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Quorum sensing by farnesol revisited
Melanie Polke1, Ilse D Jacobsen2,3,4
1Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.
Current Genetics
|March 2, 2017
Summary
Quorum sensing in Candida albicans uses farnesol for communication. Deleting the EED1 gene increases farnesol production and sensitivity, linking it to hyphal growth and host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Microbial communication
- Eukaryotic quorum sensing
Background:
- Quorum sensing is well-studied in bacteria but poorly understood in fungi.
- Farnesol is a quorum sensing molecule from Candida albicans, the first identified in eukaryotes.
- Mechanisms of farnesol action in C. albicans remain largely elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current hypotheses on farnesol signaling in C. albicans.
- To explore implications of farnesol signaling in fungus-host interactions.
- To use the eed1Δ mutant phenotype to understand farnesol mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on fungal quorum sensing.
- Analysis of the eed1Δ mutant phenotype in C. albicans.
- Comparison with bacterial quorum sensing systems.
Main Results:
- Deletion of EED1 (eed1Δ) in C. albicans increases farnesol production.
- The eed1Δ mutant exhibits hypersensitivity to farnesol.
- A link is established between farnesol signaling and elongated hyphal growth.
Conclusions:
- The eed1Δ mutant provides a unique model for studying farnesol signaling.
- Farnesol signaling in C. albicans may involve mechanisms distinct from bacteria.
- Understanding farnesol signaling is crucial for C. albicans pathogenesis and host interaction.
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