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Published on: October 12, 2022
Genetic regulation of the development of mating projections in Candida albicans
Weihong Liang1,2,3, Guobo Guan3, Chao Li3
1Department of infectious diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen, capable of switching among a range of morphological types, such as the yeast form, including white and opaque cell types and the GUT (gastrointestinally induced transition) cell type, the filamentous form, including hyphal and pseudohyphal cell types, and chlamydospores. This ability is associated with its commensal and pathogenic life styles. In response to pheromone, C. albicans cells are able to form long mating projections resembling filaments. This filamentous morphology is required for efficient sexual mating. In the current study, we report the genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling the development of mating projections in C. albicans. Ectopic expression of MTLα1 in "a" cells induces the secretion of α-pheromone and promotes the development of mating projections. Using this inducible system, we reveal that members of the pheromone-sensing pathway (including the pheromone receptor), the Ste11-Hst7-Cek1/2 mediated MAPK signalling cascade, and the RAM pathway are essential for the development of mating projections. However, the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway and a number of key regulators of filamentous growth such as Hgc1, Efg1, Flo8, Tec1, Ume6, and Rfg1 are not required for mating projection formation. Therefore, despite the phenotypic similarities between filaments and mating projections in C. albicans, distinct mechanisms are involved in the regulation of these two morphologies.
Insights
Candida albicans uses distinct genetic pathways for mating projections, differing from other filamentous growth. The pheromone-sensing and MAPK pathways are crucial, while cAMP/PKA and other regulators are not involved.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- * Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen with diverse morphologies, including yeast and filamentous forms.
- * Morphological switching is linked to its commensal and pathogenic behaviors.
- * Filamentous growth, like mating projections, is essential for sexual reproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To elucidate the genetic mechanisms regulating mating projection development in Candida albicans.
- * To identify signaling pathways essential for mating projection formation.
- * To differentiate the regulatory mechanisms of mating projections from other filamentous forms.
Main Methods:
- * Ectopic expression of MTLalpha1 in 'a' cells to induce alpha-pheromone and mating projections.
- * Genetic analysis of pheromone-sensing, MAPK, and RAM pathways.
- * Assessment of cAMP/PKA pathway and specific filamentous growth regulators (Hgc1, Efg1, Flo8, Tec1, Ume6, Rfg1).
Main Results:
- * Pheromone-sensing pathway, Ste11-Hst7-Cek1/2 MAPK cascade, and RAM pathway are essential for mating projection development.
- * cAMP/PKA signaling pathway is not required for mating projection formation.
- * Key regulators of general filamentous growth (Hgc1, Efg1, Flo8, Tec1, Ume6, Rfg1) are dispensable for mating projections.
Conclusions:
- * Mating projection formation in Candida albicans is regulated by specific genetic pathways.
- * Distinct molecular mechanisms control mating projections compared to other filamentous forms.
- * This finding deepens the understanding of Candida albicans morphogenesis and pathogenicity.
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