Proline-Modified RWn Peptides: Enhanced Antifungal Efficacy and Synergy with Conventional Antibiotics for Combating Resistant Fungal Infections
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Candida albicans (Ca) and Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) infections pose a growing threat due to rising antifungal resistance. This study explores a new class of antifungal agents, the RWn series (n = 4, 6, 8) peptides. These synthetic peptides were evaluated for their ability to inhibit Ca and Cn growth. All peptides except RW 4 displayed antifungal activity, with RW 6 exhibiting exceptional potency against Cn. Importantly, the incorporation of a proline residue significantly reduced cytotoxicity while maintaining antifungal activity against Cn for all RWnP peptides. Notably, RW 6 P demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against both Ca and Cn with low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal toxicity. Furthermore, combining RW6P with trace amounts of traditional antibiotics (penicillin, vancomycin, and ampicillin) achieved synergistic effects, significantly reducing MICs against both fungi. These findings suggest that RWnP peptides, particularly RW6P, have promising potential as novel antifungal agents due to their high potency, broad-spectrum activity, and ability to resensitize fungi to existing antibiotics.
Source: ACS Omega
Authors: Nsoki Phambu, Anderson Sunda-Meya
Institutions: Tennessee State University, Xavier University of Louisiana
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,935
OpenAlex ID: W4404115383