ChIP-chip to investigate transcriptional control of hypoxic hyphal growth in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans
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ABSTRACT: So far, there is no known regulatory circuits that mediate filamentation of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans exclusively in response to hypoxia. In this study, we performed a quantitative analysis of gene deletion mutants from different collections of protein kinases and transcriptional regulators to identify specific regulator of the hypoxic filamentation. Our work uncovered two transcription factors, Ahr1 and Tye7, that act as prominent regulators of C. albicans filamentation specifically under hypoxia. In summary, we used genome-wide transcriptional profiling and promoter occupancy to characterize both Ahr1 and Tye7 regulons associated with the hypoxic filamentation in C. albicans.
Project description:So far, there is no known regulatory circuits that mediate filamentation of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans exclusively in response to hypoxia. In this study, we performed a quantitative analysis of gene deletion mutants from different collections of protein kinases and transcriptional regulators to identify specific regulator of the hypoxic filamentation. Our work uncovered two transcription factors, Ahr1 and Tye7, that act as prominent regulators of C. albicans filamentation specifically under hypoxia. In summary, we used genome-wide transcriptional profiling and promoter occupancy to characterize both Ahr1 and Tye7 regulons associated with the hypoxic filamentation in C. albicans.
Project description:The capacity to sense and transduce temperature signals pervades all aspects of biology, and temperature exerts powerful control over the development and virulence of diverse pathogens. In the leading fungal pathogen of humans, Candida albicans, temperature has a profound impact on morphogenesis, a key virulence trait. Many cues that induce the transition from yeast to filamentous growth are contingent on a minimum temperature of 37ºC, while further elevatation to 39ºC serves as an independent inducing cue. The molecular chaperone Hsp90 is a key regulator of C. albicans temperature-dependent morphogenesis, as induction of filamentous growth requires relief from Hsp90-mediated repression of the morphogenetic program. Compromise of Hsp90 function genetically, pharmacologically, or by elevated temperature induces filamentation in a manner that depends on protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, but is independent of the terminal transcription factor, Efg1. Here, we determine that despite morphological and regulatory differences, inhibition of Hsp90 induces a transcriptional profile similar to that induced by other filamentation cues, and does so in a manner that is independent of Efg1. Further, we identify Hms1 as a transcriptional regulator required for morphogenesis induced by elevated temperature or compromise of Hsp90 function. Hms1 functions downstream of the cyclin Pcl, and the cyclin-dependent kinase Pho85, both of which are required for temperature-dependent filamentation. Upon Hsp90 inhibition, Hms1 binds to DNA elements involved in filamentous growth, including UME6 and RBT5, and regulates their expression, providing a mechanism through which Pho85, Pcl1, and Hms1 govern morphogenesis. Consistent with the importance of morphogenetic flexibility with virulence, deletion of C. albicans HMS1 attenuates virulence in a metazoan model of infection. Thus, we establish a new mechanism through which Hsp90 orchestrates C. albicans morphogenesis, and define novel regulatory circuitry governing a temperature-dependent developmental program, with broad implications for temperature sensing and virulence of microbial pathogens. Genome-wide occupancy experiments (Chip-CHIP) of FLAG-tagged Hms1p from cells grown in the presence or absence of geldanamycin (GldA). Co-precipitating genomic DNA was labelled and hybridized to whole-genome tiling arrays.
Project description:Biofilm development by Candida albicans requires cell adhesion for the initial establishment of the biofilm and the continued stability after hyphal development occurs; however, the regulation of the process has not been fully established. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to microarray analysis (ChIP-chip) we have characterized a regulon containing the Mcm1p factor that is required for the initial surface adhesion during biofilm formation. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae several Mcm1p regulons have been characterized in which regulatory specificity is achieved through co-factors binding a sequence adjacent to the Mcm1p-binding site. This new Mcm1p regulon in C. albicans also requires a co-factor, which we identify as the transcription factor Ahr1p. However, in contrast to the other yeast regulons, Ahr1p alone binds the target promoters, which include several key adhesion genes, and recruits Mcm1p to these sites. Through transcription profiling and qPCR analysis, we demonstrate that this Ahr1p-Mcm1p complex directly activates these adhesion genes. When the regulon was disrupted by deleting AHR1, the strain displayed reduced adherence to a polystyrene surface. We also demonstrate a role for the regulon in hyphal growth and in virulence. Our work thus establishes a new mechanism of Mcm1p-directed regulation distinct from those observed for other Mcm1p co-regulators. We performed genome wide occupancy experiments (YPD, 30oC) with Ahr1p and Mcm1p to determine their binding sites. To confirm an interaction between the two factors we also performed genome wide occupancy with Mcm1p in an ahr1 deletion strain. To complement with genome wide occupancy experiments, we performed a transcription profile with an ahr1 deletion strain under yeast conditions (YPD, 30oC).
Project description:In this study, we have investigated Mediator function in the human fungal pathogen C. albicans. An initial screening of conditionally regulated Mediator subunits showed that the Med7 of C. albicans was not essential, in contrast to the situation noted for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While loss of CaMed7 did not lead to loss of viability under normal growth conditions, it dramatically influenced the pathogenM-bM-^@M-^Ys ability to grow in different carbon sources, to form hyphae and biofilms, and to colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of mice. We used location profiling to determine Mediator binding under yeast and hyphal morphologies characterized by different transcription profiles. We observed a core set of specific and common genes bound by Med7 under both conditions; this specific core set is expanded considerably during hyphal growth, supporting the idea that Mediator binding correlates with changes in transcriptional activity and that this binding is condition specific. Med7 bound not only in the promoter regions of active genes but also of inactive genes and within coding regions and at the 3M-bM-^@M-^Y ends of genes. By combining genome-wide location profiling, expression analyses and phenotyping, we have identified different Med7 regulons including genes related to glycolysis and the Filamentous Growth Regulator family. We performed genome-wide occupancy experiments (YPD, 30oC and YPD, 37oC) with Med7p to determine its binding sites.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE34255: Pho85, Pcl1, and Hms1 Signaling Governs Candida albicans Morphogenesis Induced by Elevated Temperature or Hsp90 Compromise [mRNA] GSE34938: Pho85, Pcl1, and Hms1 Signaling Governs Candida albicans Morphogenesis Induced by Elevated Temperature or Hsp90 Compromise [ChIP-chip] Refer to individual Series
Project description:Compared to other model organisms and despite the clinical relevance of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, no comprehensive analysis has been done to provide experimental support of its in silico-based genome annotation. Here we have undertaken a genome-wide experimental annotation to accurately uncover the transcriptional landscape of the pathogenic yeast C. albicans using strand-specific high-density tiling arrays. RNAs were purified from cells growing under conditions relevant to C. albicans pathogenicity, including biofilm, lab-grown yeast and serum-induced hyphae as well as cells isolated from the mouse caecum. This work provides a genome-wide experimental validation for a large number of predicted ORFs for which transcription had not been detected by other approaches. Additionally, we identified more than 2000 novel transcriptional segments, including new ORFs and exons, non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) as well as convincing cases of antisense gene transcription. We also characterized the 5’- and 3’-untranslated regions (UTR) of expressed ORFs, and established that genes with long 5’UTRs are significantly enriched in regulatory functions controlling filamentous growth. Furthermore, we found that genomic regions adjacent to telomeres harbor a cluster of expressed ncRNAs. To validate and confirm new ncRNA candidates, we adapted an iterative strategy combining both genome-wide occupancy of the different subunits of RNA polymerases I, II and III, and expression data. This comprehensive approach allowed the identification of different families of ncRNA. In summary, we provide a comprehensive expression atlas that covers relevant C. albicans pathogenic developmental stages in addition to a discovery of new ORF and non-coding genetic elements. We have undertaken a genome-wide experimental annotation to accurately uncover the transcriptional landscape of the pathogenic yeast C. albicans using strand-specific high-density tiling arrays. RNAs were purified from cells growing under conditions relevant to Candida albicans pathogenicity, including biofilm, lab-grown yeast and serum-induced hyphae as well as cells isolated from the mouse caecum. We also adapted a strategy in which genome-wide occupancy of different subunits of RNA polymerases (RNAP) I, II and III, is combined with expression data to annotate ncRNAs resulting from real transcriptional events. For this purpose we have performed ChIP-chip of subunits that represent the three RNAP machines in C. albicans cells growing in rich media (YPD) at 30°C. In this study, we performed peak detection only for RNA Polymerase III (Rpc82p). All detected peaks and their genomic features are included as a supplementary file on the Sample record (GSM561024).
Project description:Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen capable of causing superficial and systemic infections in humans. The ability of C. albicans to switch between various morphological forms depending on its host environment is thought to contribute to its virulence. Filamentous growth states are associated with tissue invasion, biofilm formation, evasion of innate host defences and mating. Although the mechanisms of activation of filamentous growth pathways are well understood, less is known about which factors control the negative regulation of filamentation. In this study, we have identified a previously uncharacterized Orf that shares sequence similarity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Dig1p and Dig2p. Deletion of the gene encoding this Orf triggers invasive growth in C. albicans and so we have retained the yeast designation of Dig1 (for Down-regulation of Invasive Growth). Mutants lacking CaDIG1 form cultures of hyperpolarized cells, form robust biofilms, are highly invasive in vitro but not in vivo and are constitutively activated for the pheromone response. Deletion of key transcription factors that act downstream of Dig1p provide evidence to suggest that CaDig1 regulates filamentation and mating through multiple signalling pathways. Transcriptional analysis of the C. albicans dig1Δ/dig1Δ homozygous mutant versus the wild type (SN148) in the MTLa/alpha background. Four biological replicates of the mutant and the wild type were included in the analysis. Samples were grown at 30 °C in YPD medium plus uridine
Project description:The capacity to sense and transduce temperature signals pervades all aspects of biology, and temperature exerts powerful control over the development and virulence of diverse pathogens. In the leading fungal pathogen of humans, Candida albicans, temperature has a profound impact on morphogenesis, a key virulence trait. Many cues that induce the transition from yeast to filamentous growth are contingent on a minimum temperature of 37ºC, while further elevatation to 39ºC serves as an independent inducing cue. The molecular chaperone Hsp90 is a key regulator of C. albicans temperature-dependent morphogenesis, as induction of filamentous growth requires relief from Hsp90-mediated repression of the morphogenetic program. Compromise of Hsp90 function genetically, pharmacologically, or by elevated temperature induces filamentation in a manner that depends on protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, but is independent of the terminal transcription factor, Efg1. Here, we determine that despite morphological and regulatory differences, inhibition of Hsp90 induces a transcriptional profile similar to that induced by other filamentation cues, and does so in a manner that is independent of Efg1. Further, we identify Hms1 as a transcriptional regulator required for morphogenesis induced by elevated temperature or compromise of Hsp90 function. Hms1 functions downstream of the cyclin Pcl, and the cyclin-dependent kinase Pho85, both of which are required for temperature-dependent filamentation. Upon Hsp90 inhibition, Hms1 binds to DNA elements involved in filamentous growth, including UME6 and RBT5, and regulates their expression, providing a mechanism through which Pho85, Pcl1, and Hms1 govern morphogenesis. Consistent with the importance of morphogenetic flexibility with virulence, deletion of C. albicans HMS1 attenuates virulence in a metazoan model of infection. Thus, we establish a new mechanism through which Hsp90 orchestrates C. albicans morphogenesis, and define novel regulatory circuitry governing a temperature-dependent developmental program, with broad implications for temperature sensing and virulence of microbial pathogens. Two-color experimental design testing the effect of geldanamycin on wild type of delta-efg1 cells. RNA from each replicate came from independent cultures.
Project description:This work reports the role of the transcription factor Ahr1 in mediating cell size control in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. To investigate the role of Ahr1 at Start, we performed a transcriptional profiling by comparing the transcriptome of G1 phase cells of both WT and ahr1 mutant strains.
Project description:The cell wall is essential for viability of fungi and is an effective drug target in pathogens such as Candida albicans. The contribution of posttranscriptional gene regulators to cell wall integrity in C. albicans is unknown. We show that the C. albicans Ccr4-Pop2 mRNA deadenylase, a regulator of mRNA stability and translation, is required for cell wall integrity. The ccr4/pop2 mutants display reduced wall β-glucans and sensitivity to the echinocandin caspofungin. Moreover, the deadenylase mutants are compromised for filamentation and virulence. We demonstrate that defective cell walls in the ccr4/pop2 mutants are linked to dysfunctional mitochondria and phospholipid imbalance. To further understand mitochondrial function in cell wall integrity, we screened a Saccharomyces cerevisiae collection of mitochondrial mutants. We identify several mitochondrial proteins required for caspofungin tolerance and find a connection between mitochondrial phospholipid homeostasis and caspofungin sensitivity. We focus on the mitochondrial outer membrane SAM complex subunit Sam37, demonstrating it is required for both trafficking of phospholipids between the ER and mitochondria and cell wall integrity. Moreover, in C. albicans also Sam37 is essential for caspofungin tolerance. Our study provides the basis for an integrative view of mitochondrial function in fungal cell wall biogenesis and resistance to echinocandin antifungal drugs. Two-color experimental design comparing cells with a double-knockout of the CCR4 genes to cells with a reintegrated CCR4 gene.