Exogenous fungal quorum sensing molecules inhibit planktonic cell growth and modulate filamentation and biofilm formation in the <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i> complex
Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante, Vandbergue Santos Pereira, Augusto Feynman Dias Nobre, Jonathas Sales de Oliveira, Mirele Rodrigues Fernandes, Anderson da Cunha Costa, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Zoilo Pires dè Camargo, Waldemiro Aquino Pereira-Neto, José Júlio Costa Sidrim, Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of the quorum sensing molecules (QSMs) farnesol, 2-phenylehtanol, tyrosol and tryptophol against planktonic cells, filamentation and biofilms of Sporothrix spp. The antifungal activity of QSMs was evaluated by broth microdilution. QSMs showed MICs in the ranges of 0.01-1 µM (farnesol), 1-8 mM (2-phenylehtanol and tyrosol), and >16 mM (tryptophol). Filamentous biofilm formation was inhibited by farnesol and 2-phenylehtanol and stimulated by tyrosol. Yeast biofilm formation was inhibited by 2-phenylehtanol and tyrosol. Tryptophol did not affect Sporothrix biofilm formation. QSMs showed MICs against mature biofilms of 8-32 µM (farnesol), 8-32 mM (2-phenylehtanol) and 64-128 mM (tyrosol). In conclusion, farnesol, 2-phenylethanol and tyrosol have antifungal activity against planktonic and sessile cells and modulate filamentation and biofilm formation in Sporothrix spp.