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Updated: May 5, 2026
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
In silico-driven identification and experimental confirmation of antifungal proteins (AFPs) against Candidaalbicans
Jyoti Sankar Prusty1, Awanish Kumar1
1Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, CG, India.
Abstract:
Mycoses infect millions of people annually across the world. The most common mycosis agent, Candida albicans is responsible for a great deal of illness and death. C. albicans infection is becoming more widespread and the current antifungals polyenes, triazoles, and echinocandins are less efficient against it. Investigating antifungal peptides (AFPs) as therapeutic is gaining momentum. Therefore, we used MALDI-TOF/MS analysis to identify AFPs and protein-protein docking to analyze their interactions with the C. albicans target protein. Some microorganisms with strong antifungal action against C. albicans were selected for the isolation of AFPs. Using MALDI-TOF/MS, we identified 3 AFPs Chitin binding protein (ACW83017.1; Bacillus licheniformis), the bifunctional protein GlmU (BBQ13478.1; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia), and zinc metalloproteinase aureolysin (BBA25172.1; Staphylococcus aureus). These AFPs showed robust interactions with C. albicans target protein Sap5. We deciphered some important residues in identified APFs and highlighted interaction with Sap5 through hydrogen bonds, protein-protein interactions, and salt bridges using protein-protein docking and MD simulations. The three discovered AFPs-Sap5 complexes exhibit different levels of stability, as seen by the RMSD analysis and interaction patterns. Among protein-protein interactions, the remarkable stability of the BBQ25172.1-2QZX complex highlights the role of salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Identified AFPs could be further studied for developing successful antifungal candidates and peptide-based new antifungal therapeutic strategies as fresh insights into addressing antifungal resistance also.
Insights
Researchers identified three novel antifungal peptides (AFPs) from microorganisms that show strong interactions with Candida albicans target protein Sap5. These findings offer new strategies for developing antifungal therapies against drug-resistant infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Millions suffer from mycoses annually, with Candida albicans causing significant illness and death.
- Increasing antifungal resistance necessitates novel therapeutic approaches beyond traditional antifungals like polyenes, triazoles, and echinocandins.
- Antifungal peptides (AFPs) are emerging as promising alternatives for treating fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel antifungal peptides (AFPs) with potential therapeutic applications against Candida albicans.
- To investigate the interaction mechanisms between identified AFPs and the C. albicans target protein Sap5.
- To explore the stability and key interaction residues of AFP-Sap5 complexes for future drug development.
Main Methods:
- Selection of microorganisms with known antifungal activity against C. albicans for AFP isolation.
- Identification of AFPs using MALDI-TOF/MS, including Chitin binding protein, GlmU, and aureolysin.
- Analysis of protein-protein interactions and complex stability using protein-protein docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
Main Results:
- Three AFPs were identified: Chitin binding protein (Bacillus licheniformis), GlmU (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia), and aureolysin (Staphylococcus aureus).
- All identified AFPs demonstrated robust interactions with the C. albicans target protein Sap5.
- MD simulations revealed varying stability among AFP-Sap5 complexes, with specific interactions like salt bridges and hydrogen bonds contributing to stability, particularly in the aureolysin-Sap5 complex.
Conclusions:
- The identified AFPs show significant potential for developing new antifungal drug candidates.
- These findings provide valuable insights into peptide-based therapeutic strategies to combat antifungal resistance.
- Further research into these AFPs could lead to novel treatments for challenging fungal infections.
