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.
Ruissen
A L A
AL
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.
Groenink
J
J
Van't Hof
W
W
Walgreen-Weterings
E
E
van Marle
J
J
van Veen
H A
HA
Voorhout
W F
WF
Veerman
E C I
EC
Nieuw Amerongen
A V
AV
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