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Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
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Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

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Melittin triggers apoptosis in Candida albicans through the reactive oxygen species-mediated

Juneyoung Lee1, Dong Gun Lee

  • 1School of Life Sciences, KNU Creative BioResearch Group (BK21 Plus Program), College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|April 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Melittin triggers fungal apoptosis in Candida albicans by generating hydroxyl radicals and disrupting mitochondria. This peptide activates a caspase-dependent pathway, revealing a dual antimicrobial mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Melittin, a well-researched antimicrobial peptide, is known for its membrane-disruptive properties.
  • Previous studies indicated melittin induces apoptosis hallmarks in Candida albicans.
  • The precise mechanism of melittin-induced fungal apoptosis remained unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the exact mechanism of melittin-induced apoptosis in Candida albicans.
  • To characterize reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by melittin.
  • To investigate melittin's effects on mitochondrial membrane potential, calcium release, and caspase activation.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by melittin.
  • Assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) disruption.
  • Measurement of Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial accumulation.
  • Investigation of metacaspase activation and cytochrome c release.

Main Results:

  • Melittin strongly produced hydroxyl radicals (˙OH), contributing to cell death.
  • Melittin disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm).
  • Melittin induced Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and its accumulation in mitochondria, activating metacaspase via cytochrome c release.

Conclusions:

  • Melittin induces apoptosis in Candida albicans through a mitochondria- and caspase-dependent pathway.
  • Melittin exhibits a dual antimicrobial action, combining membrane disruption with apoptosis induction.
  • These findings highlight melittin as a potent agent against fungal infections.
Keywords:
antimicrobial peptidefungalprogrammed cell death

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