[Effect of CCH1 and MID1 in calcium influx under alkaline pH and its regulation by Crz1p transcription factor in Candida albicans]

Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao. 2011 Jun;27(6):917-25.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

In Candida albicans, adaptation to environmental pH is relevant to its pathogenicity. Calcium signaling pathway involves in many stress responses and often accompany with Ca2+ fluctuation. We constructed CCH1 and MID1 mutant strains and studied their effect on calcium influx and further investigated the regulation by Crz1p transcription factor. We used PCR-directed gene disruption to construct cch1delta/delta and mid1delta/delta null mutant. By using a flow cytometry-based method we monitored the free cytosolic Ca2+ levels under alkaline stress. Moreover, we constructed pPHO89-LacZ plasmids and by beta-Galactosidase assays, we analyzed the changes of LacZ activities after gene disruption. The results showed that alkaline stress induced calcium burst reduced obviously in cch1delta/delta and mid1delta/delta mutant strains, also for LacZ activities, and fully abolished in crz1delta/delta mutant strain. Finally, by realtime PCR, we confirmed the regulation role of Crz1p in CCH1 and MID1 genes but in a calcineurin independent way. Studies on the effect of calcium pathway on response to alkaline stress will provide an important theoretical basis for Candida albicans infection-oriented treatment and new drug targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Candida albicans / genetics*
  • Candida albicans / metabolism
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Transcription Factors