Antifungal mechanism of a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide, Ib-AMP1, from Impatiens balsamina against Candida albicans

The antifungal mechanism of a 20-mer peptide, Ib-AMP1, derived from Impatiens balsamina was investigated. The oxidized (disulfide bridged) Ib-AMP1 showed a 4-fold increase in antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans than reduced (non-disulfide bridged) Ib-AMP1. Ib-AMP1 had very low activity for phospholipid disruption when compared with cecropin A(1-8)-magainin 2(1-12), a alpha-helical amphiphatic, antimicrobial peptide. Confocal microscopy showed that Ib-AMP1 binds on cell surface or penetrates into cell membranes. These results suggested that Ib-AMP1 may manifest its antifungal activity against Candida albicans by inhibiting a distinct cellular process rather than ion channel or pore formation in cell membrane.