Plagiochin E, an antifungal bis(bibenzyl), exerts its antifungal activity through mitochondrial dysfunction-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation in Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND Plagiochin E (PLE) is an antifungal macrocyclic bis(bibenzyl) isolated from liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. Its antifungal mechanism is unknown. To elucidate the mechanism of action, its effect on mitochondria function in Candida albicans was studied. METHODS We assayed the mitochondrial membrane potential (mtDeltapsi) using rhodamine 123, measured ATP level in mitochondria by HPLC, and detected the activities of mitochondrial F(0)F(1)-ATPase and dehydrogenases. Besides, the mitochondrial dysfunction-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined by a fluorometric assay, and the effects of antioxidant L-cysteine on PLE-induced ROS production and the antifungal effect of PLE on C. albicans were also investigated. RESULTS Exposure to PLE resulted in an elevation of mtDeltapsi, and a decrease of ATP level in mitochondria. The ATP depletion owed to PLE-induced enhancement of mitochondrial F(0)F(1)-ATPase and inhibition of the mitochondrial dehydrogenases. These dysfunctions of mitochondria caused ROS accumulation in C. albicans, and this increase in the level of ROS production and PLE-induced decrease in cell viability were prevented by addition of L-cysteine, indicating that ROS was an important mediator of the antifungal action of PLE. CONCLUSIONS PLE exerts its antifungal activity through mitochondrial dysfunction-induced ROS accumulation in C. albicans. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The effect of PLE on the mitochondria function in C. albicans was assayed for the first time. These results would conduce to elucidate its underlying antifungal mechanism.