Analysis of the effect of the farnesol on transcript levels and polysome association in C. albicans. Analysis of the effect of the farnesol on transcript levels and polysome association in C. albicans

Farnesol is a quorum-sensing sesquiterpene alcohol that, via regulation of specific signalling and transcription components, inhibits filamentous growth in Candida. We have found that farnesol also inhibits translation at the initiation step. In contrast to fusel alcohols, that target the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B), farnesol affects the interaction of the mRNA with the small ribosomal subunit leading to reduced levels of the 48S pre-ribosomal complex. To establish the impact of farnesol and how effects on transcription and translation might be co-ordinated, we identified farnesol-dependent changes at both the transcript level and at the level of polysome association using next generation sequencing approaches.