FIG. 1.

Modified antimicrobial peptides with improved antifungal properties enhance HIV-1 infectivity. The active domain (Dh-5) of salivary peptide histatin 5 was modified in order to increase the antifungal activity. Dh-5 and derivatives were tested for their anti-HIV-1 activity in a single-cycle replication assay. HIV-1 was incubated with the peptides and subsequently cocultured with LuSIV cells. These reporter cells express luciferase after HIV-1 infection, which was detected 24 h later. RLU, relative light units; conc., concentration.