Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
Published on: December 28, 2017
Adhesins in Candida glabrata
Bea Timmermans1,2, Alejandro De Las Peñas3, Irene Castaño4
1KU Leuven, Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 bus 2438, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. bea.timmermans@kuleuven.vib.be.
Abstract:
The human fungal pathogen Candida glabrata is causing more and more problems in hospitals, as this species shows an intrinsic antifungal drug resistance or rapidly becomes resistant when challenged with antifungals. C. glabrata only grows in the yeast form, so it is lacking a yeast-to-hyphae switch, which is one of the main virulence factors of C. albicans. An important virulence factor of C. glabrata is its capacity to strongly adhere to many different substrates. To achieve this, C. glabrata expresses a large number of adhesin-encoding genes and genome comparisons with closely related species, including the non-pathogenic S. cerevisiae, which revealed a correlation between the number of adhesin-encoding genes and pathogenicity. The adhesins are involved in the first steps during an infection; they are the first point of contact with the host. For several of these adhesins, their importance in adherence to different substrates and subsequent biofilm formation was demonstrated in vitro or in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of C. glabrata adhesins during adhesion and biofilm formation both, under in vitro and in vivo conditions.
Insights
Candida glabrata exhibits antifungal resistance and adheres strongly to surfaces. This review overviews how its adhesins contribute to adhesion and biofilm formation, crucial for hospital-acquired infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Microbial Pathogenesis
- Antifungal Drug Resistance
Background:
- Candida glabrata is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen.
- It exhibits intrinsic or acquired antifungal drug resistance, posing clinical challenges.
- Unlike Candida albicans, C. glabrata lacks a yeast-to-hyphae transition, relying on other virulence factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Candida glabrata adhesins in host-pathogen interactions.
- To summarize the contribution of adhesins to adherence and biofilm formation.
- To highlight adhesins as key virulence factors in C. glabrata infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on C. glabrata adhesins.
- Analysis of genome comparisons between C. glabrata and related species.
- In vitro and in vivo studies on adherence and biofilm formation.
Main Results:
- C. glabrata possesses numerous adhesin-encoding genes, correlating with pathogenicity.
- Adhesins mediate initial host cell contact and colonization.
- Several adhesins have been shown to be critical for substrate adherence and biofilm development.
Conclusions:
- Candida glabrata adhesins are essential virulence factors.
- Adhesins play a pivotal role in the adherence and biofilm formation capabilities of C. glabrata.
- Understanding adhesin function is key to combating C. glabrata infections.
