Histatin 5 and derivatives. Their localization and effects on the ultra-structural level.
Histatins, a family of cationic peptides present in saliva, are active against the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. The mechanism of action is still unclear. Histatin 5 and more potent synthetic variants, dhvar4 and dhvar5, were used to study localization and effects on morphology on the ultra-structural level. Although all peptides induced leakage, no association with the plasma membrane, indicative for permanent pores, was observed with immuno-gold-labeling. Freeze-fracturing showed severe changes of the plasma membrane. Together with, for the dhvars, the loss of intracellular integrity, this suggests that leakage may be a secondary effect rather than an effect of formation of permanent pores.
Department of Dental Basic Sciences, Section of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
A L A
AL
Ruissen
J
J
Groenink
W
W
Van't Hof
E
E
Walgreen-Weterings
J
J
van Marle
H A
HA
van Veen
W F
WF
Voorhout
E C I
EC
Veerman
A V
AV
Nieuw Amerongen
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054808:Histatins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; C068075:HTN3 protein, human; D054808:Histatins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides