Lipase 8 affects the pathogenesis of Candida albicans.
The production of lipases can affect microbial fitness and virulence. We examined the role of the lipase 8 (LIP8) gene in the virulence of Candida albicans by constructing Deltalip8 strains by the URA-blaster disruption method. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments demonstrated the absence of LIP8 expression in the homozygous knockout mutants. Reconstituted strains and overexpression mutants were generated by introducing a LIP8 open reading frame under control of a constitutive actin promoter. Knockout mutants produced more mycelium, particularly at higher temperatures and pH >or=7. Diminished LIP8 expression resulted in reduced growth in lipid-containing media. Mutants deficient in the LIP8 gene were significantly less virulent in a murine intravenous infection model. The results clearly indicate that Lip8p is an important virulence factor of C. albicans.
Gácser
Attila
A
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. gacsera@gmail.com
Stehr
Frank
F
Kröger
Cathrin
C
Kredics
László
L
Schäfer
Wilhelm
W
Nosanchuk
Joshua D
JD
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008049:Lipase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D016019:Survival Analysis; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D008049:Lipase