Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Global Regulatory Systems01:28

Global Regulatory Systems

Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Closer to the native state: Sandwich freezing and freeze-substitution of microorganisms, cultured cells, and animal and plant tissues for electron microscopy.

Journal of microscopy·2026
Same author

Uridine diphosphate <i>N</i>-acetylglucosamine homeostasis via CgNgk1 kinase modulates chitin levels and cell-wall integrity in <i>Candida glabrata</i>.

FEMS microbes·2026
Same author

Rapid enlargement of a tubo-ovarian abscess in a patient with cervical cancer and multiple uterine fibroids: A case report.

Case reports in women's health·2026
Same author

Host-mimicking hypoxic conditions reveal EPA6-dependent adhesion and dissemination of Candida glabrata.

Medical mycology·2025
Same author

Peripheral lymphocyte count as a prognostic marker in cervical cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a retrospective study.

BMC cancer·2025
Same author

The transcription factor CgHaa1 plays a role in virulence of the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata.

FEMS yeast research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Use of In Vivo Imaging to Screen for Morphogenesis Phenotypes in Candida albicans Mutant Strains During Active Infection in a Mammalian Host
09:24

Use of In Vivo Imaging to Screen for Morphogenesis Phenotypes in Candida albicans Mutant Strains During Active Infection in a Mammalian Host

Published on: October 12, 2022

[Quorum-sensing system in Candida albicans].

Tamaki Cho1, Mika Toyoda, Hironobu Nakayama

  • 1Section of Infection Biology, Fukuoka Dental College, Japan.

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology
|November 7, 2006
PubMed
Summary

This review examines how the fungus Candida albicans uses chemical signals to communicate and coordinate group behaviors, such as forming protective biofilms on medical equipment, which complicates clinical treatment.

Keywords:
fungal pathogenesismicrobial communicationhyphal formationmedical device infection

Frequently Asked Questions

More Related Videos

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device
11:14

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device

Published on: December 14, 2017

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Use of In Vivo Imaging to Screen for Morphogenesis Phenotypes in Candida albicans Mutant Strains During Active Infection in a Mammalian Host
09:24

Use of In Vivo Imaging to Screen for Morphogenesis Phenotypes in Candida albicans Mutant Strains During Active Infection in a Mammalian Host

Published on: October 12, 2022

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device
11:14

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device

Published on: December 14, 2017

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology research within quorum-sensing systems
  • Fungal pathogenesis studies in clinical medicine

Background:

No prior work had resolved the full extent of chemical signaling mechanisms within fungal pathogens compared to well-studied bacterial models. It was already known that bacterial populations utilize density-dependent communication to coordinate collective activities. These microbial communities rely on secreted molecules to monitor their local environment and adjust gene expression accordingly. That uncertainty drove researchers to investigate whether similar regulatory pathways exist in eukaryotic organisms like fungi. Prior research has shown that these signaling networks often influence the production of harmful virulence factors. This gap motivated a deeper look into how specific molecules might govern developmental transitions in pathogenic species. Scientists have long recognized that understanding these pathways could provide new avenues for managing persistent infections. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding how these organisms sense their own population size to trigger physiological changes.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this review is to characterize the quorum-sensing system within the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. This work addresses the specific problem of how fungal populations coordinate their behavior to survive in host environments. The motivation for this study stems from the need to understand how these organisms form persistent structures on clinical equipment. Researchers sought to clarify the mechanisms by which density-dependent signals influence fungal morphology. This investigation explores the differences between fungal signaling and well-documented bacterial communication pathways. The study addresses the uncertainty regarding the specific molecules that trigger these developmental changes. By synthesizing current evidence, the authors intend to highlight the importance of these pathways in fungal virulence. This review provides a framework for understanding how these organisms sense their environment to facilitate successful colonization.

Main Methods:

The review approach involved synthesizing existing literature regarding density-dependent communication in microbial populations. Investigators examined peer-reviewed studies to identify signaling molecules and their associated physiological outcomes. The analysis focused on comparing prokaryotic mechanisms with those observed in eukaryotic fungal pathogens. Researchers evaluated data concerning the regulation of morphological shifts and surface attachment. The review approach prioritized studies that characterized specific extracellular compounds and their influence on gene expression. Investigators assessed the role of these signals in the context of clinical device colonization. The synthesis integrated findings from diverse experimental models to clarify the scope of these regulatory networks. This systematic evaluation provided a comprehensive overview of how these organisms coordinate their behavior.

Main Results:

Key findings from the literature demonstrate that this fungus utilizes extracellular signaling to control its developmental transitions. The evidence confirms that these molecules specifically regulate the formation of hyphae in this organism. Research indicates that these signals are particularly relevant to the development of biofilms on various medical devices. The findings contrast with bacterial models, where similar systems primarily manage the production of exotoxins, proteases, and pigments. The literature shows that density-dependent regulation is a conserved strategy for adapting to environmental conditions. Data suggest that these signaling events are linked to the overall pathogenicity of the organism. The review highlights that the identification of these molecules has advanced our understanding of fungal group behavior. The findings establish a clear connection between population density and the structural organization of fungal communities.

Conclusions:

The authors suggest that chemical signaling pathways govern morphological transitions in this specific fungal pathogen. Synthesis and implications indicate that these regulatory molecules directly influence the development of complex surface-associated communities. Researchers propose that targeting these communication channels might disrupt the formation of persistent structures on clinical hardware. The evidence highlights that density-dependent mechanisms are not exclusive to prokaryotic life forms. Authors emphasize that understanding these pathways provides a basis for future therapeutic strategies against fungal infections. The review confirms that these signaling events are linked to the organism's ability to adapt to host environments. Synthesis of the literature suggests that biofilm development is a primary outcome of these coordinated cellular responses. The findings imply that disrupting these signals could reduce the prevalence of device-related fungal complications.

The researchers propose that quorum-sensing regulates hyphal formation and biofilm development in this fungus. Unlike bacteria, which utilize various autoinducers for exotoxin production, this organism employs specific extracellular molecules to coordinate its morphological transitions and surface colonization.

The authors identify extracellular molecules as the key signaling agents. These compounds differ from bacterial autoinducers, which typically trigger pigment or protease synthesis, by specifically modulating the structural growth patterns of the fungus.

The researchers propose that high cell density is necessary to trigger the signaling cascade. This threshold-based mechanism allows the fungus to distinguish between sparse populations and dense communities, ensuring that biofilm formation only occurs when sufficient numbers are present.

The authors describe these molecules as extracellular signals that act as density-dependent regulators. These compounds serve a distinct role compared to bacterial autoinducers, which primarily manage virulence factors like exotoxins in prokaryotic systems.

The measurement of biofilm formation on medical devices serves as the primary phenomenon of interest. While bacteria use these signals for pigment production, the fungus utilizes them to establish protective layers on synthetic materials.

The researchers propose that these signaling pathways represent a target for managing device-associated infections. They suggest that interfering with fungal communication could prevent the development of biofilms, offering a potential alternative to traditional antifungal treatments.