A Mechanistic and Functional Study of White-opaque Phenotypic Switching in Candida Albicans

A Mechanistic and Functional Study of White-opaque Phenotypic Switching in Candida Albicans PDF Author: Mathew Gregory Miller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 730

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Book Description
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. It is a harmless commensal in healthy individuals, but it can cause serious infections in immune-compromised hosts. C. albicans undergoes a meta-stable and reversible switch between two distinct cell types known as white and opaque. The role of white-opaque switching in the biology of C. albicans was originally not well understood. We discovered an unexpected relationship between white-opaque switching and the sexual cycle of C. albicans . The mating type locus of C. albicans (MTL) encodes transcriptional regulatory proteins that regulate mating. We demonstrated that two MTL -encoded homeodomain proteins, a 1 and alpha2, work together to repress white-opaque switching in C. albicans . The observations that the MTL locus controlled both mating and white-opaque switching led us to hypothesize that opaque cells played a role in mating. Indeed, we found that opaque cells mate one million times more efficiently than do white cells. Additionally, opaque cells, but not white cells, developed specialized mating projections when exposed to mating pheromone. Thus, opaque cells are a specialized mating form of C. albicans . As white cells are generally more robust in a mammalian host than opaque cells, this strategy allows the organism to survive the rigors of life within a mammalian host, while generating a small population of mating-competent cells. The mechanism that controls white-opaque switching is not well understood. To better understand the mechanism, we investigated the regulation of white-opaque switching by a 1-alpha2. We demonstrated that a 1-alpha2 regulates white-opaque switching by destabilizing opaque cells, and we monitored gene expression during the transition from opaque to white using DNA microarrays. We used a candidate approach to identify additional regulators of white-opaque switching among genes enriched for their expression in the opaque phase. We identified two potent positive regulators of white-opaque switching: the opaque-specific transcriptional regulatory proteins Czf1 and Naf1. We also further investigated the role of Efg1, a previously identified regulator of white-opaque switching, and found that efg1/efg1 mutants were unable to bypass a 1-alpha2 repression of switching. Finally, we determined the epistatic and regulatory relationships between Efg1, Czf1 and Naf1.

Candida Albicans Phenotypic Switching and Functional Plasticity in the Mammalian Host

Candida Albicans Phenotypic Switching and Functional Plasticity in the Mammalian Host PDF Author: Brittany Gianetti
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355386455
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 126

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Book Description
In order to determine the host signals and fungal signaling pathways that control the white-GUT switch and drive commensalism, we developed an in vitro system to induce switching behavior and screened a library of C. albicans signaling mutants. We identified three fungal signaling pathways (Hog1, Rim101, and PKA), previously associated with other morphological transitions, which promote GUT cell formation. Together these studies help to understand how C. albicans' phenotypic plasticity influences its interactions with the mammalian host.

Dissertation Abstracts International

Dissertation Abstracts International PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 918

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Book Description


Candida and Candidiasis

Candida and Candidiasis PDF Author: Richard A. Calderone
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology Press
ISBN: 1555815391
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1222

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Book Description
The underlying mechanisms of Candida and candidiasis and promising new directions in drug discovery and treatment. • Reviews all aspects of this common fungal pathogen and its impact on human health, from the basic biology of Candida albicans to the clinical management of candidiasis. • Reviews the latest basic and clinical research, focusing on findings in genome variability, host-pathogen interactions, antifungal resistance and drug discovery, and diagnostics to foster better understanding and treatment of candidiasis. • Examines recent discoveries that have shed light on morphogenesis and the cell cycle, including how new findings on host responses may have applications for the diagnosis of blood-borne candidiasis.

Candida Albicans

Candida Albicans PDF Author: Rajendra Prasad
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642752535
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Candida, which was discovered more than a century ago as a causative organism of oral thrush, is now thought to potentially infect almost every tissue of the human body. Although we still do not have a safe anti-candida drug, the growing pace of progess of research on Candida albicans holds promise that a breakthrough is imminent. Though many monographs and articles on candida and candidoses have appeared in recent years, they mostly cover the clinical aspects. This particular text, however, explains the more basic features of candida including the molecular genetics, molecular biology and immunology of the cell wall, the molecular basis of morphogenesis and the structure and function of the plasma membrane. The role of anti-candida drugs and their mechanism of action are also discussed.

The Fungal Kingdom

The Fungal Kingdom PDF Author: Joseph Heitman
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1555819583
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1136

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Book Description
Fungi research and knowledge grew rapidly following recent advances in genetics and genomics. This book synthesizes new knowledge with existing information to stimulate new scientific questions and propel fungal scientists on to the next stages of research. This book is a comprehensive guide on fungi, environmental sensing, genetics, genomics, interactions with microbes, plants, insects, and humans, technological applications, and natural product development.

Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology

Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology PDF Author: Christine Guthrie
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780123106704
Category : Molecular biology
Languages : en
Pages : 933

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Book Description
Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology presents, for the first time, a comprehensive compilation of the protocols and procedures that have made Saccharomyces cerevisiae such a facile system for all researchers in molecular and cell biology. Whether you are an established yeast biologist or a newcomer to the field, this volume contains all the up-to-date methods you will need to study "Your Favorite Gene" in yeast. Basic Methods in Yeast Genetics**Physical and genetic mapping**Making and recovering mutants**Cloning and Recombinant DNA Methods**High-efficiency transformation**Preparation of yeast artificial chromosome vectors**Basic Methods of Cell Biology**Immunomicroscopy**Protein targeting assays**Biochemistry of Gene Expression**Vectors for regulated expression**Isolation of labeled and unlabeled DNA, RNA, and protein

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy PDF Author: R. Rigler
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642595421
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 503

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Book Description
This is the first book-length treatment of both the theoretical background to fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and a variety of applications in various fields of science. The high spatial and temporal resolution of FCS has made it a powerful tool for the analysis of molecular interactions and kinetics, transport properties due to thermal motion, and flow. It contains an essential contribution from Nobel Prize winner M. Eigen, who is credited with inventing FCS.

Agrobacterium: From Biology to Biotechnology

Agrobacterium: From Biology to Biotechnology PDF Author: Tzvi Tzfira
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387722904
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 768

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Book Description
Agrobacterium is a plant pathogen which causes the “crown-gall” disease, a neoplastic growth that results from the transfer of a well-defined DNA segment (“transferred DNA”, or “T-DNA”) from the bacterial Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid to the host cell, its integration into the host genome, and the expression of oncogenes contained on the T-DNA. The molecular machinery, needed for T-DNA generation and transport into the host cell and encoded by a series of chromosomal (chv) and Ti-plasmid virulence (vir) genes, has been the subject of numerous studies over the past several decades. Today, Agrobacterium is the tool of choice for plant genetic engineering with an ever expanding host range that includes many commercially important crops, flowers, and tree species. Furthermore, its recent application for the genetic transformation of non-plant species, from yeast to cultivated mushrooms and even to human cells, promises this bacterium a unique place in the future of biotechnological applications. The book is a comprehensive volume describing Agrobacterium's biology, interactions with host species, and uses for genetic engineering.

Female Sexual Pain Disorders

Female Sexual Pain Disorders PDF Author: Andrew T. Goldstein
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444356658
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 431

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Book Description
First book devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual pain in women Female Sexual Pain Disorders is a remarkable fusion of clinical and scientific knowledge that will empower women’s healthcare professionals to help their patients in overcoming this common debilitating disorder. Based on the highest level research, it provides state-of-the-art practical guidance that will help you to: Evaluate and distinguish the causes of sexual pain in women Differentiate the many forms of sexual pain Implement multidisciplinary treatments Distilling the experience of world leaders across many clinical, therapeutic and scientific disciplines, with an array of algorithms and diagnostic tools, Female Sexual Pain Disorders is your ideal companion for treating the many millions of women who suffer from this disorder worldwide. All proceeds from this book are being donated to the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH).