Unraveling Evolutionary Insights Into AVT Peptide Conservation and Antimicrobial Motif Prediction Across Taxa

This study explores the evolutionary conservation and functional roles of arginine vasotocin (AVT) across various taxa, including teleosts, mammals, plants, and bacteria. AVT is highly conserved, indicating strong evolutionary selective pressure, and is involved in neuroendocrine, immune, and stress signaling pathways. A conserved antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-like motif within the AVT sequence was identified, suggesting potential roles in membrane permeabilization and antimicrobial defense. The motif's cationic and amphipathic properties, along with cysteine residues, provide structural stability. The study highlights AVT's pleiotropic roles and suggests the AMP-like motif as a candidate for synthetic peptide design, with future experimental evaluations needed to assess its antimicrobial potential.