Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Contact Sites and Architectural Insights
07:55

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Contact Sites and Architectural Insights

Published on: June 16, 2023

1.6K

Vacuole and mitochondria patch (vCLAMP) and ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) maintain cell survival by

Xiaolong Mao1, Liping Peng2, Li Yang2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; School of Laboratory Animal & Shandong Laboratory Animal Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, 250000, China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The vacuole and mitochondria patch (vCLAMP) and ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) are crucial for Candida albicans survival. Disrupting these structures impairs mitochondrial function and inhibits growth, highlighting them as potential antifungal drug targets.

Area of Science:

  • * Cell biology
  • * Mycology
  • * Molecular biology

Background:

  • * Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing significant clinical infections.
  • * The emergence of drug-resistant strains necessitates the identification of novel antifungal drug targets.
  • * Vacuole and mitochondria patch (vCLAMP) and ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) are key membrane contact sites in yeast, but their roles in C. albicans are uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the function of vCLAMP and ERMES in maintaining cell survival and mitochondrial integrity in Candida albicans.
  • * To determine the impact of vCLAMP and ERMES disruption on C. albicans growth, mitochondrial function, and morphology.

Main Methods:

  • * Construction of VAM6 and MDM34 knockout mutants (vam6Δ/Δmet-MDM34) using a MET3 promoter-regulated induction system.
  • * Assessment of cell viability using PI-positive assays.
  • * Evaluation of mitochondrial health through analysis of mitochondrial fragmentation, mtDNA damage, ATP levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential.
  • * Observation of filamentous growth inhibition.

Main Results:

  • * Deletion of vCLAMP and ERMES resulted in abnormal growth and impaired cell viability in C. albicans.
  • * The vam6Δ/Δmet-MDM34 mutant displayed significant mitochondrial fragmentation, mtDNA damage, reduced ATP production, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential.
  • * Disruption of vCLAMP and ERMES led to the inhibition of filamentous growth in C. albicans.

Conclusions:

  • * vCLAMP and ERMES play essential roles in maintaining the structural integrity and functional status of mitochondria in C. albicans.
  • * These membrane contact sites are critical for overall cell survival and proper growth of C. albicans.
  • * vCLAMP and ERMES represent promising targets for the development of new antifungal therapies against C. albicans infections.
Keywords:
Candida albicansERMESMitochondriavCLAMP

More Related Videos

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

7.1K
Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis09:44

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis

Published on: June 13, 2021

2.8K

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
12.7K
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal...
15.3K
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
3.8K
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
15.5K
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
7.3K
Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane01:12

Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane

Porins are beta-barrel proteins translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane through the TOM complex into the intermembrane space. Porin precursors bind TIM chaperones within the intermembrane space and are guided to the Sorting and Assembly Machinery complex or SAM complex on the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
3.5K