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Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

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Crosstalk between iron and flavins in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans

Marika S David1, Zhengkai Zhu1, Maranda R McDonald1

  • 1The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|June 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Candida albicans secretes riboflavin during iron starvation, which enhances iron uptake. This adaptation helps the fungus survive in iron-limited host environments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The host immune system restricts iron (Fe) availability to pathogens.
  • Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen, has mechanisms to cope with Fe-limitation.
  • Flavin secretion is an observed response, but its purpose and regulation are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the flavin secreted by Fe-starved C. albicans.
  • To investigate the impact of Fe-starvation on intracellular flavin pools.
  • To determine the role of extracellular flavins in Fe acquisition.

Main Methods:

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry were used to analyze flavins.
  • Gene expression analysis related to flavin biosynthesis and metabolism was performed.
  • Fe uptake assays were conducted using C. albicans in animal serum.

Main Results:

  • Riboflavin was identified as the sole flavin secreted by Fe-starved C. albicans.
  • Fe-starvation increased intracellular riboflavin levels, while FAD and FMN remained unchanged.
  • The transcription factor Sef1 regulates riboflavin biosynthesis, export, and Fe uptake.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular riboflavin enhances Fe uptake by C. albicans, likely via redox activity.
  • This riboflavin-mediated Fe acquisition mechanism promotes fungal fitness in Fe-limited host environments.
Keywords:
Sef1ironmetalriboflavinyeast

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