title: Human lactoferrin induces apoptosis-like cell death in Candida albicans: critical role of K+-channel-mediated K+ efflux.
abstract: Human lactoferrin (hLf) induced an apoptosis-like phenotype in Candida albicans cells, which includes phosphatidylserine externalization, nuclear chromatin condensation, DNA degradation, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Intracellular ROS accumulation was seen to correlate with candidacidal activity in hLf-treated cells. Mitochondrial activity was involved as indicated by mitochondrial depolarization and increased hLf resistance of cells preincubated with sordarin or erythromycin, the latter of which inhibits protein synthesis in mitoribosomes. Interestingly, Cl(-)- and K(+)-channel blockers prevented the hLf antimicrobial activity, but only when cells were pretreated with the blocking agent (tetraethylammonium) prior to the hLf-induced K(+)-release period. These results indicate for the first time that K(+)-channel-mediated K(+) efflux is required for the progression of apoptosis-like process in yeast, suggesting that this essential apoptotic event of higher eukaryotes has been evolutionary conserved among species ranging from yeasts to humans.
authors: Laboratory of Oral Microbiology, School of Stomatology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: María T
authors: MT
authors: Andrés
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Viejo-Díaz
authors: José F
authors: JF
authors: Fierro
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007781:Lactoferrin; D011188:Potassium