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Nickerson KW, Gutzmann DJ, Boone CHT, Pathirana RU, Atkin AL. Physiological adventures in Candida albicans: farnesol and ubiquinones. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0008122. [PMID: 38436263 PMCID: PMC10966945 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00081-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFarnesol was first identified as a quorum-sensing molecule, which blocked the yeast to hyphal transition in Candida albicans, 22 years ago. However, its interactions with Candida biology are surprisingly complex. Exogenous (secreted or supplied) farnesol can also act as a virulence factor during pathogenesis and as a fungicidal agent triggering apoptosis in other competing fungi. Farnesol synthesis is turned off both during anaerobic growth and in opaque cells. Distinctly different cellular responses are observed as exogenous farnesol levels are increased from 0.1 to 100 µM. Reported changes include altered morphology, stress response, pathogenicity, antibiotic sensitivity/resistance, and even cell lysis. Throughout, there has been a dearth of mechanisms associated with these observations, in part due to the absence of accurate measurement of intracellular farnesol levels (Fi). This obstacle has recently been overcome, and the above phenomena can now be viewed in terms of changing Fi levels and the percentage of farnesol secreted. Critically, two aspects of isoprenoid metabolism present in higher organisms are absent in C. albicans and likely in other yeasts. These are pathways for farnesol salvage (converting farnesol to farnesyl pyrophosphate) and farnesylcysteine cleavage, a necessary step in the turnover of farnesylated proteins. Together, these developments suggest a unifying model, whereby high, threshold levels of Fi regulate which target proteins are farnesylated or the extent to which they are farnesylated. Thus, we suggest that the diversity of cellular responses to farnesol reflects the diversity of the proteins that are or are not farnesylated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Gutzmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cory H. T. Boone
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ruvini U. Pathirana
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, USA
| | - Audrey L. Atkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Boone CHT, Parker KA, Gutzmann DJ, Atkin AL, Nickerson KW. Farnesol as an antifungal agent: comparisons among MTLa and MTLα haploid and diploid Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1207567. [PMID: 38054042 PMCID: PMC10694251 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1207567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: Farnesol was identified 20 years ago in a search for Candida albicans quorum sensing molecules (QSM), but there is still uncertainty regarding many aspects of its mode of action including whether it employs farnesol transport mechanisms other than diffusion. Based on the structural similarity between farnesol and the farnesylated portion of the MTL a pheromone, we explored the effects of ploidy and mating type locus (MTL) on the antifungal activity of exogenous farnesol. Methods and results: We approached this question by examining five MTL a and five MTLα haploid strains with regard to their farnesol sensitivity in comparison to six heterozygous MTL a/ α diploids. We examined the haploid and diploid strains for percent cell death after exposure of exponentially growing cells to 0-200 µM farnesol. The heterozygous (MTL a/α) diploids were tolerant of exogenous farnesol whereas the MTL a and MTLα haploids were on average 2- and 4-times more sensitive, respectively. In the critical range from 10-40 µM farnesol their cell death values were in the ratio of 1:2:4. Very similar results were obtained with two matched sets of MAT a, MATα, and MAT a/α Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Conclusion: We propose that the observed MTL dependence of farnesol is based on differentially regulated mechanisms of entry and efflux which determine the actual cellular concentration of farnesol. The mechanisms by which pathogens such as C. albicans tolerate the otherwise lethal effects of farnesol embrace a wide range of physiological functions, including MTL type, ubiquinone type (UQ6-UQ9), energy availability, and aerobic/anaerobic status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth W. Nickerson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
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Mahendrarajan V, Bari VK. A critical role of farnesol in the modulation of Amphotericin B and Aureobasidin A antifungal drug susceptibility. Mycology 2022; 13:305-317. [DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2022.2138599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Venkatramanan Mahendrarajan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, VPO-Ghudda, Bathinda, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Bari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, VPO-Ghudda, Bathinda, India
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Petrovic M, Bonvin D, Todic J, Zivkovic R, Randjelovic M, Arsenijevic VA, Ebersold MM, Otasevic S. Surface modification of poly(methyl-methacrylate) with farnesol to prevent Candida biofilm formation. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022; 75:982-990. [PMID: 35716164 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans promotes biofilm formation on dentures, which compromises the use of poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) as a dental material. Farnesol (FAR), a natural compound that prevents C. albicans filamentation and biofilm formation, was incorporated into the PMMA matrix, to obtain antifungal PMMA_FAR materials. The tested concentrations (0·0125% and 0·4%) of FAR, 24 h after incubation on YPD agar, inhibited filamentation of C. albicans. PMMA was modified with different FAR concentrations (3-12%), and physicochemical properties, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of these modified materials (PMMA_FAR) were tested. The presence of FAR in PMMA_FAR composites was verified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Incorporation of FAR into the polymeric matrix significantly decreased hydrophilicity at all tested concentrations and significantly reduced biofilm and planktonic cells metabolic activity in the early stage of biofilm formation at ≥6% FAR in PMMA. PMMA_FAR composites with <9% FAR were non-toxic. Modification of PMMA with FAR is a good strategy for reducing C. albicans biofilm formation on dentures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Petrovic
- Powder Technology Laboratory, Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - D Bonvin
- Powder Technology Laboratory, Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J Todic
- Department of Prosthodontics, Medical Faculty, University Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Mitrovica, Serbia
| | - R Zivkovic
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Beograd, Serbia
| | - M Randjelovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - V A Arsenijevic
- National Reference Medical Mycology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgarde, Serbia
| | - M M Ebersold
- Powder Technology Laboratory, Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - S Otasevic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
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Abstract
In this study, we investigated the influence of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) during biofilm formation and morphogenesis in Candida albicans. Using crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrated that C. albicans EVs inhibited biofilm formation in vitro. By time-lapse microscopy and SEM, we showed that C. albicans EV treatment stopped filamentation and promoted pseudohyphae formation with multiple budding sites. The ability of C. albicans EVs to regulate dimorphism was further compared to EVs isolated from different C. albicans strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Histoplasma capsulatum. C. albicans EVs from distinct strains inhibited yeast-to-hyphae differentiation with morphological changes occurring in less than 4 h. EVs from S. cerevisiae and H. capsulatum modestly reduced morphogenesis, and the effect was evident after 24 h of incubation. The inhibitory activity of C. albicans EVs on phase transition was promoted by a combination of lipid compounds, which were identified by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and fatty acids. Remarkably, C. albicans EVs were also able to reverse filamentation. Finally, C. albicans cells treated with C. albicans EVs for 24 h lost their capacity to penetrate agar and were avirulent when inoculated into Galleria mellonella. Our results indicate that fungal EVs can regulate yeast-to-hypha differentiation, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation and attenuating virulence.
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Ghosh S, Nag M, Lahiri D, Sarkar T, Pati S, Joshi S, Ray RR. New holistic approach for the management of biofilm‐associated infections by myco‐metabolites. J Basic Microbiol 2022; 62:1291-1306. [PMID: 35373364 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sreejita Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology Haringhata West Bengal India
| | - Moupriya Nag
- Department of Biotechnology University of Engineering & Management Kolkata West Bengal India
| | - Dibyajit Lahiri
- Department of Biotechnology University of Engineering & Management Kolkata West Bengal India
| | - Tanmay Sarkar
- Department of Food Processing Technology Malda Polytechnic, West Bengal State Council of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal Malda India
| | - Siddhartha Pati
- Skills innovation & Academic network (SIAN) Institute‐ABC Balasore Odisha India
- NatNov Bioscience Private Limited Balasore Odisha India
| | - Sanket Joshi
- Oil & Gas Research Center, Central Analytical and Applied Research Unit Sultan Qaboos University Maskat Oman
| | - Rina R. Ray
- Department of Biotechnology Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology Haringhata West Bengal India
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Villar CC, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A. Fungal diseases: Oral dysbiosis in susceptible hosts. Periodontol 2000 2021; 87:166-180. [PMID: 34463992 DOI: 10.1111/prd.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The oral cavity is colonized by a large number of microorganisms that are referred to collectively as the oral microbiota. These indigenous microorganisms have evolved in symbiotic relationships with the oral mucosal immune system and are involved in maintaining homeostasis in the oral cavity. Although Candida species are commonly found in the healthy oral cavity without causing infection, these fungi can become pathogenic. Recents advances indicate that the development of oral candidiasis is driven both by Candida albicans overgrowth in a dysbiotic microbiome and by disturbances in the host's immune system. Perturbation of the oral microbiota triggered by host-extrinsic (ie, medications), host-intrinsic (ie, host genetics), and microbiome-intrinsic (ie, microbial interactions) factors may increase the risk of oral candidiasis. In this review, we provide an overview of the oral mycobiome, with a particular focus on the interactions of Candida albicans with some of the most common oral bacteria and the oral mucosal immune system. Also, we present a summary of our current knowledge of the host-intrinsic and host-extrinsic factors that can predispose to oral candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cunha Villar
- Division of Periodontics, Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna Dongari-Bagtzoglou
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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Kovács R, Majoros L. Fungal Quorum-Sensing Molecules: A Review of Their Antifungal Effect against Candida Biofilms. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030099. [PMID: 32630687 PMCID: PMC7559060 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of effective therapeutic strategies against biofilms is limited; development of novel therapies is urgently needed to treat a variety of biofilm-associated infections. Quorum sensing is a special form of microbial cell-to-cell communication that is responsible for the release of numerous extracellular molecules, whose concentration is proportional with cell density. Candida-secreted quorum-sensing molecules (i.e., farnesol and tyrosol) have a pivotal role in morphogenesis, biofilm formation, and virulence. Farnesol can mediate the hyphae-to-yeast transition, while tyrosol has the opposite effect of inducing transition from the yeast to hyphal form. A number of questions regarding Candida quorum sensing remain to be addressed; nevertheless, the literature shows that farnesol and tyrosol possess remarkable antifungal and anti-biofilm effect at supraphysiological concentration. Furthermore, previous in vitro and in vivo data suggest that they may have a potent adjuvant effect in combination with certain traditional antifungal agents. This review discusses the most promising farnesol- and tyrosol-based in vitro and in vivo results, which may be a foundation for future development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat Candida biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renátó Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +0036-52-255-425; Fax: +0036-52-255-424
| | - László Majoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
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Prasath KG, Tharani H, Kumar MS, Pandian SK. Palmitic Acid Inhibits the Virulence Factors of Candida tropicalis: Biofilms, Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, Ergosterol Biosynthesis, and Enzymatic Activity. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:864. [PMID: 32457728 PMCID: PMC7226919 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm is the fortitude of Candida species infections which eventually causes candidiasis in human. C. tropicalis is one of the predominant Candida species commonly found in systemic infections, next to C. albicans. In Candida species, biofilm maturity initiates irreversible surface attachment of cells and barricades the penetration of conventional antifungals. Hence, the current study investigated the antifungal and antivirulence potency of palmitic acid (PA) against C. tropicalis mature biofilm and its associated virulence factors. In vitro results revealed an effective inhibition of biofilm in PA-treated C. tropicalis, compared to C. albicans and C. glabrata. Also, PA reduced C. tropicalis mature biofilm at various time points. Further, PA treatment triggered apoptosis in C. tropicalis through ROS mediated mitochondrial dysfunction as demonstrated by confocal microscopic observation of PI, DAPI and DCFDA staining. PA regulated other virulence factors such as cell surface hydrophobicity, ergosterol biosynthesis, protease and lipase after 48 h of treatment. Downregulation of ERG11 (Lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase) was contributed to the reduction of ergosterol in PA-treated C. tropicalis. However, enhanced hyphal growth was observed in PA-treated C. tropicalis through upregulation HWP1 (Hyphal wall protein) and EFG1 (Enhanced filamentous growth). This study highlighted the antibiofilm and antivirulence potency of PA against C. tropicalis. Hence, PA could be applied synergistically with other antifungal agents to increase the efficacy for regulating NCAC infections.
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Vila T, Kong EF, Ibrahim A, Piepenbrink K, Shetty AC, McCracken C, Bruno V, Jabra-Rizk MA. Candida albicans quorum-sensing molecule farnesol modulates staphyloxanthin production and activates the thiol-based oxidative-stress response in Staphylococcus aureus. Virulence 2020; 10:625-642. [PMID: 31280653 PMCID: PMC6629188 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1635418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial species utilize secreted-signaling molecules to coordinate their behavior. Our previous investigations demonstrated a key role for the Candida albicans-secreted quorum-sensing molecule farnesol in modulating Staphylococcus aureus response to antimicrobials in mixed biofilms. In this study, we aimed to provide mechanistic insights into the impact of farnesol on S. aureus within the context of inter-species interactions. To mimic biofilm dynamics, farnesol-sensitized S. aureus cells were generated via sequential farnesol exposure. The sensitized phenotype exhibited dramatic loss of the typical pigment, which we identified as staphyloxanthin, an important virulence factor synthesized by the Crt operon in S. aureus. Additionally, farnesol exposure exerted oxidative-stress as indicated by transcriptional analysis demonstrating alterations in redox-sensors and major virulence regulators. Paradoxically, the activated stress-response conferred S. aureus with enhanced tolerance to H2O2 and phagocytic killing. Since expression of enzymes in the staphyloxanthin biosynthesis pathway was not impacted by farnesol, we generated a theoretical-binding model which indicated that farnesol may block staphyloxanthin biosynthesis via competitive-binding to the CrtM enzyme crucial for staphyloxanthin synthesis, due to high structural similarity to the CrtM substrate. Finally, mixed growth with C. albicans was found to similarly induce S. aureus depigmentation, but not during growth with a farnesol-deficient C. albicans strain. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that a fungal molecule acts as a redox-cycler eliciting a bacterial stress response via activation of the thiol-based redox system under the control of global regulators. Therefore, farnesol-induced transcriptional modulations of key regulatory networks in S. aureus may modulate the pathogenesis of C. albicans-S. aureus co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taissa Vila
- a Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Eric F Kong
- a Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Ahmed Ibrahim
- a Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA.,c Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Kurt Piepenbrink
- d Department of Food Science and Technology and Nebraska Food for Health Center , University of Nebraska , Lincoln , NE , USA.,e Department of Biochemistry , University of Nebraska , Lincoln , NE , USA.,f Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication , University of Nebraska , Lincoln , NE , USA
| | - Amol C Shetty
- g Institute for Genome Sciences , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Carrie McCracken
- g Institute for Genome Sciences , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Vincent Bruno
- b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA.,g Institute for Genome Sciences , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
- a Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine , University of Maryland , Baltimore , MD , USA
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Touil HFZ, Boucherit K, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Kohder G, Madkour M, Soliman SSM. Optimum Inhibition of Amphotericin-B-Resistant Candida albicans Strain in Single- and Mixed-Species Biofilms by Candida and Non- Candida Terpenoids. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020342. [PMID: 32098224 PMCID: PMC7072433 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common human fungal pathogens and represents the most important cause of opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Surgical devices including catheters are easily contaminated with C. albicans via its formation of drug-resistant biofilms. In this study, amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans strains were isolated from surgical devices at an intensive care center. The objective of this study was to develop optimized effective inhibitory treatment of resistant C. albicans by terpenoids, known to be produced naturally as protective signals. Endogenously produced farnesol by C. albicans yeast and plant terpenoids, carvacrol, and cuminaldehyde were tested separately or in combination on amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans in either single- or mixed-infections. The results showed that farnesol did not inhibit hyphae formation when associated with bacteria. Carvacrol and cuminaldehyde showed variable inhibitory effects on C. albicans yeast compared to hyphae formation. A combination of farnesol with carvacrol showed synergistic inhibitory activities not only on C. albicans yeast and hyphae, but also on biofilms formed from single- and mixed-species and at reduced doses. The combined terpenoids also showed biofilm-penetration capability. The aforementioned terpenoid combination will not only be useful in the treatment of different resistant Candida forms, but also in the safe prevention of biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidaya F. Z. Touil
- Laboratory Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-Chemical, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Tlemcen University, Tlemcen B.P 119, Algeria; (H.F.Z.T.); (K.B.); (Z.B.-O.)
| | - Kebir Boucherit
- Laboratory Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-Chemical, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Tlemcen University, Tlemcen B.P 119, Algeria; (H.F.Z.T.); (K.B.); (Z.B.-O.)
- University Center Belhadj Bouchaïb, Aïn Temouchent BP 284, Algeria
| | - Zahia Boucherit-Otmani
- Laboratory Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-Chemical, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Tlemcen University, Tlemcen B.P 119, Algeria; (H.F.Z.T.); (K.B.); (Z.B.-O.)
| | - Ghalia Kohder
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE; (G.K.); (M.M.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE
| | - Mohamed Madkour
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE; (G.K.); (M.M.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Collage of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE
| | - Sameh S. M. Soliman
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE; (G.K.); (M.M.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO. Box 27272, UAE
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Zagazig, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-6505-7472
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Rutherford JC, Bahn YS, van den Berg B, Heitman J, Xue C. Nutrient and Stress Sensing in Pathogenic Yeasts. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:442. [PMID: 30930866 PMCID: PMC6423903 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1.5 million fungal species are estimated to live in vastly different environmental niches. Despite each unique host environment, fungal cells sense certain fundamentally conserved elements, such as nutrients, pheromones and stress, for adaptation to their niches. Sensing these extracellular signals is critical for pathogens to adapt to the hostile host environment and cause disease. Hence, dissecting the complex extracellular signal-sensing mechanisms that aid in this is pivotal and may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to control fungal infections. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on how two important pathogenic yeasts, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, sense nutrient availability, such as carbon sources, amino acids, and ammonium, and different stress signals to regulate their morphogenesis and pathogenicity in comparison with the non-pathogenic model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The molecular interactions between extracellular signals and their respective sensory systems are described in detail. The potential implication of analyzing nutrient and stress-sensing systems in antifungal drug development is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C Rutherford
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bert van den Berg
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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Candida albicans Zn Cluster Transcription Factors Tac1 and Znc1 Are Activated by Farnesol To Upregulate a Transcriptional Program Including the Multidrug Efflux Pump CDR1. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00968-18. [PMID: 30104273 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00968-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule, inhibits Candida albicans hyphal formation, affects its biofilm formation and dispersal, and impacts its stress response. Several aspects of farnesol's mechanism of action remain incompletely uncharacterized. Among these are a thorough accounting of the cellular receptors and transporters for farnesol. This work suggests these processes are linked through the Zn cluster transcription factors Tac1 and Znc1 and their induction of the multidrug efflux pump Cdr1. Specifically, we have demonstrated that Tac1 and Znc1 are functionally activated by farnesol through a mechanism that mimics other means of hyperactivation of Zn cluster transcription factors. This is consistent with our observation that many genes acutely induced by farnesol are dependent on TAC1, ZNC1, or both. A related molecule, 1-dodecanol, invokes a similar TAC1-ZNC1 response, while several other proposed C. albicans quorum-sensing molecules do not. Tac1 and Znc1 both bind to and upregulate the CDR1 promoter in response to farnesol. Differences in inducer and DNA binding specificity lead to Tac1 and Znc1 having overlapping, but nonidentical, regulons. Induction of genes by farnesol via Tac1 and Znc1 was inversely related to the level of CDR1 present in the cell, suggesting a model in which induction of CDR1 by Tac1 and Znc1 leads to an increase in farnesol efflux. Consistent with this premise, our results show that CDR1 expression, and its regulation by TAC1 and ZNC1, facilitates growth in the presence of high farnesol concentrations in C. albicans and in certain strains of its close relative, C. dubliniensis.
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Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus Response to Antimicrobials by the Candida albicans Quorum Sensing Molecule Farnesol. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.01573-17. [PMID: 28893777 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01573-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In microbial biofilms, microorganisms utilize secreted signaling chemical molecules to coordinate their collective behavior. Farnesol is a quorum sensing molecule secreted by the fungal species Candida albicans and shown to play a central physiological role during fungal biofilm growth. Our pervious in vitro and in vivo studies characterized an intricate interaction between C. albicans and the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, as these species coexist in biofilm. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of farnesol on S. aureus survival, biofilm formation, and response to antimicrobials. The results demonstrated that in the presence of exogenously supplemented farnesol or farnesol secreted by C. albicans in biofilm, S. aureus exhibited significantly enhanced tolerance to antimicrobials. By using gene expression studies, S. aureus mutant strains, and chemical inhibitors, the mechanism for the enhanced tolerance was attributed to upregulation of drug efflux pumps. Importantly, we showed that sequential exposure of S. aureus to farnesol generated a phenotype of high resistance to antimicrobials. Based on the presence of intracellular reactive oxygen species upon farnesol exposure, we hypothesize that antimicrobial tolerance in S. aureus may be mediated by farnesol-induced oxidative stress triggering the upregulation of efflux pumps, as part of a general stress response system. Hence, in mixed biofilms, C. albicans may influence the pathogenicity of S. aureus through acquisition of a drug-tolerant phenotype, with important therapeutic implications. Understanding interspecies signaling in polymicrobial biofilms and the specific drug resistance responses to secreted molecules may lead to the identification of novel targets for drug development.
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Uppuluri P, Busscher HJ, Chakladar J, van der Mei HC, Chaffin WL. Transcriptional Profiling of C. albicans in a Two Species Biofilm with Rothia dentocariosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:311. [PMID: 28752078 PMCID: PMC5508013 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms on silicone rubber voice prostheses are the major cause for frequent failure and replacement of these devices. The presence of both bacterial and yeast strains has been suggested to be crucial for the development of voice prosthetic biofilms. Polymicrobial biofilms that include Candida albicans and Rothia dentocariosa are the leading cause of voice prosthesis failure. An in vitro biofilm comprising these two organisms was developed on silicone rubber, a material used for Groningen button voice prosthesis. We found that this biofilm environment was not conducive for C. albicans growth or differentiation. Global transcriptional analyses of C. albicans biofilm cells grown with R. dentocariosa revealed that genes with functions related to cell cycle progression and hyphal development were repressed >2-fold. The mixed species biofilms were more compact and less robust compared to C. albicans mono-species biofilms, even when developed under conditions of continuous nutrient flow. Under these conditions R. dentocariosa also significantly inhibited C. albicans biofilm dispersal. Preferential adherence of R. dentocariosa to candidal hyphae was mediated by the adhesin Als3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Uppuluri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, TorranceTorrance, CA, United States
| | - Henk J Busscher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen and University Medical Center GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Jaideep Chakladar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, TorranceTorrance, CA, United States
| | - Henny C van der Mei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen and University Medical Center GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - W LaJean Chaffin
- Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbock, TX, United States
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Monteiro D, Arias L, Fernandes R, Deszo da Silva L, de Castilho M, da Rosa T, Vieira A, Straioto F, Barbosa D, Delbem A. Antifungal activity of tyrosol and farnesol used in combination against Candida
species in the planktonic state or forming biofilms. J Appl Microbiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.13513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D.R. Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Dentistry (GPD-Master's Degree); University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE); Presidente Prudente São Paulo Brazil
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
| | - L.S. Arias
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
| | - R.A. Fernandes
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
| | - L.F. Deszo da Silva
- Graduate Program in Dentistry (GPD-Master's Degree); University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE); Presidente Prudente São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.O.V.F. de Castilho
- Graduate Program in Dentistry (GPD-Master's Degree); University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE); Presidente Prudente São Paulo Brazil
| | - T.O. da Rosa
- Graduate Program in Dentistry (GPD-Master's Degree); University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE); Presidente Prudente São Paulo Brazil
| | - A.P.M. Vieira
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
| | - F.G. Straioto
- Graduate Program in Dentistry (GPD-Master's Degree); University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE); Presidente Prudente São Paulo Brazil
| | - D.B. Barbosa
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
| | - A.C.B. Delbem
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health; São Paulo State University (Unesp); School of Dentistry; Araçatuba São Paulo Brazil
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Polke M, Leonhardt I, Kurzai O, Jacobsen ID. Farnesol signalling in Candida albicans – more than just communication. Crit Rev Microbiol 2017; 44:230-243. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2017.1337711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Polke
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Ines Leonhardt
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D. Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Nickerson KW, Atkin AL. Deciphering fungal dimorphism: Farnesol's unanswered questions. Mol Microbiol 2017; 103:567-575. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W. Nickerson
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Nebraska; Lincoln NE 68588 0666 USA
| | - Audrey L. Atkin
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Nebraska; Lincoln NE 68588 0666 USA
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Lu M, Li T, Wan J, Li X, Yuan L, Sun S. Antifungal effects of phytocompounds on Candida species alone and in combination with fluconazole. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2016; 49:125-136. [PMID: 28040409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida spp. remain the most predominant nosocomial fungal infections. Owing to the increased use of antifungal agents, resistance of Candida spp. to antimycotics has emerged frequently, especially to fluconazole (FLC). To cope with this issue, new efforts have been dedicated to discovering novel antimycotics or new agents that can enhance the susceptibility of Candida spp. to existing antimycotics. The secondary metabolites of plants represent a large library of compounds that are important sources for new drugs or compounds suitable for further modification. Research on the anti-Candida activities of phytocompounds has been carried out in recent years and the results showed that a series of phytocompounds have anti-Candida properties, such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Among these phytocompounds, some displayed potent antifungal activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ≤8 µg/mL, and several compounds were even more effective against drug-resistant Candida spp. than FLC or itraconazole (e.g. honokiol, magnolol and shikonin). Interestingly, quite a few phytocompounds not only displayed anti-Candida activity alone but also synergised with FLC against Candida spp., even leading to a reversal of FLC resistance. This review focuses on summarising the anti-Candida activities of phytocompounds as well as the interactions of phytocompounds with FLC. In addition, we briefly overview the synergistic mechanisms and present the structure of the antimycotic phytocompounds. Hopefully, this analysis will provide insight into antifungal agent discovery and new approaches against antifungal drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China
| | - Tao Li
- Intensive Care Unit, Qianfoshan Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250014, China
| | - Jianjian Wan
- Department of Respiratory, Yucheng People's Hospital, Yucheng, Shandong Province 251200, China
| | - Xiuyun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Baodi District People's Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250014, China.
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Polke M, Sprenger M, Scherlach K, Albán-Proaño MC, Martin R, Hertweck C, Hube B, Jacobsen ID. A functional link between hyphal maintenance and quorum sensing in Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2016; 103:595-617. [PMID: 27623739 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenesis in Candida albicans requires hyphal initiation and maintenance, and both processes are regulated by the fungal quorum sensing molecule (QSM) farnesol. We show that deletion of C. albicans EED1, which is crucial for hyphal extension and maintenance, led to a dramatically increased sensitivity to farnesol, and thus identified the first mutant hypersensitive to farnesol. Furthermore, farnesol decreased the transient filamentation of an eed1Δ strain without inducing cell death, indicating that two separate mechanisms mediate quorum sensing and cell lysis by farnesol. To analyze the cause of farnesol hypersensitivity we constructed either hyperactive or deletion mutants of factors involved in farnesol signaling, by introducing the hyperactive RAS1G13V or pADH1-CYR1CAT allele, or deleting CZF1 or NRG1 respectively. Neither of the constructs nor the exogenous addition of dB-cAMP was able to rescue the farnesol hypersensitivity, highlighting that farnesol mediates its effects not only via the cAMP pathway. Interestingly, the eed1Δ strain also displayed increased farnesol production. When eed1Δ was grown under continuous medium flow conditions, to remove accumulating QSMs from the supernatant, maintenance of eed1Δ filamentation, although not restored, was significantly prolonged, indicating a link between farnesol sensitivity, production, and the hyphal maintenance-defect in the eed1Δ mutant strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Polke
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Marcel Sprenger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - María Cristina Albán-Proaño
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Ronny Martin
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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21
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Krom BP, Levy N, Meijler MM, Jabra-Rizk MA. Farnesol and Candida albicans: Quorum Sensing or Not Quorum Sensing? Isr J Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201500025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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22
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Xu H, Jenkinson HF, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A. Innocent until proven guilty: mechanisms and roles of Streptococcus-Candida interactions in oral health and disease. Mol Oral Microbiol 2015; 29:99-116. [PMID: 24877244 PMCID: PMC4238848 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans and streptococci of the mitis group colonize the oral cavities of the majority of healthy humans. While C. albicans is considered an opportunistic pathogen, streptococci of this group are broadly considered avirulent or even beneficial organisms. However, recent evidence suggests that multi-species biofilms with these organisms may play detrimental roles in host homeostasis and may promote infection. In this review we summarize the literature on molecular interactions between members of this streptococcal group and C. albicans, with emphasis on their potential role in the pathogenesis of opportunistic oral mucosal infections.
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Abstract
Only few Candida species, e.g., Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida parapsilosis, are successful colonizers of a human host. Under certain circumstances these species can cause infections ranging from superficial to life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. The success of C. albicans, the most prevalent and best studied Candida species, as both commensal and human pathogen depends on its genetic, biochemical, and morphological flexibility which facilitates adaptation to a wide range of host niches. In addition, formation of biofilms provides additional protection from adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, in many host niches Candida cells coexist with members of the human microbiome. The resulting fungal-bacterial interactions have a major influence on the success of C. albicans as commensal and also influence disease development and outcome. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge of important survival strategies of Candida spp., focusing on fundamental fitness and virulence traits of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Polke
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany; Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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24
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Candida albicans Czf1 and Efg1 coordinate the response to farnesol during quorum sensing, white-opaque thermal dimorphism, and cell death. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:1281-92. [PMID: 23873867 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00311-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing by farnesol in Candida albicans inhibits filamentation and may be directly related to its ability to cause both mucosal and systemic diseases. The Ras1-cyclic AMP signaling pathway is a target for farnesol inhibition. However, a clear understanding of the downstream effectors of the morphological farnesol response has yet to be unraveled. To address this issue, we screened a library for mutants that fail to respond to farnesol. Six mutants were identified, and the czf1Δ/czf1Δ mutant was selected for further characterization. Czf1 is a transcription factor that regulates filamentation in embedded agar and also white-to-opaque switching. We found that Czf1 is required for filament inhibition by farnesol under at least three distinct environmental conditions: on agar surfaces, in liquid medium, and when embedded in a semisolid agar matrix. Since Efg1 is a transcription factor of the Ras1-cyclic AMP signaling pathway that interacts with and regulates Czf1, an efg1Δ/efg1Δ czf1Δ/czf1Δ mutant was tested for filament inhibition by farnesol. It exhibited an opaque-cell-like temperature-dependent morphology, and it was killed by low farnesol levels that are sublethal to wild-type cells and both efg1Δ/efg1Δ and czf1Δ/czf1Δ single mutants. These results highlight a new role for Czf1 as a downstream effector of the morphological response to farnesol, and along with Efg1, Czf1 is involved in the control of farnesol-mediated cell death in C. albicans.
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Décanis N, Tazi N, Correia A, Vilanova M, Rouabhia M. Farnesol, a fungal quorum-sensing molecule triggers Candida albicans morphological changes by downregulating the expression of different secreted aspartyl proteinase genes. Open Microbiol J 2011; 5:119-26. [PMID: 22207890 PMCID: PMC3242405 DOI: 10.2174/1874285801105010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exogenous farnesol in yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis, and Saps (2, 4, 5 and 6) mRNA expressions by a Candida strain that does not produce endogenous farnesol. C. albicans was cultured in the absence and presence of farnesol at various concentrations (10, 100, and 300 µM), in proteinase induction medium, and then used to determine yeast-to- hyphae changes, Candida ultrastructure and to determine Saps 2, 4, 5 and 6 expressions using q-TR-PCR and ELISA (for Sap2). Data demonstrated that farnesol greatly reduced the yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis of a Candida strain that does not produce endogenous farnesol. Farnesol induced several ultrastructural alterations, including changes in the cell-wall shape, a visible disconnection between the cell wall and cytoplasm with an electron-lucent zone between them, and the presence of electron-dense vacuoles. Tested on gene expressions, farnesol was able to significantly (p < 0.01) decrease Sap2 secretion and mRNA expression. Farnesol downregulated also Sap4-6 mRNA expression. These results demonstrated for the first time that farnesol modules Candida morphogenesis through a downregulation of Saps 2, 4, 5 and 6 expressions. Overall these data point to the potential use of farnesol as an antifungal molecule
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Décanis
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Roles of Ras1 membrane localization during Candida albicans hyphal growth and farnesol response. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2011; 10:1473-84. [PMID: 21908593 DOI: 10.1128/ec.05153-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many Ras GTPases localize to membranes via C-terminal farnesylation and palmitoylation, and localization regulates function. In Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen of humans, Ras1 links environmental cues to morphogenesis. Here, we report the localization and membrane dynamics of Ras1, and we characterize the roles of conserved C-terminal cysteine residues, C287 and C288, which are predicted sites of palmitoylation and farnesylation, respectively. GFP-Ras1 is localized uniformly to plasma membranes in both yeast and hyphae, yet Ras1 plasma membrane mobility was reduced in hyphae compared to that in yeast. Ras1-C288S was mislocalized to the cytoplasm and could not support hyphal development. Ras1-C287S was present primarily on endomembranes, and strains expressing ras1-C287S were delayed or defective in hyphal induction depending on the medium used. Cells bearing constitutively activated Ras1-C287S or Ras1-C288S, due to a G13V substitution, showed increased filamentation, suggesting that lipid modifications are differentially important for Ras1 activation and effector interactions. The C. albicans autoregulatory molecule, farnesol, inhibits Ras1 signaling through adenylate cyclase and bears structural similarities to the farnesyl molecule that modifies Ras1. At lower concentrations of farnesol, hyphal growth was inhibited but Ras1 plasma membrane association was not altered; higher concentrations of farnesol led to mislocalization of Ras1 and another G protein, Rac1. Furthermore, farnesol inhibited hyphal growth mediated by cytosolic Ras1-C288SG13V, suggesting that farnesol does not act through mechanisms that depend on Ras1 farnesylation. Our findings imply that Ras1 is farnesylated and palmitoylated, and that the Ras1 stimulation of adenylate cyclase-dependent phenotypes can occur in the absence of these lipid modifications.
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Colabardini AC, De Castro PA, De Gouvêa PF, Savoldi M, Malavazi I, Goldman MHS, Goldman GH. Involvement of the Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C with farnesol tolerance is related to the unfolded protein response. Mol Microbiol 2010; 78:1259-79. [PMID: 21091509 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07403.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that the Aspergillus nidulans calC2 mutation in protein kinase C pkcA was able to confer tolerance to farnesol (FOH), an isoprenoid that has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. Here, we investigate in more detail the role played by A. nidulans pkcA in FOH tolerance. We demonstrate that pkcA overexpression during FOH exposure causes increased cell death. FOH is also able to activate several markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our results suggest an intense cross-talk between PkcA and the UPR during FOH-induced cell death. Furthermore, the overexpression of pkcA increases both mRNA accumulation and metacaspases activity, and there is a genetic interaction between PkcA and the caspase-like protein CasA. Mutant analyses imply that MAP kinases are involved in the signal transduction in response to the effects caused by FOH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Colabardini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Pozzatti P, Loreto É, Nunes Mario D, Rossato L, Santurio J, Alves S. Activities of essential oils in the inhibition of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis germ tube formation. J Mycol Med 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Weber K, Schulz B, Ruhnke M. The quorum-sensing molecule E,E-farnesol-its variable secretion and its impact on the growth and metabolism of Candida species. Yeast 2010; 27:727-39. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Langford ML, Atkin AL, Nickerson KW. Cellular interactions of farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule produced by Candida albicans. Future Microbiol 2010; 4:1353-62. [PMID: 19995193 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule produced by Candida albicans that has many effects, including filament inhibition of this polymorphic fungus. In the past 9 years, the effect of farnesol on C. albicans has been reported in nearly 160 publications, with early work examining its influence on morphology. This article presents an update on the literature published since 2006, focusing on points that still need to be resolved as well as identifying possible artifacts that might interfere with this goal. In addition, the regulation of C. albicans farnesol production, C. albicans' resistance/sensitivity to farnesol and the influence of farnesol on other species as well as the host are discussed. It is intriguing that we still do not know precisely how farnesol works, but interference with the Ras1-cAMP pathway is part of the story.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L Langford
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0666, USA.
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Farnesol induces hydrogen peroxide resistance in Candida albicans yeast by inhibiting the Ras-cyclic AMP signaling pathway. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2010; 9:569-77. [PMID: 20118211 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00321-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Farnesol, a Candida albicans cell-cell signaling molecule that participates in the control of morphology, has an additional role in protection of the fungus against oxidative stress. In this report, we show that although farnesol induces the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), ROS generation is not necessary for the induction of catalase (Cat1)-mediated oxidative-stress resistance. Two antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol and, to a lesser extent, ascorbic acid effectively reduced intracellular ROS generation by farnesol but did not alter farnesol-induced oxidative-stress resistance. Farnesol inhibits the Ras1-adenylate cyclase (Cyr1) signaling pathway to achieve its effects on morphology under hypha-inducing conditions, and we demonstrate that farnesol induces oxidative-stress resistance by a similar mechanism. Strains lacking either Ras1 or Cyr1 no longer exhibited increased protection against hydrogen peroxide upon preincubation with farnesol. While we also observed the previously reported increase in the phosphorylation level of Hog1, a known regulator of oxidative-stress resistance, in the presence of farnesol, the hog1/hog1 mutant did not differ from wild-type strains in terms of farnesol-induced oxidative-stress resistance. Analysis of Hog1 levels and its phosphorylation states in different mutant backgrounds indicated that mutation of the components of the Ras1-adenylate cyclase pathway was sufficient to cause an increase of Hog1 phosphorylation even in the absence of farnesol or other exogenous sources of oxidative stress. This finding indicates the presence of unknown links between these signaling pathways. Our results suggest that farnesol effects on the Ras-adenylate cyclase cascade are responsible for many of the observed activities of this fungal signaling molecule.
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Activity and toxicity of farnesol towards Candida albicans are dependent on growth conditions. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 54:940-2. [PMID: 19933803 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01214-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Farnesol interacts with Candida albicans as both a quorum-sensing molecule and toxic agent, but confusion abounds regarding which conditions promote these distinct responses. Farnesol sensitivity was measured when inoculum cell history and size, temperature, and growth media were altered. Parameters for farnesol tolerance/sensitivity were defined, validating previous studies and identifying new variables, such as energy availability. This study clearly defines what farnesol concentrations are lethal to C. albicans, based on environmental conditions.
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Derengowski LS, De-Souza-Silva C, Braz SV, Mello-De-Sousa TM, Báo SN, Kyaw CM, Silva-Pereira I. Antimicrobial effect of farnesol, a Candida albicans quorum sensing molecule, on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis growth and morphogenesis. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2009; 8:13. [PMID: 19402910 PMCID: PMC2681445 DOI: 10.1186/1476-0711-8-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Farnesol is a sesquiterpene alcohol produced by many organisms, and also found in several essential oils. Its role as a quorum sensing molecule and as a virulence factor of Candida albicans has been well described. Studies revealed that farnesol affect the growth of a number of bacteria and fungi, pointing to a potential role as an antimicrobial agent. Methods Growth assays of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cells incubated in the presence of different concentrations of farnesol were performed by measuring the optical density of the cultures. The viability of fungal cells was determined by MTT assay and by counting the colony forming units, after each farnesol treatment. The effects of farnesol on P. brasiliensis dimorphism were also evaluated by optical microscopy. The ultrastructural morphology of farnesol-treated P. brasiliensis yeast cells was evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Results In this study, the effects of farnesol on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis growth and dimorphism were described. Concentrations of this isoprenoid ranging from 25 to 300 μM strongly inhibited P. brasiliensis growth. We have estimated that the MIC of farnesol for P. brasiliensis is 25 μM, while the MLC is around 30 μM. When employing levels which don't compromise cell viability (5 to 15 μM), it was shown that farnesol also affected the morphogenesis of this fungus. We observed about 60% of inhibition in hyphal development following P. brasiliensis yeast cells treatment with 15 μM of farnesol for 48 h. At these farnesol concentrations we also observed a significant hyphal shortening. Electron microscopy experiments showed that, despite of a remaining intact cell wall, P. brasiliensis cells treated with farnesol concentrations above 25 μM exhibited a fully cytoplasmic degeneration. Conclusion Our data indicate that farnesol acts as a potent antimicrobial agent against P. brasiliensis. The fungicide activity of farnesol against this pathogen is probably associated to cytoplasmic degeneration. In concentrations that do not affect fungal viability, farnesol retards the germ-tube formation of P. brasiliensis, suggesting that the morphogenesis of this fungal is controlled by environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena S Derengowski
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, CEL/IB, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil.
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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