TITLE:
Identification of a Candida albicans Biofilm Inhibitor
AUTHORS:
Keita Odanaka
KEYWORDS:
Biofilm, Candida albicans, Antifungal Agent
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Molecular Biology,
Vol.12 No.2,
April
7,
2022
ABSTRACT: Candida albicans proliferates in the skin and oral cavity and is the
causative agent of candida dermatitis and oral candidiasis. C. albicans is known to form biofilms on oral mucosa and denture surfaces. Formation of
biofilms deteriorates the permeability of antifungal drugs, decreasing their
effectiveness. Therefore, in this study, I identified a compound with
inhibitory activity against C. albicans biofilm formation. Heat shock protein 90 was selected as the target protein,
and a potential ligand for the same was extracted and identified as
2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)cyclopentanol. C. albicans was then cultured
with varying concentrations of this compound: 0 mmol/L, 0.63 mmol/l. 2.5
mmol/l, and 10 mmol/l, and biofilm formation was measured via crystal violet
assay. The findings demonstrated that 2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)cyclopentanol substantially inhibits biofilm formation when added at a concentration of
0.63 mmol/l or higher. It is suggested that C.
albicans could be eliminated more efficiently using this compound in
combination with the existing antifungal drug miconazole. Further, the
compound may also be useful as a disinfectant for medical devices, such as
catheters, to prevent the formation of C. albicans biofilms.