Bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold containing family A, member 1 (BPIFA1) is an innate immunity defense protein. Our previous studies proved its antibacterial and antiviral effects, but its role in fungi remains unknown. The study aimed to identify antifungal peptides (AFP) derived from BPIFA1, and three antimicrobial peptides (AMP1–3) were designed. The antifungal effects were proved by growth inhibition assay. AMP3 activity was confirmed by germ tube growth experiment and XTT assay. Its effects on cell wall and membrane of Candida albicans were assessed by tannic acid and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for morphological and ultrastructural observation. The expression of ALS1, EAP1, and SUN41 was tested by qPCR. Ultimately, three AMPs could fight against C. albicans in vitro, and AMP3 was highly effective. It functioned by destroying the integrity of cell wall and normal structure of cell membrane. It also inhibited biofilm formation of C. albicans. In addition, AMP3 down-regulated the expression of ALS1, EAP1, and SUN41, those are known to be involved in virulence of C. albicans. Altogether, the study reported successful development of a novel AFP, which could be used as a new strategy for antifungal therapy.

含有家族 A 成员 1 (BPIFA1) 的杀菌/通透性增加折叠是一种先天免疫防御蛋白。我们之前的研究证明了它的抗菌和抗病毒作用，但它在真菌中的作用仍然未知。该研究旨在鉴定源自BPIFA1的抗真菌肽（AFP），并设计了三种抗菌肽（AMP1-3）。通过生长抑制试验证明了其抗真菌作用。通过胚管生长实验和XTT测定证实AMP3活性。分别通过单宁酸和Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色评估其对白色念珠菌细胞壁和细胞膜的影响。此外，还使用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和透射电子显微镜（TEM）进行形态和超微结构观察。通过 qPCR 检测 ALS1、EAP1 和 SUN41 的表达。最终，三种AMP均能在体外对抗白色念珠菌，且AMP3效果非常好。它通过破坏细胞壁的完整性和细胞膜的正常结构发挥作用。它还抑制白色念珠菌生物膜的形成。此外，AMP3 下调 ALS1、EAP1 和 SUN41 的表达，这些已知与白色念珠菌的毒力有关。总而言之，该研究报告了一种新型 AFP 的成功开发，它可以用作抗真菌治疗的新策略。