Phenotypic and Cell Wall Proteomic Characterization of a DDR48 Mutant Candida albicans Strain

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• * *Candida albicans* is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
• * Cell wall proteins are key virulence factors mediating host interaction.
• * Ddr48, a 212-amino acid cell wall protein, was previously linked to oxidative stress response and drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To further characterize the phenotypic roles of the Ddr48 protein in *Candida albicans*.
• * To identify differentially expressed cell wall proteins using a proteomic and bioinformatics approach.

Main Methods:

• * Phenotypic characterization assays were performed on a *DDR48* haploinsufficient mutant strain.
• * A combinatory proteomic and bioinformatics approach was used to analyze cell wall proteins.
• * Comparative analysis between wild-type and mutant strains under different growth conditions.

Main Results:

• * The mutant strain showed a 10% decrease in adhesion and a 20% decrease in biofilm formation.
• * The mutant exhibited slight sensitivity to menadione, diamide, and SDS, but similar hyphae formation and virulence.
• * Proteomics identified key proteins involved in stress resistance, adhesion, biofilm formation, and cell wall integrity exclusively in the wild-type strain.

Conclusions:

• * Ddr48 plays a significant role in *Candida albicans* adhesion and biofilm formation.
• * The absence of Ddr48 correlates with reduced biofilm formation and altered stress responses.
• * Identified cell wall proteins highlight Ddr48's involvement in multiple virulence-associated pathways.