Histatin-5
Antimicrobial Peptide / AntifungalAlso known as: Histatin 5, Hst5
HistatinsResearch phase: PreclinicalRegulatory: Not approved as drug. Endogenous salivary antifungal peptide.
Mechanism
Histatin-5 is a natural antifungal peptide in human saliva that protects the mouth from Candida infections. It is the primary reason healthy saliva prevents oral thrush.
Technical detail
Histatin-5 is a 24-amino acid histidine-rich cationic peptide secreted by parotid and submandibular salivary glands. It is the most potent salivary antifungal against Candida albicans, killing yeast by binding to cell wall Ssa1/2 (Hsp70), internalization, and targeting mitochondria to cause non-lytic ATP efflux and ROS generation. Also active against Cryptococcus neoformans.