Description
GoldBio’s Tryptophol is a high-purity indole-derived signaling molecule used in microbiology, fungal pathogenesis, and plant-microbe interaction research.
Best known as a quorum sensing molecule in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, tryptophol regulates key processes such as filamentation, biofilm formation, and growth arrest at high cell densities. It also plays a vital role in fungal morphogenesis and dimorphic switching in response to environmental cues.
With its structural similarity to tryptophan metabolites and possible serotonin analogs, GoldBio’s tryptophol is a powerful tool for studies in metabolic regulation, fungal virulence, and interspecies communication.
Tryptophol is an aromatic alcohol found as a secondary product of alcoholic fermentation that induces sleep in humans. Typically synthesized in yeasts it is also produced by the trypanosomal parasite Trypanosoma brucei resulting in sleeping sickness.
Tryptophol is used as a precursor to the synthesis of tryptamines like DMT and the drug indoramin along with TNF-alpha modulators. When administered to rodents it resulted in significantly depressed antibody production.
Researchers choose GoldBio for high-quality and consistent, reproducible results across microbial and plant systems.
Common Research Applications
(Click each for more information)
Quorum Sensing and Cell-to-Cell Communication in Yeast
-
Purpose: To study autoinducer-based communication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
-
How It Works: Tryptophol acts as a quorum sensing molecule that accumulates in the medium at high cell densities, regulating processes such as filamentation, biofilm formation, and growth arrest.
-
Applications: Yeast genetics, metabolic regulation, and synthetic biology.
Chen, Hao, and Gerald R. Fink. (2006). Feedback control of morphogenesis in fungi by aromatic alcohols. Genes & Development, 20(9), 1150–1161.
Regulation of Morphogenesis and Filamentation in Fungi
-
Purpose: To explore how fungi use small molecules like tryptophol to regulate their developmental transitions.
-
How It Works: Tryptophol functions as a morphogenetic signal that induces filamentous growth under nutrient-limited or dense population conditions.
-
Applications: Studying fungal pathogenesis, dimorphic switching, and virulence mechanisms.
Albuquerque, P., & Casadevall, A. (2012). Quorum sensing in fungi – a review. Medical Mycology, 50(4), 337–345.
Microbial Signal Molecule in Plant-Associated Bacteria and Fungi
-
Purpose: To understand the signaling functions of tryptophol in plant-microbe interactions and rhizosphere communication.
-
How It Works: As an indole-derived signal, tryptophol may influence microbial colonization, biofilm formation, or plant immune responses.
-
Applications: Rhizosphere signaling, endophytic communication, and plant-microbe symbiosis.
Tsavkelova, E. A., Klimova, S. Y., Cherdyntseva, T. A., & Netrusov, A. I. (2006). Microbial producers of plant growth stimulators and their practical use: a review. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, 42(2), 117–126.
Key Benefits:
-
Essential tool for fungal quorum sensing research: Tryptophol is a well-established autoinducer in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and filamentous fungi, offering insights into cell density-dependent behaviors like filamentation and growth arrest.
-
Supports investigations in fungal morphogenesis and virulence: Serves as a critical molecular signal regulating dimorphic transitions and pathogenesis-related traits in fungi.
-
Structurally relevant indole compound: As a tryptophan-derived aromatic alcohol, tryptophol is a useful analog for studying microbial metabolism and indole-based signaling
-
Versatile across microbiology and synthetic biology: Useful in yeast genetics, microbial ecology, metabolic engineering, and studies of intercellular signaling; potential for adaptation in synthetic biology research.
Storage/Handling
Store at 5°C and protect from light.
Product Specifications
Name(S): Tryptophol, Indole-3-ethanol
Formula: C10H11NO
MW: 161.20 g/mol
PubChem Chemical ID: 10685
