Regulatory Effects of Marine-Derived Peptides on Digestive and Metabolic Enzymes via Ionic Chelation: A Review

Marine-derived metal-chelating peptides (MPCs) are bioactive peptides in which metal coordination can enhance mineral utilization and modulate biological functions, offering potential for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. However, the relationships among peptide sequence, metal identity, coordination-induced structural changes, and bioactivity remain insufficiently integrated. This review discusses MPC preparation methods and the chelation mechanisms elucidated through UV-vis spectroscopy, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. It further examines the factors influencing chelation efficacy, gastrointestinal stability, and absorption rate, as well as their inhibitory effects on digestive enzymes. Evidence indicates that MPC bioactivity arises from the interplay between peptide characteristics and metal ions: metal coordination can alter peptide conformation and interactions with enzyme active sites, leading to divergent inhibitory effects. Thus, MPCs should be viewed not simply as mineral carriers but as dynamic peptide–metal systems linking coordination, structure, and function. Future studies should integrate structural, computational, gastrointestinal, and in vivo approaches to clarify structure–coordination–function relationships and support rational MPC design.