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Proper Sterol Distribution Is Required for Candida albicans Hyphal Formation and Virulence

P. McCourt, H.-Y. Liu, J. E. Parker, C. Gallo-Ebert, M. Donigan, A. Bata, C. Giordano, Steven Kelly, J. T. Nickels, Josie Parker

G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Volume: 6, Issue: 11

Swansea University Authors: Steven Kelly, Josie Parker

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DOI (Published version): 10.1534/g3.116.033969

Abstract

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus responsible for the majority of systemic fungal infections. Multiple factors contribute to C. albicans pathogenicity. C. albicans strains lacking CaArv1 are avirulent. Arv1 has a conserved Arv1 homology domain (AHD) that has a zinc-binding domain containin...

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Published in: G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics
ISSN: 2160-1836
Published: 2016
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31346
Abstract: Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus responsible for the majority of systemic fungal infections. Multiple factors contribute to C. albicans pathogenicity. C. albicans strains lacking CaArv1 are avirulent. Arv1 has a conserved Arv1 homology domain (AHD) that has a zinc-binding domain containing two cysteine clusters. Here, we explored the role of the CaAHD and zinc-binding motif in CaArv1-dependent virulence. Overall, we found that the CaAHD was necessary but not sufficient for cells to be virulent, whereas the zinc-binding domain was essential, as Caarv1/Caarv1 cells expressing the full-length zinc-binding domain mutants, Caarv1C3S and Caarv1C28S, were avirulent. Phenotypically, we found a direct correlation between the avirulence of Caarv1/Caarv1, Caarrv1AHD, Caarv1C3S, and Caarv1C28S cells and defects in bud site selection, septa formation and localization, and hyphal formation and elongation. Importantly, all avirulent mutant strains lacked the ability to maintain proper sterol distribution. Overall, our results have established the importance of the AHD and zinc-binding domain in fungal invasion, and have correlated an avirulent phenotype with the inability to maintain proper sterol distribution.
Keywords: virulence, Candida, sterol, hyphae, lipid
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 11

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