Hsp90 orchestrates temperature-dependent Candida albicans morphogenesis via Ras1-PKA signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hsp90 is an environmentally contingent molecular chaperone that influences the form and function of diverse regulators of cellular signaling. Hsp90 potentiates the evolution of fungal drug resistance by enabling crucial cellular stress responses. Here we demonstrate that in the leading fungal pathogen of humans, Candida albicans, Hsp90 governs cellular circuitry required not only for drug resistance but also for the key morphogenetic transition from yeast to filamentous growth that is crucial for virulence. This transition is normally regulated by environmental cues, such as exposure to serum, that are contingent upon elevated temperature to induce morphogenesis. The basis for this temperature dependence has remained enigmatic.

Results

We show that compromising Hs

SUBMITTER: Shapiro RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2735497 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature