The transmembrane protein Opy2 mediates activation of the Cek1 MAP kinase in Candida albicans

Carmen Herrero De Dios, Elvira Roman, Carla Diez, Rebeca Alonso Monge, Jesus Pla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

MAPK pathways are conserved and complex mechanisms of signaling in eukaryotic cells. These pathways mediate adaptation to different stress conditions by a core kinase cascade that perceives changes in the environment by different upstream elements and mediates adaptation through transcription factors. In the present work, the transmembrane protein Opy2 has been identified and functionally characterized in Candida albicans. This protein is required to trigger Cek1 phosphorylation by different stimuli such as the resumption of growth from stationary phase or the addition of the cell wall disturbing compounds zymolyase and tunicamycin. opy2 mutants display susceptibility to cell wall disturbing compounds like Congo red. However, it does not play a role in the adaptation to high osmolarity or oxidative stress, in close contrast with the situation for the homologous protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The over-expression of Opy2 in a S. cerevisiae opy2 ssk1 mutant partially complemented the osmosensitivity on solid medium by a Hog1-independent mechanism as well as the abnormal morphology observed in this mutant under high osmolarity. The electrophoretic pattern of CaOpy2 tagged version in S. cerevisiae suggested similar post-translational modification in both microorganisms. This protein is also involved in pathogenesis as revealed by the fact that opy2 mutants displayed a significantly reduced virulence in the Galleria mellonella model.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-32
Number of pages12
JournalFungal Genetics and Biology
Volume50
Early online date10 Nov 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013

Keywords

  • SVG
  • osmotic stress
  • cell wall integrity
  • pathogenic fungus
  • MAPK phosphorylation
  • candida albicans

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