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Updated: May 12, 2026
Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
Published on: December 28, 2017
Global transcriptome sequencing identifies chlamydospore specific markers in Candida albicans and Candida
Katja Palige1, Jörg Linde, Ronny Martin
1Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Junior Research Group Fundamental Molecular Biology of Pathogenic Fungi, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are pathogenic fungi that are highly related but differ in virulence and in some phenotypic traits. During in vitro growth on certain nutrient-poor media, C. albicans and C. dubliniensis are the only yeast species which are able to produce chlamydospores, large thick-walled cells of unknown function. Interestingly, only C. dubliniensis forms pseudohyphae with abundant chlamydospores when grown on Staib medium, while C. albicans grows exclusively as a budding yeast. In order to further our understanding of chlamydospore development and assembly, we compared the global transcriptional profile of both species during growth in liquid Staib medium by RNA sequencing. We also included a C. albicans mutant in our study which lacks the morphogenetic transcriptional repressor Nrg1. This strain, which is characterized by its constitutive pseudohyphal growth, specifically produces masses of chlamydospores in Staib medium, similar to C. dubliniensis. This comparative approach identified a set of putatively chlamydospore-related genes. Two of the homologous C. albicans and C. dubliniensis genes (CSP1 and CSP2) which were most strongly upregulated during chlamydospore development were analysed in more detail. By use of the green fluorescent protein as a reporter, the encoded putative cell wall related proteins were found to exclusively localize to C. albicans and C. dubliniensis chlamydospores. Our findings uncover the first chlamydospore specific markers in Candida species and provide novel insights in the complex morphogenetic development of these important fungal pathogens.
Insights
This study identifies specific genes, CSP1 and CSP2, as the first markers for chlamydospores in Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis. These findings reveal new insights into the development of these pathogenic fungi.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathogenic Fungi
Background:
- Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are related pathogenic yeasts with differing virulence and traits.
- Both species uniquely form chlamydospores on nutrient-poor media, but C. dubliniensis exhibits pseudohyphal growth with abundant chlamydospores on Staib medium, unlike C. albicans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand chlamydospore development and assembly in Candida species.
- To compare the global transcriptional profiles of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis during chlamydospore formation.
- To identify genes involved in chlamydospore development.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was used to compare the transcriptional profiles of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis grown in liquid Staib medium.
- A C. albicans mutant lacking the Nrg1 repressor, known for constitutive pseudohyphal growth, was included.
- Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used as a reporter to analyze the localization of CSP1 and CSP2 proteins.
Main Results:
- A set of genes putatively related to chlamydospore formation was identified through comparative transcriptomics.
- Two homologous genes, CSP1 and CSP2, showed significant upregulation during chlamydospore development in both species.
- CSP1 and CSP2 encoded proteins were found to specifically localize to chlamydospores in both C. albicans and C. dubliniensis.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first specific markers (CSP1 and CSP2) for chlamydospores in Candida species.
- The findings provide novel insights into the complex morphogenetic development of these important fungal pathogens.
- Understanding chlamydospore development can contribute to understanding virulence factors in pathogenic fungi.
