Peptides that mimic Candida albicans-derived beta-1,2-linked mannosides

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Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans
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Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

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T Jouault1, C Fradin, F Dzierszinski

  • 1Laboratoire de Mycologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, INSERM EPI 9915, Université de Lille II, Faculté de Médecine H. Warembourg, Pôle Recherche, Place Verdun, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.

Glycobiology
|August 2, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a peptide that mimics Candida albicans beta-1,2-linked mannosides, crucial for immune cell binding and protection against candidiasis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Beta-1,2-linked mannosides from Candida albicans phosphopeptidomannan (PPM) interact with macrophages via a distinct receptor, stimulating immune responses.
  • Antibodies targeting these beta-1,2-linked mannosides, but not alpha-linked ones, confer protection against candidiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate peptides that mimic beta-1,2-linked mannosides using phage display.
  • To characterize the mimotopic activity of selected peptides.

Main Methods:

  • Phage display methodology was employed to screen a random peptide library.
  • Biopanning was performed using an anti-beta-1,2-linked mannoside monoclonal antibody (mAb).
  • Peptide specificity was confirmed by antibody binding assays and inhibition studies.

Main Results:

  • A specific peptide sequence, FHENWPS, was identified and recognized by the anti-beta-1,2-linked mannoside mAb.
  • Antibodies generated against the FHENWPS peptide bound to C. albicans PPM.
  • These antibodies demonstrated inhibition by soluble beta-1,2-mannotetraose, confirming mimotopic activity.

Conclusions:

  • The peptide FHENWPS effectively mimics Candida albicans beta-1,2-linked mannosides.
  • This mimetic peptide can elicit protective immune responses against candidiasis.
  • Phage display is a viable method for discovering functional peptide mimics of microbial carbohydrates.

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