Peptide YY: A Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide that maintains <i>Candida</i> gut commensalism.

Pierre, Joseph F; Peters, Brian M; La Torre, Diana; Sidebottom, Ashley M; Tao, Yun; Zhu, Xiaorong; Cham, Candace M; Wang, Ling et al. · Science · 2023

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The mammalian gut secretes a family of multifunctional peptides that affect appetite, intestinal secretions, and motility whereas others regulate the microbiota. We have found that peptide YY (PYY<sub>1-36</sub>), but not endocrine PYY<sub>3-36</sub>, acts as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expressed by gut epithelial paneth cells (PC). PC-PYY is packaged into secretory granules and is secreted into and retained by surface mucus, which optimizes PC-PYY activity. Although PC-PYY shows some antibacterial activity, it displays selective antifungal activity against virulent <i>Candida albicans</i> hyphae-but not the yeast form. PC-PYY is a cationic molecule that interacts with the anionic surfaces of fungal hyphae to cause membrane disruption and transcriptional reprogramming that selects for the yeast phenotype. Hence, PC-PYY is an antifungal AMP that contributes to the maintenance of gut fungal commensalism.

Medical subject headings