Nisin Z inhibits the growth of Candida albicans and its transition from blastospore to hyphal form.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of nisin Z, an antimicrobial peptide produced by certain strains of Lactococcus lactis against Candida albicans growth and transition.


RESULTS
Candida albicans was cultured in the presence of various concentrations of nisin Z (1000, 500, and 100 microg ml(-1)) for different time points. Candida albicans growth was determined using the Alamar Blue assay. The yeast's transition from blastospore to hyphal form was assessed through optical microscope observations. The effect of nisin Z on C. albicans ultrastructure was followed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that nisin Z inhibited C. albicans growth beginning at 500 microg ml(-1). This inhibition was both time- and dose-dependent. Nisin Z was also active against C. albicans transition by significantly inhibiting the transformation of C. albicans from the blastospore to hyphal form. Treatments with nisin Z lead to ultrastructural disturbances of C. albicans.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that nisin Z significantly reduced C. albicans growth and transition. These effects may have occurred through ultrastructural modifications of this yeast.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, effect of nisin Z on C. albicans was investigated. These results therefore suggest that nisin Z may have antifungal properties, and could be used as an antifungal molecule.
Le Lay
C
C
Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Pavillon de Médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Akerey
B
B
Fliss
I
I
Subirade
M
M
Rouabhia
M
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; D009561:Nisin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009561:Nisin; C071364:nisin Z