title: Fungal quorum sensing molecules: Role in fungal morphogenesis and pathogenicity.
abstract: When microorganisms live together in high numbers, they need to communicate with each other. To achieve cell-cell communication, microorganisms secrete molecules called quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs) that control their biological activities and behaviors. Fungi secrete QSMs such as farnesol, tyrosol, phenylethanol, and tryptophol. The role of QSMs in fungi has been widely studied in both yeasts and filamentous fungi, for example in Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, Aspergillus niger, A. nidulans, and Fusarium graminearum. QSMs impact fungal morphogenesis (yeast-to-hypha formation) and also play a role in the germination of macroconidia. QSMs cause fungal cells to initiate programmed cell death, or apoptosis, and play a role in fungal pathogenicity. Several types of QSMs are produced during stages of biofilm development to control cell population or morphology in biofilm communities. This review article emphasizes the role of fungal QSMs, especially in fungal morphogenesis, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity. Information about QSMs may lead to improved measures for controlling fungal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thanwa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wongsuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Potjaman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pumeesat
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.|Center for Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natthanej
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luplertlop
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D005204:Farnesol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000502:physiology; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000502:physiology*; D000438:Alcohols
chemical_list: D005204:Farnesol; D007211:Indoles; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol; C011867:4-hydroxyphenylethanol; C005949:tryptophol; D000438:Alcohols
keywords: Biofilm; Morphogenesis; Quorum-sensing molecules