Molecular targets of biofabricated silver nanoparticles in Candida albicans

• Published in: Journal of antibiotics Vol. 72; no. 8; pp. 640 - 644
• Main Authors: Halbandge, Shivkrupa D., Jadhav, Ashwini K., Jangid, Priyanka M., Shelar, Amruta V., Patil, Rajendra H., Karuppayil, Sankunny Mohan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 38/39; 38/77; 45/90; 631/1647/2234; 631/326/193/2542; Antifungal Agents - chemical synthesis; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Bacteriology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bioorganic Chemistry; Brief Communication; Candida albicans - drug effects; Candida albicans - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - drug effects; Fungal Proteins - drug effects; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal - drug effects; Gold; Life Sciences; Medicinal Chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles; Microbiology; Morphogenesis; Nanoparticles; Nuclear Proteins - drug effects; Organic Chemistry; Repressor Proteins - drug effects; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - drug effects; Signal Transduction; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Transcription Factors - drug effects; Yeasts
• ISSN: 0021-8820; 1881-1469
• DOI: 10.1038/s41429-019-0185-9

We have analyzed the expressions of genes which regulate Ras-cAMP- EFG1 and CEK1-MAPK pathways involved in yeast to hyphal form morphogenesis in Candida albicans . The expression profile of genes associated with serum-induced morphogenesis showed reduced expressions of genes involved in these pathways by the treatment with biofabricated silver nanoparticles. Cell elongation gene, ECE1 , was downregulated by 5.1 fold by the treatment of silver nanoparticles. Expression of hyphal inducer gene, TEC1 was downregulated by 6.28 fold. Negative regulators of yeast to hyphal transition, TUP1 and RFG1 were downregulated by 2.45 and 5.43 fold, respectively. Current study suggests that silver nanoparticles affect gene expression and may subsequently reduce virulence in C. albicans . Targeting genes involved in virulence may be an acceptable novel treatment strategy for pathogenic fungal infections.