Context
Human mucosal surfaces are colonized by diverse microbial communities. Candida albicans colonizes human mucosal surfaces and is a major systemic fungal pathogen. Biofilm formation and virulence are both linked to the ability to transition from the yeast (blastospore) growth form to the filamentous (hyphal) growth form. The aims of this research were to better understand the interactions between the oral bacteria Streptococcus gordonii and the disease associated fungus C. albicans. Specifically, we analyzed the effects of S. gordonii DL1 on activation of MAP kinases Cek1 and Mkc1 which impact C. albicans morphogenesis from blastospore to the filamentous hyphal form, and the role of H2O2 in this interactionl(1).
[1] C. V. Bamford et al, Infection and Immunity, Sept.2009, p3696-3704. doi:10.1128/IAI.00438-09
