Abstract
To mate, MTL-homozygous strains of the yeast pathogen Candida albicans must switch from the white to opaque phase. Mating-competent opaque cells then release pheromone that induces polarization, a G1 block and conjugation tube formation in opaque cells of opposite mating type. Pheromone also induces mating-incompetent white cells to become adhesive and cohesive, and form thicker biofilms that facilitate mating. The pheromone response pathway of white cells shares the upstream components of that of opaque cells, but targets a different transcription factor. Here we demonstrate that the genes up-regulated by the pheromone in white cells are activated through a common cis-acting sequence, WPRE, which is distinct from the cis-acting sequence, OPRE, responsible for up-regulation in opaque cells. Furthermore, we find that these white-specific genes play roles in white cell biofilm formation, and are essential for biofilm formation in the absence of an added source of pheromone, suggesting either an autocrine or pheromone-independent mechanism. These results suggest an intimate, complex and unique relationship between switching, mating and MTL-homozygous white cell biofilm formation, the latter a presumed virulence factor in C. albicans.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | PLoS Pathogens |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |
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Genes selectively up-regulated by pheromone in white cells are involved in biofilm formation in Candida albicans. / Sahni, Nidhi; Yi, Song; Daniels, Karla J.; Thyagarajan, Srikantha; Pujol, Claude; Soll, David R.
In: PLoS Pathogens, Vol. 5, No. 10, 01.01.2009.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Genes selectively up-regulated by pheromone in white cells are involved in biofilm formation in Candida albicans.
AU - Sahni, Nidhi
AU - Yi, Song
AU - Daniels, Karla J.
AU - Thyagarajan, Srikantha
AU - Pujol, Claude
AU - Soll, David R.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - To mate, MTL-homozygous strains of the yeast pathogen Candida albicans must switch from the white to opaque phase. Mating-competent opaque cells then release pheromone that induces polarization, a G1 block and conjugation tube formation in opaque cells of opposite mating type. Pheromone also induces mating-incompetent white cells to become adhesive and cohesive, and form thicker biofilms that facilitate mating. The pheromone response pathway of white cells shares the upstream components of that of opaque cells, but targets a different transcription factor. Here we demonstrate that the genes up-regulated by the pheromone in white cells are activated through a common cis-acting sequence, WPRE, which is distinct from the cis-acting sequence, OPRE, responsible for up-regulation in opaque cells. Furthermore, we find that these white-specific genes play roles in white cell biofilm formation, and are essential for biofilm formation in the absence of an added source of pheromone, suggesting either an autocrine or pheromone-independent mechanism. These results suggest an intimate, complex and unique relationship between switching, mating and MTL-homozygous white cell biofilm formation, the latter a presumed virulence factor in C. albicans.
AB - To mate, MTL-homozygous strains of the yeast pathogen Candida albicans must switch from the white to opaque phase. Mating-competent opaque cells then release pheromone that induces polarization, a G1 block and conjugation tube formation in opaque cells of opposite mating type. Pheromone also induces mating-incompetent white cells to become adhesive and cohesive, and form thicker biofilms that facilitate mating. The pheromone response pathway of white cells shares the upstream components of that of opaque cells, but targets a different transcription factor. Here we demonstrate that the genes up-regulated by the pheromone in white cells are activated through a common cis-acting sequence, WPRE, which is distinct from the cis-acting sequence, OPRE, responsible for up-regulation in opaque cells. Furthermore, we find that these white-specific genes play roles in white cell biofilm formation, and are essential for biofilm formation in the absence of an added source of pheromone, suggesting either an autocrine or pheromone-independent mechanism. These results suggest an intimate, complex and unique relationship between switching, mating and MTL-homozygous white cell biofilm formation, the latter a presumed virulence factor in C. albicans.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=73349089654&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000601
DO - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000601
M3 - Article
C2 - 19798425
AN - SCOPUS:73349089654
VL - 5
JO - PLoS pathogens
JF - PLoS pathogens
SN - 1553-7366
IS - 10
ER -