Asc1, a WD-repeat protein, is required for hyphal development and virulence in Candida albicans

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2010 Nov;42(11):793-800. doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmq093. Epub 2010 Oct 7.

Abstract

Candida albicans is a human pathogenic fungus which can undergo a morphological transition from yeast to hyphae in response to a variety of environmental stimuli. We analyzed a C. albicans Asc1 (Absence of growth Suppressor of Cyp1) protein which is entirely composed of seven repeats of the WD domain, and is conserved from fungi to metazoan. Deleting the ASC1 in C. albicans led to a profound defect in hyphal development under hypha-inducing conditions examined. Furthermore, deletion of the ASC1 attenuated virulence of C. albicans in a mouse model of systemic infection. These data strongly suggested that the conserved WD-repeat protein Asc1 is required for morphogenesis and pathogenesis of C. albicans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / genetics*
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Hyphae / genetics*
  • Hyphae / growth & development
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Asc1 protein, Candida albicans
  • Fungal Proteins