Proteomic analysis of cytosolic proteins associated with petite mutations in Candida glabrata

The incidence of superficial or deep-seated infections due to Candida glabrata has increased markedly, probably because of the low intrinsic susceptibility of this microorganism to azole antifungals and its relatively high propensity to acquire azole resistance. To determine changes in the C. glabrata proteome associated with petite mutations, cytosolic extracts from an azole-resistant petite mutant of C. glabrata induced by exposure to ethidium bromide, and from its azole-susceptible parent isolate were compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins of interest were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting or sequence tagging using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Tryptic peptides from a total of 160 Coomassie-positive spots were analyzed for each strain. Sixty-five different proteins were identified in the cytosolic extracts of the parent strain and 58 in the petite mutant. Among the proteins identified, 10 were higher in the mutant strain, whereas 23 were lower compared to the parent strain. The results revealed a significant decrease in the enzymes associated with the metabolic rate of mutant cells such as aconitase, transaldolase, and pyruvate kinase, and changes in the levels of specific heat shock proteins. Moreover, transketolase, aconitase and catalase activity measurements decreased significantly in the ethidium bromide-induced petite mutant. These data may be useful for designing experiments to obtain a better understanding of the nuclear response to impairment of mitochondrial function associated with this mutation in C. glabrata

Evaluation of the Environmental Toxicity Profile of Shampoos Formulated with Plant Biosurfactants

In developing new cosmetics, a series of steps must be followed until the final product is reached. In general, the process goes through the initial idea and preliminary research before reaching the development of the prototype. After the development of the prototype, several analytical tests are carried out to prove the viability of the product before production on a pilot scale. In the present work, three prototypes of innovative shampoo formulations containing plant extracts, rich in biosurfactants, of Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa), Glycine max (soy) and Malpighia emarginata (acerola) as cleaning agents were analyzed for their environmental toxicity profile. The plant extracts used aimed to reduce the use of toxic synthetic surfactants and to produce safe, renewable and biodegradable formulations, to help solve the challenges related to the damage caused to the environment due to the presence of synthetic surfactants in shampoo formulations and their toxic residues in soils and waters. The toxicity of the formulations was evaluated at a concentration of 1%, and the tests carried out were the phytotoxicity tests through the static test involving seed germination and root elongation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and the Allium cepa L. root growth inhibition test. A toxicity test was also performed using the microcrustacean Artemia salina as a bioindicator. A formulation without the addition of surfactants, another containing only DCG, and a commercially available shampoo, whose acceptability is known, were used as comparative standards. The results showed that the formulations showed reduced or no toxic activity for the environmental bioindicator Artemia salina, for the seeds of S. lycopersicum and for the root growth of Allium cepa L., indicating the biocompatibility and safety of these formulations, thus presenting the potential for future commercialization, for the supply of new biotechnological products with high added value