Analysis of the oxidative stress regulation of the Candida albicans transcription factor, Cap1p

Comparison of gene expression profiles of Candida albicans azole-resistant clinical isolates and laboratory strains exposed to drugs inducing multidrug transporters

Azole resistance in Candida albicans can be due to upregulation of multidrug transporters belonging to ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters (CDR1 and CDR2) or major facilitators (CaMDR1). Upregulation of these genes can also be achieved by exposure to fluphenazine, resulting in specific upregulation of CDR1 and CDR2 and by exposure to benomyl, resulting in specific CaMDR1 upregulation. In this study, these two different states of gene upregulation were used to determine coregulated genes that often share similar functions or similar regulatory regions. The transcript profiles of a laboratory strain exposed to these drugs were therefore determined and compared with those of two matched pairs of azole-susceptible and -resistant strains expressing CDR1 and CDR2 (CDR strains) or CaMDR1 (MDR isolates). The results obtained revealed that, among 42 commonly regulated genes (8.6% of all regulated genes) between fluphenazine-exposed cells and CDR isolates, the most upregulated were CDR1 and CDR2 as expected, but also IFU5, RTA3 (which encodes putative membrane proteins), HSP12 (which encodes heat shock protein), and IPF4065 (which is potentially involved in stress response). Interestingly, all but HSP12 and IPF4065 contain a putative cis-acting drug responsive element in their promoters. Among the 57 genes (11.5% of all regulated genes) commonly regulated between benomyl-exposed cells and MDR isolates, the most upregulated were CaMDR1 as expected but also genes with oxido-reductive functions such as IFD genes, IPF5987, GRP2 (all belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family), IPF7817 [NAD(P)H oxido-reductase], and IPF17186. Taken together, these results show that in vitro drug-induced gene expression only partially mimics expression profiles observed in azole-resistant clinical strains. Upregulated genes in both drug-exposed conditions and clinical strains are drug resistance genes but also genes that could be activated under cell damage conditions.

A proteomic approach to understanding the development of multidrug-resistant Candida albicans strains

Resistance of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans to the antifungal agent fluconazole is often caused by the overexpression of genes that encode multidrug efflux pumps ( CDR1, CDR2, or MDR1). We have undertaken a proteomic approach to gain further insight into the regulatory network controlling efflux pump expression and drug resistance in C. albicans. Three pairs of matched fluconazole-susceptible and resistant clinical C. albicans isolates, in which drug resistance correlated with stable activation of MDR1 or CDR1/2, were analyzed for differences in their protein expression profiles. In two independent, MDR1-overexpressing, strains, additional up-regulated proteins were identified, which are encoded by the YPR127 gene and several members of the IFD ( YPL088) gene family. All are putative aldo-keto reductases of unknown function. These proteins were not up-regulated in a fluconazole-resistant strain that overexpressed CDR1 and CDR2 but not MDR1, indicating that expression of the various efflux pumps of C. albicans is controlled by different regulatory networks. To investigate the possible role of YPR127 in the resistance phenotype of the clinical isolates, we constitutively overexpressed the gene in a C. albicans laboratory strain. In addition, the gene was deleted in a C. albicans laboratory strain and in one of the drug-resistant clinical isolates in which it was overexpressed. Neither forced overexpression nor deletion of YPR127 affected the susceptibility of the strains to drugs and other toxic substances, suggesting that the regulatory networks which control the expression of efflux pumps in C. albicans also control genes involved in cellular functions not related to drug resistance.

Identification of a negative regulatory element which regulates basal transcription of a multidrug resistance gene CDR1 of Candida albicans

We have earlier shown that transcriptional activation of the Candida drug resistance gene, CDR1, is linked to various stresses wherein a proximal promoter (-345 bp from the transcription start point (TSP)) was found to be predominantly more responsive. In this study we have examined basal expression of the CDR1 proximal promoter by employing a Renilla luciferase reporter system. We observed that upon sequential deletion of the proximal promoter, there was modulation in basal reporter activity. The reporter activity was highest (2.3-fold) in NGY261 (-261 bp from TSP), and was reduced upon subsequent deletions. DNase I footprinting revealed four protected regions (W1, W2, W3 and W4) in the proximal promoter which could represent possible trans-acting factor binding sites and thus might be involved in CDR1 expression. Site-directed mutational analysis of three of these protected regions did not significantly affect the basal reporter activity, however, the mutation of W1 led to a considerable enhancement in reporter activity (approximately 4-fold) and was designated a negative regulatory element (NRE). Mutation as well as deletion of the W1 sequence in the native promoter (-1147 bp from TSP) and sequential deletion of the 5'-flanking region-harboring W1 (NRE) also resulted in enhanced promoter reporter activity. When the reporter activity of native (NPY1147) and NRE-mutated (NGYM1147) promoter integrants was monitored throughout the growth phase of Candida albicans, there was modulation in reporter activity in both integrants, but interestingly the level of basal reporter activity of the NRE-mutated promoter was always approximately 3-fold higher than that of the native promoter. UV cross-linking and affinity purification confirmed that a purified approximately 55-kDa nuclear protein specifically interacts with the NRE. Taken together, we have identified a NRE and purified its interactive protein, which may be involved in controlling basal expression of CDR1.

Ybp1 is required for the hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidation of the Yap1 transcription factor

We describe the characterization of Ybp1, a novel protein, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that is required for the oxidative stress response to peroxides. Ybp1 is required for H2O2-induced expression of the antioxidant encoding gene TRX2. Our data indicate that the effects of Ybp1 are mediated through the Yap1 transcription factor. Indeed, Ybp1 forms a stress-induced complex with Yap1 in vivo and stimulates the nuclear accumulation of Yap1 in response to H2O2 but not in response to the thiol-oxidizing agent diamide. The H2O2-induced nuclear accumulation of Yap1 is regulated by the oxidation of specific cysteine residues and is dependent on the thiol peroxidase Gpx3. Our data suggest that Ybp1 is required for the H2O2-induced oxidation of Yap1 and acts in the same pathway as Gpx3. Consequently, Ybp1 represents a novel class of stress regulator of Yap1. These data have important implications for the regulation of protein oxidation and stress responses in eukaryotes.

The Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase is essential in the oxidative stress response and chlamydospore formation in Candida albicans

Candida albicans mutants with mutations in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase HOG1 displayed an increased sensitivity to agents producing reactive oxygen species, such as oxidants (menadione, hydrogen peroxide, or potassium superoxide), and UV light. Consistent with this finding, C. albicans Hog1 was activated not only in response to an increase in external osmolarity, as happens with its Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue, but also in response to hydrogen peroxide. The Hog1-mediated response to oxidative stress was different from that of transcription factor Cap1, the homologue of S. cerevisiae Yap1, as shown by the different sensitivities to oxidants and the kinetics of cell death of cap1Delta, hog1, and hog1 cap1Delta mutants. Deletion of CAP1 did not influence the level of Hog1 phosphorylation, and deletion of HOG1 did not affect Cap1 nuclear localization. Moreover, we show that the HOG1 gene plays a role in chlamydospore formation, another oxygen-related morphogenetic event, as demonstrated by the fact that hog1 cells were unable to generate these thick-walled structures in several media through a mechanism different from that of the EFG1 regulator. This is the first demonstration of the role of the Hog1-mediated MAP kinase pathway in resistance to oxidative stress in pathogenic fungi, and it allows us to propose a molecular model for the oxidative stress response in C. albicans.

New molecular methods to study gene functions in Candida infections

Candida albicans has become a model system for human pathogenic fungi in clinical research, mainly due to the increasing number of Candida infections. Molecular techniques to study C. albicans virulence properties have been improved over the last few years, despite difficulties in genetic manipulation of this fungus. Some of the recent achievements from our own laboratory or from other groups are described in this article. The molecular analysis of the recently identified ATP-dependent transporter Mlt1 using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as reporter for protein localization and the dominant MPAR gene as a selection marker for gene inactivation provides an example for the study of gene functions in C. albicans.

Transcription factors regulating the response to oxidative stress in yeast

A main avenue of defense against fungal infection uses oxidative killing of these and other microorganisms. Consequently, the ability of fungi to withstand an oxidative challenge has important implications for their ultimate pathogenicity in a host organism. Fungi also serve as an excellent model system for handling of reactive oxygen species in eukaryotic cells. For these reasons, a great deal of work has been invested in analyzing pathways involved in and the mechanisms regulating oxidative stress tolerance in fungi. The goal of this review is to discuss the current state of knowledge underlying the ability of fungal cells to mount a response to oxidative stress via activation of transcription factors. Studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified multiple transcriptional regulatory proteins that mediate tolerance to oxidative stress. Experiments focused on the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have led to the discovery of protein kinase cascades highly related to mammalian stress-activated protein kinases. Recent studies on the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans have allowed analysis of the role of a critical oxidant-regulated transcription factor in this important human pathogen. Further understanding of oxidative stress resistance pathways in fungi is an important step toward understanding the molecular pathogenesis of these microorganisms.

Functional analysis of a vacuolar ABC transporter in wild-type Candida albicans reveals its involvement in virulence

ATP-driven transport proteins belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily perform important functions in cell metabolism and detoxification. Compounds can be actively transported across membranes, including the plasma membrane or organellar membranes. The vacuole is an important organelle in fungal cells required for compartmentalization of metabolites as well as toxic substances. Sequestration into the vacuole is often energy-dependent. We present the first isolation and molecular analysis of a vacuolar ABC transporter gene in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. The protein encoded by the MLT1 gene is highly similar to Multiple Drug Resistance-associated Protein (MRP)-like transporters of yeast and higher organisms that form the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR)/MRP subfamily of ABC transporters, a class of proteins so far not characterized in C. albicans. MLT1 expression is extensively growth phase-regulated, and gene transcripts are inducible by metabolic poisons. Gene replacement mutants generated in wild-type C. albicans with the dominant selection marker MPAR showed a profound reduction in virulence in a mouse peritonitis model that was reversed by complementation with an intact MLT1 gene. Hence, this report provides primary evidence for the involvement of vacuolar ABC transporters in fungal virulence.

Nuclear import of the yeast AP-1-like transcription factor Yap1p is mediated by transport receptor Pse1p, and this import step is not affected by oxidative stress

The yeast AP-1-like transcription factor, Yap1p, is essential for the oxidative stress response in budding yeast. Yap1p is located predominantly in the cytoplasm; however, upon imposition of oxidative stress, Yap1p concentrates in the nucleus and activates target genes. Yap1p is constitutively transported in and out of the nucleus. Oxidative stress inhibits the Crm1p/Xpo1p-dependent nuclear export step, resulting in nuclear accumulation of Yap1p. In this study, we examined the mechanism for Yap1p nuclear import, and determined whether the import step is affected by oxidative stress. The nuclear accumulation of Yap1p required the activity of the small GTPase, Ran/Gsp1p. Under conditions in pse1-1 cells carrying a temperature-sensitive mutation of the importin beta family member PSE1/KAP121, nuclear translocation of Yap1p was inhibited dramatically. In an in vitro assay, we showed that Yap1p could directly bind to Pse1p and that this interaction was dissociated by Ran-GTP. These results indicate that Pse1p is the nuclear import receptor for Yap1p. In addition to Pse1p, we suggest that Kap123p, which is homologous to Pse1p, has a minor effect on the nuclear import of Yap1p. Furthermore, we identified the nuclear localization signal of Yap1p and demonstrated that the nuclear import of Yap1p was not affected by oxidative stress.

Redox control of AP-1-like factors in yeast and beyond

Cells have evolved complex and efficient strategies for dealing with variable and often-harsh environments. A key aspect of these stress responses is the transcriptional activation of genes encoding defense and repair proteins. In yeast members of the AP-1 family of proteins are required for the transcriptional response to oxidative stress. This sub-family of AP-1 (called yAP-1) proteins are sensors of the redox-state of the cell and are activated directly by oxidative stress conditions. yAP-1 proteins are bZIP-containing factors that share homology to the mammalian AP-1 factor complex and bind to very similar DNA sequence sites. The generation of reactive oxygen species and the resulting potential for oxidative stress is common to all aerobically growing organisms. Furthermore, many of the features of this response appear to be evolutionarily conserved and consequently the study of model organisms, such as yeast, will have widespread utility. The important structural features of these factors, signaling pathways controlling their activity and the nature of the target genes they control will be discussed.