title: Thigmotropism and stretch-activated channels in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans.
abstract: The direction of growth of hyphae of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans responds thigmotropically to surface contours by following scratches, ridges and grooves and by penetrating pores. Here it is shown that the thigmotropic response to ridges is attenuated by GdCl3 and verapamil [blockers of stretch-activated (SA) ion channels and L-type calcium channels, respectively]. At low concentrations, both compounds reduced the percentage of hyphae reorienting on contact with a ridge without markedly affecting hyphal extension rate, suggesting a possible role for SA or other calcium channels in the transduction of the thigmotropic response. In addition, patch-clamp recordings demonstrated SA channel activity in the plasma membrane of both yeast and hyphal cells of C. albicans. Two distinct SA channels with conductances of 54 pS and 20-25 pS in 200 mM KCl were observed in protoplasts from yeast cells and one channel of 51 pS was found in protoplasts from hyphal cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN UK.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: Plant Laboratory University of York PO Box 373, York Y01 5YW UK.
authors.forename: A-A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Veacute Ry
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN UK.
authors.forename: T H S
authors.initials: THS
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.affiliation: Plant Laboratory University of York PO Box 373, York Y01 5YW UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN UK.
authors.forename: N A R
authors.initials: NAR
authors.lastname: Gow
mesh_terms: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D005682:Gadolinium; D014700:Verapamil