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Emerging roles of SWI/SNF remodelers in fungal pathogens

Vinutha K Balachandra1,2,3, Santanu K Ghosh4

  • 1IITB-Monash Research Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India.

Current Genetics
|January 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Fungal pathogens use chromatin remodelers like SWI/SNF to control gene expression and virulence. Targeting these complexes could offer new antifungal strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fungal pathogens adapt to host environments through environmental sensing and response mechanisms.
  • Chromatin structure regulators, such as SWI/SNF remodelers, are crucial for fungal fitness and virulence by controlling gene expression.
  • Recent research highlights the role of SWI/SNF complexes in the pathogenicity of various fungal species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the differential functions of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes and their subunits in fungal fitness and pathogenicity.
  • To investigate the role of specific RSC subunits in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans.
  • To explore the potential of targeting fungal SWI/SNF complexes for antifungal interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers in fungal pathogens.
  • Experimental analysis of Candida albicans mutants lacking specific RSC subunits.
  • Assessment of fungal fitness and pathogenic traits in response to genetic modifications.

Main Results:

  • SWI/SNF complexes play diverse roles in regulating fungal fitness and pathogenicity across different species.
  • Loss of certain RSC subunits in Candida albicans can lead to context-dependent predisposition to filamentous growth.
  • The study provides insights into the mechanisms by which chromatin remodelers influence fungal virulence.

Conclusions:

  • SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers are critical regulators of fungal pathogenicity.
  • Specific subunits of these complexes have distinct roles in fungal adaptation and virulence.
  • Targeting fungal SWI/SNF complexes presents a promising avenue for developing novel antifungal therapies.
Keywords:
Chromatin remodelerFungal pathogenRSCSWI/SNFVirulence

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