title: Interaction of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) against Aspergillus spp. in vitro.
abstract: This study examined the direct interaction of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) with Aspergillus species. Accumulation of 5-HT in aspergilli was investigated by immunofluorescence staining and laser confocal scanning microscopy. The influence of 5-HT on fungal ergosterol content, cell membrane integrity, fungal growth and hyphal elongation was determined. 5-HT was localised in the cytoplasm of Aspergillus spp., as 5-HT fluorescent signals appeared after 30min at 4 degrees C and in the presence of inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation. 5-HT treatment of Aspergillus spp. significantly affected ergosterol synthesis, fungal cell membrane integrity and hyphal elongation (P<0.05). 5-HT treatment for 4h resulted in a lag of re-growth (post-antifungal effect). In conclusion, our findings suggest that 5-HT affects hyphal growth and diminishes fungal cell membrane integrity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. susanne.perkhofer@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perkhofer
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niederegger
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burgstaller
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ledochowski
authors.forename: Manfred P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dierich
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lass-Flörl
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D004875:Ergosterol