New small-size peptides possessing antifungal activity

F. GARIBOTTO, A. D. GARRO, C. SOMLAI, M.F.MASMAN, P.LUTIEN, S. A. ZACCHINO, A. M. RODRIGUEZ, B. PENKE AND R. D. ENRIZ

BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY.

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2010

0968-0896

The synthesis, in vitro evaluation, and conformational study of a new series of small-size peptides acting as antifungal agents are reported. In a first step of our study we performed a conformational analysis using Molecular Mechanics calculations. The electronic study was carried out using Molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) obtained from RHF/6-31G calculations. On the basis of the theoretical predictions three small-size peptides, RQWKKWWQWRR-NH2, RQIRRWWQWRR-NH2, and RQIRRWWQW-NH2 were  synthesized and tested. These peptides displayed a significant antifungal activity against human pathogenic strains including Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Our experimental and theoretical  results allow the identification of a topographical template which can serve as a guide for the design of new compounds with antifungal properties for potential therapeutic applications against these pathogenicfungi.