Role of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in activation of the cyclic AMP pathway and HWP1 gene expression in Candida albicans

Eukaryot Cell. 2007 Oct;6(10):1824-40. doi: 10.1128/EC.00188-07. Epub 2007 Aug 22.

Abstract

Changes in gene expression during reversible bud-hypha transitions of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans permit adaptation to environmental conditions that are critical for proliferation in host tissues. Our previous work has shown that the hypha-specific adhesin gene HWP1 is up-regulated by the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway. However, little is known about the potential influences of determinants of cell morphology on HWP1 gene expression. We found that blocking hypha formation with cytochalasin A, which destabilizes actin filaments, and with latrunculin A, which sequesters actin monomers, led to a loss of HWP1 gene expression. In contrast, high levels of HWP1 gene expression were observed when the F-actin stabilizer jasplakinolide was used to block hypha formation, suggesting that HWP1 expression could be regulated by actin structures. Mutants defective in formin-mediated nucleation of F-actin were reduced in HWP1 gene expression, providing genetic support for the importance of actin structures. Kinetic experiments with wild-type and actin-deficient cells revealed two distinct phases of HWP1 gene expression, with a slow, actin-independent phase preceding a fast, actin-dependent phase. Low levels of HWP1 gene expression that appeared to be independent of stabilized actin and cAMP signaling were detected using indirect immunofluorescence. A connection between actin structures and the cAMP signaling pathway was shown using hyper- and hypomorphic cAMP mutants, providing a possible mechanism for up-regulation of HWP1 gene expression by stabilized actin. The results reveal a new role for F-actin as a regulatory agent of hypha-specific gene expression at the bud-hypha transition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / cytology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / genetics*
  • Candida albicans / metabolism*
  • Cell Polarity / drug effects
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cytochalasins / pharmacology
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Depsipeptides / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal* / drug effects
  • Hyphae / cytology
  • Hyphae / drug effects
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Thiazolidines / pharmacology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Cytochalasins
  • Depsipeptides
  • Fungal Proteins
  • HWP1 protein, Candida albicans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Thiazolidines
  • jasplakinolide
  • cytochalasin A
  • Cyclic AMP
  • latrunculin A