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Published on: October 12, 2022
Expression of CaPTC7 is developmentally regulated during serum-induced morphogenesis in the human fungal pathogen
Jihong Wang1, Zhihui Yan, Shi-Hsiang Shen
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
Abstract:
Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) represent a diversified protein phosphatase family and play various roles in cells. We previously identified and characterized a novel PP2C phosphatase encoded by the CaPTC7 gene in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The CaPtc7p has 365 amino acids with a PP2C core domain at the C terminus and an additional 116-residue N-terminal sequence containing a mitochondrion-targeting sequence. Here, we show that CaPtc7p is indeed localized in the mitochondrion, the only eukaryotic PP2C phosphatase that has been directly shown to reside in the mitochondrion, suggesting its potential role in the regulation of mitochondrial physiology. Furthermore, we show that the expression of CaPTC7 at both transcriptional and protein levels is developmentally regulated during the serum-induced morphogenesis of C. albicans cells. However, disruption of the two alleles of CaPTC7 does not affect cell viability or filamentous development in C. albicans.
Insights
Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are vital cellular regulators. This study shows a novel PP2C, CaPtc7p, localizes to Candida albicans mitochondria, impacting mitochondrial function and development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are a diverse family with crucial cellular roles.
- The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans possesses a novel PP2C gene, CaPTC7, encoding the CaPtc7p protein.
- CaPtc7p features a PP2C core domain and an N-terminal mitochondrion-targeting sequence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the subcellular localization of CaPtc7p in Candida albicans.
- To explore the role of CaPtc7p in mitochondrial physiology.
- To determine the expression patterns and functional significance of CaPTC7 during fungal development.
Main Methods:
- Subcellular localization studies using microscopy.
- Analysis of CaPTC7 gene and protein expression during morphogenesis.
- Gene disruption experiments to assess the impact on cell viability and development.
Main Results:
- CaPtc7p was confirmed to be localized exclusively in the mitochondrion, a unique finding among eukaryotic PP2Cs.
- CaPTC7 expression is developmentally regulated at both transcriptional and protein levels during serum-induced morphogenesis.
- Disruption of CaPTC7 alleles did not affect Candida albicans cell viability or filamentous growth.
Conclusions:
- CaPtc7p is the first identified eukaryotic PP2C localized to mitochondria, suggesting a role in regulating mitochondrial physiology.
- The developmental regulation of CaPTC7 implies its involvement in specific stages of Candida albicans morphogenesis.
- Despite its mitochondrial localization and regulated expression, CaPtc7p is not essential for basic cell viability or filamentation in Candida albicans.
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