A Peptide from Budding Yeast GAPDH Serves as a Promising Antifungal against Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii can cause cryptococcosis, which has a high mortality rate. To treat the disease, amphotericin B and fluconazole are often used in clinic.

Antifungal Peptide SP1 Damages Polysaccharide Capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans and Enhances Phagocytosis of Macrophages

“…S4). Combining these observations of the cap59 Δ mutants and the fact that the dense network structure of polysaccharide capsule was severely damaged after treatment of SP1 ( 32 ), we postulated that SP1 destroyed the capsule to expose proteins or polysaccharide, and the interactions of these exposed substances might induce the flocculation of C. neoformans H99. When the flocs were treated with 3 mg/mL proteinase K, the cell aggregation caused by SP1 was dispersed ( Fig.…”

“…Previously, we reported that SP1 can specifically kill C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gatti ( 32 ). Scanning electronic microscopy showed that SP1 damaged the capsule of C. neoformans H99 ( 32 ).…”

“…Previously, we reported that SP1 can specifically kill C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gatti ( 32 ). Scanning electronic microscopy showed that SP1 damaged the capsule of C. neoformans H99 ( 32 ). When we treated C. neoformans strain H99 with 8 μM SP1, we noticed that the treatment caused a flocculation-like phenotype ( Fig.…”

“…SP1, an antifungal peptide derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAPDH, has a specific antifungal effect against Cryptococcus ( 32 , 33 ). Interestingly, we observed that treatment with SP1 specifically damaged the capsule of C. neoformans ( 32 ).…”

“…SP1, an antifungal peptide derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAPDH, has a specific antifungal effect against Cryptococcus ( 32 , 33 ). Interestingly, we observed that treatment with SP1 specifically damaged the capsule of C. neoformans ( 32 ). In this study, we investigated the possible mechanism for the capsule damage caused by SP1, providing a basis for a treatment strategy to control refractory fungal infections by inhibiting virulence factors.…”