Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Wild Monochamus alternatus Populations for Biocontrol Applications in Forest Wood Borers
06:58

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Wild Monochamus alternatus Populations for Biocontrol Applications in Forest Wood Borers

Published on: September 29, 2023

1.4K

Rice Defensin OsAFP1 is a New Drug Candidate against Human Pathogenic Fungi

Akihito Ochiai1, Kodai Ogawa2, Minami Fukuda2

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan. ottie@eng.niigata-u.ac.jp.

Scientific Reports
|August 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Rice defensin OsAFP1 shows potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans, a common human pathogen. This novel compound induces apoptosis and targets the cell wall, offering a potential new antifungal drug candidate.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Fungal infections like candidiasis and aspergillosis are prevalent globally.
  • Rising antifungal drug resistance necessitates novel therapeutic agents with new mechanisms of action.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional characteristics of rice defensin OsAFP1 as a potential antifungal drug.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of action and identify key structural components responsible for OsAFP1's antifungal properties.

Main Methods:

  • Fungicidal activity assays against Candida albicans.
  • Bacterial growth inhibition assays.
  • Structural stability tests (heat and serum treatment).
  • Propidium iodide uptake and apoptosis assays.
  • Mutational analysis of OsAFP1.
  • Immunohistochemistry to identify the target molecule.

Main Results:

  • OsAFP1 demonstrated fungicidal activity against Candida albicans at 4 μM, with no effect on human pathogenic bacteria.
  • OsAFP1 exhibited stability after heat (100°C for 10 min) and serum (37°C for 24 h) treatments.
  • Amino acid residues Leu-39 and Lys-41 in the C-terminal γ-core motif are crucial for antifungal activity.
  • OsAFP1 induces apoptosis in target cells, with the target molecule located in the cell wall.

Conclusions:

  • OsAFP1 possesses significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
  • The mechanism of action involves inducing apoptosis and targeting the cell wall.
  • OsAFP1's stability and specific activity profile suggest its potential as a novel antifungal drug candidate.

More Related Videos

Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells07:58

Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells

Published on: June 19, 2013

13.4K
Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins08:39

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Published on: December 24, 2017

7.5K

Related Concept Videos

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
47.4K
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
1.9K
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores02:26

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
29.6K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
2.9K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.0K
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions01:25

Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions

Drug interactions occur when the pharmacological effect of one drug is altered by another substance, either enhancing or diminishing its activity. The drug whose activity is altered is known as the object drug, and the substance causing the alteration is called the agent drug or the precipitant. The net effects of these interactions are mostly undesirable, leading to decreased effectiveness or increased adverse effects. In rare cases, interactions can be beneficial, such as the enhanced...
451