On the mode of anti- C. albicans activity of a bis(benzoxaborole) analogue of tavaborole

Abstract We presented the pharmacodynamic relationship between benzoxaborole concentrations and Candida albians blastoconidial population dynamics. Bis(benzoxaborole) analogue ( 2 ) and Tavaborole (ref.) showed comparable moderate effects against C. albicans (time-kill kinetic assays). Benzoxaboroles inhibited the C. albicans growth during 72 h (fungicidal after 2 h of that time) with metabolic reduction (%R=64). Biofilm-inhibiting concentration (BIC 50 =2 μg/mL) is the lowest concentration of bezoxaboroles that presented 50% inhibition of biofilm metabolic activity vs non-treated control. 2 displayed poor ability to inhibit morphogenesis of C. albicans . Safety and fungicidal activity are still in high demand against biofilm grown on fibroblasts and the zebrafish model in vivo . This biofilm model was used to study the interactions between the C. albicans morphogenesis and benzoxaboroles. Benzoxaboroles displayed selectivity in cytotoxic effects. 2 exhibited significantly lower embryotoxicity vs ref. IC 50 >128 μg/mL for 2 . Ref. at 256 μg/mL showed approximately 80% viability of VERO E6 cells. A higher selectivity of the ref—drug to the pathogen than to the mammalian cells was observed. Contrariwise, ref. and 2 showed IC 50 =2 μg/mL against PBMCs. Benzoxaborole antifungal development targets ergosterol binding. RNAseq data indicated that efflux pumps (MDR) in C. albicans were upregulated. Inositol-1-phosphate synthase was repressed under the benzoxaborole treatment. MDR1 upregulation by 2 was accompanied by the IFD6 (aldo-keto reductase) increase and the coordination of multiple coactivators ( IFD6, TNA1 encoding putative nicotinic acid transporter). Benzoxaboroles represent a similar resistance mechanism to azoles due to the subsequent expression of MDR1 and IDF6 . Docking studies confirmed the proposed interactions of benzoxaborole adenosinemonophosphate adduct with LeuRS. Moreover, C5_04480C_A (cell wall biogenesis, protein folding, modification, and destination) was negatively regulated in response to the benzoxaborole stress. Benzoxaborole-altering efflux inhibitors are important for the development of combination strategies in candidiasis. Our findings present an innovative concept that can inspire further studies for designing and building new antifungal benzoxaborole.