Crosstalk between the antioxidant and cell wall integrity systems in fungi by 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde

• Main Authors: Jong H. Kim, Kathleen L. Chan, Christina C. Tam, Luisa W. Cheng, Kirkwood M. Land
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-01-01
• Series: Cogent Food & Agriculture
• Subjects: antifungal intervention; stress signaling; superoxide dismutase
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1823593

We would like to comment on a recent study where the redox-modulatory anti-protozoal drug chloroquine has shown to trigger a crosstalk between the antioxidant and cell wall integrity systems in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This note discusses the redox-active potential of the natural compound 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (2H4M) which could also serve as a potent redox-cycler in fungal (yeast, molds) pathogens. Using S. cerevisiae as a molecular tool, we determined how 2H4M negatively affected both the antioxidant and cell wall integrity systems of fungi, thus indicating a similar crosstalk between the two systems under 2H4M-induced toxicity. The crosstalk functions as a fungal defense against redox-active drugs/compounds or environmental cues, and therefore, could be an effective target for antifungal treatment.