Computer-made peptide RQ18 acts as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm peptide though membrane-associated mechanisms of action.
Arch Biochem Biophys
; 753: 109884, 2024 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38218361
ABSTRACT
The spread of fungi resistant to conventional drugs has become a threatening problem. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as one of the main alternatives for controlling fungal infections. Here, we report the antifungal and antibiofilm activity and some clues about peptide RQ18's mechanism of action against Candida and Cryptococcus. This peptide inhibited yeast growth from 2.5 µM and killed all Candida tropicalis cells within 2 h incubation. Moreover, it showed a synergistic effect with antifungal agent the amphotericin b. RQ18 reduced biofilm formation and promoted C. tropicalis mature biofilms eradication. RQ18's mechanism of action involves fungal cell membrane damage, which was confirmed by the results of RQ18 in the presence of free ergosterol in the medium and fluorescence microscopy by Sytox green. No toxic effects were observed in murine macrophage cell lines and Galleria mellonella larvae, suggesting fungal target selectivity. Therefore, peptide RQ18 represents a promising strategy as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm agent that contributes to infection control without damaging mammalian cells.
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Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Anfotericina B
/
Antifúngicos
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Biochem Biophys
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil