The combined application of the anti-RAS1 and anti-RIM101 2'-OMethylRNA oligomers enhances Candida albicans filamentation control. (7th June 2021) - Barbosa, Ana
Abstract: Although antisense oligomers (ASOs) have been successfully utilized to control gene expression, they have been little exploited to control Candida albicans virulence's determinants. Filamentation is an important virulence factor of C. albicans, and RAS1 and RIM101 genes are involved in its regulation. Thus, the main goal of this work was to project ASOs, based on 2'- O Methyl chemical modification, to target RAS1 and RIM101 mRNA and to validate its application either alone or in combination, to reduce Candida filamentation in different human body fluids. It was verified that both, anti- RAS1 2' O Me and anti- RIM101 2' O Me oligomers, were able to reduce the levels of RAS1 and RIM101 genes' expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation. Furthermore, the combined application of anti- RAS1 2' O Me oligomer and anti- RIM101 2' O Me oligomer enhances the control of C. albicans filamentation in artificial saliva and urine. Our work confirms that ASOs are useful tools for research and therapeutic development on the control of candidiasis. Lay Summary: This work aimed to project antisense oligomers to control Candida albicans filamentation. The results revealed that the projected oligomers, anti- RAS1 2 'O Me and anti- RIM101 2 'O Me, were able to control RAS1 and RIM101 gene expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation.