Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Behind the Curtain: In silico and in vitro Experiments Brought to Light New Insights Into the Anticryptococcal Action of Synthetic Peptides

Version 1 : Received: 16 December 2022 / Approved: 23 December 2022 / Online: 23 December 2022 (07:56:36 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Aguiar, T.K.B.; Neto, N.A.S.; Silva, R.R.S.; Freitas, C.D.T.; Mesquita, F.P.; Alencar, L.M.R.; Santos-Oliveira, R.; Goldman, G.H.; Souza, P.F.N. Behind the Curtain: In Silico and In Vitro Experiments Brought to Light New Insights into the Anticryptococcal Action of Synthetic Peptides. Antibiotics 2023, 12, 153. Aguiar, T.K.B.; Neto, N.A.S.; Silva, R.R.S.; Freitas, C.D.T.; Mesquita, F.P.; Alencar, L.M.R.; Santos-Oliveira, R.; Goldman, G.H.; Souza, P.F.N. Behind the Curtain: In Silico and In Vitro Experiments Brought to Light New Insights into the Anticryptococcal Action of Synthetic Peptides. Antibiotics 2023, 12, 153.

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans threaten the health, causing cryptococcal meningitis and pneumonia, especially in immunosuppressed patients, which can be fatal. Recently, our research group evaluated and studied the mechanisms of action of four synthetic peptides (SP) against C. neoformans. Here, in silico and in vitro analyses help deepen understanding of peptides' mechanisms of action. The interaction of the peptides with a membrane receptor was analyzed by docking analysis, in addition to ROS overproduction and the modulation of redox metabolism, inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, and release of cytochrome c. Out of four, three peptides interacted with membrane receptor PHO36 altering its structure and function and leading to a higher accumulation of O₂- and H2O2. C. neoformans cells treated with SP presented a reduction in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, corroborating ROS accumulation. However, in the presence of the antioxidant ascorbic acid, some peptides could not induce this oxidative stress and have the activity against C. neoformans affected. Curiously, two of these SPs still maintained the activity against C. neoformans and even induced the membrane pore formation as revealed by propidium iodide uptake assay, revealing their mechanism of action is ROS-independent. Additionally, SPs inhibited the biosynthesis of ergosterol, which corroborates the pore formation on the membrane of C. neoformans cells, inhibited the lactate dehydrogenase activity affecting the cell metabolism, and induced the release of Cyt c from the mitochondria inducing death by apoptosis in the cryptococcal cells. Our findings strongly suggest that SPs act by multiple mechanisms, making it difficult for C. neoformans to acquire resistance highlighting the potential of SPs as alternative molecules in treating infections caused by C. neoformans.

Keywords

redox system; cryptococcal meningitis; oxidative stress; ergosterol; resistance

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology

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