title: Influence of Na+ and anions on the dimorphic transition of Candida albicans.
abstract: The effect of Na+ (Cl- or gluconate salt) on growth and dimorphic potential of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans has been examined. Profiles of germ tube formation as a function of salt addition, pH and temperature indicated Na+ inhibition of germ tube outgrowth at high ambient pH (pH 8.0) which was exacerbated by replacement of Cl- with gluconate (as an impermeant analogue). At acidic pH (pH 5.5) and permissive temperature (37 degrees C), gluconate alone promoted the dimorphic transition. Rates of glucose-induced medium acidification and plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase activity have been measured to assess whether salt treatments could retard the cytoplasmic alkalinization known to precede germ tube formation. The precise site of Na+ action remains unclear but the anion effects may be interpreted in terms of anion-exchanger and channel activity acting to modulate cytosolic pH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK.
authors.forename: Frederick D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Northrop
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of York, PO Box 373, York YO1 5YW, UK.
authors.forename: Srdjan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ljubojevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005942:Gluconates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D005942:Gluconates; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D012964:Sodium; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C030691:gluconic acid