Antifungal properties of a peptide derived from the signal peptide of the HIV-1 regulatory protein, Rev.

Antifungal effects of nuclear entry inhibitory signal peptide of HIV-1 Rev protein (Rev-NIS) were investigated. Rev-NIS contained potent antifungal activities without hemolytic effects. To understand the antifungal mechanism(s), in vivo and in vitro fluorescent studies were conducted. Flow cytometric analysis with bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol [DiBAC(4)(3)] and calcein-leakage measurement from large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) indicated that Rev-NIS depolarized and disrupted the fungal membranes. These results were further confirmed by using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). The current study suggests that Rev-NIS exerts its antifungal activity with membrane-active mechanism(s).