Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Use

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and formula (II). The compounds of the invention may be used in a method of treatment of a fungal infection, a bacterial infection, or an ameobic infection.

Claims

1. A compound of Formula I or Formula II:
Cyclo(Arg-Lys-Lys-Xaa-Trp-Phe-Trp-Yaa)Formula I
R.sup.1-Arg-Lys-Lys-Xaa-Trp-Phe-Trp-Yaa-R.sup.2Formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 acyl, phosphoryl (PO.sub.3.sup.2?), or biotinyl; R.sup.2 is OH, NH.sub.2, H or O(C.sub.1-4 alkyl); Xaa is a natural or unnatural amino acid residue having a hydrophobic side chain; Yaa is selected from Gly, Lys, Lys-Gly, Lys*, Lys*-Gly, Zaa, Zaa*, Zaa-Gly, and Zaa*-Gly, where Zaa is an unnatural amino acid having a free amine, azide or alkyne side chain, and Zaa* is said unnatural amino acid functionalised with or bearing a fluorophore; and wherein Lys*, if present, is a lysine residue bearing a fluorophore.

2. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein Xaa is selected from Phe, phe, Ala, ala, Pro, pro, Gly, Val, val, Leu, leu, Ile, ile, Met, met, Tyr, tyr, Trp, and trp; optionally wherein Xaa is selected from phe, ala, pro and Pro.

3. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein Yaa is Gly.

4. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein Yaa is Lys* or Lys*-Gly.

5. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 4, wherein the compound or salt is of Formula I.

6. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 4, wherein the fluorophore is selected from Carboxyfluorescein acid and Cyanine5.

7. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from MFIGAF001, MFIGAF005, MFIGAF007, and MFIGAF008.

8. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein the compound is fluorophore-labelled MFIGAF001.

9. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from MFIGAF000, MFIGAF002, MFIGAF003, and MFIGAF004.

10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or salt of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

11. (canceled)

12. A method of treating a fungal infection, a bacterial infection, or an amoebic infection, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the infection is fungal keratitis or bacterial keratitis.

14. A method of diagnosing a fungal, bacterial or amoebic infection in a patient, the method comprising: a) contacting a compound or salt according to claim 1 with the patient's eye, wherein Yaa is Lys*, Lys*-Gly, Zaa*, or Zaa*-Gly; b) inspecting the patient's eye to determine if fluorescence is detectable; and c) noting the fluorescence, if present, and diagnosing the patient with a fungal, bacterial or amoebic infection.

15. A method of imaging microbial growth in tissue using a compound or salt according to claim 1, wherein Yaa is Lys*, Lys*-Gly, Zaa*, or Zaa*-Gly, the method comprising: a) contacting the compound or composition with the tissue; and b) detecting fluorescence of the compound or composition.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0052] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows contains HPLC graphs showing the purity of MFIGAF001 and analogue PAF26 after treatment with Streptomyces griseus protease at 37? C. FIG. 1a) is a graph of the purity of MFIGAF001 at 0 h. FIG. 1b) is a graph of the purity of MFIGAF001 at 24 h. FIG. 1c) is a graph of the purity of analogue PAF26 at 0 h. FIG. 1d) is a graph of the purity of analogue PAF26 at 24 h.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows is a graph of the viability of human lung A549 epithelial cells after 4 h incubation with different concentrations of MFIGAF001. PBS was used as the negative control and DMSO was used as the positive control. Data is represented as means?s.d. with n=3. No significant differences (p>0.05) were determined between the negative control and any of the treatments.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows is a graph of the haemolytic activity of 10 UM MFIGAF002, MFIGAF001a and MFIGAF001 in human red blood cells (RBCs). Molecules, DMSO (as positive control) and PBS (as negative control) were incubated with human RBCs at 37? C. and their viability was assessed after 1 h.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows viability reconstructed cornea-like epithelium after incubation with compounds described herein. FIG. 4a is a graph of the viability reconstructed cornea-like epithelium (RhCE, EpiOcular?) after incubation with MFIGA001. NC=Negative Control; PC=Positive Control. FIG. 4b is a graph of the viability reconstructed cornea-like epithelium (RhCE, EpiOcular?) after incubation with 10 UM of MFIGA001a and MFIGAF001b. NC=Negative Control; PC=Positive Control; A2=MFIGAF001a; and B1=MFIGAF001b.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a graph of the tolerability of MFIGAF001a in rabbit eye. Three rabbits (rabbits 1, 2 and 3) were tested. All rabbits appeared unaffected immediately post-treatment and through the next 7 days with no signs of irritation and no change in general condition. MFIGAF001a was used at 10 UM and 50 UL and was admitted into the right eye of the rabbits.

[0058] FIG. 6 contains images of ex vivo corneas infected with YFP-A. fumigatus treated with either PBS or MFIGAF001. All cornea were treated with one drop of reagent every 2 hours for the first 8 hours, then one drop every 8 hours for the remaining 16 hours. Treatment was continued for 72 hours with this treatment regimen. MFIGAF001 was used at 100 mg/L.

[0059] FIG. 7 contains images of an ex vivo cornea infected with A. fumigatus treated with MFIGAF001, using the fluorescent confocal live-cell imaging approach with a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The yellow fluorescent signal (yellow in the original graphs, white reproduced here) indicates the live fungal burden that penetrated into the corneal tissue. All cornea were treated with one drop of reagent every 2 hours for the first 8 hours, then one drop every 8 hours for the remaining 16 hours. Treatment was continued for 72 hours with this treatment regimen. MFIGAF001 was used at 100 mg/L.

[0060] FIG. 8 contains images of an ex vivo cornea infected with A. fumigatus treated with either Natamycin or MFIGAF001, using the fluorescent confocal live-cell imaging approach with a YFP. All cornea were treated with one drop of reagent every 2 hours for the first 8 hours, then one drop every 8 hours for the remaining 16 hours. Treatment was continued for 72 hours with this treatment regimen. The yellow fluorescent signal (yellow in the original graphs, white reproduced here) indicates the live fungal burden that penetrated into the corneal tissue. MFIGAF001 was used at 100 mg/L. Natamycin was used at 120 mg/L.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a and MFIGAF001b (fluorescent, 2.5 UM) after 15 min incubation at 37? C. in RPMI with various pathogenic fungi (C. albicans, F. oxysporum, A. fumigatus, and C. neoformans). The top panel shows the fluorescent images of fungal cells labelled with MFIGAF001a/b, and the bottom panel shows the brightfield images of fungal cells.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 UM) incubated at 37? C. in RPMI with A. fumigatus.

[0063] FIG. 11 shows live cell imaging of A. fumigatus in co-cultures with human epithelial cell line A549, 10 min after addition of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 UM) at 37? C. in RPMI. The top image shows the brightfield image of A. fumigatus hyphae (left) together with A549 cell (right), the bottom image shows the fluorescent channel of the same view and demonstrates MFIGAF001a selectively labels A. fumigatus over A549 cell.

[0064] FIG. 12 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 ?M, 15 min incubation at 37? C.) selectively labelled A. fumigatus in a pig corneal infection model. (A) fluorescent image shows MFIGAF001a selectively labelled A. fumigatus (fluorescent filaments) over porcine corneal tissue (dark background); (B) shows the porcine corneas infected with A. fumigatus; (C) brightfield image shows A. fumigatus growing within porcine corneal tissue.

[0065] FIG. 13 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluoresent, 2.5 ?M) incubated at 37? C. in RPMI for 1 h with P. aeruginosa. The top image shows the fluorescent channel indicating P. aeruginosa not being labelled by MFIGAF001a, and the bottom image shows the brightfield image of P. aeruginosa.

[0066] FIG. 14 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluoresent, 2.5 UM, 20 min incubation at 37? C.) in RPMI with S. aureus. The top image shows the fluorescent channel indicating S. aureus being labelled by MFIGAF001a, and the bottom image shows the brightfield image of S. aureus.

[0067] FIG. 15 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 ?M, 15 min incubation at 37? C.) in a pig corneal infection model co-infected by A. fumigatus and S. aureus. The top image shows the fluorescent channel shows the size differences of A. fumigatus (filamentous structures) and S. aureus (dots) being labelled by MFIGAF001a over the corneal tissue, and the bottom image shows the brightfield image of the co-infected cornea.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Amino Acid Nomenclature

[0069] Amino acids and amino acid residues (amino acid moieties within a peptide chain) are referred to by their conventional three letter or single letter codes. Capitalisation indicates the naturally occurring L-amino acids, while lower case denotes the corresponding D-amino acids. For example, Pro and P denote L-proline, while pro and p denote D-proline.

[0070] Linear peptides are written from N-terminus to C-terminus, left to right.

[0071] Cyclic peptides are indicated by the term cyclo in front of the sequence.

[0072] Unnatural amino acids and unnatural amino acid residues are amino acids and amino acid residues that do not naturally occur in peptide chains. Unnatural amino acids may be formed as secondary metabolites in bacteria, fungi, plants, or marine organisms, or they can be synthesised chemically.

[0073] Residues marked with an asterisk are labelled as described herein. That is, Lys* denotes a labelled lysine amino acid or residue. As described herein, Lys* is labelled with fluorophore. The fluorophore is attached at the primary amine of the lysine moiety, for example by an amide bond. Where the fluorophore is specified an abbreviation is provided in parentheses immediately after the residue and the asterisk is omitted. For example, Lys(CF) and K(CF) denote lysine labelled with carboxyfluorescein acid.

Labelled Compounds and Methods of Diagnosis

[0074] Two types of related compound are described herein, referred to as labelled compounds and unlabelled compounds. Labelled compounds bear a fluorophore which may be useful in the diagnosis of eye infections such as fungal keratitis (FK). The labelled compounds may be provided as an eye drop, and when applied bind to the infected area and so, after a short period (for example, up to 20 minutes), an infection can be imaged by detecting fluorescence of the label. This is straightforward to detect using a slit lamp biomicroscope or similar. Most eye clinics, hospital eye departments, and optometry practices worldwide have a slit lamp biomicroscope with fluorescent light capabilities as this is used by eyecare professionals in daily routine practice. Of course, another suitable light source and optionally separate magnifier may be envisaged.

[0075] The labelled compounds of the invention and salts thereof, or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds or salts may be for use in a method of diagnosing a microbial infection, for example an eye infection.

[0076] A method diagnosis of an eye infection in a patient may comprise the following steps: [0077] a) applying the compound, salt, or composition to the patient's eye; [0078] b) inspecting the patient's eye to determine if fluorescence is detectable; and [0079] c) noting the fluorescence, if present, and diagnosing the patient with an eye infection.

[0080] Accordingly, compositions comprising labelled compounds suitable for applying to the eye (for example, in the form of an eye drop) may be provided in a diagnostic kit.

[0081] The inventors have found that the compounds of the invention bind to fungi such as FK, certain bacteria, and amoeba. The labelled compounds of the invention may therefore be used to detect the presence of any such infection.

[0082] In some cases, the diagnosis is of a fungal infection, such as FK. In some cases, the diagnosis is of a bacterial infection, such as gram-positive or gram-negative bacterial infection, for example bacterial keratitis. In some cases, the diagnosis is of an ameobic infection.

[0083] In other words, in some cases the eye infection is a fungal eye infection. In some cases the eye infection is a bacterial eye infection. In some cases the eye infection is associated with amoeba, for example an ameobic infection such as acanthamoeba keratitis.

[0084] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the practioner will appreciate that an absence of fluorescent areas may be used to determine that the patient's eye is uninfected or infected with a pathogen to which the compounds of the invention do not bind. For example, an absence of fluorescence may be used to determine that the patient does not have FK.

[0085] Advantageously, the inventors have found that labelled compounds of the invention show desirable biological activity analogus to the unlabelled compounds, and therefore have additional utility in the treatment of infections. As a result, the diagnostic test itself may initiate treatment of the infection immediately. A compound of the invention (or other suitable agent) may then be prescribed if appropriate. It will be appreciated that the prescribed treatment will normally but not necessarily be an unlabelled compound.

[0086] By observing and interpreting the morphology associated with the fluorescence, the type of infection may be determined.

[0087] Accordingly, in some cases the infection provides a method diagnosis of an eye infection in a patient comprising the following steps: [0088] a) applying the compound, salt, or composition to the patient's eye; [0089] b) inspecting the patient's eye to determine if fluorescence is detectable; and [0090] c) noting the fluorescence and, if present, observing the morphology of areas of fluorescence; [0091] d) diagnosing the patient with an infection based on the presence of fluorescence and categorising the infection as fungal, bacterial or ameobic based on the morphology.

[0092] The inspection will typically be after a period of time as described herein, and will use a slit lamp biomicroscope or similar device (or a suitable light source and optionally separate magnifier). Observing the morphology may make use of confocal microscopy.

[0093] In some preferred cases, the eye infection is a fungal eye infection such as FK. Advantageously, the inventors have found that labelled compounds of the invention show desirable anti-fungal activity, and therefore have additional utility in the treatment of FK. As a result, the diagnostic test itself may initiate treatment of the FK immediately. A compound of the invention (or other antifungal) may then be prescribed if appropriate. It will be appreciated that the prescribed treatment will normally but not necessarily be an unlabelled compound.

[0094] A method diagnosis of FK in a patient may comprise the following steps: [0095] a) applying the compound, salt, or composition to the patient's eye; [0096] b) inspecting the patient's eye to determine if fluorescence is detectable; and [0097] c) noting the fluorescence, if present, and diagnosing the patient with fungal keratitis.

[0098] The compound, salt or composition may be administered to the patient as an eye drop. It may be followed by waiting a period after administration before inspecting the patient's eye, for example, waiting 5 to 30 minutes, preferably 5 to 20 minutes, for example 10 to 20 minutes. Inspecting the patient's eye is done visually using for example a slit lamp, as will be familiar to the skilled person. In other words, step (b) may include illuminating the patient's eye then visually inspecting it. The labelled compound binds to the fungus, if present, and can be observed as shown in the accompanying examples. It will be appreciated that such observation using a trace or dye is familiar to skilled persons such as opticians, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and ophthalmologists.

[0099] Importantly, the inventors have found that the binding and therefore detection is specific for infections for which the compound is active, and is especially useful for the detection of fungal infections, such as FK, ensuring that treatment is appropriate. This may help to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics, which is an important consideration in managing the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the emergence and proliferation of resistant microbial strains.

Methods of Imaging

[0100] The compounds of the invention, salts, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be for use in a method of imaging microbial growth in tissue. The compounds, salts or pharmaceutical compositions thereof for use in a method of imaging microbial growth in tissue are wherein Yaa is Lys*, Lys*-Gly, Zaa*, or Zaa*-Gly, such that the compounds, salts or the pharmaceutical compositions are fluorophore-labelled.

[0101] The method of imaging microbial growth in tissue comprises: [0102] a) contacting the compound or composition with the tissue; [0103] b) detecting fluorescence of the compound or composition.

[0104] In some cases, the growth is of a fungas, such as the fungus associated with FK. In some cases, the growth is bacterial, such as gram-positive or gram-negative bacterial growth. In some cases, the growth is ameobic.

[0105] It will be appreciated that the imaging may be used to determine the presence of growth, which may be useful in the diagnosis of an infection as described above in a patient. The imaging may also be in a laboratory as an in vitro method, or ex vivo, for example for research purposes or during post-mortem examination. The type of growth may be determined by observing and interpreting the morphology of the fluorescence. Observing the morphology may make use of confocal microscopy (e.g. a slip lamp biomicroscope) or similar although other imaging and magnification techniques may be used as appropriate and known in the art.

[0106] Accordingly, the present invention may provide use of a labelled compound as described herein in the imaging of microbial growth, for example fungal, bacterial or ameobic growth in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro.

Fluorophores

[0107] The labelled compounds of the invention bear a fluorophore. The term fluorophore is understood in the art and refers to is a fluorescent chemical compound or moiety that can re-emit light upon light excitation.

[0108] As MFIGA001 has the most potent antifungal activity in vitro, it was considered the most appropriate candidate to assess as a diagnostic, but it will be appreciated that other compounds described herein may be labelled in the same way.

[0109] Suitable fluorophores for use in preparing labelled compounds as described herein include Cyanine5 and carboxyfluorescein. Other cyanine dyes are also envisaged, for example Cy 5.5, or Cy7. Other commercially available fluorophores with emission and excitation wavelengths that meet international standards and safety requirements for ophthalmic usage (such as the ANSI Z80.36-2016 standard for ophthalmic instruments, or the ISO 15004-1 & 15004-2:2007 standards) may also be used for labelling compounds of the invention, for example MFIGAF001.

[0110] Means of attachment to the amine group will be recognised by the skilled person, but may include amide bond formation, sulphonamide bond formation, and leaving group displacement to generate a secondary amine.

[0111] Preferred fluorophores are Cyanine5 and carboxyfluorescein, which are attached via amide bond.

Methods of Treatment

[0112] The compounds (both labelled and unlabelled) and salts thereof, or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds or salts may be for use in a method of treatment.

[0113] The method of treatment may be a method of treatment for a fungal infection, such as fungal keratitis. The method of treatment may be a method of treatment for a bacterial infection, such as gram-positive or gram-negative bacterial infection. The method of treatment may be a method of treatment for an amoebic infection. The method of treatment may be a method of treatment for a microbial infection.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0114] The compounds of the invention or salts thereof may be provided in pharmaceutical compositions. In other words, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprising a compound or salt of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0115] Suitably, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for administration to the eye, for example as an eye drop. The pharmaceutical composition may therefore be provided in an eye dropper bottle, or in a bottle with a pipette, or in single-use eye drop containers.

[0116] The pharmaceutical composition may be used for detection/diagnosis and/or treatment as appropriate and may be labelled accordingly or accompanied by suitable instructions.

[0117] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0118] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0119] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0120] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0121] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise and include, and variations such as comprises, comprising, and including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0122] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term about in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example+/?10%.

Synthetic Examples

Chemicals

[0123] Unless stated otherwise, all chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (https://www.sigmaaldrich.com). All purchased commercially available reagents were used without further purification.

Vessels

[0124] Unless stated otherwise, all organic chemical reactions were performed in dried clean glassware under nitrogen. All peptide synthesis reactions were performed in polystyrene syringes fitted with a polyethylene porous disc. All microwave reactions were carried out using focused mono-mode microwave oven (Discover by CEM Corporation) with a surface sensor for internal temperature determination. Cooling was provided by compressed air ventilating the microwave chamber during the reaction.

Thin Layer Chromatography

[0125] For monitoring the progression of reactions or purification progression, thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on Merck silica gel 60 F254 sheets and visualized by ultraviolet (UV) light at 254 nm and 365 nm wavelengths.

HPLC Instrumentation

Analytical HPLC:

[0126] Analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted on an Agilent 1100 separations module connected to a multiwavelength UV detection system. The parameters used for analytical HPLC were:

[0127] Stationary phase: Symmetry C.sub.18 column, 4.6?150 mm, 5 ?m particle diameter size. Mobile phase: A: water+0.1% formic acid (FA), B: acetonitrile+0.1% FA. A linear mobile phase gradient was used with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Standard sample preparation: 10 ?L injection of 1 mg/mL concentrated sample solution in MeOH. Detection: absorbance detection from 280 nm up to 650 nm depending on the sample. Retention times (t.sub.R) were noted in minutes.

Preparative HPLC

[0128] Peptide crudes were purified using an Agilent 1100 semi prep HPLC system unless otherwise stated. The parameters used for preparative HPLC were:

[0129] Stationary phase: Agilent semi-prep C.sub.18 column, 21.2?150 mm, 10 ?m diameter size. Mobile phase: A: water+0.1% FA, B: acetonitrile+0.1% FA. A linear mobile phase gradient was used with a flow rate of 20 mL/min. Standard sample preparation: Multiple 50 ?L injections of 10 mg/mL concentrated sample solution in water. Detection: absorbance detection from 280 nm up to 650 nm depending on the sample.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Instrumentation

[0130] .sup.1H-NMR and .sup.13C-NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance 500 (500 MHZ) or Avance 400 (400 MHz) instrument. Chemical shifts were reported in 0 ppm downfield from the internal standard Me.sub.4Si (?=0 ppm); J values were provided in Hz. The multiplicities were reported by the following symbols: s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quadruplet), m (multiplet), dt (doublet of triplets), dd (doublet doublets), ps (pseudo singlet), pd (pseudo doublet).

Mass Spectrometry (MS) Instrumentation

[0131] Electrospray ionisation (ESI) positive high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis data were obtained with a LTQ-FT Ultra (Thermo Scientific) mass spectrometer. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) analysis was performed using a Bruker Ultraflex mass spectrometer.

Synthetic Example 1Preparation of Fluorescent Probes

Commercially Available Fluorescent Probes

[0132] Fluorescent probes purchased for this study are listed in Table 2. Dansyl chloride and carboxyfluorescein were purchased from Merck Millipore at 95% purity. The rest of the fluorescent probes were bought from Sigma Aldrich. It will be understood that these fluorophores may be used as the fluorphore in compounds of the invention.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Commercially Available Fluorescent Probes Fluorescence emission Abbrev. Chemical name Short name MW colour DS 5-(Dimethylamino)naphthalene-1- Dansyl chloride 269 Blue-Green sulfonyl chloride CF 3,6-Diacetoxy-3-oxo-3H- Carboxyfluorescein acid 376 Green spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9-xanthene]-6- carboxylic acid NBD 4-Chloro-7-nitro-1,2,3-benzoxadiazole Nitrobenzoxadiazole 182 Green-yellow chloride TMR N-(4-Carboxy-6-(diethylamino)-3- Carboxytetraethylrhodamine 485 Yellow oxo-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9- xanthen]-3(9aH)-ylidene)-N- ethylethanaminium

Synthesised Fluorescent Probes

[0133] Fluorescent probes synthesised in this study are listed in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Synthesised Fluorescent Probes Fluorescence emission Abbrev. Chemical name Short name MW colour DMN 8-(Dimethylamino)-3-oxatricyclo[trideca- 4-N,N- 241 Green 1,5,7,9,11-pentaene]-2,4-dione Dimethylamino-1,8- naphthalimide CFA 3,6-Dihydroxy-3-oxo-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-3H- Carboxyfluorescein 413 Green spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9- alkyne xanthene]-5,6-carboxamide MG N-(4-((4-carboxyphenyl)(4- Malachite Green 372 Green (dimethylamino)phenyl)methylene)cyclohexa- 2,5- dien-1-ylidene)-N-methylmethanaminium iodide DiAcCFA 3-Oxo-6-(prop-2-yn-1-ylcarbamoyl)-3H- Di-acetate 497 Green spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9-xanthene]- carboxyfluorescein 3,-diyl diacetate alkyne BODIPY 4-(1,3,5,5,7,9-Hexamethyl-5H-4?.sup.4,5?.sup.4- Boron- 405 Green dipyrrolo[1,2-c:2,1-f][1,3,2]diazaborinin-10- dipyrromethene yl)-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide alkyne NB N-(5-(5-Carboxypentanamido)-9H- Nile Blue 432 Yellow-red benzo[a]phenoxazin-9-ylidene)-N- ethylethanaminium SR 4-((1E,3E)-4-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)buta- Styryl red 423 Orange 1,3-dien-1-yl)-1-(6-ethoxy-6- oxohexyl)pyridin-1-ium bromide SY (E)-4-(4-(Dibutylamino)styryl)-1-(6-ethoxy-6- Styryl yellow 365 Orange oxohexyl)pyridin-1-ium bromide Cy5 2-((1E,3Z)-3-(5-carboxypyridin-2-yl)-5-((E)- Cyanine5 521 Red 1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2-ylidene) penta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indol- 1-ium iodide

Synthetic Example 1a-Cy5

2-((1E,3Z)-3-(5-carboxypyridin-2-yl)-5-((E)-1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2-ylidene)penta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-1,3,3-trimethvl-3H-indol-1-ium iodide (Cy5)

[0134] ##STR00014##

[0135] 3H-Indolium-2,3,3-tetramethyl iodide (198 mg, MW=274.8, 0.72 mmol), NaOAc (270 mg, MW=266.1, 0.72 mmol) and 6-(1,3-dioxopropan-2-yl) nicotinic acid (100 mg, MW=193.2, 0.36 mmol) were added to a microwave reaction vessel with 10 mL Ac.sub.2O/AcOH (1:1). The mixture was then heated up to 160? C. under microwave irradiation for 0.5 h, after which the solvent was evaporated under vacuum. The crude was then purified using column chromatography (DCM:MeOH 98:2 to 90:10) to yield 2-((1E,3Z)-3-(5-carboxypyridin-2-yl)-5-((E)-1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2-ylidene)penta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium iodide as a blue solid (144 mg, 80% yield, purity >98%).

[0136] HPLC: t.sub.R: =4.72 min

[0137] MS (m/z): [M.sup.+] calculated for C.sub.33H.sub.34N.sub.3O.sub.2.sup.+: 504.3; found: 504.4.

[0138] .sup.1H NMR (500 MHZ, DMSO-d.sub.6) ? 9.26 (d, J=1.3 Hz, 1H), 8.44 (s, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.39 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.42 (dd, J=8.0, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 7.40 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 2H), 7.28 (ddd, J=7.4, 6.5, 1.9 Hz, 4H), 5.85 (d, J=14.3 Hz, 4H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 1.91 (s, 6H), 1.76 (s, 6H).

[0139] .sup.13C NMR (126 MHZ, DMSO) ? 174.4 (2C), 172.5 (C), 165.0 (C), 151.4 (CH), 143.1 (C), 141.6 (2C), 128.9 (4C), 125.5 (2CH), 122.8 (2CH), 111.8 (2CH), 101.0 (2CH), 95.1 (2CH), 63.3 (2C), 49.6 (C), 31.5 (2CH3), 27.4 (2CH3), 21.6 (2CH3).

Synthetic Example 2General Preparation of Peptides

General Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) Procedure

[0140] Solid phase peptide synthesis consists of assembling amino acids from the C-terminus to the N-terminus. The ?-carboxyl group was attached via an acid-labile linker to a solid support. Resins commonly used were composed of polystyrene. The amino-terminus of the amino acid was protected by a base-labile Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) protecting group, whilst the side chains were generally protected with acid-labile groups. After the first amino acid was loaded onto the resin, the Fmoc group was removed under mild basic conditions (Deprotection). A free amine test was then performed to confirm that all of the Fmoc protecting groups were removed. The next Fmoc amino acid was then attached to the growing peptide by activation of its carboxyl group (Coupling). A Kaiser/Bromophenol Blue test was then performed to confirm that complete coupling has occurred on all the free amines on the resin. Synthesis then proceeded through a cycle of deprotection of Fmoc amino terminus groups and coupling of the next amino acid until the peptide had been completely synthesized. The peptide was finally cleaved from the resin and side chain protection groups removed using trifluoroacetic acid (Cleavage).

Loading of Resin

[0141] The majority of resins used in this study were all pre-loaded with a Fmoc protecting group or amino acid. In other cases, e.g. when using 2-chlorotrityl polystyrene resin, the following procedure was performed. Fmoc-amino acid(AA)-OH (1 eq.) was attached to the resin (1 eq.) with DIPEA (3 eq.) in DCM at r.t for 10 min and then DIPEA (7.0 eq.) for 40 min. The remaining trityl groups were capped adding 0.8 ?L MeOH/mg resin for 10 min. After that, the resin was filtered and washed with DCM (4?1 min), and DMF (4?1 min). The loading of the resin was determined by titration of the Fmoc group.

Determination of Resin Loading Via Fmoc Quantification

[0142] Generally, resin loadings were determined after the first synthetic step by measuring the absorbance of the dibenzofulvene-piperidine adduct. Three aliquots of the Fmoc-amino acid resin (? 1 mg) were weighed precisely and suspended in 1 ml piperidine solution (20% in DMF). After 30 min the mixtures were diluted 1:10 and the absorbance was measured at 290 nm and 330 nm in an Agilent 8453 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer in the single beam mode with 50 ?l UV quartz microcuvettes and using piperidine solution (20% in DMF) as a blank. The resin loading was calculated according to Beer-Lambert Law.

[00001]$L\left(\%\right)=C_{\mathrm{actual}}/C_{\mathrm{theoretical}}$

while, C.sub.actual=(A.sub.290-A.sub.blank)/?.sub.Fmoc With ?.sub.Fmoc=8100 M.sup.?1 cm.sup.?1 at 290 nm and C.sub.theoretical=m.sub.resin?L.sub.resin.

[0143] L: percentage of loaded resin; C.sub.actual: concentration of actual Fmoc-piperidine adduct in solution; C.sub.theoretical: concentration of theoretical Fmoc group in solution; A290: absorbance at 290 nm; m: Amount of resin weighed (mg), F.sub.resin: resin loading (mmol g.sup.?1).

Standard Procedure for Fmoc Deprotection

[0144] The Fmoc group was removed by shaking the beads in 20% piperidine solution in DMF (1?1 min, 2?10 min). The beads were then washed extensively with DMF and DCM afterwards. The Bromophenol Blue test and Kaiser test were carried out after each deprotection step. In the case of incomplete deprotection, the procedure was repeated.

Free Amine Test

[0145] The Bromophenol Blue test and Kaiser test were carried out after each deprotection step. When the deprotection was found to be incomplete the procedure was repeated.

Bromophenol Blue Test

[0146] The resin was well washed with DMF before performing this test.

[0147] Solution 1: 0.05% bromophenol blue in DMA (store at 25? C.)

Procedure:

[0148] 1) Place a few resin beads in a small test tube. [0149] 2) Add 5-10 drops of solution. [0150] 3) Inspect immediately.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Bromophenol blue test results indication Positive Partial Positive Negative Blue beads Colourless beads

Kaiser Test

[0151] Solution 1: 5 g ninhydrin in 100 mL ethanol (store at 25? C., foiled in the dark) [0152] Solution 2: 80 g phenol in 20 mL ethanol (store at 25? C., foiled in dark) [0153] Solution 3: 2 mL 0.001M KCN in 98 mL pyridine (store at 25? C., foiled in dark)

Procedure:

[0154] 1) Place a few resin beads in a small test tube. [0155] 2) Wash resin with ethanol 2-3 times to remove adsorbed DMF. [0156] 3) Add 2-5 drops of each solution then mix and heat to 100? C. for 2 min.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Kaiser test results indication Positive Partial Positive Negative Variable intensity blue Blue bead cores Colourless/light yellow solution/resin beads

Standard Procedure for Coupling of N-Fmoc Amino Acids

[0157] After the resin was loaded and the Fmoc group was removed, the resin was washed with DMF (4?1 min), DCM (3?1 min), and then DMF (4?1 min). Unless otherwise noted, a standard coupling procedure was performed using a solution of the appropriate Fmoc-? amino acid (3 eq.), N,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC, 6 eq.) and OxymaPure (3 eq.) in DMF solution for 1 h. Five minutes of pre-activation procedure was allowed after mixing the solution before applying on the resin. The completion of the coupling was monitored by the Kaiser test. In the case of positive result, the previous step was repeated. Otherwise, the resin was filtered and washed with DCM (4?1 min) and DMF (4?1 min) and the following amino acid was coupled in the same way until the peptide reached to its designed length.

N-Terminal Acetylation

[0158] After the final coupling step and final Fmoc deprotection, the resin was treated with a solution of AC.sub.2O (10 eq.) and DIPEA (20 eq.) in DMF. After a reaction time of 1 h at r.t., the resin was drained and again treated with the same amount of fresh reaction mixture for another 1 h. Afterwards, the resin was washed extensively with DMF (4?3 min), DCM (4?3 min) and dried under vacuum for 12 h.

Side Chain Deprotection General side chain deprotection Unless otherwise stated, the side chain protecting groups (e.g. tBu, Boc, Trt) were removed during the final cleavage step using an appropriate TFA based cocktail reagent.

Allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc) Deprotection

[0159] Triphenylphosphine (PPh.sub.3, 0.8 eq) and palladium acetate (Pd(AcO).sub.2, 0.2 eq.) were mixed with a small amount of DMF and the mixture was sonicated until a vivid light brown coloured, cloudy mixture was formed. Then this mixture together with phenylsilane (PhSiH.sub.3, 12 eq.) and 5 mL of dry DCM were added to the resin (2?20 min).

Final Cleavage

General Cleavage for Polystyrene (PS) Resins

[0160] The resin and the side chain protection groups were removed by stirring the beads in 5 mL appropriate cocktail reagent (TFA based) for 2 h at r.t. The beads were washed with TFA thoroughly and precipitated with ice-cold diethyl ether after rotary evaporation.

[0161] Cleavage cocktail 1: 82.5:5:5:2.5:5-TFA/water/thioanisole/EDT/Phenol Cleavage cocktail 2: 85:5:5:5-TFA/water/TIS/Phenol Cleavage cocktail 3: 95:2.5:2.5-TFA/water/TIS Cleavage cocktail 4: 95:5-TFA/water

Cleavage of 2-Chlorotrityl Polystyrene Resins

[0162] The resin bound peptide was treated 5 times with 1% TFA in DCM (1 min in each treatment) and washed with DCM. The combined filtered mixtures were poured over DCM and evaporated under vacuum.

Synthetic Example 4-Preparation of Novel Rationally Designed Linear PAF26 Derivative Peptides

[0163] Linear PAF26 derivatives (named MFIGAF000, MFIGAF002, MFIGAF003, and MFIGAF004) designed in this study were based on computational analysis are listed in Table 7. They were synthesised via SPPS Fmoc chemistry as described before on 2-chlorotrityl polystyrene resins with one extra amino acid inserted in the middle of their sequences. They were cleaved from the resins using 1% TFA in DCM with all side chains protected. A strong cleavage was then performed using Cleavage cocktail 2 for side chain protecting group removal.

[0164] Peptides crudes were purified by semi-preparative RP-HPLC (Agilent semi-prep C.sub.18 column, 21.2?150 mm, 10 ?m diameter size) with the mobile phase as ACN (0.1% FA)/H.sub.2O (0.1% FA) and a flow rate of 2 mL.Math.min.sup.?1. Pure fractions were lyophilised after purification to produce the peptides listed in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Compound Structure Molecular Weight PAF26 NH.sub.2-Arg-Lys-Lys-Trp-Phe-Trp-CONH.sub.2 949

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Characterisation data of novel designed linear peptides HRMS (m/z): [M + H].sup.+ HPLC Purity Amount Compound Structure Calculated Found t.sub.R (min) (254 nm) (mg) MFIGAF000 NH.sub.2-RKKaWFWG- 1154.6 1054.7 3.68 88% 9.8 COOH MFIGAF002 NH.sub.2-RKKfWFWG- 1178.6 1178.5 3.39 90% 8.7 COOH MFIGAF003 NH.sub.2-RKKpWFWG- 1104.6 1104.6 3.42 91% 9.2 COOH MFIGAF004 NH.sub.2-RKKPWFWG- 1104.6 1104.6 3.63 83% 6.1 COOH

Synthetic Example 5-Preparation of Novel Rationally Designed Cyclic PAF26 Derivative Peptides

[0165] MFIGAF005, MFIGAF001, MFIGAF007, and MFIGAF008 were synthesised by performing the N- to C-terminus cyclisation of the peptides MFIGAF000, MFIGAF002, MFIGAF003, and MFIGAF004. Synthesis of peptides MFIGAF000, MFIGAF002, MFIGAF003, and MFIGAF004 were carried same as described previously. Then 1 eq. of side chain protected CMN peptide was dissolved in DMN at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridinium-3-oxid hexafluorophosphate (HATU, 1 eq.) and 2.5 eq. DIPEA were added into the solution. The reaction was left to proceed for 2 h at r.t. and then the crude product was precipitated in water. Strong cleavage was then performed using Cleavage cocktail 2 (85:5:5:5-TFA/water/TIS/Phenol) for 4 h at r.t. After this, the solution was concentrated and precipitated using Et.sub.2O. Finally, the purification was carried out by semi-preparative RP-HPLC (Agilent semi-prep C.sub.18 column, 21.2?150 mm, 10 ?m diameter size) with the mobile phase as ACN (0.1% FA)/H.sub.2O (0.1% FA) and a flow rate of 2 mL.Math.min.sup.?1. Pure fractions were lyophilised after purification to produce the peptides listed in Table 8.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Characterisation data of novel designed cyclic peptides MS (m/z): [M + H].sup.+ HPLC Amount Compound Structure Calculated Found t.sub.R (min) Purity (mg) MFIGAF005 Cyclo(RKKaWFWG) 1060.6 1060.9 3.39 >99% 5.7 MFIGAF001 Cyclo(RKKfWFWG) 1136.6 1136.9 3.62 >99% 7.6 MFIGAF007 Cyclo(RKKpWFWG) 1086.6 1086.9 3.41 >99% 11.3 MFIGAF008 Cyclo(RKKPWFWG) 1086.6 1086.9 3.36 >99% 3.8 MFIGAF001a Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(Cy5)G) 1750.9 1751.1 4.85 >99% 4.1 MFIGAF001b Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(CF)G) 1624.8 1624.1 4.18 76% 26.0 MFIGAF001c Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(Cy5)) 1693.9 1693.2 4.48 93% 13.5 MFIGAF001d Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(CF)) 1567.8 1567.4 4.08 91% 5.6

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Spectroscopic characterization data of cyclic peptides Max Max absorption emission wavelength wavelength Compound Structure (nm) (nm) MFIGAF001a Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(Cy5)G) 630 660 MFIGAF001b Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(CF)G) 498 530 MFIGAF001c Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(Cy5)) 630 660 MFIGAF001d Cyclo(RKKfWFWK(CF)) 498 530

Imaging Methods and Sample Preparation

Sample Preparation for Live-Cell Imaging

[0166] The N. crassa mat A WT used for confocal live-cell imaging was grown on 100% Vogel's agar medium at 25? C. for 3-5 days before the spores were harvested. The A. fumigatus CEA10 strain used for confocal live-cell imaging was grown on 100% Vogel's medium at 37? C. for 4-5 days before the spores were harvested. Before the confocal experiments were performed, N. crassa spores were incubated in eight-well slide culture chambers for 3 h at 25? C. in liquid 10% Vogel's medium and A. fumigatus spores were incubated for 16 h at 25? C. in liquid 10% Vogel's medium in order to allow germination to fully take place for imaging.

Wide-Field Microscopy

[0167] Wide-field epifluorescence microscopy was performed with an inverted Nikon Eclipse TE2000E microscope equipped with DIC optics, a 60?(1.3 NA) plan fluor objective, and equipped with a Nikon DXM1200F camera and ACT-1 software for image capture. Propidium iodide fluorescence was excited at 550 nm by a LED excitation system (CoolLED, pE300). A 500 nm dichromic filter and a 575 nm long pass emission filter were used for fluorescence visualisation. Images were subsequently processed using ImageJ software. Data was saved in .xlsx format for analysis.

Confocal Microscopy

[0168] Live-cell imaging of germinated fungi spores was performed using a Leica TCS SP8 confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with photo multiplier tubes (PMT), hybrid GaAsP (HyD) detectors and a 63? water immersion objective. A Leica turntable white light laser (WLL, 450-750 nm), argon laser (458 nm, 476 nm, 488 nm and 496 nm) and UV laser (405 nm) were used for fluorescence excitation.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Imaging conditions for fluorescently labelled peptides Ex Em wavelength wavelength Compound Fluorophore (nm) range (nm) MFIGAF0001a Cy5 633 650-670 MFIGAF0001c MFIGAF0001b Carboxyfluorescein 498 510-550 MFIGAF0001d

[0169] It will be understood that imaging conditions for other fluorophores will be apparent to the skilled person.

Image Processing

[0170] Images obtained from this study were processed and analyzed using Imaris scientific 3D/4D image processing and analysis software 8.0 developed by Bitplane (Zurich, Switzerland).

Biological Examples

Fungal Species and Strains

[0171] All fungal strains used are listed in Table 11 to 13.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 N. crassa strains Strain Mat Genotype Locus Stock No. Source WT A 74-OR23-1V 0013 FGSC #2489

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 A. fumigatus strains Strain Genotype Source CEA10 MAT1-1, wildtype FGSC #A1163 SCS03 ptrA:PgpdA::sGFP::rab5 C. Seidel, unpub YFP-A. fumigatus gpdA::yfp (ptrA) A gift from Sven Krappmann (not published)

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 F. oxysporum strains Strain Genotype Locus Stock No. Source F. sp. lycopersici wildtype FOXG_12732 FGSC 9935

Culture Media and Growth Conditions

[0172] The recipes of the stock media solutions used in this study are shown in Tables 14 and 15. The stocks were diluted and mixed with agar (Oxoid Ltd.) to 2% (w/v) before autoclaving. The agar was omitted for Vogel's liquid medium.

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Composition of Vogel's 50x stock solution per litre dH.sub.2O Chemical Mass/Volume Na.sub.3Citrate.Math.2H.sub.2O 126.70 g KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 250.00 g NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 100.00 g MgSO.sub.4.Math.7H.sub.2O 10.00 g CaCl.sub.2.Math.2H.sub.2O 5.00 g Trace Element Solution 5.00 ml d-Biotin Solution (50 mg/L 50% EtOH) 5.00 ml

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Composition of Vogel's trace element solution per litre dH.sub.2O Chemical Mass/Volume C.sub.6H.sub.8O.sub.7.Math.1H.sub.2O 5.00 g ZnSO.sub.4.Math.7H.sub.2O 5.00 g Fe(NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4.Math.7H.sub.2O 1.00 g CuSO.sub.4.Math.5H.sub.2O 0.25 g MnSO.sub.4.Math.1H.sub.2O 0.05 g H.sub.2BO.sub.4 0.05 g Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4.Math.2H.sub.2O 0.05 g Note: Ingredients are added in order shown, and stirred until dissolved before the next is added.
Culturing and Harvesting Neurospora crassa

[0173] N. crassa incubations were carried out at 25? C. in an incubator under constant artificial light, unless otherwise specified.

[0174] For conidial cultures, the strains were inoculated on small (35?10 mm) Vogel's medium plates (Vogel, 1956) and incubated for five days. Conidia were harvested from cultures on day's five to seven. Conidia were not harvested later than this to ensure all conidia were of the same age.

[0175] For the mutant strains, the media was supplemented with Hygromycin B (Calbiochem?) to a final concentration of 200 ?g/ml by adding 52 ?l of Hygromycin B to 300 ml of Vogel's media.

[0176] The N. crassa conidia were harvested from the plates in sterile dH.sub.2O by washing 1 ml repeatedly over the culture surface. The resulting suspension was then filtered through a triple layer of Miracloth to remove fragments of hyphae. The spore suspension was then vortexed vigorously to separate conidia and ensure an even distribution of them. 10 ?l of suspension was mixed into 990 ?l dH.sub.2O and the conidial density determined using a Fuchs-Rosenthal haemocytometer (http://www.marienfeld-superior.com).

Culturing and Harvesting Aspergillus fumigatus

[0177] Aspergillus fumigatus strains were grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SAB agar) at 37? C. for 3 days. Conidia were collected in phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 0.1% tween-20 (PBST) by gently scraping a spatula over the fungal colony surface. The spore solutions were then passed through autoclaved Miracloth to remove any hyphal residues and stored at 4? C. The spores were counted and the concentrations was determined in the same was as described for N. crassa.

Culturing and Harvesting Fusarium oxysporum

[0178] F. oxysporum was grown in liquid potato dextrose broth (PDB) at 28? C. with shaking (170 rpm) for 5 days. The suspension was filtered through folded Miracloth (4 layers) and centrifuged for 10 min at RT. The supernatant was discard and the pellet was resuspend in 1.5 mL of sterile dH.sub.2O and quantified.

Culturing and Harvesting of Candida and Cryptococcus Strains

[0179] Candida strains used were grown on SAB agar at 37? C. for 3 days, and the Cryptococcus strain was grown on SAB agar at 37? C. for 6 days. Cells were harvest using sterile inoculation loop by taking a single colony and resuspending in phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 0.1% tween-20 (PBST). The concentration of cells was then quantified with a haemocytometer. For the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration, cell density was adjusted to 10.sup.6 cells/mL with 20% liquid Vogel's medium.

Culturing and Harvesting of Bacteria Strains

[0180] Bacteria strains used were grown on Lysogeny Broth (LB) agar at 37? C. for 1 day, and were harvest using sterile inoculation loop by taking a single colony and resuspending in PBST. The concentration of cells was quantified using a haemocytometer. For the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration, cell density was adjusted to 10.sup.8 cells/mL with 20% liquid LB medium.

Biological Example 1-Antifungal Activity Determination

IC.SUB.50 .Determinations Based on Biomass Optical Density Measurements

[0181] Dose dependent inhibition of fungal growth by all non-labelled peptides (indicated by IC.sub.50 values) was determined via this methodology. The assays were performed using Nunc 262162 U96 polystyrene round bottomed clear plates (www.nuncbrand.com).

[0182] When testing the peptides against A. fumigatus, peptides at different concentrations were mixed with A. fumigatus conidia to reach a final volume of 100 ?L per well. The final conidial concentration was 5?10.sup.5 cells/mL in 10% Vogel's medium. After 24 h of incubation at 37? C. in 96 well plates, fungal growth with the different peptide concentrations was determined by measurement of the optical density at 610 nm in a TriStar LB 941 Multimode Microplate Reader. The IC.sub.50 values were determined using four parameter logistic regression formula provided by Sigma Plot 10.0. Values are represented as means?SEM from two independent experiments (n=3).

[0183] When testing the peptides against N. crassa and F. oxysporum, experiments were carried as described above apart from the incubation temperature was changed to 25? C. for N. crassa and 35? C. for F. oxysporum.

IC.SUB.50 .Determination Based on a Luciferase Assay for Fluorescently Labelled Compounds

[0184] The IC.sub.50 of the fluorescently labelled peptides cannot be accurately determined using the optical density method described in the last section. This is because the fluorophore structures absorbed light at 610 nm which was the wavelength used for the optical density measurements. In order to overcome this, the BacTiter-Glo? Microbial Cell Viability Assay kit purchased from Promega was used. The BacTiter-Glo? Reagent relies on the properties of a proprietary thermostable luciferase (Ultra-Glo? Recombinant Luciferase) and a proprietary formulation for extracting ATP from fungal cells which will generates a glow-type luminescent signal. This is produced by the luciferase reaction shown in Scheme 1, which has a signal half-life of over 30 min depending on the experimental conditions. The luminescent signal is proportional to the amount of ATP present, which is directly proportional to the number of living cells in culture.

##STR00015##

[0185] The IC.sub.50 assays for all fluorescently labelled peptides were performed using Greiner CELLSTAR white polystyrene wells flat bottomed 96 well plates. The incubation conditions remained the same for the optical density measurement described in the previous section. Once the incubation procedure was finished, the plate was equilibrated to room temperature. A mixture of BacTiter-Glo? buffer and substrate was then added to the plate (100 ?L per well). The plate was shaken for 5 min and read using the Tristar LB491 luminometer. Data analysis was performed using Sigma Plot 10.0. All values shown are presented as means?SEM from two independent experiments (n=3).

TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Antifungal efficacy determined for MFIGAF001 and analogues Aspergillus Fusarium fumigatus oxysporum Compounds (37? C., 24 h) (35? C., 24 h) IC.sub.50 (mg/L)*, Conidia (10% Vogel's) PAF26 8.0 7.2 MFIGAF000 5.3 4.2 MFIGAF001 1.4 1.9 MFIGAF002 2.8 3.5 MFIGAF003 5.2 4.1 MFIGAF004 5.2 4.1 MFIGAF005 6.3 3.1 MFIGAF007 5.2 3.4 MFIGAF008 5.5 3.8 MFIGAF001a 1.3 1.5 MFIGAF001b 2.1 2.3 MFIGAF001c 1.5 1.8 MFIGAF001d 2.9 3.0 IC.sub.99 (mg/L), Conidia (10% Vogel's) MFIGAF001 5.7 IC.sub.99 (mg/L), Conidia (RPMI) Voriconazole 1 Natamycin 39 *IC.sub.50 (mg/L) values represent averages of at least three independent experiments

Biological Example 2

[0186] Antifungal activities have been evaluated for MFIGAF001 against various fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium oxysporum, indicating that MFIGAF001 is exhibiting a sub-micromolar IC.sub.50 value against major pathogenic fungi. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was also observed.

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Tested concentration MFIGAF001 Strains (?M) Medium MIC (?M) S. aureus 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% LB 15.6 A. fumigatus (MFIG001) 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 5 F. oxysporum 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 6.25 C. inconspicua 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 2 (ATCC 16783) C. auris 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 2 C. albican 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 2 C. glabrata (NCPF 3309) 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 3.9 C. krusei (ATCC 6258) 5 ? 10.sup.5 10% Vogel's 3.9 MIC = minimum inhibitory concentration

Biological Example 3

[0187] MFIGAF001 exhibits great stability after 24 h treatment at 37? C. (99% purity, that is, intact peptide remaining) with Streptomyces griseus protease cocktail, compared to its analogue compound (0% purity) (FIG. 1). Therefore, MFIGAF001 has good thermal stability and is resistant to protease digestion.

TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Thermal stability over time with Streptomyces griseus protease Purity (% of intact peptide left) Time (h) PAF26 MFIGAF001 MFIGAF008 0 94% 99% 99% 1 70% 99% 99% 8 8% 99% 99% 24 0% 99% 99%

Biological Example 4

[0188] MFIGAF001 exhibit virtually no cytotoxicity even at 0.5 mg/L (440 UM) against A549 (FIG. 2).

[0189] Cytotoxicity of MFIGAF001 against human lung epithelia cell line A549 was determined using Vybrant MTT Cell Proliferation Assay Kit from Invitrogen.

Biological Example 5

[0190] Cell viability assays have also been performed on Human Red Blood Cells (HRBCs), indicating that MFIGAF001/MFIGAF002/MFIGAF001a (10 ?M) have no haemolytic activity against HRBCs (FIG. 3).

[0191] Erythrocytes were isolated from freshly drawn, anticoagulated human blood and diluted in PBS (1:5). An amount of 50 ?l of erythrocyte suspension was added to 50 ?l of compounds at 10 UM. DMSO was used as positive control and PBS as negative control. The plate was incubated at 37? C. for 1 h, each well was diluted with 150 ?l of PBS and the plate was centrifuged at 1,200 g for 15 min. A total of 100 ?l of the supernatant from each well was transferred to a fresh plate, and the absorbance at 350 nm was measured in a microplate reader. Data is represented as % of cell viability as means from three independent experiments with n=3.

Biological Example 6

[0192] MFIGAF001, MFIGAF001a and MFIGAF001b exhibit no obvious toxicity (FIG. 4).

[0193] MFIGAF001 was also assessed independently by a CRO (Evotec) in an OECD compliant reconstructed cornea-like epithelial cell model (RhCE, EpiOcular?). No cytotoxicity was observed, even at 0.5 mg/L (440 ?M).

TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Mean tissues OD and Viabilities Mean Mean of Diff. of Viabilities of OD (%) Viabilities Classification Negative 2.89 100.0 8.41 NI qualified Control Positive 0.581 26.5 5.66 I qualified Control MFIGAF001 1.910 87.3 0.27 NI qualified 0.1 mg/ml MFIGAF001 1.908 87.2 4.34 NI qualified 0.2 mg/mL MFIGAF001 1.940 88.6 4.45 NI qualified 0.4 mg/mL MFIGAF001 2.051 93.7 2.31 NI qualified 0.5 mg/mL OD = optical density; NI = Not irritant; I = Irritant

TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Mean tissues OD and Viabilities Mean Mean of of Viabilities Diff. of OD (%) Viabilities Classification Negative 3.350 100.0 1.26 NI OD NC ? 2.5 Control Positive 1.022 30.5 13.57 I OD NC ? 2.5 Control MFIGAF001a 3.282 98.0 0.83 NI OD NC ? 2.5 (10 ?M) MFIGAF001b 3.319 99.1 1.41 NI OD NC ? 2.5 (10 ?M) OD = optical density; NI = Not irritant; I = Irritant

Biological Example 7

[0194] Tolerability studies were performed on rabbit eyes in vivo and no eye irritation occurred (FIG. 5). Three rabbits (rabbits 1, 2 and 3) were tested. All rabbits appeared unaffected immediately post-treatment and through the next 7 days with no signs of irritation and no change in general condition. MFIGAF001a was used at 10 UM and 50 UL and was admitted into the right eye of the rabbits.

[0195] MFIGAF001a is well tolerated in rabbit eye.

Biological Example 8

Porcine Cornea Preparation

[0196] Freshly harvested porcine eyes (whole globe) were collected from a local abattoir within 24 hours of sacrifice. All subsequent procedures were performed under aseptic conditions. The eyeballs were washed with 50 ml of sterile phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 0.1% tween-20 and 5% penicillin-streptomycin (PBST-PS, Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 minutes. Corneal dissection was carried out in Class II microbiological safety cabinet to avoid potential contamination. Using sterile instruments, the comea was removed from the globe using corneo-sceral dissection at the limbus, leaving an 2-3 mm scleral rim. Any other tissue such as iris or lens was then removed, leaving the corneal button alone. The cornea was then gently washed 3 times in 5 mL sterile PBST-PS by gentle submergence and shaking for approx. 1 minute. Sterile tweezers were employed for holding the scleral rim, and taking care not to scratch the corneal surface during the procedure. Washed corneas were then placed in sterile petri-dishes containing fresh PBST-PS until completion of the dissection session (<1 hour). Upon completing dissection, each individual corneal button was transferred into a well of a 6-well tissue culture plates containing 1 mL of culturing medium (either RPMI-PS or PBST-PS, Table 1) and one cornea button with epithelium facing up.

Infection of Corneas with Aspergillus fumigatus

[0197] YFP-A. fumigatus spores were harvested from 3 days old cultures grown on SAB agar at 37? C. in PBST and quantified using a haemocytometer.

[0198] The lidded 6-well culturing plate containing cornea buttons and medium was placed in a Class II cabinet, the central region of corneal epithelium was lightly scratched using sterile hypodermic needle (gauge 27G, B Braun?, Fisher Scientific) to create 5 linear abrasions in parallel. 1 ?L sterile inoculation loops were used to transfer 1 ?L of inoculum concentrated from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.3 spore/mL (containing c.?1000 to c.?1 spores dependent upon experimental setup) in a stroking motion. Viable counts for confirming the number of spores in each suspension were performed at the time of each inoculation. The 6-well culture plate was closed and allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes prior to transferring to incubator. The corneal buttons were incubated for desired periods (from 1 hour to 48 hours dependent upon experimental setup) at 37? C., supplemented with 5% CO.sub.2. Uninfected corneas were scratched and inoculated with 1 ?L of sterile PBS in the same way, and then maintained along with the infected corneas in the same 6-well culture plate for each experiment. The culture medium was refreshed every 24 hours during the culturing period, fresh medium was added by pipetting avoiding the cornea after removal of existing medium. Regular checks for the presence of fungus in the medium in which each cornea was placed were performed every 24 hours to ensure that the only infection site was on the top sode of the corneal tissue and not from the beneath. Corneal samples with macroscopic visible fungal growth in the medium were removed from the experiment. After desired culturing period, the corneal buttons were removed from the incubator for subsequent imaging. When multiple cornea buttons were waiting to be imaged, the unimaged ones were stored at 4? C. after wrapping the 6-well culture plate in Parafilm (Bemis, Heathrow Scientific) for a short period (less then 2 hours) while the other ones were imaged.

[0199] The progression of infection was monitored by live cell imaging at desired time points using confocal microscopy. Cultured cornea buttons were removed from the 6-well culture plate and placed with epithelium facing down into 2-well ibidi imaging chambers (ibidi GmbH, Martinsried, Germany). The imaging chamber was filled with 1 mL of medium matching that used for the infection experiments (either RPMI-PS or PBST-PS, Table 1). A Leica TCS SP8 confocal microscope (Leica Microsystems Ltd., Milton Keynes, UK) with long working distance 25? water immersion objective was employed for imaging the development of A. fumigatus corneal infection. Excitation wavelength at 514 nm and emission wavelength between 525-545 nm were used for imaging the YFP expressed by A. fumigatus. The Z-compensation function was used for fine adjustment of the laser excitation to compensate the signal reduction in the deeper section of the cornea. These adjustments were done across 5 points of the z-stack, preventing over or under-exposure of acquisition. Acquired images were analysed using Imaris v8.0 software (Bitplane Scientific software module; Zurich, Switzerland). The surface module on Imaris was used to translate the fluorescent signal into a surface model for quantification of occupied live fungal biomass. MFIGAF001 reduced fungal burden in ex vivo cornea infected with YFP-A. fumigatus. On a macroscopic level, FIG. 6 shows the fungal infection had greatly progressed in saline treated cornea 1, while the MFIGAF001 treated cornea 2 showed less severe infection after the 72 h of treatment.

[0200] Two corneas were infected with ?1 spore/cornea YFP expressing A. fumigatus, yellow fluorescent signal indicates the live fungal burden that penetrated into the corneal stroma. Infections were established after 36 hours incubation in PBST-PS. Corneas were treated with saline or MFIGAF001 by topical administration after the establishment of infection. All cornea were treated with one drop of reagent every 2 hours for the first 8 hours, then one drop every 8 hours for the remaining 16 hours. Treatment was continued for 72 hours with this treatment regimen. Natamycin was used at 120 mg/L.

[0201] FIG. 7 shows the elimination of live fungal burden from the MFIGAF001 treated cornea 2, where the fluorescent signal (yellow in the original graphs, white reproduced here) indicates the live fungal burden that penetrated into the corneal tissue.

Biological Example 9

[0202] MFIGAF001 exhibited comparable efficacy against Natamycin ex vivo. All corneas were treated with one drop every 2 hours for the first 8 hours, then one drop every 8 hours for the remaining 16 hours. Treatment was continued for 72 hours with this treatment regimen. MFIGAF001 was used at 100 mg/L. Natamycin was used at 120 mg/L. The results are shown in FIG. 8, where the fluorescent signal (yellow in the original graphs, white reproduced here) indicates the live fungal burden that penetrated into the corneal tissue.

Biological Example 10

[0203] The inventors have shown that the fluorescent diagnostics MFIGAF001a and MFIGAF001b label all major pathogenic fungi that cause fungal keratitis, even at low concentrations. The major pathogenic fungi include C. albicans, F. oxysporum, A. fumigatus, and C. neoformans. FIG. 9 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a and MFIGAF001b (fluorescent, 2.5 M) after 15 min incubation at 37? C. in RPMI with various pathogenic fungi (C. albicans, F. oxysporum, A. fumigatus, and C. neoformans), demonstrating that MFIGAF001a exhibits rapid and highly fluorogenic labelling. FIG. 10 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 ?M) incubated at 37? C. in RPMI with A. fumigatus.

Biological Example 11

[0204] MFIGAF001 selectively labels A. fumigatus over human epithelial cell line A549. FIG. 11 shows live cell imaging of A. fumigatus in co-cultures with human epithelial cell line A549, 10 min after addition of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 UM) at 37? C. in RPMI.

Biological Example 12

[0205] MFIGAF001a in a pig corneal infection model was investigated (FIG. 12). Live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (red in the original data, shown in white here; conditions: 2.5 M, 15 min incubation at 37? C.) selectively labelled A. fumigatus.

[0206] Porcine corneal was infected with A. fumigatus using the same method described above (Biological Example 8). After confirming the success of infection, 1 drop of MFIGAF001 solution in water (2.5 ?M) was added topically to the corneal surface and incubated for 15 min at 37? C. before confocal microscopy.

Biological Example 13

[0207] MFIGAF001a exhibits great selectivity over bacteria such as gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas (FIG. 13). MFIGAF001a labels gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. (FIG. 14).

Biological Example 14

[0208] The inventors have demonstrated that MFIGAF001a can be used to differentiate fungal keratitis and gram positive bacterial keratitis.

[0209] FIG. 15 shows live cell imaging of MFIGAF001a (fluorescent, 2.5 ?M, 15 min incubation at 37? C.) in a pig corneal infection model co-infected by A. fumigatus and S. aureus for 48 h in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 Medium (purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific). The labelled compound can be used to distinguish fungus from S. aureus when using confocal microscopy based on assessing the morphology of the areas of fluorescence. The fungal hyphea can be observed and identified based on its characteristic filamentous shape, and its much larger size compared to the bacteria which appears to be much smaller and having a dotted shape.

REFERENCES

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[0231] For standard molecular biology techniques, see Sambrook, J., Russel, D. W. Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual. 3 ed. 2001, Cold Spring Harbor, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.