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Antifungal properties and membrane-disrupting action of two modified aquatic antimicrobial peptides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2025

Beatriz Garcia-Teodoro ,
Camila Pimentel Martins ,
Khauê Silva Vieira ,
Felipe Weber Mendonça Santos ,
Diogo Robl ,
Luciane Maria Perazzolo  and
Rafael Diego Rosa Open the ORCID record for Rafael Diego Rosa [Opens in a new window]
Beatriz Garcia-Teodoro
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil Laboratory of Microorganisms and Biotechnological Processes, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Camila Pimentel Martins
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Khauê Silva Vieira
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
Felipe Weber Mendonça Santos
Affiliation:
Prospera Nutri Reference Nutrition, Florianópolis, Brazil Prospera Nutrition and Consulting, Florianópolis, Brazil
Diogo Robl
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Microorganisms and Biotechnological Processes, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Luciane Maria Perazzolo
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Rafael Diego Rosa*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Aquaculture, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: Rafael Diego Rosa;Email: rafael.d.rosa@ufsc.br
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal spectrum of activity, synergy, and mode of action of carboxy-terminally amidated antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from tachyplesin-I (T-I) from the horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus and a lysine-rich analogue of magainin-2 (MSI-94) from the clawed frog Xenopus laevis. In vitro antimicrobial tests against 17 fungal strains demonstrated that the modified AMPs exhibited broad antifungal activity, particularly against filamentous fungi and yeasts relevant to aquaculture and agriculture. Additive antimicrobial activity was observed with the combination of T-I and MSI-94 against Candida albicans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, indicating an enhancement of their antiyeast properties. Furthermore, we found that both peptides target the fungal cell surface, increasing membrane permeability and leading to cell death. Overall, our findings highlight the biotechnological potential of aquatic AMPs in developing novel antifungal therapeutics applicable across various fields.

Keywords

aquatic biotechnologyfungushost defence peptidemagaininsynergytachyplesin

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 105 , 2025 , e71
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

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