Review and perspective on bioinformatics tools using machine learning and deep learning for predicting antiviral peptides.

Journal: Molecular diversity
Published Date:

Abstract

Viruses constitute a constant threat to global health and have caused millions of human and animal deaths throughout human history. Despite advances in the discovery of antiviral compounds that help fight these pathogens, finding a solution to this problem continues to be a task that consumes time and financial resources. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many areas of the biological sciences, making it possible to decipher patterns in amino acid sequences that encode different functions and activities. Within the field of AI, machine learning, and deep learning algorithms have been used to discover antimicrobial peptides. Due to their effectiveness and specificity, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold excellent promise for treating various infections caused by pathogens. Antiviral peptides (AVPs) are a specific type of AMPs that have activity against certain viruses. Unlike the research focused on the development of tools and methods for the prediction of antimicrobial peptides, those related to the prediction of AVPs are still scarce. Given the significance of AVPs as potential pharmaceutical options for human and animal health and the ongoing AI revolution, we have reviewed and summarized the current machine learning and deep learning-based tools and methods available for predicting these types of peptides.

Authors

  • Nicolás Lefin
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile.
  • Lisandra Herrera-Belén
    Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Temuco, Chile.
  • Jorge G Farias
    Universidad de La Frontera, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: jorge.farias@ufrontera.cl.
  • Jorge F Beltrán
    Universidad de La Frontera, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Ave. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: j.beltran07@ufromail.cl.