Abstract
BackgroundThe MP65 gene of Candida albicans (orf19.1779) encodes a putative β-glucanase mannoprotein of 65 kDa, which plays a main role in a host-fungus relationship, morphogenesis and pathogenicity. In this study, we performed an extensive analysis of a mp65Δ mutant to assess the role of this protein in cell wall integrity, adherence to epithelial cells and biofilm formation.ResultsThe mp65Δ mutant showed a high sensitivity to a range of cell wall-perturbing and degrading agents, especially Congo red, which induced morphological changes such as swelling, clumping and formation of hyphae. The mp65Δ mutant showed an activation of two MAPKs (Mkc1p and Cek1p), a high level of expression of two stress-related genes (DDR48 and SOD5), and a modulated expression of β-glucan epitopes, but no gross changes in cell wall polysaccharide composition. Interestingly, the mp65Δ mutant displayed a marked reduction in adhesion to BEC and Caco-2 cells and severe defects in biofilm formation when compared to the wild type. All of the mentioned properties were totally or partially recovered in a revertant strain, demonstrating the specificity of gene deletion.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that the MP65 gene of Candida albicans plays a significant role in maintaining cell wall integrity, as well as in adherence to epithelia and biofilm formation, which are major virulence attributes of this fungus.
Highlights
The MP65 gene of Candida albicans encodes a putative b-glucanase mannoprotein of 65 kDa, which plays a main role in a host-fungus relationship, morphogenesis and pathogenicity
In another study [21], we described the construction of the mp65Δ mutants and some of their genetic traits and biological properties, demonstrating that Mp65p is required for hyphal morphogenesis and experimental pathogenicity
Cell wall integrity To determine the effects of deleting the MP65 gene on the integrity of the cell wall, we tested the mp65Δ mutant for sensitivity to different agents whose effects have been associated with an altered cell wall
Summary
The MP65 gene of Candida albicans (orf19.1779) encodes a putative b-glucanase mannoprotein of 65 kDa, which plays a main role in a host-fungus relationship, morphogenesis and pathogenicity. We performed an extensive analysis of a mp65Δ mutant to assess the role of this protein in cell wall integrity, adherence to epithelial cells and biofilm formation. Candida albicans is both a commensal and a pathogenic yeast, which is responsible for severe infections in humans, in immunocompromised persons, such as AIDS and cancer patients, diabetics, newborns and the elderly [1,2]. The bestdescribed ASL-CWPs are the family of Pir-proteins (proteins with internal repeats). Pir-proteins are thought to be pre-proteins that are processed at Kex endoprotease recognition sites [11]; the N-terminal part of mature proteins contains conserved internal tandem repeats, and the C-terminal half shares a high sequence similarity including four conserved cysteines
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
