Identification of genetic transcriptional factors involved in non-Candida albicans Candida species biofilm development

摘要

Candida albicans is the major cause of candidosis, however recently non-C. albicans Candida (NCAC) species have emerged as commonpathogens. One of the most important virulence factors is the ability toform biofilms that have important clinical repercussions due to theirincreased resistant to antifungal therapy. In the case of C. albicans, thetranscriptional network of biofilm formation is composed by sixtranscriptions factors (BCR1, EFG1, TEC1, NDT80, ROB1 and BRG1).However, in the case of NCAC species little is known about the influenceof these genes in biofilm formation. Thus, in order to identify targets to beused as biofilm controllers in NCAC species it was characterized the roleof BCR1, EFG1 and TEC1 genes on C. parapsilosis and C. glabrataspecies biofilm formation. After planktonic cells and biofilms grown, theRNAs were extracted and the expression levels of BCR1, EFG1 andTEC1 compared by quantitative real time PCR. CFUs enumeration andcrystal violet staining were used to quantify biofilm formation. The resultsdemonstrated that in both Candida species all genes are expressed but ina species and lifestyle dependent manner. Specifically, in opposite toobserved in C. glabrata, BCR1 and TEC1 expression levels, are higher inbiofilm than in planktonic cells of C. parapsilosis. Interestingly the EFG1levels of expression was superior to 100% in both conditions for C.parapsilosis, however higher in planktonic cells. Thus, it is possible toassume that BCR1, TEC1 and EFG1 are biofilm regulators in C.parapsilosis, as in C. albicans, but not in C. glabrata and they could besuggested to be used as future targets to control C. parapsilosis biofilmformation.