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Characterization of ORF19.7608 (PPP1), a biofilm-induced gene of Candida albicans

Summary

Researchers studied a gene called PPP1 in Candida albicans, a common fungal infection in hospitals. They found that this gene is highly active when the fungus forms protective biofilms on medical devices like catheters. Although the protein appears in a distinctive spotted pattern only during biofilm formation, removing this gene did not prevent biofilm formation or affect how the fungus responds to stress or antifungal drugs.

Background

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that forms biofilms on medical devices, contributing significantly to nosocomial infections. Biofilm formation is controlled by a complex transcriptional network involving over a thousand genes, many of which remain uncharacterized. This study investigates three biofilm-induced genes encoding small proteins with N-terminal signal sequences.

Objective

To characterize ORF19.7608 (designated PPP1 for Punctate Pattern Protein 1) and two related genes (ORF19.4654 and PBR1) that are highly induced under biofilm conditions. The study examined protein localization in both planktonic and biofilm cells and assessed the functional role of PPP1 in biofilm formation and cellular stress responses.

Results

Orf19.4654-Scarlet and Pbr1-Scarlet localized to the vacuole under both conditions, while Ppp1-GFP displayed a unique punctate pattern exclusively under biofilm conditions in yeast cells. Co-localization studies indicated that Ppp1 and Sur7 (eisosome marker) define separate elements. PPP1 deletion did not cause distinct phenotypes under stress conditions, in the presence of antifungals, or in biofilm formation and biomass.

Conclusion

While PPP1 expression and cellular localization are controlled by biofilm-generating conditions and define a unique subcellular localization pattern, Ppp1 protein function is not essential for biofilm formation or stress responses. The protein appears to define a novel plasma membrane punctate structure distinct from the eisosome.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335473; PMID: 41218072
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