Publication Detail

The publication detail shows the title, authors (with indicators showing other profiled authors), information on the publishing organization, abstract and a link to the article in PubMed. This abstract is what is used to create the fingerprint of the publication. If any grants are referenced by the publication, they will be listed here as well.

Farnesol, a fungal quorum-sensing molecule triggers apoptosis in human oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Mark A Scheper; Mark E Shirtliff; Timothy F Meiller; Brian M Peters; Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk (Profiled Authors: Timothy Meiller; Maryann Rizk; Mark Shirtliff)

Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) 2008;10(9):954-63.

Farnesol is a catabolite within the isoprenoid/cholesterol pathway that has exhibited significant antitumor activity. Farnesol was recently identified as a quorum-sensing molecule produced by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In this study, we hypothesize that synthetic and Candida-produced farnesol can induce apoptosis in vitro in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) lines. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial degradation, and survivin and caspase expressions were examined. In addition, global protein expression profiles were analyzed using proteomic analysis. Results demonstrated significant decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptosis in cells exposed to farnesol and C. albicans culture media. Concurrently, protein expression analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in survivin and an increase in cleaved-caspase expression, whereas fluorescent microscopy revealed the presence of active caspases with mitochondrial degradation in exposed cells. A total of 36 differentially expressed proteins were identified by proteomic analysis. Among the 26 up-regulated proteins were those involved in the inhibition of carcinogenesis, proliferation suppression, and aging. Most notable among the 10 down-regulated proteins were those involved in the inhibition of apoptosis and proteins overexpressed in epithelial carcinomas. This study demonstrates that farnesol significantly inhibits the proliferation of OSCCs and promotes apoptosis in vitro through both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways. In addition, we report for the first time the ability of Candida-produced farnesol to induce a similar apoptotic response through the same pathways. The capability of farnesol to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells makes it a potential tool for studying tumor progression and an attractive candidate as a therapeutic agent.

2 Originating Grant

• 1.

  Shuldiner, Alan R

  Clinical Research Career Development (RMI)

  23 September 2005 - 31 July 2010

  NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES

• 2.

  Jabra-Rizk, Mary A

  MOLECULAR BASIS OF VIRULENCE FACTORS OF ORAL FUNGAL SP.

  1 September 2002 - 30 June 2007

  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

Scientific Context

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