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APSES proteins regulate morphogenesis and metabolism in Candida albicans
Thomas Doedt1, Shankarling Krishnamurthy, Dirk P Bockmühl
1Institut für Mikrobiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|June 26, 2004
Summary
Candida albicans APSES proteins Efg1p and Efh1p regulate fungal development and metabolism. Efh1p supports Efg1p
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- APSES proteins are key regulators of fungal morphogenesis, controlling processes like filamentation and differentiation.
- Candida albicans, an opportunistic human pathogen, possesses two APSES proteins: Efg1p and its homologue Efh1p.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of Efg1p and Efh1p in Candida albicans morphogenesis and gene regulation.
- To elucidate the cooperative and individual functions of these two APSES proteins.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion and overexpression studies.
- Genome-wide transcriptional profiling (microarray analysis).
- Yeast one-hybrid and two-hybrid assays.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of EFG1 or EFH1 induced pseudohypha formation and white-opaque switching.
- An efh1 deletion mutant showed hyperfilamentation in an efg1 background under specific conditions, suggesting cooperation.
- EFG1 and EFH1 regulate overlapping gene sets involved in filamentation.
- Efg1p influences metabolic gene expression, inducing glycolysis and repressing oxidative metabolism genes.
- Efg1p acts as a repressor, while Efh1p functions as an activator of gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Efh1p complements and supports the regulatory functions of Efg1p in Candida albicans.
- APSES proteins Efg1p and Efh1p play dual roles in regulating both fungal morphogenesis and metabolism.