Influence on the plasma membrane of Candida albicans by HP (2-9)-magainin 2 (1-12) hybrid peptide

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Oct 4;297(4):885-9.

Abstract

A 20-residue hybrid peptide (HP (2-9)-MA (1-12): HP-MA), incorporating 2-9 residues of Helicobacter pyroli ribosomal protein L1 (HP) and 1-12 residues of magainin 2 (MA), has more potent antibacterial activity than parent peptide HP (2-20) and magainin 2. In this study, the antifungal activity and its mechanism of HP-MA were investigated. HP-MA displayed a strong antifungal activity in an energy-dependent manner. To elucidate the antifungal mechanism(s) of HP-MA, FACScan analysis and the change in membrane dynamics using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as a membrane probe of Candida albicans were examined. The results indicated that the HP-MA exerts its antifungal effect by acting on the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the peptide induced remarkable morphological change when tested for membrane disrupting activity using liposomes (PC/Cholesterol; 10:1, w/w). In C. albicans, dimorphism plays a crucial role in pathogenesis but HP-MA could disrupt the mycelial forms and exert its antifungal effect on the blastoconidia in 20% fetal bovine serum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / ultrastructure*
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure*
  • Helicobacter pylori / physiology
  • Magainins
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Ribosomal Proteins / chemistry
  • Ribosomal Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Sodium Azide / pharmacology
  • Xenopus Proteins*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Magainins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • ribosomal protein L1
  • magainin 2 peptide, Xenopus
  • Sodium Azide