Multifunction of the ER P-Type Calcium Pump Spf1 During Hyphal Development in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is one of the most important fungal pathogens. Hyphal development is required for the virulence of this pathogen. Our previous study has revealed that Spf1, an ER P-type calcium pump, plays an important role in hyphal development. However, the detailed mechanisms by which this protein functions in this process remain to be investigated. In this study, we found that loss of Spf1 led to decreased growth biomass under the hypha-inducing condition, suggesting a role of this protein in maintaining hyphal growth rate. Actin staining further revealed that the spf1Δ/Δ mutant showed attenuated tip-localization of actin patches and the defect in transport of both the chitin synthase Chs3 and the hypha-related factor Hwp1, implying that Spf1 functions in polarized growth of the hyphae by regulating actin organization and consequent polarized transport of morphogenesis-associated factors. Moreover, deletion of SPF1 led to abnormal vacuolar morphology under the hypha-inducing condition, which may also contribute to the defect of hyphal development in the spf1Δ/Δ mutant. This study revealed the pleiotropic role of Spf1-regulated calcium homeostasis in controlling hyphal development in C. albicans.