Candida albicansCell Wall Proteins

Abstract

SUMMARY The Candida albicans cell wall maintains the structural integrity of the organism in addtion to providing a physical contact interface with the environment. The major components of the cell wall are fibrillar polysaccharides and proteins. The proteins of the cell wall are the focus of this review. Three classes of proteins are present in the candidal cell wall. One group of proteins attach to the cell wall via a glycophosphatidylinositol remnant or by an alkali-labile linkage. A second group of proteins with N-terminal signal sequences but no covalent attachment sequences are secreted by the classical secretory pathway. These proteins may end up in the cell wall or in the extracellular space. The third group of proteins lack a secretory signal, and the pathway(s) by which they become associated with the surface is unknown. Potential constituents of the first two classes have been predicted from analysis of genome sequences. Experimental analyses have identified members of all three classes. Some members of each class selected for consideration of confirmed or proposed function, phenotypic analysis of a mutant, and regulation by growth conditions and transcription factors are discussed in more detail.

Candida albicansdimorphism as a therapeutic target

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The vaginal mycobiome: A contemporary perspective on fungi in women's health and diseases

“…[51][52][53] Hyphal formation is an important attachment factor as well. 54,55 In response to quorum sensing mechanisms, yeast growth is favored by high cell densities (>10 7 cells mL ¡1 ) whereas hyphal formation is stimulated by lower cell densities (<10 7 cells mL…”

Minocycline Inhibits <i>Candida albicans</i> Budded-to-Hyphal-Form Transition and Biofilm Formation

“…The BHT is triggered by several external signals, including elevated temperature or pH, nitrogen and or carbon starvation, and exposure to serum. Hypha-specific genes HWP1 and ECE1, adhesion-related gene ALS3 have been identified (17)(18)(19)(20)(21), and the pathways controlling the expression of these genes have been well-studied. Each pathway culminates in the activation of different transcription factors, inducing expression of hypha-specific genes.…”