A role of Candida albicans CDC4 in the negative regulation of biofilm formation

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ling Tseng ◽  
Wei-Chung Lai ◽  
Tai-Lin Lee ◽  
Wan Hua Hsu ◽  
Yu Wen Sun ◽  
...  

The CDC4 gene is nonessential in Candida albicans and plays a role in suppressing filamentous growth, in contrast to its homologues, which are involved in the G1–S transition of the cell cycle. While characterizing the function of C. albicans CDC4 (CaCDC4), we found that the loss of CaCDC4 resulted in a reduction in cell flocculation, indicating a possible role for CaCDC4 in biofilm formation. To elucidate the role of CaCDC4 in biofilm formation, Cacdc4 null mutant strains were constructed by using the mini-Ura-blaster method. To create a CaCDC4 rescued strain, the plasmid p6HF-ACT1p-CaCDC4 capable of constitutively expressing CaCDC4 was introduced into the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant. To determine the biofilm formation ability, an in vitro XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay was used. Compared with the parental auxotrophic strain BWP17, the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant was able to enhance biofilm formation significantly. This enhancement of biofilm formation in the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant could be reversed by constitutively expressing CaCDC4. We conclude that CaCDC4 has a role in suppressing biofilm formation in C. albicans.

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 1466-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Bujdáková ◽  
Ema Paulovičová ◽  
Silvia Borecká-Melkusová ◽  
Juraj Gašperík ◽  
Soňa Kucharíková ◽  
...  

The Candida antigen CR3-RP (complement receptor 3-related protein) is supposed to be a ‘mimicry’ protein because of its ability to bind antibody directed against the α subunit of the mammalian CR3 (CD11b/CD18). This study aimed to (i) investigate the specific humoral isotypic response to immunization with CR3-RP in vivo in a rabbit animal model, and (ii) determine the role of CR3-RP in the adherence of Candida albicans in vitro using the model systems of buccal epithelial cells (BECs) and biofilm formation. The synthetic C. albicans peptide DINGGGATLPQ corresponding to 11 amino-acids of the CR3-RP sequence DINGGGATLPQALXQITGVIT, determined by N-terminal sequencing, was used for immunization of rabbits to obtain polyclonal anti-CR3-PR serum and for subsequent characterization of the humoral isotypic response of rabbits. A significant increase of IgG, IgA and IgM anti-CR3-RP specific antibodies was observed after the third (P<0.01) and the fourth (P<0.001) immunization doses. The elevation of IgA levels suggested peptide immunomodulation of the IgA1 subclass, presumably in coincidence with Candida epithelial adherence. Blocking CR3-RP with polyclonal anti-CR3-RP serum reduced the ability of Candida to adhere to BECs, in comparison with the control, by up to 35 % (P<0.001), and reduced biofilm formation by 28 % (P<0.001), including changes in biofilm thickness and integrity detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These properties of CR3-RP suggest that it has potential for future vaccine development.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harikrishnan Pandurangan ◽  
Balamani Arayambath ◽  
Vijay Karthik Jayaraman ◽  
Kanimozhi Ekambaram ◽  
Emad A Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Candida albicans is a commensal human fungal pathogen that colonizes and develops dental biofilm which cause Oral candidiosis. This study investigates the effects of a new molecule Thidiazuron against the growth and biofilm formation properties of C. albicans. This study applied computational and in vitro approaches such as broth microdilution, SEM, time-kill dynamics, crystal violet assay, XTT reduction assay, ergosterol quantification and quantitative RT PCR analysis of gene expression to validate the growth and biofilm inhibitory potential of thidiazuron against C. albicans. Preliminary molecular docking study revealed potential interaction between thidiazuron and amino acids residues of CYP51. Further in vitro anti-fungal susceptibility test, SEM and time kill analysis revealed anti-fungal potency of thidiazuron in dose and time dependent passion. Crystal violet staining, XTT reduction assay and Acridine Orange staining visually confirmed biofilm inhibitory potential of thidiazuron. Gene expression study shows that thidiazuron treatment down regulated the expression of genes involved in ergosterol synthesis, cell adhesion and hyphae development in C. albicans. This study identified thidiazuron as CYP51 inhibitor and a new antibiofilm agent against C. albicans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2577
Author(s):  
Samuele Sabbatini ◽  
Sofia Visconti ◽  
Marco Gentili ◽  
Eleonora Lusenti ◽  
Emilia Nunzi ◽  
...  

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus of the vaginal mucosa and the principal etiological agent of vaginal candidiasis. Vaginal dysbiosis has been reported during vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), with a progressive decrease in Lactobacillus crispatus population and an increase in L. iners population. To date, the role of L. iners in VVC pathogenesis remains scarcely explored. Herein we investigated the in vitro effect of L. iners cell-free supernatant (CFS) on the ability of C. albicans to form biofilms. Biomass and metabolic activity were measured by crystal violet and XTT assays. Further, light microscopy was performed to determine the effect of L. iners CFS on biofilm cellular morphology. We found that L. iners CFS induced a significant increase in biofilm formation by C. albicans clinical isolates which were categorized as moderate or weak biofilm producers. This effect was associated with an enhancement of hyphal/pseudohyphal growth, and the expression levels of HWP1 and ECE1, which are typical hyphae-associated genes, were upregulated. Overall, these results suggest that L. iners contributes to the pathogenesis of VVC and highlight the complexity of the interaction between C. albicans and vaginal lactobacilli. Understanding these interactions could prove essential for the development of new strategies for treating VVC.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1044-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Killiny ◽  
R. Hernandez Martinez ◽  
C. Korsi Dumenyo ◽  
D. A. Cooksey ◽  
R. P. P. Almeida

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by plant-pathogenic bacteria are generally essential for virulence. The role of EPS produced by the vector-transmitted bacterium Xylella fastidiosa was investigated by knocking out two genes implicated in the EPS biosynthesis, gumD and gumH. Mutant strains were affected in growth characteristics in vitro, including adhesion to surfaces and biofilm formation. In addition, different assays were used to demonstrate that the mutant strains produced significantly less EPS compared with the wild type. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that both mutant strains did not produce oligosaccharides. Biologically, the mutants were deficient in movement within plants, resulting in an avirulent phenotype. Additionally, mutant strains were affected in transmission by insects: they were very poorly transmitted by and retained within vectors. The gene expression profile indicated upregulation of genes implicated in cell-to-cell signaling and adhesins while downregulation in genes was required for within-plant movement in EPS-deficient strains. These results suggest an essential role for EPS in X. fastidiosa interactions with both plants and insects.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 834-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjith Rajendran ◽  
Elisa Borghi ◽  
Monica Falleni ◽  
Federica Perdoni ◽  
Delfina Tosi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Both neuronal acetylcholine and nonneuronal acetylcholine have been demonstrated to modulate inflammatory responses. Studies investigating the role of acetylcholine in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections have revealed contradictory findings with regard to disease outcome. At present, the role of acetylcholine in the pathogenesis of fungal infections is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether acetylcholine plays a role in fungal biofilm formation and the pathogenesis of Candida albicans infection. The effect of acetylcholine on C. albicans biofilm formation and metabolism in vitro was assessed using a crystal violet assay and phenotypic microarray analysis. Its effect on the outcome of a C. albicans infection, fungal burden, and biofilm formation were investigated in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model. In addition, its effect on modulation of host immunity to C. albicans infection was also determined in vivo using hemocyte counts, cytospin analysis, larval histology, lysozyme assays, hemolytic assays, and real-time PCR. Acetylcholine was shown to have the ability to inhibit C. albicans biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo . In addition, acetylcholine protected G. mellonella larvae from C. albicans infection mortality. The in vivo protection occurred through acetylcholine enhancing the function of hemocytes while at the same time inhibiting C. albicans biofilm formation. Furthermore, acetylcholine also inhibited inflammation-induced damage to internal organs. This is the first demonstration of a role for acetylcholine in protection against fungal infections, in addition to being the first report that this molecule can inhibit C. albicans biofilm formation. Therefore, acetylcholine has the capacity to modulate complex host-fungal interactions and plays a role in dictating the pathogenesis of fungal infections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaid H. Khoury ◽  
Taissa Vila ◽  
Taanya R. Puthran ◽  
Ahmed S. Sultan ◽  
Daniel Montelongo-Jauregui ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Li ◽  
Michael J. Svarovsky ◽  
Amy J. Karlsson ◽  
Joel P. Wagner ◽  
Karen Marchillo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. The ability to form biofilms on surfaces in the host or on implanted medical devices enhances C. albicans virulence, leading to antimicrobial resistance and providing a reservoir for infection. Biofilm formation is a complex multicellular process consisting of cell adhesion, cell growth, morphogenic switching between yeast form and filamentous states, and quorum sensing. Here we describe the role of the C. albicans EAP1 gene, which encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, glucan-cross-linked cell wall protein, in adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. Deleting EAP1 reduced cell adhesion to polystyrene and epithelial cells in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAP1 expression was required for C. albicans biofilm formation in an in vitro parallel plate flow chamber model and in an in vivo rat central venous catheter model. EAP1 expression was upregulated in biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results illustrate an association between Eap1p-mediated adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Cristiana Mateus ◽  
Ana Rita Nunes ◽  
Mónica Oleastro ◽  
Fernanda Domingues ◽  
Susana Ferreira

Aliarcobacter butzleri is an emergent enteropathogen that can be found in a range of environments. This bacterium presents a vast repertoire of efflux pumps, such as the ones belonging to the resistance nodulation cell division family, which may be associated with bacterial resistance, as well as virulence. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the contribution of three RND efflux systems, AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI, in the resistance and virulence of A. butzleri. Mutant strains were constructed by inactivation of the gene that encodes the inner membrane protein of these systems. The bacterial resistance profile of parental and mutant strains to several antimicrobials was assessed, as was the intracellular accumulation of the ethidium bromide dye. Regarding bacterial virulence, the role of these three efflux pumps on growth, strain fitness, motility, biofilm formation ability, survival in adverse conditions (oxidative stress and bile salts) and human serum and in vitro adhesion and invasion to Caco-2 cells was evaluated. We observed that the mutants from the three efflux pumps were more susceptible to several classes of antimicrobials than the parental strain and presented an increase in the accumulation of ethidium bromide, indicating a potential role of the efflux pumps in the extrusion of antimicrobials. The mutant strains had no bacterial growth defects; nonetheless, they presented a reduction in relative fitness. For the three mutants, an increase in the susceptibility to oxidative stress was observed, while only the mutant for AreGHI efflux pump showed a relevant role in bile stress survival. All the mutant strains showed an impairment in biofilm formation ability, were more susceptible to human serum and were less adherent to intestinal epithelial cells. Overall, the results support the contribution of the efflux pumps AreABC, AreDEF and AreGHI of A. butzleri to antimicrobial resistance, as well as to bacterial virulence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huilin Zhang ◽  
Ping He ◽  
Qing Zhou ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Bingjian Lu

Abstract BackgroundsCSN5, a member of Cop9 signalosome, is essential for protein neddylation. It has been supposed to serve as an oncogene in some cancers. However, the role of CSN5 has not been investigated in cervical cancer yet.MethodsData from TCGA cohorts and GEO dataset was analyzed to examine the expression profile of CSN5 in cervical cancers. The role of CSN5 on cervical cancer cell proliferation was investigated in cervical cancer cell lines, Siha and Hela, through CSN5 knockdown via CRISPR-CAS9. Western blot was used to detect the effect of CSN5 knockdown and overexpression. CCK8, clone formation assay and cell cycle assay were also employed. Besides, the role CSN5 knockdown in vivo was evaluated by xenograft tumor model. Moreover, MLN4924 was applied in Siha and Hela with CSN5 overexpression.ResultsWe found that downregulation of CSN5 in Siha and Hela cells inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and the inhibitory effects were largely rescued by CSN5 overexpression. Moreover, deletion of CSN5 caused cell cycle arrest rather than inducing apoptosis. Importantly, CSN5 overexpression confers resistance to the anti-cancer effects of MLN4924 (pevonedistat) in cervical cancer cells.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that CSN5 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancers and may serve as a potential indicator for predicting the effects of MLN4924 treatment in the future.


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