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Mol Biol Cell

Title:		Defining pheromone-receptor signaling in Candida albicans and related asexual Candida species
Author(s):		Lin CH; Choi A; Bennett RJ;
Address:		"Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA"
Journal Title:		Mol Biol Cell
Year:		2011
Volume:		20111012
Issue:		24
Page Number:		4918 - 4930
DOI:		10.1091/mbc.E11-09-0749
ISSN/ISBN:		1939-4586 (Electronic) 1059-1524 (Print) 1059-1524 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Candida albicans is an important human fungal pathogen in which sexual reproduction is under the control of the novel white-opaque switch. Opaque cells are the mating-competent form, whereas white cells do not mate but can still respond to pheromones, resulting in biofilm formation. In this study, we first define the domains of the alpha-pheromone receptor Ste2 that are necessary for signaling in both white and opaque forms. Both cell states require the IC loop 3 (IC3) and the C-terminal tail of Ste2 for the cellular response, whereas the first IC loop (IC1) of Ste2 is dispensable for signaling. To also address pheromone-receptor interactions in related species, including apparently asexual Candida species, Ste2 orthologues were heterologously expressed in Candida albicans. Ste2 receptors from multiple Candida clade species were functional when expressed in C. albicans, whereas the Ste2 receptor of Candida lusitaniae was nonfunctional. Significantly, however, expression of a chimeric C. lusitaniae Ste2 receptor containing the C-terminal tail of Ste2 from C. albicans generated a productive response to C. lusitaniae pheromone. This system has allowed us to characterize pheromones from multiple Candida species and indicates that functional pheromone-receptor couples exist in fungal species that have yet to be shown to undergo sexual mating"
Keywords:		"Candida albicans/genetics/*metabolism Fungal Proteins/genetics/*metabolism Humans Mating Factor Peptides/genetics/*metabolism Protein Structure, Tertiary Receptors, Mating Factor/genetics/*metabolism Reproduction/physiology Species Specificity;"
Notes:		"MedlineLin, Ching-Hsuan Choi, Anthony Bennett, Richard J eng R01-AI081704/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2011/10/15 Mol Biol Cell. 2011 Dec; 22(24):4918-30. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E11-09-0749. Epub 2011 Oct 12"