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Annual Review of Microbiology 2015In humans, microbial cells (including bacteria, archaea, and fungi) greatly outnumber host cells. Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal species of the human... (Review)
Review
In humans, microbial cells (including bacteria, archaea, and fungi) greatly outnumber host cells. Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal species of the human microbiota; this species asymptomatically colonizes many areas of the body, particularly the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy individuals. Alterations in host immunity, stress, resident microbiota, and other factors can lead to C. albicans overgrowth, causing a wide range of infections, from superficial mucosal to hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. To date, most studies of C. albicans have been carried out in suspension cultures; however, the medical impact of C. albicans (like that of many other microorganisms) depends on its ability to thrive as a biofilm, a closely packed community of cells. Biofilms are notorious for forming on implanted medical devices, including catheters, pacemakers, dentures, and prosthetic joints, which provide a surface and sanctuary for biofilm growth. C. albicans biofilms are intrinsically resistant to conventional antifungal therapeutics, the host immune system, and other environmental perturbations, making biofilm-based infections a significant clinical challenge. Here, we review our current knowledge of biofilms formed by C. albicans and closely related fungal species.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Adhesion; Fungi; Humans; Mycoses
PubMed: 26488273
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-091014-104330 -
Microbes and Infection May 2016A major virulence attribute of Candida albicans is its ability to form biofilms, densely packed communities of cells adhered to a surface. These biofilms are... (Review)
Review
A major virulence attribute of Candida albicans is its ability to form biofilms, densely packed communities of cells adhered to a surface. These biofilms are intrinsically resistant to conventional antifungal therapeutics, the host immune system, and other environmental factors, making biofilm-associated infections a significant clinical challenge. Here, we review current knowledge on the development, regulation, and molecular mechanisms of C. albicans biofilms.
Topics: Biofilms; Candida albicans; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Humans; Virulence
PubMed: 26806384
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2016.01.002 -
Nature Reviews. Microbiology Jan 2018Candida albicans is among the most prevalent fungal species of the human microbiota and asymptomatically colonizes healthy individuals. However, it is also an... (Review)
Review
Candida albicans is among the most prevalent fungal species of the human microbiota and asymptomatically colonizes healthy individuals. However, it is also an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe, and often fatal, bloodstream infections. The medical impact of C. albicans typically depends on its ability to form biofilms, which are closely packed communities of cells that attach to surfaces, such as tissues and implanted medical devices. In this Review, we provide an overview of the processes involved in the formation of C. albicans biofilms and discuss the core transcriptional network that regulates biofilm development. We also consider some of the advantages that biofilms provide to C. albicans in comparison with planktonic growth and explore polymicrobial biofilms that are formed by C. albicans and certain bacterial species.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Gene Regulatory Networks; Humans
PubMed: 29062072
DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.107 -
Virulence 2015Candida albicans, a commonly encountered fungal pathogen, causes diseases varying from superficial mucosal complaints to life-threatening systemic disorders. Among the...
Candida albicans, a commonly encountered fungal pathogen, causes diseases varying from superficial mucosal complaints to life-threatening systemic disorders. Among the virulence traits of C. albicans, yeast-to-hypha transition is most widely acknowledged. Host innate immunity to C. albicans critically requires pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), and defence against C. albicans infection is provided by an exquisite interplay between the innate and adaptive arms of the host immune system.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Fungal Vaccines; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate
PubMed: 25590793
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2014.1000752 -
Current Biology : CB Aug 2012
Topics: Biofilms; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Humans; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 22917504
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.05.043 -
Virulence Nov 2017Candida albicans is an important etiological agent of superficial and life-threatening infections in individuals with compromised immune systems. To date, we know of... (Review)
Review
Candida albicans is an important etiological agent of superficial and life-threatening infections in individuals with compromised immune systems. To date, we know of several overlapping genetic networks that govern virulence attributes in this fungal pathogen. Classical use of deletion mutants has led to the discovery of numerous virulence factors over the years, and genome-wide functional analysis has propelled gene discovery at an even faster pace. Indeed, a number of recent studies using large-scale genetic screens followed by genome-wide functional analysis has allowed for the unbiased discovery of many new genes involved in C. albicans biology. Here we share our perspectives on the role of these studies in analyzing fundamental aspects of C. albicans virulence properties.
Topics: Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Fungal Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Genome, Fungal; Humans; Virulence
PubMed: 28277904
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1292198 -
Current Opinion in Microbiology Dec 2019Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen, can cause a wide variety of both mucosal and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.... (Review)
Review
Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen, can cause a wide variety of both mucosal and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Multiple lines of evidence suggest a strong association between virulence and the ability of C. albicans to undergo a reversible morphological transition from yeast to filamentous cells in response to host environmental cues. Most previous studies on mechanisms important for controlling the C. albicans morphological transition have focused on signaling pathways and sequence-specific transcription factors. However, in recent years a variety of novel mechanisms have been reported, including those involving global transcriptional regulation and translational control. A large-scale functional genomics screen has also revealed new roles in filamentation for certain key biosynthesis pathways. This review article will highlight several of these exciting recent discoveries and discuss how they are relevant to the development of novel antifungal strategies. Ultimately, components of mechanisms that control C. albicans morphogenesis and pathogenicity could potentially serve as viable antifungal targets.
Topics: Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Humans; Hyphae; Signal Transduction; Virulence
PubMed: 31129557
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.04.005 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Nov 2016Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen responsible for both systemic and mucosal infections in a wide variety of immunocompromised individuals. Because the... (Review)
Review
Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen responsible for both systemic and mucosal infections in a wide variety of immunocompromised individuals. Because the ability of C. albicans to undergo a reversible morphological transition from yeast to filaments is important for virulence, significant research efforts have focused on mechanisms that control this transition. While transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms have been well-studied, considerably less is known about the role of post-transcriptional mechanisms. However, in recent years several discoveries have begun to shed light on this important, but understudied, area. Here, I will review a variety of post-transcriptional mechanisms that have recently been shown to control C. albicans morphology, virulence and/or virulence-related processes, including those involving alternative transcript localization, mRNA stability and translation. I will also discuss the role that these mechanisms play in other pathogens as well as the potential they may hold to serve as targets for new antifungal strategies. Ultimately, gaining a better understanding of C. albicans post-transcriptional mechanisms will significantly improve our knowledge of how morphogenesis and virulence are controlled in fungal pathogens and open new avenues for the development of novel and more effective antifungals.
Topics: Alternative Splicing; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA Stability; Transcription, Genetic
PubMed: 27312239
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2294-y -
FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology Oct 2003DNA fingerprinting with the complex probe Ca3 has revealed the following five Candida albicans clades: group I, group II, group III, group SA and group E. These groups... (Review)
Review
DNA fingerprinting with the complex probe Ca3 has revealed the following five Candida albicans clades: group I, group II, group III, group SA and group E. These groups exhibit geographical specificity. Group SA is relatively specific (i.e., highly enriched) to South Africa, group E is relatively specific to Europe, and group II is absent in the Southwest USA and South America. The maintenance of deep-rooted clades side by side in the same geographical locale and the apparent absence of subclade structure suggest little recombination between clades, but higher rates of recombination within clades. Exclusive 5-fluorocytosine resistance in the majority of group I isolates reinforces the above conclusions on recombination, and demonstrates that clades differ phenotypically. The ramifications of these findings with regard to pathogenesis are discussed. In particular, these findings lay to rest the idea that one strain represents all strains of C. albicans, support the need for a worldwide analysis of population structure and clade-specific phenotypic characteristics, and demonstrate that in the future, pathogenic characteristics must be analyzed in representatives from all five clades.
Topics: Candida albicans; DNA Fingerprinting; DNA, Fungal; Disease Reservoirs; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Europe; Evolution, Molecular; Humans; Recombination, Genetic; South Africa; United States
PubMed: 14556989
DOI: 10.1016/S0928-8244(03)00242-6 -
Current Opinion in Microbiology Dec 2016Candida albicans is a commensal coloniser of most people and a pathogen of the immunocompromised or patients in which barriers that prevent dissemination have been... (Review)
Review
Candida albicans is a commensal coloniser of most people and a pathogen of the immunocompromised or patients in which barriers that prevent dissemination have been disrupted. Both the commensal and pathogenic states involve regulation and adaptation to the host microenvironment. The pathogenic potential can be downregulated to sustain commensalism or upregulated to damage host tissue and avoid and subvert immune surveillance. In either case it seems as though the cell biology of this fungus has evolved to enable the establishment of different types of relationships with the human host. Here we summarise latest advances in the analysis of mechanisms that enable C. albicans to occupy different body sites whilst avoiding being eliminated by the sentinel activities of the human immune system.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Fungal Proteins; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Immune Evasion; Mice; Symbiosis
PubMed: 27689902
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.08.006