Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans
06:45

Quantifying the Antifungal Activity of Peptides Against Candida albicans

Published on: January 13, 2023

2.8K

Emodin Reduces the Activity of (1,3)-β-D-glucan Synthase from Candida albicans and Does Not Interact with Caspofungin

Monika Janeczko1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.

Polish Journal of Microbiology
|December 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Emodin, a natural compound, inhibits (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase, a key enzyme in Candida cell wall synthesis, similar to echinofungin antifungals. This study reveals emodin

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Candidiasis, a common opportunistic infection, is often caused by *Candida albicans*.
  • The fungal cell wall component (1,3)-β-D-glucan is a target for antifungal drugs like echinocandins.
  • Echinocandins inhibit (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase, disrupting cell integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate emodin's activity against (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase in *Candida* cells.
  • To determine the interaction between emodin and caspofungin, given their similar mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme activity assays for (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase.
  • Cell wall damage assessment using sorbitol protection and aniline blue staining assays.
  • Synergy testing of emodin and caspofungin in combination.

Main Results:

  • Emodin was found to reduce (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase activity.
  • Increased cell wall damage was observed in *Candida* cells treated with emodin.
  • Emodin and caspofungin demonstrated largely independent actions when used together.

Conclusions:

  • Emodin exhibits antifungal activity by inhibiting (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase, similar to echinocandins.
  • Emodin represents a potential therapeutic agent for candidiasis, targeting fungal cell wall biosynthesis.
  • The independent action of emodin and caspofungin suggests potential for combination therapies with reduced drug interactions.
Keywords:
(1,3)-β-D-glucan synthaseCandida albicanscaspofunginechinocandinsemodin

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Candida albicans Detection in Catheter Infections Using Fluorescent Protein Tagging03:24

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Candida albicans Detection in Catheter Infections Using Fluorescent Protein Tagging

Published on: March 22, 2024

2.1K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Research on Candida albicans Biofilm-Associated Prosthetic Joint Infections04:37

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research on Candida albicans Biofilm-Associated Prosthetic Joint Infections

Published on: February 2, 2024

1.3K

Related Concept Videos

ATP Synthase: Structure01:18

ATP Synthase: Structure

ATP synthase or ATPase is among the most conserved proteins found in bacteria, mammals, and plants. This enzyme can catalyze a forward reaction in response to the electrochemical gradient, producing ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP synthase can also work in a reverse direction by hydrolyzing ATP and generating an electrochemical gradient. Different forms of ATP synthases have evolved special features to meet the specific demands of the cell. Based on their specific feature, ATP...
15.5K
ATP Synthase: Mechanism01:48

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased...
17.1K
π Molecular Orbitals of 1,3-Butadiene01:24

π Molecular Orbitals of 1,3-Butadiene

Conjugated dienes have lower heats of hydrogenation than cumulated and isolated dienes, making them more stable. The enhanced stabilization of conjugated systems can be understood from their π molecular orbitals.
The simplest conjugated diene is 1,3-butadiene: a four-carbon system where each carbon is sp2-hybridized and has an unhybridized p orbital that contains an unpaired electron. According to molecular orbital theory, atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals such that the number...
11.7K
Reducing Line Loss01:18

Reducing Line Loss

In a three-phase circuit, line loss is an indicator of energy dissipated as heat due to the resistance of transmission lines. To address this, incorporating transformers into the system—a step-up transformer at the source and a step-down transformer at the load—is a strategic solution. Two three-phase transformers are introduced to improve this.
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
389
Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene01:17

Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene

The electrophilic addition of hydrogen halides such as HBr to alkenes and nonconjugated dienes gives a single product as per Markovnikov’s rule.
8.1K
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
1.4K