title: Antifungal activity and pore-forming mechanism of astacidin 1 against Candida albicans.
abstract: In a previous report, a novel antibacterial peptide astacidin 1 (FKVQNQHGQVVKIFHH) was isolated from hemocyanin of the freshwater crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. In this study, the antifungal activity and mechanism of astacidin 1 were evaluated. Astacidin 1 exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Trichosporon beigelii, Malassezia furfur, and Trichophyton rubrum. Also, astacidin 1 had fungal cell selectivity in human erythrocytes without causing hemolysis. To understand the antifungal mechanism, membrane studies were done against C. albicans and T. beigelii. Flow cytometric analysis and K(+) measurement showed membrane damage, resulting in membrane permeabilization and K(+) release-induced membrane depolarization. Furthermore, the calcein leakage from liposomes mimicking C. albicans membrane demonstrated that the membrane-active action was driven by pore-forming mechanism. Live cell imaging using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextrans of various sizes suggested that the radii of pores formed in the C. albicans membrane were 1.4-2.3 nm. Therefore, the present study suggests that astacidin 1 exerts its antifungal effect by damaging the fungal membrane via pore formation.
authors: School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro 80, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyemin
authors: H
authors: Choi
authors: School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro 80, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dglee222@knu.ac.kr.
authors: Dong Gun
authors: DG
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003400:Astacoidea / Q000737:chemistry; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C000598111:FKVQNQHGQVVKIFHH peptide; D010455:Peptides; D006433:Hemocyanins
keywords: Antifungal activity; Astacidin 1; Candida albicans; Pore-forming mechanism