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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans
Published on: January 13, 2023
Antifungal Effect of A Chimeric Peptide Hn-Mc against Pathogenic Fungal Strains
Jin-Young Kim1, Seong-Cheol Park1, Gwangbok Noh1
1Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Korea.
Abstract:
It is difficult to identify new antifungal agents because of their eukaryotic nature. However, antimicrobial peptides can well differentiate among cell types owing to their variable amino acid content. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal effect of Hn-Mc, a chimeric peptide comprised of the N-terminus of HPA3NT3 and the C-terminus of melittin. We evaluated its potent antifungal activity at low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1-16 μM against pathogenic yeast and molds. The cell-type specificity of Hn-Mc was mediated through the formation of a random α-helical structure to mimic the fungal membrane environment. Furthermore, Hn-Mc caused cell death in C. tropicalis and F. oxysporum by inducing apoptosis via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to mitochondrial damage. The present results indicate that Hn-Mc has a high affinity for the fungal plasma membrane and induces apoptosis in fungal cells, and provide guidance for the development of new antifungal agents.
Insights
This study shows the chimeric peptide Hn-Mc effectively targets pathogenic fungi. It induces apoptosis in fungal cells by damaging mitochondria, offering a new strategy for antifungal drug development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Developing novel antifungal agents is challenging due to the eukaryotic nature of fungi.
- Antimicrobial peptides offer potential due to their ability to differentiate cell types based on amino acid composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifungal efficacy and mechanism of action of Hn-Mc, a chimeric peptide.
- To evaluate Hn-Mc's specificity and its effects on pathogenic yeast and molds.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized and characterized the chimeric peptide Hn-Mc.
- Determined minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against various fungal pathogens.
- Investigated the mechanism of action, including membrane interaction, apoptosis induction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
Main Results:
- Hn-Mc demonstrated potent antifungal activity with low MICs (1-16 μM) against pathogenic yeast and molds.
- The peptide's cell-type specificity was linked to its α-helical structure mimicking fungal membranes.
- Hn-Mc induced apoptosis in *Candida tropicalis* and *Fusarium oxysporum* via ROS generation and mitochondrial damage.
Conclusions:
- Hn-Mc exhibits high affinity for fungal plasma membranes.
- The peptide effectively induces apoptosis in fungal cells, presenting a promising avenue for new antifungal drug development.
