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The Cdc14p phosphatase affects late cell-cycle events and morphogenesis in Candida albicans

Andrés Clemente-Blanco1, Alberto González-Novo, Félix Machín

  • 1Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda Elvas SN, 06071, Badajoz, Spain.

Journal of Cell Science
|March 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The CDC14 gene in Candida albicans is crucial for cell separation and proper cell cycle progression. Its absence disrupts Ace2p function, leading to cell aggregation and impaired hyphal growth.

Area of Science:

  • * Molecular biology
  • * Cell biology
  • * Mycology

Background:

  • * Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
  • * Cellular processes like cell separation, mitotic exit, and morphogenesis are vital for fungal development and virulence.
  • * The CDC14 gene encodes a dual-specificity protein phosphatase, a class of enzymes involved in cell cycle regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To characterize the function of the CDC14 gene in Candida albicans.
  • * To investigate the role of Cdc14p in cell separation, mitotic exit, and morphogenesis.
  • * To elucidate the relationship between Cdc14p, Ace2p, and hyphal growth regulation.

Main Methods:

  • * Gene deletion to create cdc14delta mutants.
  • * Analysis of cell aggregation and morphology.
  • * Gene expression analysis of Ace2p target genes.
  • * Microscopy to observe protein localization (Cdc14p, Ace2p).
  • * Cell cycle analysis to assess mitotic exit and cyclin destruction.

Main Results:

  • * Deletion of CDC14 in C. albicans resulted in significant defects in cell separation, leading to cell aggregation.
  • * cdc14delta mutants showed impaired mitotic exit, evidenced by delayed Clb2p destruction.
  • * Cdc14p is essential for the activation and daughter-nucleus-specific accumulation of Ace2p.
  • * Cdc14p localization to the septum during cytokinesis is regulated by hypha-inducing signals and Hgc1p.
  • * Loss of CDC14 function impaired true hyphal growth and invasion of agar medium.

Conclusions:

  • * Cdc14p plays a critical role in regulating cell separation and mitotic exit in Candida albicans.
  • * Cdc14p is required for the proper function and localization of the transcription factor Ace2p.
  • * Regulation of Cdc14p localization is influenced by hyphal growth pathways, indicating its integration into developmental signaling.
  • * CDC14 is a key determinant of C. albicans morphogenesis and virulence-associated traits like hyphal growth.

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