Antiviral and antifungal activity of some dermaseptin S4 analogues

Abstract

Dermaseptins are peptides found in skin secretions of Phyllomedusinae frogs. These peptides exert lytic action on various microorganisms, and do not have a considerable haemolytic effect apart from dermaseptin S4 (DS-S4) that presents a potent cytotoxic effect. This investigation was an attempt to synthesize several biochemically modified, shorter bioactive analogues of DRS-S4, and to improve its biological profile with respect to that of the parent peptide. Peptides were synthesized and then tested on fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus) and viruses (HSV-1). Our results show that the N-terminus is necessary for the antifungal activity of peptide, but antiviral effect is determined by C-terminal domain and/or entire peptide sequence.

Key words: Antimicrobial peptides, dermaseptin, structure-activity relationship, peptide synthesis.