title: Catechin inhibits Candida albicans dimorphism by disrupting Cek1 phosphorylation and cAMP synthesis.
abstract: Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen that undergoes dimorphism (transformation from a yeast form to a hyphal form), wherein, the yeast form is identified as a disseminating form that plays a critical role in the early stages of Candida disease progression, while the hyphal form is found to exert additional pathogenicity by adapting to various environmental conditions. Here, we elucidated the effects of catechin on C. albicans hyphal formation. Flow cytometry analysis showed catechin inhibited FCS-induced hyphal formation. Moreover, hypha-specific gene expression in MAP kinase cascade and cAMP pathway was decreased ascribable to catechin. Furthermore, through Western blotting and cAMP synthesis analysis, we found catechin obstructs Cek1 phosphorylation in MAP kinase cascade and suppresses cAMP synthesis. These results suggest that catechin possesses anti-dimorphism activity by interfering with in vitro signal transduction. Similarly, this highlights the possible application of catechin in clinical therapy for the management and prevention of candidosis.
authors: Department of Partial Denture Prosthodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Japan.
authors: Hideo
authors: H
authors: Saito
authors: Muneaki
authors: M
authors: Tamura
authors: Kenichi
authors: K
authors: Imai
authors: Tomohiko
authors: T
authors: Ishigami
authors: Kuniyasu
authors: K
authors: Ochiai
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C077339:CEK1 protein, Candida albicans; D002392:Catechin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3