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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms
Published on: September 16, 2022
Effect of serine protease KEX2 on Candida albicans virulence under halogenated methyl sulfones
Monika Staniszewska1, Małgorzata Bondaryk1, Michalina Kazek2
1Independent Laboratory of Streptomyces and Fungi Imperfecti, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland.
Aim:
The effect of KEX2 mutations on C. albicans virulence and resistance to halogenated methyl sulfones was assessed.
Materials & Methods:
The mechanism of action of sulfones was studied using flow cytometry and microscopy. Expression of KEX2 and SAP5 was assessed using quantitative Real-Time-PCR. 2,3-Bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were elaborated to study, respectively, metabolism of Candida treated with sulfones and their cytotoxicity against tissues. Inflammatory response was detected by ELISA.
Results:
Lysosome permeabilization and dose-dependent programmed cell death under sulfones were noted. KEX2 induction depended on halogenomethylsulfonyl groups, which affected cell wall biosynthesis and adhesion.
Conclusion:
Sulfones treatment reduced Candida pathogenicity in Galleria mellonella. Sulfones are an alternative for antifungal therapies due to their safety profile and antibiofilm activity.
