Effect of simulated microgravity on Candida albicans drug resistance to caspofungin

Faculty Sponsor

Patrice G. Bouyer

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Department/Program

Biology

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-22-2026

Abstract

Candida albicans (C. albicans) a gut commensal fungus can form filaments and become harmful under certain conditions. Low gravity has been reported to increase microbial virulence gene expression and enhance C. albicans resistance to amphotericin B. Here, we investigated whether simulated low gravity affects C. albicans sensitivity to caspofungin and alters expression of the hyphal-associated genes HWP1 and ALS3.

SC5314 C. albicans strains were grown on Mueller-Hinton and YEPD agar plates. Simulated low gravity was generated using a clinostat. Caspofungin sensitivity was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer assay. Gene-specific primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to evaluate HWP1 and ALS3 expression.

After 5–6 days, low gravity had no effect on caspofungin sensitivity in yeast grown on Mueller-Hinton plates. However, prolonged exposure significantly reduced the zone of inhibition (ZOI) from 273±32 mm² in controls to 174±20 mm² under low gravity at 12 days (P< 0.05), and from 248±30 mm² to 110±26 mm² at 13 days (P< 0.001). On YEPD plates, 5–6 days of low gravity exposure also produced no significant change. In contrast, low gravity significantly increased the ZOI at 12 days, from 95±31 mm² in controls to 191±13 mm² (P< 0.01). No significant differences were detected in HWP1 or ALS3 expression at any time point.

These findings indicate that simulated low gravity influences caspofungin sensitivity in a time-dependent manner and the caspofungin sensitivity varies with growth medium. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying these effects during adaptation to altered gravity.

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