Histatin-5 is an antimicrobial cationic peptide present in mammalian saliva that is most effective at killing the opportunistic fungal pathogen <i>Candida albicans</i>. Histatin-5 localizes to the mitochondria and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are implicated as the cause of fungal cell death, however details of ROS formation remain unknown. Supplementation with copper improves the activity, suggesting a metal-dependent redox mechanism. The antifungal activity has been correlated with the Cu(I)-binding motif comprised of two adjacent histidine residues (<i>bis</i>-His), but not with the amino-terminal Cu(II)-binding site. Utilizing spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods, this work investigates how the coordination sphere influences the reactivity of Histatin peptides.

Influence of coordination sphere on the reactivity of antimicrobial histatin peptides

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.