Evidence for an inositol lipid signal pathway in the yeast-mycelium transition of Ophiostoma ulmi, the Dutch elm disease fungus

An IP3-activated Ca2+ channel regulates fungal tip growth

Hyphal extension in fungi requires a tip-high Ca(2+) gradient, which is generated and maintained internally by inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP(3))-induced Ca(2+) release from tip-localized vesicles and subapical Ca(2+) sequestration. Using the planar bilayer method we demonstrated the presence of two types of IP(3)-activated Ca(2+) channels in Neurospora crassa membranes with different conductances: one low (13 picosiemens), the other high (77 picosiemens). On sucrose density gradients the low conductance channel co-localized with endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane, and the high conductance channel co-localized with vacuolar membranes. We correlated the effect of inhibitors on channel activity with their effect on hyphal growth and Ca(2+) gradients. The inhibitor of IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release, 2-aminoethoxidiphenylborate (2-APB), inhibits both channels, while heparin, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, hydrochloride (TMB-8) and dantrolene inhibit only the large conductance channel. Because 2-APB inhibits hyphal growth and dissipates the tip-high cytosolic [Ca(2+)] gradient, whereas heparin microinjection, TMB-8 and dantrolene treatments do not affect growth, we suggest that the small conductance channel generates the obligatory tip-high Ca(2+) gradient during hyphal growth. Since IP(3) production must be catalyzed by tip-localized phospholipase C, we show that a number of phospholipase C inhibitors [neomycin, 1-[6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl]- 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122) (but not the inactive pyrrolidine U-73343), 3-nitrocoumarin] inhibit hyphal growth and affect, similarly to 2-APB, the location of vesicular Ca(2+) imaged by chlortetracycline staining.

Cytoskeletal and Ca2+ regulation of hyphal tip growth and initiation

Hyphal tip growth is a complex process involving finely regulated interactions between the synthesis and expansion of cell wall and plasma membrane, diverse intracellular movements, and turgor regulation. F-actin is a major regulator and integrator of these processes. It directly contributes to (a) tip morphogenesis, most likely by participation in an apical membrane skeleton that reinforces the apical plasma membrane, (b) the transport and exocytosis of vesicles that contribute plasma membrane and cell wall material to the hyphal tips, (c) the localization of plasma membrane proteins in the tips, and (d) cytoplasmic and organelle migration and positioning. The pattern of reorganization of F-actin prior to formation of new tips during branch initiation also indicates a critical role in early stages of assembly of the tip apparatus. One of the universal characteristics of all critically examined tip-growing cells, including fungal hyphae, is the obligatory presence of a tip-high gradient of cytoplasmic Ca2+ that probably regulates both actin and nonactin components of the apparatus, and the formation of which may also initiate new tips. This review discusses the diversity of evidence behind these concepts.

Production and purification of an extracellular β-galactosidase from the Dutch elm disease fungusOphiostoma novo-ulmi

The causal agents of Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma ulmi (isolate H200) and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi (isolate CKT-11), secreted similar amounts of β-galactosidase in liquid shake cultures when grown on galacturonic acid or sodium pectate (1.45 ± 0.16 and 1.03 ± 0.24 nkat∙mL−1for O. ulmi, respectively, and 1.30 ± 0.08 and 1.28 ± 0.26 nkat∙mL−1for O. novo-ulmi, respectively). Rhamnose and pectin also stimulated secretion but to a lesser extent, whereas on glucose, enzyme activity was barely detectable (≤0.01 nkat∙mL−1). Ophiostoma novo-ulmi was shown by Q-Sepharose chromatography to form two β-galactosidases, named β-galactosidases I and II. In cultures grown on galacturonic acid β-galactosidase I accounted for approximately 75% of the total activity in the culture filtrate. β-Galactosidase I was further purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity by means of Sephacryl gel filtration chromatography, chromatofocusing, and Superdex75 gel filtration. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 135 kDa by SDS–PAGE and 123 kDa by gel filtration. Its isoelectric point, determined by chromatofocusing, was 4.9. The optimal pH for enzyme activity was 5.8 and the optimal temperature was 50 °C. The Kmvalues for p-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside and lactose were 7.52 and 14.23 mM, respectively, and the maximum velocities for these substrates were 1733 and 355 nkat∙mg protein−1, respectively. The Kivalue for D(−)-galactonic acid γ-lactone was 2.29 mM.Key words: Dutch elm disease, β-galactosidase, Ophiostoma ulmi, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi.

Metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in Candida albicans: significance as a precursor of inositol polyphosphates and in signal transduction during the dimorphic transition from yeast cells to germ tubes

The metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] was examined in yeast cells and germ tubes of Candida albicans. Methods have been developed for analysis of the two key metabolic enzymes, Ins(1,4,5)P3, kinase and phosphatase. ATP-dependent Ins(1,4,5)P3 kinase activity was detected predominantly in the soluble fraction of cell extracts and exhibited a Km of approximately 9 microM. The apparent Km of Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphatase for Ins(1,4,5)P3 was approximately 480 microM. The slow rate of dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5_P3 to inositol bisphosphate suggests a lower importance of the phosphatase within cells compared to the kinase. Since both yeast cells and germ tubes of C. albicans rapidly phosphorylated Ins(1,4,5)P3 to inositol tetrakisphosphate and inositol penta/hexakisphosphate, it is suggested that Ins(1,4,5)P3 has an important role as a precursor for production of these compounds. A sustained increase in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels was observed during germ tube formation and, prior to the onset of germination between 1 and 2 incubation, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content increased up to eightfold. Transient increases in the level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 were also observed during yeast-like growth of C. albicans. The possible role and relative importance of Ins(1,4,5)P3 as a precursor for inositol polyphosphates and in signal transduction involving Ca2+ release from internal stores is discussed.

Effect of nucleosides and nucleotides and the relationship between cellular adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and germ tube formation in Candida albicans

A yeast-mycelium (Y-M) transition in Candida albicans was induced by exogenous yeast extract, adenosine, adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and its analogue N6, O2'-dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) in defined liquid medium at 25 degrees C. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was found to delay germ tube formation in yeast cells, whereas the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, theophylline and caffeine, induced a Y-M transition. Intracellular and extracellular cyclic AMP levels increased during the yeast-mycelium transition and maximum levels of intracellular cyclic AMP coincided with maximum germ tube formation. Of the many inducers and inhibitors of germ tube and mycelium formation in C. albicans tested, including incubation at 37 degrees C or in the presence of 1.5 mM CaCl2, the calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium (R24571) added together with CaCl2 induced the highest intra- and extracellular cyclic AMP levels. These results confirm the involvement of cyclic AMP in the yeast-mycelium transition of C. albicans.