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Updated: Oct 25, 2025

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
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An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

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From Jekyll to Hyde: The Yeast-Hyphal Transition of Candida albicans

Eve Wai Ling Chow1, Li Mei Pang2, Yue Wang1,3

  • 1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Candida albicans, a common fungus, can switch between yeast and filamentous forms, a key virulence factor. This review details signaling pathways controlling this crucial morphological transition.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Candida albicans is a significant human fungal pathogen causing nosocomial infections and mortality.
  • It exists as a commensal in healthy individuals but can adapt to pathogenic lifestyles.
  • Morphological transition from yeast to filamentous forms is a critical virulence trait.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms governing Candida albicans yeast-to-hyphal transition.
  • To summarize signal transduction pathways activating hyphal morphogenesis.
  • To discuss the cell cycle machinery involved in regulating hyphal form.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of regulatory mechanisms.
  • Examination of cell cycle involvement in morphogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Identified key signal transduction pathways activating hyphal morphogenesis.
  • Detailed the role of environmental cues in triggering the transition.
  • Highlighted the cell cycle machinery's role in maintaining hyphal form.

Conclusions:

  • The yeast-to-hyphal transition in Candida albicans is a complex, regulated process crucial for virulence.
  • Understanding these pathways offers insights into fungal pathogenesis.
  • Further research into regulatory mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
cell cycle regulationhyphal activationhyphal morphogenesispolymorphismsignal transduction pathways

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