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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
08:48
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
Genetic destabilization of Candida albicans by hydroxyurea
A Sarachek1, L A Henderson, K B Eddy
1Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Kansas 67208.
Microbios
|January 1, 1991
Summary
The antineoplastic drug hydroxyurea (HU) causes cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in Candida albicans. HU induces mutations and heritable changes in yeast, impacting its growth and susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Candida albicans is a common human microflora component.
- It frequently causes infections in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
- Antineoplastic agents can affect commensal organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of hydroxyurea (HU) on Candida albicans.
- To investigate the effects of HU on yeast gene mutations and recombination.
- To explore the heritable changes in yeast phenotypes induced by HU.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Candida albicans on defined medium with varying hydroxyurea concentrations.
- Assessment of growth inhibition, cell death, and genetic alterations.
- Analysis of mitotic recombination and high-frequency switching between phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Hydroxyurea induced growth inhibition and cell death in Candida albicans.
- HU treatment led to gene mutations and segregations of heterozygous loci.
- A heritable system for high-frequency switching of phenotypes was observed.
- Responses varied with drug concentration and temperature.
Conclusions:
- Hydroxyurea exhibits significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on Candida albicans.
- HU can induce genetic instability and adaptive changes in yeast populations.
- These findings have implications for yeast populations in patients receiving HU therapy.
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