Scholarlink

Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay is widely used to evaluate the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of fungi. CSH is an important feature that influences fungal adhesion to surfaces, biofilm formation and host tissue invasion, which are key factors in fungal pathogenicity (Danchik, Casadevall, Front Cell Infect Microbiol 10:594973, 2021). The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay evaluates the affinity of fungal cell surfaces for hydrophobic substances by measuring their ability to partition into a hydrocarbon layer, such as n-hexadecane, when mixed with an aqueous cell suspension. Hydrophobic cells preferentially migrate into the hydrocarbon phase, while hydrophilic cells remain in the aqueous phase. In this test, a fungal culture is mixed with n-hexadecane and then a phase separation is performed. The optical density (OD) of the aqueous phase (bottom layer) is measured after phase separation. A significant decrease in the OD of the aqueous phase indicates a high degree of hydrophobicity, as more cells adhere to the hydrocarbon layer, reducing the number of cells in the aqueous phase (de Miranda et al, J Appl Oral Sci 32:e20240154, 2024). Conversely, a minimal change in OD indicates low hydrophobicity. The degree of hydrophobicity reflects the chemical composition of the fungal cell surface, which is influenced by factors such as cell wall structure and the expression of surface proteins. The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay is crucial for studying fungal virulence, as hydrophobicity plays a critical role in the ability of fungi to adhere to host tissues and surfaces, which is a key step in the initiating infection (Kumari et al, Mycology 12:296, 2021). With this assay, we can compare the hydrophobicity of different fungal strains or investigate the effects of environmental conditions or genetic factors on the adhesion properties of fungi. Overall, the MATH assay is a valuable tool for improving our understanding of fungal pathogenicity and identifying potential therapeutic targets for antifungal interventions. The protocol described describes the detailed steps of the MATH assay to measure CSH.

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Hydrophobicity Test for Virulence of Pathogenic Fungi

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

查看全文
  • Ritu Pasrija,
  • Deepika Kumari

摘要

Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay is widely used to evaluate the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of fungi. CSH is an important feature that influences fungal adhesion to surfaces, biofilm formation and host tissue invasion, which are key factors in fungal pathogenicity (Danchik, Casadevall, Front Cell Infect Microbiol 10:594973, 2021). The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay evaluates the affinity of fungal cell surfaces for hydrophobic substances by measuring their ability to partition into a hydrocarbon layer, such as n-hexadecane, when mixed with an aqueous cell suspension. Hydrophobic cells preferentially migrate into the hydrocarbon phase, while hydrophilic cells remain in the aqueous phase. In this test, a fungal culture is mixed with n-hexadecane and then a phase separation is performed. The optical density (OD) of the aqueous phase (bottom layer) is measured after phase separation. A significant decrease in the OD of the aqueous phase indicates a high degree of hydrophobicity, as more cells adhere to the hydrocarbon layer, reducing the number of cells in the aqueous phase (de Miranda et al, J Appl Oral Sci 32:e20240154, 2024). Conversely, a minimal change in OD indicates low hydrophobicity. The degree of hydrophobicity reflects the chemical composition of the fungal cell surface, which is influenced by factors such as cell wall structure and the expression of surface proteins. The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay is crucial for studying fungal virulence, as hydrophobicity plays a critical role in the ability of fungi to adhere to host tissues and surfaces, which is a key step in the initiating infection (Kumari et al, Mycology 12:296, 2021). With this assay, we can compare the hydrophobicity of different fungal strains or investigate the effects of environmental conditions or genetic factors on the adhesion properties of fungi. Overall, the MATH assay is a valuable tool for improving our understanding of fungal pathogenicity and identifying potential therapeutic targets for antifungal interventions. The protocol described describes the detailed steps of the MATH assay to measure CSH.