scholarly journals Hyphal Tip-Associated Localization of Cdc42 Is F-Actin Dependent in Candida albicans

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 856-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idit Hazan ◽  
Haoping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Green Fluorescence Protein ◽  
Neck Region ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Yeast Form ◽  
Hypha Formation ◽  
Nuclear Separation ◽  
Bud Site ◽  
Hyphal Tip

ABSTRACT The rho-type GTPase Cdc42 is important for the establishment and maintenance of eukaryotic cell polarity. To examine whether Cdc42 is regulated during the yeast-to-hypha transition in Candida albicans, we constructed a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-Cdc42 fusion under the ACT1 promoter and observed its localization in live C. albicans cells. As in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, GFP-Cdc42 was observed around the entire periphery of the cell. In yeast-form cells of C. albicans, it clustered to the tips and sides of small buds as well as to the mother-daughter neck region of large-budded cells. Upon hyphal induction, GFP-Cdc42 clustered to the site of hyphal evagination and remained at the tips of the hyphae. This temporal and spatial localization of Cdc42 suggests that its activity is regulated during the yeast-to-hypha transition. In addition to the accumulation at the hyphal tip, GFP-Cdc42 was also seen as a band within the hyphal tube in cells that had undergone nuclear separation. With the F-actin-assembly inhibitor latrunculin A, we found that GFP-Cdc42 accumulation at the bud site in yeast-form cells is F-actin independent, whereas GFP-Cdc42 accumulation at the hyphal tip requires F-actin. Furthermore, disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton impaired the transcriptional induction of hypha-specific genes. Therefore, hypha formation resembles mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in that both require F-actin for GFP-Cdc42 localization and efficient signaling.

Carbon source induced yeast-to-hypha transition in Candida albicans is dependent on the presence of amino acids and on the G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr1

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Maidan ◽  
J.M. Thevelein ◽  
P. Van Dijck
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Carbon Source ◽  
G Protein ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Glucose Concentration ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptor ◽  
Hypha Formation ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Yeast-to-hypha transition in Candida albicans can be induced by a wide variety of factors, including specific nutrients. We have started to investigate the mechanism by which some of these nutrients may be sensed. The G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr1 is required for yeast-to-hypha transition on various solid hypha-inducing media. Recently we have shown induction of Gpr1 internalization by specific amino acids, e.g. methionine. This suggests a possible role for methionine as a ligand of CaGpr1. Here we show that there is a big variation in methionine-induced hypha formation depending on the type of carbon source present in the medium. In addition high glucose concentrations repress hypha formation whereas a concentration of 0.1%, which mimics the glucose concentration present in the bloodstream, results in maximal hypha formation. Hence, it remains unclear whether Gpr1 senses sugars, as in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or specific amino acids like methionine.

scholarly journals Defects in Assembly of the Extracellular Matrix Are Responsible for Altered Morphogenesis of a Candida albicans phr1 Mutant

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Popolo ◽  
Marina Vai
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Germ Tube ◽  
Null Mutant ◽  
Yeast Form ◽  
Insoluble Glucan ◽  
Cross Linker ◽  
External Ph

ABSTRACT Analysis of Candida albicans cells using antibodies directed against Gas1p/Ggp1p, Saccharomyces cerevisiaehomolog of Phr1p, revealed that Phr1p is a glycoprotein of about 88 kDa whose accumulation increases with the rise of external pH. This polypeptide is present both in the yeast form and during germ tube induction. In the Phr1− cells at pH 8 the solubility of glucans in alkali is greatly affected. In the parental strain the alkali-soluble/-insoluble glucan ratio shows a 50% decrease at pH 8 with respect to pH 4.5, whereas in the null mutant it is unchanged, indicating the lack of a polymer cross-linker activity induced by the rise of pH. The mutant has a sixfold increase in chitin level and is hypersensitive to calcofluor. Consistently with a role of chitin in strengthening the cell wall, Phr1− cells are more sensitive to nikkomycin Z than the parental strain.

scholarly journals Homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SLX4 is required for cell recovery from MMS-induced DNA damage in Candida albicans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueqing Wang ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Yaxuan Zhang ◽  
Xiaojiaoyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Methyl Methanesulfonate ◽  
Dna Repair Genes ◽  
Cell Recovery ◽  
Yeast Form ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Repair Genes

Abstract SLX4 is a scaffold to coordinate the action of structure-specific endonucleases that are required for homologous recombination and DNA repair. In view of ScSLX4 functions in the maintenance and stability of the genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have explored the roles of CaSLX4 in Candida albicans. Here, we constructed slx4Δ/Δ mutant and found that it exhibited increased sensitivity to the DNA damaging agent, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) but not the DNA replication inhibitor, hydroxyurea (HU). Accordingly, RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis revealed the activation of SLX4 expression in response to MMS. The deletion of SLX4 resulted in a defect in the recovery from MMS-induced filamentation to yeast form and re-entry into the cell cycle. Like many other DNA repair genes, SLX4 expression was activated by the checkpoint kinase Rad53 under MMS-induced DNA damage. In addition, SLX4 was not required for the inactivation of the DNA damage checkpoint, as indicated by normal phosphorylation of Rad53 in slx4Δ/Δ cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate SLX4 plays an important role in cell recovery from MMS-induced DNA damage in C. albicans.

scholarly journals Cdc42p GTPase Regulates the Budded-to-Hyphal-Form Transition and Expression of Hypha-Specific Transcripts in Candida albicans

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 724-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alysia L. vandenBerg ◽  
Ashraf S. Ibrahim ◽  
John E. Edwards ◽  
Kurt A. Toenjes ◽  
Douglas I. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Integral Function ◽  
Morphological Transition ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Hypha Formation

ABSTRACT The yeast Candida albicans is a major opportunistic pathogen of immunocompromised individuals. It can grow in several distinct morphological states, including budded and hyphal forms, and the ability to make the dynamic transition between these forms is strongly correlated with virulence. Recent studies implicating the Cdc42p GTPase in hypha formation relied on cdc42 mutations that affected the mitotic functions of the protein, thereby precluding any substantive conclusions about the specific role of Cdc42p in the budded-to-hypha-form transition and virulence. Therefore, we took advantage of several Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc42 mutants that separated Cdc42p's mitotic functions away from its role in filamentous growth. The homologous cdc42-S26I, cdc42-E100G, and cdc42-S158T mutations in C. albicans Cdc42p caused a dramatic defect in the budded-to-hypha-form transition in response to various hypha-inducing signals without affecting normal budded growth, strongly supporting the conclusion that Cdc42p has an integral function in orchestrating the morphological transition in C. albicans. In addition, the cdc42-S26I and cdc42-E100G mutants demonstrated a reduced ability to damage endothelial cells, a process that is strongly correlated to virulence. The three mutants also had reduced expression of several hypha-specific genes, including those under the regulation of the Efg1p transcription factor. These data indicate that Cdc42p-dependent signaling pathways regulate the budded-to-hypha-form transition and the expression of hypha-specific genes.

scholarly journals Ash1 Protein, an Asymmetrically Localized Transcriptional Regulator, Controls Filamentous Growth and Virulence of Candida albicans

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 8669-8680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane O. Inglis ◽  
Alexander D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Yeast Form ◽  
Disseminated Candidiasis ◽  
Transcriptional Regulatory ◽  
Tip Cells ◽  
Hyphal Tip

ABSTRACT In response to a number of distinct environmental conditions, the fungal pathogen Candida albicans undergoes a morphological transition from a round, yeast form to a series of elongated, filamentous forms. This transition is believed to be critical for virulence in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. Here we describe the characterization of C. albicans ASH1, a gene that encodes an asymmetrically localized transcriptional regulatory protein involved in this response. We show that C. albicans ash1 mutants are defective in responding to some filament-inducing conditions. We also show that Ash1p is preferentially localized to daughter cell nuclei in the budding-yeast form of C. albicans cell growth and to the hyphal tip cells in growing filaments. Thus, Ash1p “marks” newly formed cells and presumably directs a specialized transcriptional program in these cells. Finally, we show that ASH1 is required for full virulence of C. albicans in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis.

scholarly journals Role for the SCFCDC4Ubiquitin Ligase inCandida albicansMorphogenesis

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 2772-2785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avigail Atir-Lande ◽  
Tsvia Gildor ◽  
Daniel Kornitzer
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Yeast Form ◽  
Epistasis Analysis ◽  
F Box Protein

The ability of Candida albicans, a major fungal pathogen, to switch between a yeast form, and a hyphal (mold) form is recognized as being important for the ability of the organism to invade the host and cause disease. We found that a C. albicans mutant deleted for CaCDC4, a homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae F-box protein component of the SCFCDC4ubiquitin ligase, is viable and displays constitutive filamentous, mostly hyphal, growth. The phenotype of the Cacdc4–/– mutant suggests that ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is involved in the regulation of the dimorphic switch of C. albicans and that one or more regulators of the yeast-to-mold switch are among the substrates of SCFCaCDC4. Epistasis analysis indicates that the Cacdc4–/– phenotype is largely independent of the filamentation-inducing transcription factors Efg1 and Cph1. We identify C. albicans Far1 and Sol1, homologues of the S. cerevisiae SCFCDC4substrates Far1 and Sic1, and show that Sol1 is a substrate of C. albicans Cdc4. Neither protein is essential for the hyphal phenotype of the Cacdc4–/– mutant. However, ectopic expression and deletion of SOL1 indicate a role for this gene in C. albicans morphogenesis.

Potent Chitin Synthase Inhibitors from Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
Amrutha Vijayakumar ◽  
Ajith Madhavan ◽  
Chinchu Bose ◽  
Pandurangan Nanjan ◽  
Sindhu S. Kokkal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Tip Growth ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Hyphal Tip Growth ◽  
Hyphal Tip

Background: Chitin is the main component of fungal, protozoan and helminth cell wall. They help to maintain the structural and functional characteristics of these organisms. The chitin wall is dynamic and is repaired, rearranged and synthesized as the cells develop. Active synthesis can be noticed during cytokinesis, laying of primary septum, maintenance of lateral cell wall integrity and hyphal tip growth. Chitin synthesis involves coordinated action of two enzymes namely, chitin synthase (that lays new cell wall) and chitinase (that removes the older ones). Since chitin synthase is conserved in different eukaryotic microorganisms that can be a ‘soft target’ for inhibition with small molecules. When chitin synthase is inhibited, it leads to the loss of viability of cells owing to the self- disruption of the cell wall by existing chitinase. Methods: In the described study, small molecules from plant sources were screened for their ability to interfere with hyphal tip growth, by employing Hyphal Tip Burst assay (HTB). Aspergillus niger was used as the model organism. The specific role of these small molecules in interfering with chitin synthesis was established with an in-vitro method. The enzyme required was isolated from Aspergillus niger and its activity was deduced through a novel method involving non-radioactively labelled substrate. The activity of the potential lead molecules were also checked against Candida albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans. The latter was adopted as a surrogate for the pathogenic helminths as it shares similarity with regard to cell wall structure and biochemistry. Moreover, it is widely studied and the methodologies are well established. Results: Out of the 11 compounds and extracts screened, 8 were found to be prospective. They were also found to be effective against Candida albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans. Conclusion: Purified Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Fraction1 (F1) of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Shell Extract (COSE) was found to be more effective against Candida albicans with an IC50 value of 3.04 μg/mL and on L4 stage of Caenorhabditis elegans with an IC50 of 77.8 μg/mL.

scholarly journals Expansion of EasyClone-MarkerFree toolkit for Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome with new integration sites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Babaei ◽  
Luisa Sartori ◽  
Alexey Karpukhin ◽  
Dmitrii Abashkin ◽  
Elena Matrosova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Green Fluorescence Protein ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Green Fluorescence ◽  
Biotechnological Production ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Integration Sites ◽  
Fluorescence Protein ◽  
Integration Efficiency

Abstract Biotechnological production requires genetically stable recombinant strains. To ensure genomic stability, recombinant DNA is commonly integrated into the genome of the host strain. Multiple genetic tools have been developed for genomic integration into baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previously, we had developed a vector toolkit EasyClone-MarkerFree for stable integration into eleven sites on chromosomes X, XI, and XII of S. cerevisiae. The markerless integration was enabled by CRISPR-Cas9 system. In this study, we have expanded the kit with eight additional intergenic integration sites located on different chromosomes. The integration efficiency into the new sites was above 80%. The expression level of green fluorescence protein (gfp) for all eight sites was similar or above XI-2 site from the original EasyClone-MarkerFree toolkit. The cellular growth was not affected by the integration into any of the new eight locations. The eight-vector expansion kit is available from AddGene.

scholarly journals Divergent Subunit Interactions among Fungal mRNA 5′-Capping Machineries

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshimitsu Takagi ◽  
Eun-Jung Cho ◽  
Rozmin T. K. Janoo ◽  
Vladimir Polodny ◽  
Yasutaka Takase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Subunit Interactions ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Mrna Capping ◽  
Capping Enzyme ◽  
Enzyme Subunits ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal

ABSTRACT The Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA capping enzyme consists of two subunits: an RNA 5′-triphosphatase (RTPase) and GTP::mRNA guanylyltransferase (GTase). The GTase subunit (Ceg1) binds to the phosphorylated carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest subunit (CTD-P) of RNA polymerase II (pol II), coupling capping with transcription. Ceg1 bound to the CTD-P is inactive unless allosterically activated by interaction with the RTPase subunit (Cet1). For purposes of comparison, we characterize here the related GTases and RTPases from the yeasts Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Candida albicans. Surprisingly, the S. pombe capping enzyme subunits do not interact with each other. Both can independently interact with CTD-P of pol II, and the GTase is not repressed by CTD-P binding. The S. pombe RTPase gene (pct1 +) is essential for viability. Pct1 can replace the S. cerevisiae RTPase when GTase activity is supplied by the S. pombe or mouse enzymes but not by the S. cerevisiae GTase. The C. albicans capping enzyme subunits do interact with each other. However, this interaction is not essential in vivo. Our results reveal an unexpected diversity among the fungal capping machineries.

scholarly journals A Role for the Actin Cytoskeleton of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Bipolar Bud-Site Selection

1997 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Yang ◽  
Kathryn R. Ayscough ◽  
David G. Drubin
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Spatial Cues ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Mother And Daughter ◽  
Mother Cells ◽  
Bud Site

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells select bud sites according to one of two predetermined patterns. MATa and MATα cells bud in an axial pattern, and MATa/α cells bud in a bipolar pattern. These budding patterns are thought to depend on the placement of spatial cues at specific sites in the cell cortex. Because cytoskeletal elements play a role in organizing the cytoplasm and establishing distinct plasma membrane domains, they are well suited for positioning bud-site selection cues. Indeed, the septin-containing neck filaments are crucial for establishing the axial budding pattern characteristic of MATa and MATα cells. In this study, we determined the budding patterns of cells carrying mutations in the actin gene or in genes encoding actin-associated proteins: MATa/α cells were defective in the bipolar budding pattern, but MATa and MATα cells still exhibit a normal axial budding pattern. We also observed that MATa/α actin cytoskeleton mutant daughter cells correctly position their first bud at the distal pole of the cell, but mother cells position their buds randomly. The actin cytoskeleton therefore functions in generation of the bipolar budding pattern and is required specifically for proper selection of bud sites in mother MATa/α cells. These observations and the results of double mutant studies support the conclusion that different rules govern bud-site selection in mother and daughter MATa/α cells. A defective bipolar budding pattern did not preclude an sla2-6 mutant from undergoing pseudohyphal growth, highlighting the central role of daughter cell bud-site selection cues in the formation of pseudohyphae. Finally, by examining the budding patterns of mad2-1 mitotic checkpoint mutants treated with benomyl to depolymerize their microtubules, we confirmed and extended previous evidence indicating that microtubules do not function in axial or bipolar bud-site selection.

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