Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Assay for Adhesion and Agar Invasion in S. cerevisiae
Published on: November 8, 2006
Transcriptional profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells under adhesion-inducing conditions
Malte Kleinschmidt1, Olav Grundmann, Nils Blüthgen
1Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University, Grisebachstrasse 8, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
The ability to adhere to other cells is one of the most prominent determinants of fungal pathogenicity. Thus, adherence of fungi to human tissues or plastics triggers hospital-acquired fungal infections, which are an increasing clinical problem, especially in immunocompromised persons. In the model fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae adhesion can be induced by starvation for amino acids, and depends on the transcriptional activator of the general amino acid control system, Gcn4p. However, not much is known about the transcriptional program that mediates adhesive growth under such conditions. In this study, we present a genome-wide transcriptional analysis of Sigma1278b yeast cells that were subjected to adhesion-inducing conditions imposed by amino acid starvation. Twenty-two novel genes were identified as inducible by amino acid starvation; 72 genes belonging to different functional groups, which were not previously known to be regulated by Gcn4p, require Gcn4p for full transcriptional induction under adhesion-inducing conditions. In addition, several genes were identified in Sigma1278b cells that were inducible by amino acid starvation in a Gcn4p-independent manner. Our data suggest that adhesion of yeast cells induced by amino acid starvation is regulated by a complex, Sigma1278b-specific transcriptional response.
Insights
Fungal adhesion, a key to pathogenicity, is triggered by amino acid starvation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study identifies novel genes and Gcn4p-dependent pathways regulating this crucial cellular response.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fungal cell adhesion is a critical factor in pathogenicity, leading to hospital-acquired infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, adhesion is induced by amino acid starvation and regulated by the transcriptional activator Gcn4p.
- The precise transcriptional program governing adhesive growth under these conditions remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a genome-wide transcriptional analysis of yeast cells under adhesion-inducing conditions (amino acid starvation).
- To identify novel genes regulated by amino acid starvation and Gcn4p.
- To elucidate the transcriptional network controlling yeast cell adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide transcriptional analysis using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sigma1278b strain).
- Induction of adhesion through amino acid starvation.
- Analysis of gene expression patterns and identification of Gcn4p-dependent and independent regulation.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 novel genes induced by amino acid starvation.
- Found 72 genes, previously unknown to be Gcn4p-regulated, require Gcn4p for full induction under adhesion-inducing conditions.
- Discovered several genes induced by amino acid starvation independently of Gcn4p.
Conclusions:
- Yeast cell adhesion induced by amino acid starvation is controlled by a complex transcriptional response.
- This response is specific to the Sigma1278b strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- The findings expand our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying fungal adhesion and pathogenicity.
