title: In vitro activity of the antifungal plant defensin RsAFP2 against Candida isolates and its in vivo efficacy in prophylactic murine models of candidiasis.
abstract: We show that RsAFP2, a plant defensin that interacts with fungal glucosylceramides, is active against Candida albicans, inhibits to a lesser extent other Candida species, and is nontoxic to mammalian cells. Moreover, glucosylceramide levels in Candida species correlate with RsAFP2 sensitivity. We found RsAFP2 prophylactically effective against murine candidiasis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941590, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thevissen
authors.forename: Bruno P A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cammue
authors.forename: Isabelle E J A
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: François
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barreto-Bergter
authors.forename: Carlos P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Taborda
authors.forename: Alexandre F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Marcio L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nimrichter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D023082:Defensins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005963:Glucosylceramides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023082:Defensins; D005963:Glucosylceramides; D010940:Plant Proteins