title: Melittin induces apoptotic features in Candida albicans.
abstract: Melittin is a well-known antimicrobial peptide with membrane-active mechanisms. In this study, it was found that Melittin exerted its antifungal effect via apoptosis. Candida albicans exposed to Melittin showed the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, measured by DHR-123 staining. Fluorescence microscopy staining with FITC-annexin V, TUNEL and DAPI further confirmed diagnostic markers of yeast apoptosis including phosphatidylserine externalization, and DNA and nuclear fragmentation. The current study suggests that Melittin possesses an antifungal effect with another mechanism promoting apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 1370 Sankyuk-dong, Puk-ku, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Cana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong Gun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D008555:Melitten / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008555:Melitten