Growth of Candida albicans hyphae

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011 Aug 16;9(10):737-48. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2636.

Abstract

The fungus Candida albicans is often a benign member of the mucosal flora; however, it commonly causes mucosal disease with substantial morbidity and in vulnerable patients it causes life-threatening bloodstream infections. A striking feature of its biology is its ability to grow in yeast, pseudohyphal and hyphal forms. The hyphal form has an important role in causing disease by invading epithelial cells and causing tissue damage. This Review describes our current understanding of the network of signal transduction pathways that monitors environmental cues to activate a programme of hypha-specific gene transcription, and the molecular processes that drive the highly polarized growth of hyphae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Candida albicans / cytology
  • Candida albicans / genetics
  • Candida albicans / growth & development*
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Epithelium / microbiology
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Humans
  • Hyphae / genetics
  • Hyphae / growth & development*
  • Hyphae / pathogenicity
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins