Quorum sensing in <i>Candida albicans</i>: farnesol <i>versus</i> farnesoic acid

Riekhof, Wayne R.; Nickerson, Kenneth W.

doi:10.1002/1873-3468.12694

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…Further studies should clarify and differentiate the metabolic pathways and cellular mechanisms involved in QS from those involved in biofilm toxicity. In this context, it would be appropriate to investigate the consequences of farnesol conversion to farnesoic acid with respect to biofilm formation, as previously described in C. albicans ATCC 10231 (29).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of tyrosol and farnesol on Candida albicans biofilm

2019

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The present in vitro study examined the effects of the quorum-sensing molecules farnesol and tyrosol on the development of Candida albicans biofilm in order to elucidate their role as novel adjuvants in oral hygiene. The investigation was conducted in C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. albicans isolates from dentures and was performed in flat-bottomed 96-well polystyrene plates. Yeast growth and their capacity to form biofilms were evaluated following 24 and 48 h incubations at 37°C in Sabouraud broth supplemented with 0.001–3 mM farnesol and/or 1–20 mM tyrosol. Yeast growth was assessed by turbidimetry and biofilms were quantitated by crystal violet staining, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The viability of the fungal cells was controlled by the culture of planktonic cells and by examination of the biofilms using fluorescence microscopy following staining with fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide. Farnesol at 3 mM exerted a stronger action when added at the beginning of biofilm formation (>50% inhibition) than when added to preformed biofilms (<10% inhibition). Similarly, tyrosol at 20 mM had a greater effect on biofilm formation (>80% inhibition) than on preformed biofilms (<40% inhibition). Despite significant reductions in attached biomass, yeast growth varied little in the presence of the investigated molecules, as corroborated by the turbidimetry, culture of supernatants on solid culture medium followed by counting of colony-forming units and viability tests using fluorescence microscopy. At the highest tested concentration, the molecules had a greater effect during the initial phases of biofilm formation. The effect of farnesol during anaerobiosis was not significantly different from that observed during aerobiosis, unlike that of tyrosol during anaerobiosis, which exhibited slightly reduced yeast biofilm inhibition. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the specific anti-biofilm effect, independent of fungicidal or fungistatic action, of farnesol and tyrosol, as tested in C. albicans ATCC 10231 and 6 strains isolated from dentures. Prior to suggesting the use of these molecules for preventive purposes in oral hygiene, further studies are required in order to clarify the metabolic pathways and cellular mechanisms involved in their antibiofilm effect, as well as the repercussions on the oral microbiome.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of tyrosol and farnesol on Candida albicans biofilm

2019

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“…Farnesol is also a quorum-sensing molecule but produced as a secondary product of sterol biosynthesis and secreted by C. albicans ( 118 ). When accumulated, it prevents the formation of filamentous growth and biofilm ( 119 – 122 ). Generally, farnesol is mostly secreted in the later stages of biofilm formation by C. albicans ( 122 ).…”

Section: The Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along with farnesol, a few other molecules produced by C. albicans have been proposed to work as quorum-sensing molecules, including morphogenic autoregulatory substance, phenylethyl alcohol and tryptophol ( 127 ), tyrosol, and farnesoic acid. Although through different pathways, farnesoic acid, just like farnesol, is involved in regulating the yeast-to-hyphae transition ( 119 , 127 ). Depending on the strain, C. albicans might produce farnesol or farnesoic acid, both having an inhibitory effect of filamentous growth ( 127 ).…”

Section: The Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candida Biofilms: Threats, Challenges, and Promising Strategies

2018

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Candida species are fungal pathogens known for their ability to cause superficial and systemic infections in the human host. These pathogens are able to persist inside the host due to the development of pathogenicity and multidrug resistance traits, often leading to the failure of therapeutic strategies. One specific feature of Candida species pathogenicity is their ability to form biofilms, which protects them from external factors such as host immune system defenses and antifungal drugs. This review focuses on the current threats and challenges when dealing with biofilms formed by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis, highlighting the differences between the four species. Biofilm characteristics depend on the ability of each species to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and display dimorphic growth, but also on the biofilm substratum, carbon source availability and other factors. Additionally, the transcriptional control over processes like adhesion, biofilm formation, filamentation, and EPS production displays great complexity and diversity within pathogenic yeasts of the Candida genus. These differences not only have implications in the persistence of colonization and infections but also on antifungal resistance typically found in Candida biofilm cells, potentiated by EPS, that functions as a barrier to drug diffusion, and by the overexpression of drug resistance transporters. The ability to interact with different species in in vivo Candida biofilms is also a key factor to consider when dealing with this problem. Despite many challenges, the most promising strategies that are currently available or under development to limit biofilm formation or to eradicate mature biofilms are discussed.

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“…According to Riekhof and Nickerson (2017), it has been demonstrated that C. albicans is a dimorphic fungus in the presence of farnesoic acid (FA) and farnesol (F), the two sensor molecules of related sesquiterpene quorums, and when accumulated, they do not allow the change from yeast to mycelium. Studies were conducted with three different ATCC strains of C. albicans, 10231, A72, and SC5314.…”

Section: Quorum Sensing (Qs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Candida Biofilms in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

et al. 2020

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The ability of Candida spp. to form biofilms is crucial for its pathogenicity, and thus, it should be considered an important virulence factor in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Its ability to generate biofilms is multifactorial and is generally believed to depend on the site of infection, species and strain involved, and the microenvironment in which the infection develops. Therefore, both cell surface proteins, such as Hwp1, Als1, and Als2, and the cell wall-related protein, Sun41, play a critical role in the adhesion and virulence of the biofilm. Immunological and pharmacological approaches have identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a crucial molecular factor contributing to host immunopathology. In this context, we have earlier shown that Candida albicans associated with hyphae-secreted aspartyl proteinases (specifically SAP4-6) contribute to the immunopathology of the disease. Transcriptome profiling has revealed that non-coding transcripts regulate protein synthesis post-transcriptionally, which is important for the growth of Candida spp. Other studies have employed RNA sequencing to identify differences in the 1,245 Candida genes involved in surface and invasive cellular metabolism regulation. In vitro systems allow the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples, making them an ideal screening technique for estimating various physicochemical parameters, testing the activity of antimicrobial agents, and analyzing genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation ( in situ ) in specific strains. Murine VVC models are used to study C. albicans infection, especially in trials of novel treatments and to understand the cause(s) for resistance to conventional therapeutics. This review on the clinical relevance of Candida biofilms in VVC focuses on important advances in its genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Moreover, recent experiments on the influence of biofilm formation on VVC or RVVC pathogenesis in laboratory animals have been discussed. A clear elucidation of one of the pathogenesis mechanisms employed by Candida biofilms in vulvovaginal candidiasis and its applications in clinical practice represents the most significant contribution of this manuscript.

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Quorum sensing in Candida albicans: farnesol versus farnesoic acid

Abstract: Read the Original article at doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.12636.

Cited by 14 publications

References 18 publications

Effects of tyrosol and farnesol on Candida albicans biofilm

Effects of tyrosol and farnesol on Candida albicans biofilm

Candida Biofilms: Threats, Challenges, and Promising Strategies

Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Candida Biofilms in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

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