Cm-p5 Peptide Dimers Inhibit Biofilms of Candida albicans Clinical Isolates, C. parapsilosis and Fluconazole-Resistant Mutants of C. auris

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising class of therapeutic biomolecules that show antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms, including life-threatening pathogens. In contrast to classic AMPs with membrane-disrupting activities, new peptides with a specific anti-biofilm effect are gaining in importance since biofilms could be the most important way of life, especially for pathogens, as the interaction with host tissues is crucial for the full development of their virulence in the event of infection. Therefore, in a previous study, two synthetic dimeric derivatives (parallel Dimer 1 and antiparallel Dimer 2) of the AMP Cm-p5 showed specific inhibition of the formation of Candida auris biofilms. Here we show that these derivatives are also dose-dependently effective against de novo biofilms that are formed by the widespread pathogenic yeasts C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Moreover, the activity of the peptides was demonstrated even against two fluconazole-resistant strains of C. auris.