Differential resistance to oxidants and production of hydrolytic enzymes in Candida albicans

Mycopathologia. 2011 Jan;171(1):35-41. doi: 10.1007/s11046-010-9346-x. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

Resistance to the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species produced by phagocytes and production of hydrolytic enzymes are important aspects of Candida albicans virulence. In this report, we compared twelve C. albicans isolates for their in vitro capacity to resist oxidants-hydrogen peroxide, menadione and paraquat; and to produce hydrolytic enzymes-phospholipase and protease. Different C. albicans isolates showed different degrees of resistance to oxidants as well as differences in production of hydrolytic enzymes. Resistance to oxidative stress did not correlate with production of hydrolytic enzymes. This reinforces the view that C. albicans differentially regulates the expression of virulence factors in response to local environmental conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / toxicity*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / enzymology*
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / toxicity
  • Hydrolysis
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Oxidants / toxicity*
  • Paraquat / toxicity
  • Vitamin K 3 / toxicity

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Enzymes
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Oxidants
  • Vitamin K 3
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Paraquat