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Published on: September 16, 2022
Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cocultimycin A against Candida albicans
Xiaohong Zhu1, Anqi Wang1, Yifan Zheng1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
Abstract:
Candida albicans (C. albicans), the most common fungal pathogen, has the ability to form a biofilm, leading to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. Cocultimycin A, a novel antifungal antibiotic isolated from the co-culture of two marine fungi, exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on planktonic C. albicans cells. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of cocultimycin A against C. albicans and explore its underlying mechanism. Crystal violet staining showed that cocultimycin A remarkably inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner and disrupted mature biofilms at higher concentrations. However, the metabolic activity of mature biofilms treated with lower concentrations of cocultimycin A significantly decreased when using the XTT reduction method. Cocultimycin A could inhibit yeast-to-hypha transition and mycelium formation of C. albicans colonies, which was observed through the use of a light microscope. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that biofilms treated with cocultimycin A were disrupted, yeast cells increased, and hypha cells decreased and significantly shortened. The adhesive ability of C. albicans cells treated with cocultimycin A to the medium and HOEC cells significantly decreased. Through the use of a qRT-PCR assay, the expression of multiple genes related to adhesion, hyphal formation and cell membrane changes in relation to biofilm cells treated with cocultimycin A. All these results suggested that cocultimycin A may be considered a potential novel molecule for treating and preventing biofilm-related C. albicans infections.
Insights
Cocultimycin A effectively inhibits Candida albicans biofilm formation and disrupts existing biofilms. This novel antifungal shows promise in preventing and treating biofilm-related fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Antimicrobial Research
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Candida albicans forms biofilms, increasing virulence and drug resistance.
- Biofilm formation poses significant challenges in treating C. albicans infections.
- Novel antifungal agents are needed to combat resistant fungal pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of cocultimycin A against C. albicans.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying cocultimycin A's anti-biofilm effects.
- To explore cocultimycin A as a potential therapeutic agent for C. albicans biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Crystal violet staining and XTT reduction assay for biofilm quantification and metabolic activity.
- Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis.
- Gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR to assess molecular mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Cocultimycin A inhibited biofilm formation dose-dependently and disrupted mature biofilms.
- Metabolic activity of biofilms was reduced by cocultimycin A.
- Inhibition of yeast-to-hypha transition, reduced adhesion, and altered gene expression were observed.
Conclusions:
- Cocultimycin A demonstrates significant anti-biofilm activity against C. albicans.
- The compound affects biofilm structure, yeast-to-hypha transition, and adhesion.
- Cocultimycin A is a potential candidate for treating and preventing C. albicans biofilm infections.
