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Applications of pHluorin for Quantitative, Kinetic and High-throughput Analysis of Endocytosis in Budding Yeast
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Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-dependent membrane traffic is critical for fungal filamentous growth

Vikram Ghugtyal1, Rocio Garcia-Rodas1, Agnese Seminara2

  • 1Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Institute of Biology Valrose, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France; CNRS Institute of Biology Valrose, UMR7277, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France; INSERM Institute of Biology Valrose, UMR1091, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France;

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) is crucial for the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans to transition between budding and filamentous growth. This phospholipid regulates membrane traffic, affecting antifungal drug sensitivity.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) is a key phospholipid involved in membrane traffic.
  • Its role in fungal cell morphology transitions, specifically the budding to filamentous growth switch, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PI(4)P in the morphological transition of Candida albicans.
  • To elucidate the function of Golgi and plasma membrane PI(4)P in this process.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of membrane traffic dynamics.
  • Mathematical modeling of PI(4)P gradients.
  • Functional studies in Candida albicans.

Main Results:

  • Golgi PI(4)P is essential for the budding to filamentous growth transition in Candida albicans.
  • PI(4)P regulates late Golgi and secretory vesicle dynamics and targeting.
  • Plasma membrane PI(4)P forms a gradient during filamentous growth, distinct from Golgi PI(4)P's function.
  • PI(4)P distribution impacts multidrug transporter localization and antifungal drug sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • PI(4)P-regulated membrane dynamics are critical for fungal morphology changes.
  • Distinct roles of Golgi and plasma membrane PI(4)P highlight complex regulatory mechanisms.
  • Targeting PI(4)P pathways could offer new strategies for antifungal drug development.
Keywords:
filamentous growthlipid distributionmembrane trafficmorphogenesispolarity

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