Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion

Abstract Candida albicans is a leading fungal pathogen in humans, responsible for infections that span from mucosal surfaces to severe systemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate potential ability of yeast-derived glycolipids from Meyerozyma guilliermondii as an antifungal against Candida alb...

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Main Authors: Kwanrutai Watchaputi, Pattanan Songdech, Channa Jayasekara, Panupong Puttarak, Erwin Lamping, Richard D. Cannon, Nitnipa Soontorngun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08816-3
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author Kwanrutai Watchaputi
Pattanan Songdech
Channa Jayasekara
Panupong Puttarak
Erwin Lamping
Richard D. Cannon
Nitnipa Soontorngun
author_facet Kwanrutai Watchaputi
Pattanan Songdech
Channa Jayasekara
Panupong Puttarak
Erwin Lamping
Richard D. Cannon
Nitnipa Soontorngun
author_sort Kwanrutai Watchaputi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Candida albicans is a leading fungal pathogen in humans, responsible for infections that span from mucosal surfaces to severe systemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate potential ability of yeast-derived glycolipids from Meyerozyma guilliermondii as an antifungal against Candida albicans biofilms. Glycolipid extract (64 µg/mL) reduced metabolic activity by 50% in both immature and mature biofilms, while biofilm mass was reduced at higher concentrations of 128 and 256 µg/mL, respectively. Adhesion, a key step in biofilm formation, decreased by over 50% when cells were treated with glycolipids (16 µg/mL). Gene expression analysis indicated that glycolipids downregulated key adhesion-related gene ACE2, confirming their role in disrupting C. albicans adhesion. Importantly, structural changes in C. albicans biofilms, including reduced hyphal production and wrinkled cell surfaces, were observed under SEM. Nocodazole, a cell cycle synchronizer, arrested cells in the G2/M phase, enhancing glycolipid’s effects on lowing expression of biofilm-related genes. Lipidomics analysis also revealed a compound with same mass as sophorolipid. Furthermore, purification glycolipid fraction revealed two main forms: lactonic and acidic, compared to standards. Acidic fraction showed superior antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory activity with low toxicity. These findings highlight the potential of yeast-derived glycolipids for biopharmaceutical applications, particularly in treating Candida biofilms.
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spelling doaj-art-e5aa1742b6c64f58a97929801d8f1a3d2025-08-20T03:37:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-08816-3Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesionKwanrutai Watchaputi0Pattanan Songdech1Channa Jayasekara2Panupong Puttarak3Erwin Lamping4Richard D. Cannon5Nitnipa Soontorngun6Excellent Research Laboratory for Yeast Innovation, Division of Biochemical Technology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)Excellent Research Laboratory for Yeast Innovation, Division of Biochemical Technology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)Excellent Research Laboratory for Yeast Innovation, Division of Biochemical Technology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)Phytomedicine and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Excellence Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla UniversitySir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of OtagoSir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of OtagoExcellent Research Laboratory for Yeast Innovation, Division of Biochemical Technology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)Abstract Candida albicans is a leading fungal pathogen in humans, responsible for infections that span from mucosal surfaces to severe systemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate potential ability of yeast-derived glycolipids from Meyerozyma guilliermondii as an antifungal against Candida albicans biofilms. Glycolipid extract (64 µg/mL) reduced metabolic activity by 50% in both immature and mature biofilms, while biofilm mass was reduced at higher concentrations of 128 and 256 µg/mL, respectively. Adhesion, a key step in biofilm formation, decreased by over 50% when cells were treated with glycolipids (16 µg/mL). Gene expression analysis indicated that glycolipids downregulated key adhesion-related gene ACE2, confirming their role in disrupting C. albicans adhesion. Importantly, structural changes in C. albicans biofilms, including reduced hyphal production and wrinkled cell surfaces, were observed under SEM. Nocodazole, a cell cycle synchronizer, arrested cells in the G2/M phase, enhancing glycolipid’s effects on lowing expression of biofilm-related genes. Lipidomics analysis also revealed a compound with same mass as sophorolipid. Furthermore, purification glycolipid fraction revealed two main forms: lactonic and acidic, compared to standards. Acidic fraction showed superior antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory activity with low toxicity. These findings highlight the potential of yeast-derived glycolipids for biopharmaceutical applications, particularly in treating Candida biofilms.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08816-3AntifungalsAnti-inflammatoryBiosurfactantCandida albicansCell cycleDrug resistance
spellingShingle Kwanrutai Watchaputi
Pattanan Songdech
Channa Jayasekara
Panupong Puttarak
Erwin Lamping
Richard D. Cannon
Nitnipa Soontorngun
Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
Scientific Reports
Antifungals
Anti-inflammatory
Biosurfactant
Candida albicans
Cell cycle
Drug resistance
title Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
title_full Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
title_fullStr Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
title_full_unstemmed Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
title_short Yeast-derived glycolipids disrupt Candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
title_sort yeast derived glycolipids disrupt candida biofilm and inhibit expression of genes in cell adhesion
topic Antifungals
Anti-inflammatory
Biosurfactant
Candida albicans
Cell cycle
Drug resistance
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08816-3
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