Fig 6. Rhb1 is involved in Sfp1-mediated regulation of biofilm formation.

Biofilm formation was compared between the sfp1Δ/sfp1Δ strain containing TETp-SFP1 and the rhb1Δ/rhb1Δ strain containing TETp-SFP1. Biofilms were formed for 24 h in SC medium at 37°C with 5% CO₂, with or without 50 μg/ml of doxycycline (DOX). Doxycycline induces the overexpression of the SFP1 gene, which is under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter (TETp). (A) Biofilms were formed on the surface of a 24-well polystyrene microplate in SC medium at 37°C with 5% CO₂ for 24 h. Biofilm cells are shown before washing (top) and after washing (bottom). Representative images from three independent experiments with similar results are shown. (B) Biofilm formation was measured using the XTT reduction assay. The results are presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. *p < 0.05 for cells without DOX treatment vs. DOX-treated cells. (C) The expression of adhesin genes was compared in the presence and absence of SFP1 overexpression in the SFP1- or RHB1-deleted background. Real-time qPCR was performed, and C. albicans PMA1 transcripts were used as an endogenous control. The results are presented as the mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments. *p < 0.05 for cells without DOX treatment vs. cells with DOX treatment.