title: Disruption of Candida albicans IFF4 gene involves modifications of the cell electrical surface properties.
abstract: During the past two decades, the prevalence of candidiasis has increased markedly and Candida albicans has now become one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections, especially after colonization of inert surfaces such as catheters or prostheses. In a previous report, we demonstrated the overexpression of 35 unidentified genes in response to adherence of C. albicans germ tubes to plastic. Therefore, a bioinformatic analysis was performed searching for genes encoding surface proteins potentially involved in adherence. Nineteen genes were thus selected, and one of them, CaIFF4, was further investigated. The deduced protein of this CaIFF4 gene revealed a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored site as well as the presence of a N-terminal signal peptide. Disruption of both alleles of CaIFF4 gene from C. albicans parent strain BWP17 was performed by PCR method. Then investigations of properties of null mutant for CaIFF4 gene showed a decrease of adherence of germ tubes to plastic in comparison to the parent strain BWP17. Besides, electrophoretic mobilities of germ tubes of CaIFF4 null mutant and of parental strain BWP17 were measured. Data were then analysed with soft particles analysis theory. Results point out a less important electrophoretic mobility of germ tubes of CaIFF4 null mutant in comparison to germ tubes of BWP17 parental strain.
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, UPRES EA 3142, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et d'Ingénierie de la Santé, 16 Bd Daviers, 49045 Angers Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kempf
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Apaire-Marchais
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saulnier
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Licznar
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lefrançois
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cottin
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D009154:Mutation; D013499:Surface Properties