ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the effects of Litsea cubeba oil on gene expression profile of Candida albicans by comparing the differential gene expression profile after exposure to Litsea cubeba oil using genome-wide gene expression array.Methods Candida albicans ATCC90028 was exposed to Litsea cubeba oil for 90 min.Then RNA was isolated and gene expression profiles were compared to identify the differential gene expression profile using cDNA microarray analysis.Results A total of 491 geneswerefoundtoberesponsivetoLitseacubebaoil,accountingforabout11% ofthetotalnumberofgenesinCandida albicans (491/4 634),of which 216 genes were up-regulated and 275 down-regulated.These differentially expressed genes included genes encoding the key target enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway,genes in stress response,DNA replication and repair,molecular transport,and energy metabolism.Conclusions Litsea cubeba oil has significant effect on the expression of about 1 1% genes of Candida albicans genome.We presume that the genes encoding the key target enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway may contribute to the action of Litseacubeba oil on Candidaalbicans,which is similar to azole antifungal drugs.However,the role of other differentially expressed genes in the action of Litseacubeba oil on Candidaalbicans remains unclear,which deserves further study to characterize their potential association with the antifungal effect of Litsea cubeba oil.