Visible‐Light‐Activated Molecular Machines Kill Fungi by Necrosis Following Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Calcium Overload. Issue 10 (30th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Ana L.; Beckham, Jacob L.; Liu, Dongdong; Li, Gang; van Venrooy, Alexis; Oliver, Antonio; Tegos, George P.; Tour, James M.
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 10:Issue 10(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-01-30
• Subjects: antifungal -- fungal mitochondrial phospholipids -- molecular machines -- reduction of infection‐associated mortality and fungal burden -- visible light activation; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: Invasive fungal infections are a growing public health threat. As fungi become increasingly resistant to existing drugs, new antifungals are urgently needed. Here, it is reported that 405‐nm‐visible‐light‐activated synthetic molecular machines (MMs) eliminate planktonic and biofilm fungal populations more effectively than conventional antifungals without resistance development. Mechanism‐of‐action studies show that MMs bind to fungal mitochondrial phospholipids. Upon visible light activation, rapid unidirectional drilling of MMs at ≈3 million cycles per second (MHz) results in mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium overload, and ultimately necrosis. Besides their direct antifungal effect, MMs synergize with conventional antifungals by impairing the activity of energy‐dependent efflux pumps. Finally, MMs potentiate standard antifungals both in vivo and in an ex vivo porcine model of onychomycosis, reducing the fungal burden associated with infection. Abstract : Molecular machines (MMs) drilling at millions of rotations per second upon light activation eliminate planktonic and biofilm fungal populations without inducing resistance development. The antifungal effect results from MM binding to fungal mitochondrial phospholipids, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium overload, and necrosis. Besides their direct action, MMs enhance the activity of conventional antifungals in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo.