Structure–antifungal activity relationship of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 and analogues

The synthesis, in vitro evaluation and conformational study of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 and analogues acting as antifungal agents are reported. Among them, His-Phe-Lys-Trp-Gly-Arg-Phe-Val-NH2 exhibited a moderate but significant antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. A theoretical study allows us to propose a biologically relevant conformation for these octapeptides acting as antifungal agents. In addition, these theoretical calculations allow us to determine the minimal structural requirements to produce the antifungal response and can provide a guide for the design of compounds with this biological activity.

We designed and synthesized 11 α-MSH octapeptide analogues with different residues in the core and in the C-terminal sequences and tested their antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide