Arg is one of the most versatile amino acids that can be converted into other amino acids (proline, glutamic acid, and glutamine) or metabolized to urea via the urea cycle, as well as to polyamines, NO, creatine, and other essential non-protein substances (12). Arg is therefore an important precursor that generate metabolites and intermediates vital for the immune system. In the metabolism of Arg, arginase and NOS are two key enzymes. Arginase catalyzes the catabolism of Arg into urea and ornithine, which then generate polyamines by the action of ODC (74). Polyamines are important Arg metabolites that have antitumor effect in mammals (75, 76) and are also involved in the synthesis of T-cells (77). Similarly, NO, which is generated from Arg metabolism by the action of NOS, is an effective antibacterial agent against intracellular and extracellular pathogens (24, 78). While NO has antimicrobial effects and also modulates immune response in host cells, excess NO levels could promote peroxynitrite synthesis to generate hydroxyl radicals that cause cell damage and/or cell death (20, 79).

Optimum proportions and levels of amino acids are required by crustaceans for proper growth and physiological/metabolic functions, although differences exist among different species. The Pacific White shrimp Penaeus vannamei requires 4.77% optimum level of dietary Arg (21), while 5.47% is required by Penaeus monodon (80). Supplemented dietary Arg is reported to affect the metabolic activity of crustaceans by regulating the activity of some enzymes. For instance, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which are key enzymes in amino acids metabolism, are important indicators of hepatopancreas function in shrimp (81, 82). The serum levels of AST and ALT increased significantly when juvenile swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) were fed on low Arg diets (82). Arg supplementation also increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes and immune-related enzymes, thereby improving the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and disease resistance of juvenile P. vannamei and E. sinensis (21, 22).

Some Arg metabolic pathway enzymes in crustaceans are reported to modulate antimicrobial immune response. When the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) were challenged with Escherichia coli or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), NO levels and the activity of NOS both increased, as part of the immune response (25, 83). It has also been observed that when an NOS inhibitor or P. argus generated anti-NOS serum is administered to P. vannamei, it reduces bacterial clearance, further illustrating the importance of NOS in the immune defense of crustaceans (24, 83).

Arg kinase is one of the most important enzymes that regulates energy metabolism in invertebrates (84). Invertebrates mainly store their energy in the form of Arg phosphate, which is converted to ATP and Arg by the action of Arg kinase during energy (ATP) demand, while under ATP saturation, Arg kinase catalyzes the synthesis of Arg phosphate as energy store (85). This could be one of the reasons why in crustacean Arg kinase levels change in response to immune stimulation and virus infection (84, 86, 87). In P. japonicus, the Arg kinase homolog MjAK is reported to promote WSSV replication while the Cdc42 homolog MjCdc42, inhibits WSSV replication by interacting with the active site of MjAK to inhibit its enzyme activity (26). Levels of Arg and Arg metabolites as well as the activity of Arg kinase therefore affect energy homeostasis in crustaceans, which consequently affect the immune system ( Figure 1 ).

The aromatic amino acid, Trp, is an essential amino acid in most animals (including crustaceans) that must be obtained from diets, as it cannot be de novo synthesized. In addition to its role as a protein building block, Trp is metabolized into other active substances via two main pathways, i.e., (i) conversion to 5-hydroxytryptophan under the action of Trp hydroxylase, which is decarboxylated to serotonin (5-HT), and then finally to melatonin (MT) by N-acetyltransferase, (ii) Trp is also metabolized to kynurenine, catalyzed by Trp 2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO), and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), and then to acetyl-CoA and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) (88, 89). Thus, Trp and its metabolites play important roles in many metabolic, physiological, and pathophysiological functions including immunity (90–93).

Most core metabolic reactions are conserved across many organisms, highlighting the fundamental role of metabolism [reviewed by (94)]. Thus, due to the paucity of information on the role of metabolic pathway components in some species, comparative studies or inferences are drawn from other organisms. For Trp metabolism, numerous mammalian studies have shown its involvement in diverse immune-related functions. For instance, Trp affects the gut immunity of piglets and mice by decreasing the expression of cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, etc.) and inducing the expression of proapoptotic caspase-8 and Bax (95). Trp also activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor (96), a key regulator of immunity and inflammation in mammals (97), therefore essential for maintaining intestinal immunity and barrier function (98, 99). Despite these beneficial effects of Trp, high levels of dietary Trp could adversely affect the morphology of intestinal epithelium and tight junction proteins (100). Key enzymes in the Trp metabolic pathway have also been implicated in immune regulation. It has been reported that IDO and AhR work together to link microbial Trp catabolism and host Trp metabolites to regulate T-cells function in intestine, especially in T-cells immunity that depends on AhR [see recent review by (101)]. During infection of humans by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, host cells synthesize Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to activate IDO, so as to degrade Trp, and therefore prevent T. gondii replication (102, 103). The Trp metabolite serotonin (5-HT) has also been implicated in immune response in mammals, as intestinal microbiota are able to modulate host immune response by altering levels of 5-HT in models of mucosal infections (104, 105), thereby attenuating the ability to mount immune response to disease pathogens (106–108).

There is no comprehensive information on Trp metabolism in marine species as compared to terrestrial mammals, especially the role Trp plays in immune-related functions. Nonetheless, Trp and its metabolites are reported to play several physiological and immune-related functions in marine animals. In crustaceans, dietary Trp supplementation improves the growth index and survival rate (29, 109). It has also been shown that Trp (metabolites) decreases the aggressive behavior (fights/attacks) of juvenile S. serrata (15, 110), improves reproduction in P. monodon (111) and freshwater crab (Barytelphusa guerini) (109), as well as embryonic development of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (112). In terms of immunity, Trp supplementation increases intestinal microbiota of E. sinensis, resulting in higher survival rates upon bacterial challenge (29). While loss of limbs in crabs decreases their immunity and survival rate (113, 114), dietary Trp supplementation improves their immune indices [e.g., the total hemocyte count (THC), phagocytosis rate, acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, etc.] as well as antioxidant capacity (30). The Trp metabolite melatonin, affects the immune system and antioxidant defense system (ADS) of crustaceans (33, 115). When eyestalk-ablated E. sinensis were injected with melatonin, both their immune and antioxidant capacity were enhanced in terms of increased THC and hemocyanin levels, coupled with an elevation in the activities of ALP, ACP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and other antioxidant enzymes (31). Melatonin injection also enhances response to oxidative damage and elimination of damaged mitochondria and hemocytes due to external stress in E. sinensis (32). There are however differences in the effect of melatonin in various tissues, as it does not exert direct effect on the ADS of gills in the estuarine crab (Neohelice granulata) but enhances that of muscle by increasing glutathione (GSH) content and glutamate cysteine ligase (γ- GCL) activity (116, 117). Although increased Trp levels tend to decrease the inflammatory response in fish (Dicentrarchus labrax) due to immunosuppression by Trp metabolism (34), there is dearth of information as to whether elevated levels of Trp and/or its metabolism have similar immunosuppressive effect in crustaceans. In any case, enough evidence points to the fact that Trp and its metabolites are involved in different aspects of immune regulation in crustaceans ( Figure 1 ), although details of the immune-metabolic mechanisms remain unknown. More studies are needed to further explore the molecular mechanisms of immunomodulation by Trp and its metabolites in crustaceans.

Most animals must obtain Lys from their diets as it is an essential amino acid, which cannot be synthesized by the body. In mammals, L-lysine can be irreversibly converted into glutamate and α-aminoadipic acid through glycolysis, before being further deaminated and oxidized (118). In addition to protein synthesis, Lys can combine with methionine to form carnitine (38), which is involved in the transfer of long-chain fatty acid acyl groups to mitochondria for β-oxidation (119). The optimal dietary intake of Lys differs in different marine species and also exerts different effects on physiological and biochemical indices (36, 120–124). For example, in fish, the daily optimal Lys requirement for juvenile dusky kob or Giant kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) is 7.35% of the diet (125), while that of juvenile silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) is 5.96% (126). It has been observed that within a certain range, increasing Lys intake increases body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of Totoaba macdonaldi (123), while excessive Lys intake affects growth and feed utilization in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea; Richardson, 1846) (127). On the other hand, lack of Lys in B. bidyanus reduces the crude protein content of whole body, muscle and liver, but increases fat content (126).

Varying optimal dietary amounts of Lys have also been reported in different crustaceans. In juvenile Atlantic ditch shrimp (Palaemonetes varians), optimal Lys levels of 2.42%–2.63% have been reported (128), with 1.64% reported for P. vannamei (18), while 2.17% has been reported for juvenile P. trituberculatus (16). In M. rosenbergii, increased levels of Lys affect Arg retention, which suggests some antagonism between Arg and Lys levels (129), probably because they are both absorbed via the same brush border membrane carrier (130). Dietary Lys supplementation affect various physiological and biochemical indices in crustaceans including SGR, weight gain (WG), feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein deposition ratio, as well as AST and ALT activities (127). The activities of pepsin, trypsin and other digestive enzymes are also reported to increase upon adding the appropriate levels of Arg and Lys to diets of M. rosenbergii (129), while dietary Lys affects intestinal protease levels and activity of ALP in juvenile sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) (36).

There is no direct evidence of the involvement of Lys in immune regulation in crustaceans. However, in many species, some amino acids, their metabolites as well as enzymes involved in their metabolic pathways have been directly or indirectly implicated in immune regulation [see review by (131) (Wu and Meininger, 2002)]. For instance, dietary carnitine (Lys metabolite) has been shown to increase the activity of lysozyme (LZM) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver of juvenile black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) as well as increase the antioxidant capacity, but reduces inflammatory response (38, 39, 132). In crustacean, dietary supplementation of carnitine improves growth, increase feed utilization and the antioxidant system in juvenile narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus leptodactylus; Eschscholtz, 1823) (35). Most of the research on the involvement of carnitine in immune regulation in marine animals has mainly been in fish (133–135), with none on crustaceans. It is believed that carnitine regulates nutrition metabolism to enhance anti-stress response, as dietary carnitine increases lipids utilization rate to produce more energy and reduce amino acids catabolism, thereby reducing lipids peroxidation and promoting protein synthesis (136). Although few studies have explored the molecular mechanisms involved in Lys metabolism in crustacean, given that most core metabolic reactions are conserved across many organisms (94), coupled with the importance of Lys in immuno-regulation and its antagonism with Arg, the role of Lys in crustacean immunity could be inferred from other species. In any case, specific studies in crustacean are needed to explore the immune-metabolic functions of Lys, especially the involvement of Lys in the Arg-NO pathway or other immune-related pathways.

Methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) are two sulfur-containing amino acids that are involved in various metabolic pathways and affect several biological functions. There are three main pathways through which Met is metabolized including (i) protein synthesis; (ii) conversion to S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), an important methyl donor in the formation of polyamines, or trans-methylation of SAM to S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), which is further hydrolyzed to homocysteine (Hcy). Hcy can be remethylated to Met by Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and Methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MS); (iii) irreversible conversion of Hcy to cystathionine through the trans-sulfhydryl reaction, and then further to cysteine (137, 138). Met and its metabolites possess antioxidant capacity, as Met residues are very sensitive to oxidation and can inactivate reactive oxygen species (ROS) (139, 140). Thus, Met acts as an antioxidant to protect proteins and other macromolecules from oxidative damage (141, 142).

The involvement of Met metabolism in immune-related functions have been extensively studied in mammals, which means that inferences could be drawn from such studies to explain similar phenomenon in crustacean, given that core metabolic pathways are conserved across species. In mammals, high dietary Met content improves IgG levels and percentage of lymphocytes, as well as pathological changes due to infectious bursal disease (143). As an important immune organ in birds, bursa plays a pivotal role in immunity, hence, lack of Met inhibits the development of the bursa of Fabricius, which affects the humoral immunity of chicken (144). Dietary Met supplementation also affects the expression of inflammation-related genes (145, 146), and impact positively on gut immunity in mammals (147–149). Similarly, the addition of Met dipeptides to feed reduces the harmful effects of Eimeria spp. on the gut of broilers (150), while lack of Met in feed could attenuate WG, intestinal development and intestinal mucosal immunity in broilers and pigs (151, 152), or reduce resistance to parasites in rats (153).

A growing number of studies have explored the effects of dietary Met supplementation on immune-metabolic modulation in marine animals including crustaceans. Most of these studies have, however, been focused on fish. For instance, dietary Met supplements have been shown to improve growth performance in different fish species (144, 154–158). Specifically, lack of Met in feed could affect protein synthesis and reduce feed utilization in flatfish (Solea senegalensis) and white bass (Morone chrysops) (159, 160), as well as induce general mitochondrial dysfunction in liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (161). On the contrary, excess dietary Met does not result in a corresponding improvement in growth rate in O. mykiss or orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) (156, 162), and could even decrease growth rate in P. crocea (157). In the European sea bass D. labrax, dietary Met increases the number of immune cells upon immune stimulation (34), as Met is used as a precursor for the synthesis of polyamines, which is required for the regulation of immune cells proliferation (42). Dietary Met also improves immunity, by increasing leukocyte proliferation but decreases the pro-inflammatory index in D. labrax (43), juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) (163) and juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (40). Similarly, Met levels can potentiate the activity of SOD in juvenile O. niloticus (40), and increase the activities of CAT and GSH-Px in juvenile D. labrax (41). Despite the very few number of studies that have reported on the involvement of Met in crustacean immunity, dietary Met supplementation has been shown to improve growth performance in shrimp (P. vannamei and P. monodon) (164, 165). The question then is, does Met and its metabolites also improve the immune response and antioxidant ability in crustaceans, as observed in fish and other species? This remains an open question.

Cysteine possess special chemical properties that makes it easily oxidized like Met (166, 167), for which reason it is often used as an indicator of oxidative damage (168). The detailed metabolic pathway and functions of Cys and/or its metabolites in immune-metabolic modulation in crustaceans have not been well elucidated as in mammals, although they could be similar due to conserved core metabolic pathways across species. For instance, in mammals such as piglets, Cys is reported to improve the intestinal inflammatory response induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) (169), due to the ability of Cys to decrease intestinal oxidative stress (147). Dietary Cys is reported to increase the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, occludin and claudin-1 after LPS stimulation in weaned piglets, because Cys is able to protect intestinal integrity (170). While Cys is required for T-cells activation in mammals (88), T-cells are unable to convert Met into Cys, and do not have the cystine transporter to transfer cystine, which means that Cys must be provided to T-cells by antigen-presenting cells (APC) (171). Thus, in the absence of Cys, T-cells activation is attenuated and the synthesis of glutathione and DNA in cells is blocked, which eventually result in functional damage and apoptosis (172–174). During Cys metabolism, it can also combine with glutamate and glycine to form the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) in a two-step reaction catalyzed by γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteine:glycine ligase and glutathione synthetase (175). As an important antioxidant that scavenge free radicals and ROS (176) to prevent oxidative stress, GSH has been implicated in many cellular reactions including immune regulation. In mammals, GSH is required for lymphocyte proliferation, T-cells activation and cytokine production (177–179). In addition, GSH inhibits inflammatory response (180), as well as enhance innate and adaptive immunity in humans by providing protection against microbial infection (181). Mammals also metabolize Cys to taurine or ethanesulfonic acid, one of the most abundant amino acids in cells (172) (Grimble, 2006), which plays a key role in immunomodulation (182, 183).

Limited number of studies have explored the role of Cys and its metabolites in immune-metabolic modulation in crustaceans. Nonetheless, it has been shown that dietary Cys and Met supplementation improves survival rate, feed intake, and food conversion rate in P. vannamei (154). In the kuruma shrimp P. japonicus, Cys and GSH have been shown to improve growth, inhibit phenoloxidase (PO) activity, and reduce browning due to o-quinones (184). Similarly, dietary GSH supplementation in Chinese mitten crab (E. sinensis), increased the levels of total protein, albumin (alB) and globulin (glB) in hemolymph, upregulated the expression of immune-related genes (44), and reduced LPS-induced pathological damage to the hepatopancreas, as well as decreased ROS levels and apoptosis (45). Dietary GSH supplementation in P. vannamei has also been shown to increase the activity of ACP, AKP, and SOD, while decreasing shrimp susceptible to V. alginolyticus infection (46). In crustaceans, taurine has been shown to improve growth and immunity by increasing body weight, SGR, expression of intestinal immune genes and antimicrobial peptides in E. sinensis (47), and improve the growth performance of P. vannamei (185). In spite of the fact that no specific studies have so far explored the role of Cys and Met or their metabolites in crustacean immunity, there are enough evidence to suggest that these amino acids play key roles in crustacean immunity. Further research should therefore explore how Cys and Met or their metabolites modulate crustacean immune response and the molecular mechanisms involved.

The branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine and valine, which are essential amino acids in animals (186), are important for growth, development and immunity (187, 188). Leucine (Leu) acts as a nutrient signal that regulates T-cells by activating mTORC1 (189). The mTOR signaling pathway is important for immune response, cell metabolism and other biochemical reactions (190), as it receives and organizes signals from the surrounding environment to direct T-cells differentiation and function in mammals (191). Isoleucine (Ile) is associated with intestinal immunity and can activate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways, thereby increasing the expression of human β-defensin-2 (HBD2) (192), an important antimicrobial peptide involved in gut innate immunity (193). In fish, such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), increase dietary Leu content within a certain range results in an increase in the mRNA level of Nrf2 [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)] in muscle that also shows a positive correlation with the expression of antioxidant enzymes, indicating that Leu enhances antioxidant capacity by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (194). Increasing levels of Leu supplements also improves the immune capacity of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) by elevating the levels of complement component 3 (C3) and IgM (48). The effects of BCAAs on immune function has also been shown in juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) (51), juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) (50), and Labeo rohita fingerlings (49). For crustaceans, dietary Leu intake has been reported to improve growth performance (195), and antioxidant capacity by increasing the activity of PO and SOD in juvenile P. trituberculatus (52). While the effects of Leu on the antioxidant system and the molecular mechanism involved have not been reported in crustaceans, it could be similar to that of fish or other marine species due to synonymous metabolic pathways found in different species. Further studies could explore this aspect of Leu’s role in crustacean immune response.

Glutamine (Gln) is the most abundant free amino acid in mammals (196), and plays a key role in immune response by supporting T-cells proliferation (197), macrophage development (198) and intestinal immunity (199). In marine animals, Gln supplementation can improve the antioxidant capacity of juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) (200) and enhance macrophages phagocytosis and bactericidal ability in O. niloticus (54). Similarly, in O. mykiss, Gln is reported to inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response through the NOD signaling pathway (55). Very few studies have so far explored Gln metabolism and its metabolites on crustacean immunity. In a recent study, it has been revealed that a different type of anaplerosis exist in P. vannamei, where WSSV-infected cells were more likely to ingest glutamate than glutamine, as the virus activates mTORC2, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) to catabolize excess glutamate in the hemolymph into α-KG, so as to maintain the TCA cycle and to support viral replication (56). In addition, α-KG can also be converted into isocitrate, and then used for the synthesis of lipids required by WSSV (57).

For the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr), Phe has been implicated in mammalian immune response (88), as it regulates T-cells proliferation and activation (201). Among aquatic animals, most of the studies involving the aromatic amino acids, especially Phe, has been in fish. For instance, Phe is reported to promote lysozyme expression in Danio rerio, acting as an essential amino acid for the elimination of resistant Vibrio alginolyticus (58), while in juvenile hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus), Phe levels affect immune performance (59). There are relatively few studies on Phe in crustaceans, which have mainly focused on the dietary requirements of Phe for optimal growth (202). Tyrosine hydroxylase, a key enzyme in Tyr metabolism, catalyzes the conversion of Tyr to L-DOPA, which then forms the catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) (203). Silencing of tyrosine hydroxylase has been shown to enhance the immunity of P. vannamei, even under low temperature stress (61, 62). Similarly, the catecholamine dopamine (DA) is reported to affect the immunity of crustaceans, as it suppresses the immune response of shrimp (P. monodon and M. rosenbergii) as well as increase their susceptibility to bacteria (Lactococcus garvieae and Photobacterium damsela) infection. DA receptors also couple with G protein to activate the cyclic adenylate (cAMP)-PKA, DAG-PKC or CaM pathway to regulate the immune system, and modulate the activities of antioxidant enzymes (63–65, 204). Thus, the enhancement of crustacean immunity after tyrosine hydroxylase silencing is achieved due to an inhibition of DA (or other catecholamines) synthesis.

Proline (Pro) is a key amino acid involved in protein synthesis (205) and an important regulator of metabolism (206), immunity (66), and together with its metabolite, hydroxyproline, play an important role in collagen synthesis and tissue repair (207). Proline metabolism plays an essential part in innate immune response, as infection of Caenorhabditis elegans with P. aeruginosa, results in the catabolism of Pro into P5C by proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), with the resultant P5C regulating ROS homeostasis and SKN-1 activation, to induce antibacterial response (208). Limited studies have explored the role of proline in crustaceans, but Pro is reported to play a role in the immune system of shrimp, where dietary Pro supplementation has been shown to improve the antioxidant and immune capacity of P. vannamei (66).

Recent studies have reported that histidine (His) plays an important role in the antioxidant capacity of fish. For instance, low His diets have been shown to inhibit the nuclear import of Nrf2 and to decrease the expression of antioxidant enzymes in juvenile M. amblycephala (67) and young C. idella (68). In crustaceans, the His metabolite, histamine, is reported to affect the immunity of E. sinensis by increasing the activities of PO and SOD, while decreasing the levels of THC, ACP, and AKP as well as the activities of intestinal digestive enzymes (69, 209).

Threonine (Thr) plays an important role in intestinal immunity (210), with high levels (3%) of dietary Thr shown to improve the intestinal tract of broilers and increase the IgA levels of ileum to enhance immune response (211). Deficiency of Thr is reported to induce decrease in lysozyme activity, and reduce the levels of C3, C4, and IgM as well as some anti-inflammatory factors, thereby impairing the growth and development of juvenile C. idella (70). Thr levels have also been reported to affect the growth performance of crustaceans. In juvenile P. vannamei, the SGR and protein efficiency ratio increased with dietary Thr supplementation, coupled with increased activity of SOD and PO (19, 212).

Dietary glycine (Gly) supplementation has been shown to increase WG and SRG of P. vannamei (213), while Gly and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplementation improves the antioxidant capacity of C. idella (73). Alanine (Ala) has been implicated in the regulation of T-cells activation in mice (214) with no report in marine species. For the other amino acids such as serine (Ser), aspartate (Asp), and asparagine (Asn), there are currently no published reports on their role in crustacean immune-metabolic regulation. Despite the fact that there are currently no reported studies on the involvement of these amino acids and/or their metabolites in crustacean immunity, the importance of these amino acids in most organisms coupled with the fact that core metabolic pathways are conserved across species, it is plausible to conceive that these amino acids could also play vital roles in crustacean immune modulation. Further studies are needed in order to ascertain the involvement of these amino acids in immune-modulation in crustaceans.