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. 1998;6(4):176–181. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-0997(1998)6:4<176::AID-IDOG7>3.0.CO;2-V

17-beta-estradiol upregulates the stress response in Candida albicans: implications for microbial virulence.

C O'Connor 1, M Essmann 1, B Larsen 1
PMCID: PMC1784798  PMID: 9812250

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The influence of 17-beta-estradiol on the stress response of Candida albicans was studied. METHODS: The survival of clinical isolates of C. albicans treated with 17-beta-estradiol after heat and oxidative stress was measured by viable plate counts. Cellular proteins were analyzed via SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: The heat stress response induced by 17-beta-estradiol in C. albicans grown at 25 degrees C protected the organisms against the lethal temperature of 48.5 degrees C, as shown by viable plate counts. 17-beta-estradiol also enhanced protection of C. albicans against oxidative stress (menadione exposure). SDS-PAGE analysis of cytoplasmic extracts revealed proteins induced by 17-beta-estradiol were similar to those induced by heat. CONCLUSION: 17-beta-estradiol enhances survival of C. albicans under heat and oxidative stresses. The proteins induced by 17-beta-estradiol are probably heat shock proteins. Because heat shock proteins are considered to be virulence factors, 17-beta-estradiol may function to promote in vivo survival.

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Selected References

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