Scientists Develop "Super Peptide” that Kills Candida Albicans

A "super peptide” has been developed that kills Candida albicans, the most prevalent yeast species in the human gastrointestinal tract. The research was reported in the February 20, 2003, issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Scientists sought to find melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) peptide analogues with greater antimicrobial activity and to understand their anti-fungal activity against C albicans. They chose to focus on the alpha-MSH amino acid sequence (6-13), although they developed several compounds that have greater candidacidal activity than alpha-MSH. One, in particular, killed nearly 100% of Candida cells over repeated experiments. Results indicated that substitutions in the alpha-MSH amino acid sequence can either enhance or reduce dandidacidal influences of the peptide.

"The power of this new alpha-MSH analogue against C albicans appears to be significantly greater than any other known peptides, as it is super-potent, super-stable, and super-durable,” said Paolo Grieco, associate professor, department of pharmaceutical chemistry and toxicology, University of Naples (Italy), and lead author of the paper. "We've not only improved on Mother Nature by developing a "super” peptide that kills C albicans but also may have unlocked the key to understanding how alpha-MSH really works, through a receptor in yeast which is yet to be identified.”

The new peptides are being developed by Zengen, Inc. (Woodland Hills, CA, USA; www.zengen.com). The company's proprietary peptide molecules include CZEN 002, a synthetic octapeptide currently in clinical trials for vaginitis.