title: Modulation of morphogenesis in Candida albicans by various small molecules.
abstract: The pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, a member of the mucosal microbiota, is responsible for a large spectrum of infections, ranging from benign thrush and vulvovaginitis in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals to severe, life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. A striking feature of C. albicans is its ability to grow as budding yeast and as filamentous forms, including hyphae and pseudohyphae. The yeast-to-hypha transition contributes to the overall virulence of C. albicans and may even constitute a target for the development of antifungal drugs. Indeed, impairing morphogenesis in C. albicans has been shown to be a means to treat candidiasis. Additionally, a large number of small molecules such as farnesol, fatty acids, rapamycin, geldanamycin, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and cell cycle inhibitors have been reported to modulate the yeast-to-hypha transition in C. albicans. In this minireview, we take a look at molecules that modulate morphogenesis in this pathogenic yeast. When possible, we address experimental findings regarding their mechanisms of action and their therapeutic potential. We discuss whether or not modulating morphogenesis constitutes a strategy to treat Candida infections.
authors.affiliation: Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shareck
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Belhumeur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005204:Farnesol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D047029:Lactams, Macrocyclic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001430:Bacteriocins; D016227:Benzoquinones; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D005227:Fatty Acids; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D047029:Lactams, Macrocyclic; D005204:Farnesol; D020123:Sirolimus; C001277:geldanamycin