Acetylcholine Induces Yeast to Hyphal Form Transition in Candida albicans

Abstract

Background: In Candida albicans, yeast to hyphal form transition can be induced by serum, proline, glucose, and N-acetylglucosamine. Acetylcholine is a neuromodulator which can stimulate both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in humans. In this study, we are reporting that acetylcholine can induce yeast to hyphal form transition in C. albicans. The adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, MDL 12, 330A inhibited this transition indicating the role of cAMP. Muscarinic receptors in C. albicans did not report yet. We have reported that C. albicans Rrp9 exhibits identity and similarity with the human muscarinic receptor M1. In humans, activation of muscarinic M1 receptor can produce cAMP through inositol phosphate pathway. The inositol phosphate pathway in C. albicans is already known. We have carried out the local and global alignment sequences between the proteins of humans and C. albicans which are involved in inositol phosphate pathway. We found considerable identities and similarities between them. Herein, we hypothesize that acetylcholine may activate Rrp9 which may lead to activation of inositol phosphate signaling pathway in C. albicans. This study suggests that Rrp9 may have a potential role in yeast to hyphal form transition in C. albicans.