prove promising for general marine ecosystem remediation where HABs have become widespread and resulted in serious economic loss.
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 38286, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seong-Cheol
authors: SC
authors: Park
authors: DNA Analysis Section, Busan Institute of National Forensic Service, 50 Kumoh-ro, Mulgumeup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jeong Chan
authors: JC
authors: Moon
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 38286, Republic of Korea.
authors: Nam-Hong
authors: NH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 38286, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Ji
authors: EJ
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 38286, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jae-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Jeong
authors: School of Plant Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors: Andrew D L
authors: AD
authors: Nelson
authors: National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-Gun, Chungcheongnam-do, 33657, Republic of Korea.
authors: Beom-Ho
authors: BH
authors: Jo
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 38286, Republic of Korea. jmk8856@sunchon.ac.kr.
authors: Mi-Kyeong
authors: MK
authors: Jang
authors: National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-Gun, Chungcheongnam-do, 33657, Republic of Korea. leejr73@nie.re.kr.|Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. leejr73@nie.re.kr.
authors: Jung Ro
authors: JR
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002412:Cations / Q000032:analysis; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000187:drug effects; D004141:Dinoflagellida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom / Q000187:drug effects*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D049897:Pectinidae / Q000382:microbiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002412:Cations; D010455:Peptides
keywords: Algicidal peptide; Chloroplast; Harmful algal blooms; Hybrid peptides; Red tide