Genetics, Vol. 161, 509-519, June 2002, Copyright © 2002

Spt3 Plays Opposite Roles in Filamentous Growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans and Is Required for C. albicans Virulence

Lisa Lapradea, Victor L. Boyartchuka, William F. Dietricha,b, and Fred Winstona
a Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
b Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Corresponding author: Fred Winston, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115., winston{at}rascal.med.harvard.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: A. P. MITCHELL

Spt3 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for the normal transcription of many genes in vivo. Past studies have shown that Spt3 is required for both mating and sporulation, two events that initiate when cells are at G1/START. We now show that Spt3 is needed for two other events that begin at G1/START, diploid filamentous growth and haploid invasive growth. In addition, Spt3 is required for normal expression of FLO11, a gene required for filamentous growth, although this defect is not the sole cause of the spt3{Delta}/spt3{Delta} filamentous growth defect. To extend our studies of Spt3's role in filamentous growth to the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, we have identified the C. albicans SPT3 gene and have studied its role in C. albicans filamentous growth and virulence. Surprisingly, C. albicans spt3{Delta}/spt3{Delta} mutants are hyperfilamentous, the opposite phenotype observed for S. cerevisiae spt3{Delta}/spt3{Delta} mutants. Furthermore, C. albicans spt3{Delta}/spt3{Delta} mutants are avirulent in mice. These experiments demonstrate that Spt3 plays important but opposite roles in filamentous growth in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GlycobiologyHome page
S T. Hollmig, K. Ariizumi, and P. D Cruz Jr
Recognition of non-self-polysaccharides by C-type lectin receptors dectin-1 and dectin-2
Glycobiology, June 1, 2009; 19(6): 568 - 575.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eukaryot CellHome page
B. Hao, C. J. Clancy, S. Cheng, S. B. Raman, K. A. Iczkowski, and M. H. Nguyen
Candida albicans RFX2 Encodes a DNA Binding Protein Involved in DNA Damage Responses, Morphogenesis, and Virulence
Eukaryot. Cell, April 1, 2009; 8(4): 627 - 639.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
J. Shen, L. E. Cowen, A. M. Griffin, L. Chan, and J. R. Kohler
The Candida albicans pescadillo homolog is required for normal hypha-to-yeast morphogenesis and yeast proliferation
PNAS, December 30, 2008; 105(52): 20918 - 20923.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 MicrobiologyHome page
D. Kunze, D. MacCallum, F. C. Odds, and B. Hube
Multiple functions of DOA1 in Candida albicans
Microbiology, April 1, 2007; 153(4): 1026 - 1041.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Med MicrobiolHome page
J. R. Naglik, F. Fostira, J. Ruprai, J. F. Staab, S. J. Challacombe, and P. Sundstrom
Candida albicans HWP1 gene expression and host antibody responses in colonization and disease.
J. Med. Microbiol., October 1, 2006; 55(Pt 10): 1323 - 1327.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eukaryot CellHome page
A. Brand, D. M. MacCallum, A. J. P. Brown, N. A. R. Gow, and F. C. Odds
Ectopic Expression of URA3 Can Influence the Virulence Phenotypes and Proteome of Candida albicans but Can Be Overcome by Targeted Reintegration of URA3 at the RPS10 Locus
Eukaryot. Cell, August 1, 2004; 3(4): 900 - 909.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]