17-β-Estradiol Upregulates the Stress Response inCandida albicans:Implications for Microbial Virulence

摘要

Objective:The influence of 17-β-estradiol on the stress response ofCandida albicanswas studied.Methods:The survival of clinical isolates ofC. albicanstreated with 17-β-estradiol after heat and oxidative stress was measured by viable plate counts. Cellular proteins were analyzed via SDSPAGE.Results:The heat stress response induced by 17-β-estradiol inC. albicansgrown at 25 ℃ protectedthe organisms against the lethal temperature of 48.5 ℃, as shown by viable plate counts.17-β-estradiol also enhanced protection ofC. albicansagainst oxidative stress (menadione exposure).SDS-PAGE analysis of cytoplasmic extracts revealed proteins induced by 17-β-estradiolwere similar to those induced by heat.Conclusion:17-β-estradiol enhances survival ofC. albicansunder heat and oxidative stresses. Theproteins induced by 17-β-estradiol are probably heat shock proteins. Because heat shock proteinsare considered to be virulence factors, 17-β-estradiol may function to promote in vivo survival.