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Candidalysin Is the Hemolytic Factor of Candida albicans

Selene Mogavero1, Sarah Höfs1, Alexa N Lauer1,2

  • 1Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany.

Toxins
|December 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Candidalysin, a toxin from Candida albicans, is identified as the long-sought hemolytic factor. This finding reveals new therapeutic targets for candidalysin and related fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • * Candida albicans is a significant human pathogen responsible for mucosal and systemic infections.
  • * C. albicans possesses hemolytic activity, but the specific factor responsible has remained unidentified.
  • * Candidalysin, a secreted peptide toxin, is a known virulence factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To identify the hemolytic factor of Candida albicans.
  • * To investigate the role of candidalysin in hemolysis.
  • * To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting candidalysin.

Main Methods:

  • * Biochemical assays to assess hemolytic activity.
  • * Characterization of candidalysin's interaction with synthetic membranes.
  • * Evaluation of neutralizing agents, including PPADS and nanobodies.

Main Results:

  • * Candidalysin was confirmed as the primary hemolytic factor of C. albicans.
  • * Hemolytic activity of candidalysin is modulated by Ece1 peptide fragments.
  • * Pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS) neutralized candidalysin's hemolytic activity and membrane intercalation.
  • * Anti-candidalysin nanobodies demonstrated neutralization potential.

Conclusions:

  • * Candidalysin is the identified hemolytic factor of Candida albicans.
  • * This discovery provides insights into C. albicans pathogenicity.
  • * PPADS and anti-candidalysin nanobodies represent potential therapeutic interventions against Candida infections.
Keywords:
Candida albicansPPADSVHHcandidalysinerythrocyteshemolysinintercalationnanobodiesneutralizationpeptide toxin

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