Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC)
The search for new antifungal substances is increasingly relevant due to growing antifungal resistance. <i>Candida albicans</i> is the most common pathogen yeast in humans, primarily in immuno-compromised individuals. Isothiocyanates, derived from glucosinolates, are compounds with an an...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| author | Ana Calado Cheila Pereira Ana C. Sampaio |
| author_facet | Ana Calado Cheila Pereira Ana C. Sampaio |
| author_sort | Ana Calado |
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| description | The search for new antifungal substances is increasingly relevant due to growing antifungal resistance. <i>Candida albicans</i> is the most common pathogen yeast in humans, primarily in immuno-compromised individuals. Isothiocyanates, derived from glucosinolates, are compounds with an antimicrobial effect at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to analyse the ultrastructural changes in three <i>C. albicans</i> isolates after exposure to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) at different lengths of exposure time (2.5, 5 and 24 h). Before exposure to BITC, cells presented a regular round or oval shape, with a uniform cell wall. After exposure to BITC, cell wall damage and loss occurred in the three strains. The cells developed extensive indentations, and a band of electrodense material was formed in the cortical cytoplasm. Although, for one isolate, no intact cells were detected, at the highest exposure time, two of the isolates showed a relevant response, regaining almost normal cell shape with nearly complete cell wall recovery. Cell lysis led to the deposition of a melted and unmixed mass with two apparently distinct fractions, the cell wall fraction and the cytoplasmic fraction. The present work demonstrates that, through targeting the <i>C. albicans</i> cell wall, BITC may prove to be a promising antifungal compound. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d09faead7f4141ac81b7a36b7c8d8065 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-9976 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
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| series | Biology and Life Sciences Forum |
| spelling | doaj-art-d09faead7f4141ac81b7a36b7c8d80652025-08-20T02:53:18ZengMDPI AGBiology and Life Sciences Forum2673-99762023-11-013112910.3390/ECM2023-16469Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC)Ana Calado0Cheila Pereira1Ana C. Sampaio2Department of Veterinarian Science, School of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalDepartment of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalDepartment of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalThe search for new antifungal substances is increasingly relevant due to growing antifungal resistance. <i>Candida albicans</i> is the most common pathogen yeast in humans, primarily in immuno-compromised individuals. Isothiocyanates, derived from glucosinolates, are compounds with an antimicrobial effect at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to analyse the ultrastructural changes in three <i>C. albicans</i> isolates after exposure to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) at different lengths of exposure time (2.5, 5 and 24 h). Before exposure to BITC, cells presented a regular round or oval shape, with a uniform cell wall. After exposure to BITC, cell wall damage and loss occurred in the three strains. The cells developed extensive indentations, and a band of electrodense material was formed in the cortical cytoplasm. Although, for one isolate, no intact cells were detected, at the highest exposure time, two of the isolates showed a relevant response, regaining almost normal cell shape with nearly complete cell wall recovery. Cell lysis led to the deposition of a melted and unmixed mass with two apparently distinct fractions, the cell wall fraction and the cytoplasmic fraction. The present work demonstrates that, through targeting the <i>C. albicans</i> cell wall, BITC may prove to be a promising antifungal compound.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/31/1/29<i>Candida albicans</i>ultrastructurecell wallcell damageBITC |
| spellingShingle | Ana Calado Cheila Pereira Ana C. Sampaio Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) Biology and Life Sciences Forum <i>Candida albicans</i> ultrastructure cell wall cell damage BITC |
| title | Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) |
| title_full | Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) |
| title_fullStr | Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) |
| title_short | Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) |
| title_sort | ultrastructural changes in i candida albicans i induced by benzyl isothiocyanate bitc |
| topic | <i>Candida albicans</i> ultrastructure cell wall cell damage BITC |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/31/1/29 |
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