Fungicidal properties, sterol binding, and proteolytic resistance of the synthetic peptide D4E1

A. J. De Lucca, J. M. Bland, C. Grimm, T. J. Jacks, J. W. Cary, J. M. Jaynes, T. E. Cleveland, T. J. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

The fungicidal properties of the synthetic peptide D4E1 were studied with nongerminated and germinating conidia of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium moniliforme, and Fusarium oxysporum. The minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) needed to kill 100% of germinating conidia of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger were 12.5, 12.5, and 25 μM, respectively. The MLC value for nongerminated and germinating conidia of both Fusarium spp. was 3.0 μM. Except for A. fumigatus, D4E1 was inactive against the nongerminated conidia of the Aspergillus spp. Physicochemical studies showed D4E1 complexed with ergosterol, a sterol present in conidial walls. Cholesterol, present in nongerminated conidia of F. moniliforme, had a greater affinity for D4E1 than did ergosterol. D4E1 was more resistant to fungal and plant protease degradation than the natural peptide, cecropin A. These in vitro results suggest D4E1 is a candidate for transgenic expression in plants to enhance host resistance to fungal infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)514-520
Number of pages7
JournalCanadian Journal of Microbiology
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aspergillus spp.
  • Fungicidal
  • Fusarium spp.
  • Peptides
  • Sterols

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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