CECROPIN A MELITTIN HYBRID PEPTIDE EXERTS ITS ANTIFUNGAL EFFECTS BY DAMAGING ON THE PLASMA-MEMBRANES OF TRICHOSPORON-BEIGELII

To elucidate the effect of the peptide derived from cecropin A(1-8)-me littin(1-12) having potent antifungal activity without cytotoxicity ag ainst eukaryotic cell on the fungal cell membranes, Trichosporon beige lii protoplasts were prepared. The protoplasts treated with the peptid e not only failed to regenerate the fungal cell walls but also disrupt ed the membrane, indicating that the peptide exerts its antifungal act ivity by acting on the plasma membranes.