The antimicrobial peptide Sparamosin26–54 exhibits antiviral activity against three aquatic enveloped viruses through lipid-binding-mediated virus lysis

The aquaculture industry is faced with huge economic losses caused by various enveloped virus infections, such as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Rana grylio virus (RGV), and Anguillid Herpesvirus 1 (AngHV). The urgent need for readily available broad-spectrum antiviral agents has led to the exploration of antiviral peptides (AVPs), among which antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antiviral activity have attracted increasing attention. Sparamosin26–54 (derived from Scylla paramamosain) is a promising antimicrobial agent. In this study, we found that Sparamosin26–54 significantly inhibited WSSV transcription and replication (as indicated by VP28 gene and protein levels), irreversibly inactivated virions, and impeded viral entry before binding to the cell. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that Sparamosin26–54 had a direct destructive effect on WSSV virions. Lipidomic analysis and ELISA assay highlighted that Sparamosin26–54 had a potent affinity for phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylserine (PS) of WSSV. Liposome leakage assays further revealed a pronounced effect of Sparamosin26–54 on membrane lipid compositions, emphasizing its efficacy against the other two enveloped viruses (RGV and AngHV), but not against the non-enveloped virus, American eel adomavirus (AEAdov). Notably, in three animal models of viral infection, Sparamosin26–54 reduced viral loads in tissues, increased survival, or decreased infection rates in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, Sparamosin26–54 showed no animal toxicity under different modes of administration and could maintain antiviral activity in the complex aquatic environment. Taken together, Sparamosin26–54 was proved to be effective against three enveloped viruses, possibly inducing viral lysis via lipid-binding, providing an alternative approach for combating enveloped virus infections.