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Clarifying and Imaging Candida albicans Biofilms
Published on: March 6, 2020
Candida albicans Als proteins mediate aggregation with bacteria and yeasts
Stephen A Klotz1, Nand K Gaur, Richard De Armond
1University of Arizona and Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, Arizona, USA. sklotz@u.arizona.edu
Medical Mycology
|May 19, 2007
Summary
Candida albicans forms mixed microbial aggregates with fungi and bacteria on mucosal surfaces. The adhesins Als1p and Als5p mediate these interactions, crucial for biofilm formation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Mycology
- Bacterial Interactions
Background:
- Candida albicans resides in microbial communities on mucosal surfaces.
- These communities often exist as biofilms, involving interactions between fungi and bacteria.
- Understanding these interactions is key to comprehending mucosal surface colonization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aggregation interactions of Candida albicans with other fungi and bacteria.
- To determine the role of Candida albicans adhesins in forming mixed microbial aggregates.
- To explore the implications of these interactions for biofilm development on mucosal surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Studied the formation of mixed microbial aggregates involving Candida albicans, other fungi, and bacteria.
- Utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing Candida albicans adhesins (Als1p or Als5p) to assess their role in aggregation.
- Observed the incorporation of both fungal and bacterial cells into rapidly forming aggregates.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans formed aggregates with homotypic, heterotypic, and xenotypic cells.
- Aggregates formed rapidly and incorporated both fungal and bacterial cells.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing Als1p or Als5p also mediated mixed microbial interactions.
Conclusions:
- Candida albicans adhesins Als1p and Als5p are critical for mediating co-adhesion in mixed microbial communities.
- These adhesins play a significant role in the formation of biofilms and colonization of mucus surfaces.
- The findings highlight the importance of fungal adhesins in inter-species microbial interactions within biofilms.
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