Histatin 5 and derivatives: Their localization and effects on the ultra-structural level

Histatins, a family of cationic peptides present in saliva, are active against the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. The mechanism of action is still unclear. Histatin 5 and more potent synthetic variants, dhvar4 and dhvar5, were used to study localization and effects on morphology on the ultra-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Peptides (New York, N.Y. : 1980) N.Y. : 1980), 2002-08, Vol.23 (8), p.1391-1399
Main Authors: Ruissen, A.L.A, Groenink, J, Van ’t Hof, W, Walgreen-Weterings, E, van Marle, J, van Veen, H.A, Voorhout, W.F, Veerman, E.C.I, Nieuw Amerongen, A.V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antifungal Agents - pharmacology
Antimicrobial peptides
Candida albicans
Candida albicans - drug effects
Candida albicans - ultrastructure
Cell Membrane - drug effects
Cell Membrane - ultrastructure
Dhvar4
Dhvar5
Histatin 5
Histatins
Immunohistochemistry
Innate immunity
Microscopy, Confocal
Saliva
Salivary Proteins and Peptides - metabolism
Salivary Proteins and Peptides - pharmacology
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Summary:Histatins, a family of cationic peptides present in saliva, are active against the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. The mechanism of action is still unclear. Histatin 5 and more potent synthetic variants, dhvar4 and dhvar5, were used to study localization and effects on morphology on the ultra-structural level. Although all peptides induced leakage, no association with the plasma membrane, indicative for permanent pores, was observed with immuno-gold-labeling. Freeze-fracturing showed severe changes of the plasma membrane. Together with, for the dhvars, the loss of intracellular integrity, this suggests that leakage may be a secondary effect rather than an effect of formation of permanent pores.
ISSN:0196-9781
1873-5169
DOI:10.1016/S0196-9781(02)00076-1