Multidimensional mechanisms of Candida albicans biofilm inhibition by antimicrobial peptides APTs: Insights from transcriptomics and molecular simulations

Candida albicans is a spoilage fungus that compromises food safety, primarily due to its ability to form complex biofilms that are difficult to remove. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the antimicrobial peptides (APTs) (SGGGF) inhibit the biofilm of C. albicans . Crystal violet staining demonstrated that 1 × MBIC (32 mg/mL) of APTs reduced the biomass of the C . albican s biofilm. Inverted microscopes confirmed that APTs significantly inhibited the formation of its biofilm and hyphae. Additionally, APTs interfered with the initial adhesion of C. albicans , suppressed metabolic activity, and reduced the production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), thereby inhibiting the formation of its biofilm. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that APTs markedly downregulated the expression of genes related to the MAPK and Meiosis-yeast metabolic pathways associated with biofilm formation. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions facilitated the tight binding of APTs to the active sites of target proteins ALS1, BRG1 and ECE1, forming stable complexes. These findings provide valuable insights into how antimicrobial peptides affect biofilm formation, offering potential for controlling biofilm-related infections caused by C. albicans .