Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ning Gao, Baodi Dai, Xinyi Nie, Qun Zhao, Wencheng Zhu, Jiangye Chen
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified Fun30 as a protein that interacts with Wor1 and is required for WOR1 expression and the formation of opaque cells in Candida albicans. Fun30 is upregulated in opaque cells and its overexpression increases the white-opaque switching process. The upregulation of Fun30 is dependent on CO2 and the key CO2-sensing transcriptional regulator FLO8. Additionally, deletion of Fun30 affects the WOR1 expression regulation feedback loop.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Elvira Roman, Daniel Prieto, Susana Hidalgo-Vico, Rebeca Alonso-Monge, Jesus Pla
Summary: The transcriptional master regulator WOR1 plays a vital role in the white opaque transition of Candida albicans. Its overexpression in mutant cells defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase enables the establishment of commensalism in the murine gut and even competes with wild-type C. albicans cells. This enhanced fitness is associated with increased adherence to biotic surfaces, elevated production of proteinase and phospholipase, and reduced filamentation in vitro. Furthermore, hog1 WOR1(OE) does not exhibit virulence in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
Article
Microbiology
Susana Hidalgo-Vico, Josefina Casas, Carolina Garcia, M. Pilar Lillo, Rebeca Alonso-Monge, Elvira Roman, Jesus Pla
Summary: In this study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor Wor1 in commensalism by examining strains overexpressing this gene. We found that overexpression of WOR1 caused alterations in the lipid composition of fungal cells, increased sensitivity to membrane-disturbing agents and azole drugs, and changes in cellular physiology. These findings provide insights into the adaptation mechanisms of Candida albicans in the gastrointestinal tract.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chapman N. Beekman, Christina A. Cuomo, Richard J. Bennett, Iuliana Ene
Summary: The white-opaque transition in Candida species is a heritable and reversible process controlled by highly interconnected transcriptional networks. A study on Candida albicans revealed rare genetic changes between white and opaque cells, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms rather than genetic variation play a key role in mediating this switch.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zhongle Liu, Jessie MacAlpine, Nicole Robbins, Leah E. Cowen
Summary: Candida albicans, an opportunistic human fungal pathogen, uses yeast-filamentous morphological switch and stress response to survive and cause disease. By generating C. albicans strains with substitutions in ATP-binding pockets of Hog1 and PKA, their kinase activities can be specifically inhibited, providing a toolset to study their roles in regulating cell morphogenesis and stress responses.
Article
Immunology
Jing Yang, Wenli Feng, Zhiqin Xi, Lu Yang, Xiaoxia Zhao, Yan Ma, Yanping Ma
Summary: The study found that gray cells of Candida albicans exhibited the strongest Sap activity and pathogenicity, followed by opaque cells, with white cells being the least. All three phenotypic cells were susceptible to fluconazole.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Mohammad N. Qasim, Ashley Valle Arevalo, Clarissa J. Nobile, Aaron D. Hernday
Summary: Candida albicans, a diploid polymorphic fungus, can switch reversibly between white and opaque cell types through a unique heritable epigenetic program. Different transcriptional programs govern the establishment and maintenance of these cell types, leading to various differences in metabolism, mating competencies, morphology, responses to environmental signals, etc. Transcription factors are the primary focus of investigation, while chromatin accessibility also plays a significant role in regulating the dynamics of the white-opaque switch.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucas R. Brenes, Alexander D. Johnson, Matthew B. Lohse
Summary: Candida albicans, a normal member of the human microbiome, undergoes white-opaque switching, which is influenced by environmental signals and genetic manipulations. This study identifies (E,E)-farnesol as an inhibitor and PKA phosphorylation of Efg1 at T208 as a promoter of white-opaque switching. The integration of multiple environmental inputs leads to various switching rates.
Article
Microbiology
Thomas P. Conway, Kayla Conway, Frank A. Boksa, Claude Pujol, Deborah Wessels, David R. Soll
Summary: Research indicates that in the transition from white to opaque phenotype, cells commit to the opaque phenotype at a specific time point correlated with the upregulation of specific genes several hours later.
Article
Microbiology
Susana Hidalgo Vico, Daniel Prieto, Rebeca Alonso Monge, Elvira Roman, Jesus Pla
Summary: The study reveals that the isocitrate lyase enzyme Icl1 plays a crucial role in the adaptation of Candida albicans to a commensal state, as mutants lacking Icl1 show reduced fitness in the mouse gastrointestinal tract.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chao Li, Li Tao, Zhangyue Guan, Tianren Hu, Sijia Wang, Weihong Liang, Fei Zhao, Guanghua Huang
Summary: The fungal pathogen Candida albicans has three configurations at the mating type locus, with MTLa2 and MTL alpha 1 exhibiting distinct regulatory features in controlling mating response. MTLa2 controls the formation of mating projections through both a- and alpha-pheromone-sensing pathways, while MTL alpha 1 is involved in the development of mating projections. These findings shed new light on the regulatory mechanism of bi-mating behaviors and sexual reproduction in C. albicans.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sanjib Das, Achintya Mohan Goswami, Tanima Saha
Summary: Candida albicans, a common member of the human microbiome, causes infections through the regulation of kinases, which control morphological features and virulence factors.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Enping Cai, Meixin Yan, Xian Sun, Rong Zeng, Wenqiang Zheng, Yizhen Deng, Zide Jiang, Changqing Chang
Summary: The study reveals the regulatory role of MAP kinase Hog1 and cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in the morphological development of S. scitamineum. Hog1 and Adr1 antagonistically regulate the vacuolar size, cell wall integrity, and permeability, which contribute to the cell size and determine the cellular elongation rates.
Article
Microbiology
Farha Husain, Prerna Pathak, Elvira Roman, Jesus Pla, Sneh Lata Panwar
Summary: C. albicans utilizes the HOG MAPK pathway to alleviate ER stress and attenuate the Ire1-dependent UPR activity. This study integrates the HOG pathway into the less characterized frame of ER stress adaptation pathways in C. albicans.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baodi Dai, Yinxing Xu, Ning Gao, Jiangye Chen
Summary: Candida albicans is a common commensal in the human gut and can also act as an opportunistic pathogen. The ability of the fungus to switch between different morphological forms, including the production of dark-pigmented melanin in opaque cells, is controlled by Ferroxidases (Fets). The regulation patterns of FET genes vary in response to different extracellular stimuli, reflecting the multiple strategies of C. albicans to adapt to diverse host niches.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wen-Han Chang, Shen-Huan Liang, Fu-Sheng Deng, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fu-Sheng Deng, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Article
Immunology
Fu-Sheng Deng, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chih-Ting Chien, Yu-Chia Chen, Yun-Chun Liu, Shen-Huan Liang, Hsien-Hen Lin, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Article
Plant Sciences
Li-Hung Chen, Ching-Hsuan Lin, Kuang-Ren Chung
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2013)
Article
Microbiology
Ching-Hsuan Lin, Shail Kabrawala, Emily P. Fox, Clarissa J. Nobile, Alexander D. Johnson, Richard J. Bennett
Article
Microbiology
Yi-Kai Tseng, Yu-Chia Chen, Chien-Jui Hou, Fu-Sheng Deng, Shen-Huan Liang, Sin Yong Hoo, Chih-Chieh Hsu, Cai-Ling Ke, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Shi Qian Lew, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Summary: Morphological transitions in Candida species, triggered by GlcNAc, exhibit significant differences in hyphal development response and signaling pathways between Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The diverse effects and pathways suggest distinct regulatory mechanisms in filamentous growth between these two species.
Article
Immunology
Cai-Ling Ke, Yu-Ting Liao, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Summary: The study demonstrates that chitosan inhibits mitochondrial function in Candida albicans by suppressing the expression of the MSS2 gene, leading to decreased virulence and invasive ability of the fungi. This indicates a potential strategy for antifungal drug development targeting fungal mitochondria.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Ching-Hsuan Lin
Summary: Ching-Hsuan Lin is inspired by two papers to explore new bioactive antimicrobial compounds with his collaborators.
Review
Polymer Science
Cai-Ling Ke, Fu-Sheng Deng, Chih-Yu Chuang, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Summary: Chitosan, a naturally occurring product, has biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxic properties, making it applicable in many areas. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity provides great commercial potential, but varies depending on its physicochemical characteristics and type of microorganism. Understanding the fundamental properties and modes of antimicrobial action of chitosan, as well as how microorganisms genetically respond to it, can lead to better applications.
Article
Immunology
Cai-Ling Ke, Shi Qian Lew, Yi Hsieh, Szu-Cheng Chang, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Summary: This study investigates the role of SNF4 in Candida tropicalis and finds that it plays important roles in glucose derepression, cell wall integrity, and virulence. Additionally, the expression of both SNF1 and SNF4 is significantly induced under glucose limitation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Hsuan Lo, Fu-Sheng Deng, Chih-Jung Chang, Ching-Hsuan Lin
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ching-Hsuan Lin, Hsiung-Fei Chien, Ming-Hsuan Lin, Chueh-Pin Chen, Mandy Shen, Chin-Tin Chen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2018)