title: Glucanase induces filamentation of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans.
abstract: Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen. Many organisms, including C. albicans, secrete glucanases under different environmental conditions. Here, we report a novel role for beta-1, 3- glucanase in inducing Candida albicans to form filaments at 22°C and enhancing filamentation at 37°C in nutrient-rich medium. Quorum sensing, the efg1-signaling and cek1 MAP kinase pathways are involved in this process. Our data suggest that the natural antifungal agent beta-glucanase may support morphologic transformation of Candida albicans at a wide range of ambient temperatures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA. hxu@uchc.edu
authors.forename: Hongbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Clarissa J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dongari-Bagtzoglou
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D005204:Farnesol / Q000494:pharmacology; D043326:Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D009154:Mutation; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005204:Farnesol; D043326:Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase