Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
08:54

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds

Published on: February 14, 2018

21.2K

Novel Antifungal Activity for the Lectin Scytovirin: Inhibition of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii

Tyler H Jones1, Erin E McClelland2, Hana McFeeters1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, HuntsvilleAL, USA.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|May 25, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Novel antimicrobial lectin Scytovirin effectively inhibits pathogenic Cryptococcus yeast, including Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. This lectin shows potential as a new antifungal agent, offering a promising alternative to outdated therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology and Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Pathogenic cryptococci, encapsulated yeasts, cause severe meningoencephalitis.
  • Current antifungal therapies are limited, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
  • There is a critical need for new anticryptococcal agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anticryptococcal activity of the antimicrobial lectin Scytovirin.
  • To evaluate Scytovirin's potential as a novel antifungal therapeutic agent.

Main Methods:

  • Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) assays were performed against Cryptococcus strains.
  • Scytovirin's binding site and effects on cryptococcal cell morphology were analyzed.
  • Synergistic effects with existing antifungals were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Scytovirin demonstrated potent inhibition against Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii (MFC: 500 nM).
  • Scytovirin localized to the cell wall, impacting capsule size and release.
  • Synergy was observed with amphotericin B, suggesting combination therapy potential.

Conclusions:

  • Scytovirin exhibits significant anticryptococcal activity.
  • This lectin represents a promising new candidate for anticryptococcal drug development.
  • Further research into Scytovirin as an antifungal is warranted.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus gattiiCryptococcus neoformansScytovirincryptococcosislectinnovel antifungal

More Related Videos

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans06:45

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.0K
Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks09:18

Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks

Published on: December 2, 2022

1.5K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
1.7K
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
617