Pilocarpine inhibits Candida albicans biofilm maturation by altering lipid, sphingolipid, and protein content
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ABSTRACT: Candida albicans filamentation and biofilm formation are key virulence factors tied to tissue invasion and antifungal tolerance. Pilocarpine hydrochloride (PHCl), a muscarinic receptor agonist, inhibits biofilm maturation, though its mechanism remains unclear. We explored PHCl effects by analyzing sphingolipid and lipid composition and proteomics in treated biofilms. PHCl significantly decreased polar lipid and ergosterol levels in biofilms while inducing phytoceramide and glucosylceramide accumulation. PHCl also induced reactive oxygen species and early apoptosis. Proteomic analysis revealed that PHCl treatment downregulated proteins associated with metabolism, cell wall remodeling, and DNA repair in biofilms to levels comparable to those observed in planktonic cells. Consistently with ergosterol reduction, Erg2 was found reduced.
Overall, PHCl disrupts key pathways essential for biofilm integrity, resulting in reduced stability and increased detachment, underscoring its potential as a versatile antifungal compound.
INSTRUMENT(S): Triple TOF 6600 Sciex
ORGANISM(S): Candida Albicans (ncbitaxon:5476)
SUBMITTER:
Elisa Borghi
PROVIDER: MSV000097355 | MassIVE | Tue Mar 18 07:25:00 GMT 2025
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PXD061975
REPOSITORIES: MassIVE
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