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Quorum Sensing pp 219–233Cite as

Linking Quorum Sensing Regulation and Biofilm Formation by Candida albicans

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 692))

Abstract

Candida albicans biofilms are surface-associated, structured communities composed of yeast, hyphal, and pseudohyphal cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix. C. albicans biofilms often lead to life-threatening systemic infections and are particularly difficult to eradicate because of their high levels of resistance to antibiotics. Farnesol, an autoregulatory molecule secreted by C. albicans, inhibits hyphal growth and the expression of a number of morphology-specific genes that are necessary for robust biofilm formation. Many stages of biofilm development are impacted by farnesol including the adherence of cells to the substratum, the architecture of mature biofilms, and the dispersal of cells from biofilms. For these reasons, understanding the mechanisms of action of farnesol could lead to the development of new antifungal compounds that target C. albicans biofilm cells, perhaps rendering biofilms more sensitive to antibiotics. Here, we describe several methods for the analysis of the effects of farnesol on biofilm formation and function.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Dr. Aaron Mitchell (Carnegre mellon University, PA, USA) for providing CSLM pictures. The data described in this chapter were generated in studies funded by NIH (K22 DE016542, D.A.H.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA

    Aurélie Deveau & Deborah A. Hogan

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  1. Aurélie Deveau
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  2. Deborah A. Hogan
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health Sciences Center, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University, 4th Street 3601, Lubbock, 79430, Texas, USA

    Kendra P. Rumbaugh

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Deveau, A., Hogan, D.A. (2011). Linking Quorum Sensing Regulation and Biofilm Formation by Candida albicans . In: Rumbaugh, K. (eds) Quorum Sensing. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 692. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-971-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-971-0_16

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-970-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-971-0

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