UNLABELLED: The plasma membrane is critical for the virulence of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In addition to functioning as a protective barrier, the plasma membrane plays dynamic roles in a wide range of functions needed for virulence including nutrient uptake, cell wall synthesis, morphogenesis, resistance to stress, and invasive hyphal growth. Screening a collection of C. albicans mutants identified an understudied gene that is important for invasive hyphal growth, which we have termed CWR1 (Cell Wall Regulatory kinase). A mutant strain lacking CWR1 displayed defects in resisting stressful conditions that exacerbate cell wall defects. The Cwr1 protein shows strong similarity to protein kinases, suggesting it plays a regulatory role in coordinating plasma membrane and cell wall functions. A Cwr1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein localized to punctate patches associated with the plasma membrane that partially overlapped Membrane Compartment of Can1 (MCC)/eisosome domains. In contrast to the static MCC/eisosome domains, the Cwr1-GFP patches were very dynamic. Truncation mutants lacking C-terminal sequences distal to the protein kinase domain failed to show detectable localization at the plasma membrane. Surprisingly, these mutant strains did not show the defects of a cwr1Δ mutant, suggesting that localization to punctate patches associated with the plasma membrane is not essential for Cwr1 function. Altogether, these data indicate that Cwr1 contributes to the regulation of plasma membrane functions that promote proper morphogenesis and resistance to cell wall stress, both of which are important for C. albicans virulence. IMPORTANCE: The ability of Candida albicans to grow invasively in the host and resist stress is critical for it to be an effective human pathogen. Identifying the genes that promote these processes is important for developing new strategies to block infection. Therefore, genetic methods were used in this study to identify a novel gene that is needed for invasive growth and stress resistance (Cell Wall Regulatory kinase [CWR1]). Interestingly, the Cwr1 protein localized to punctate patches in the plasma membrane, some of which co-localized with specialized subdomains of the plasma membrane known as eisosomes that are known to promote stress resistance and invasive growth in the host. Thus, these studies identified a novel regulator of traits that are critical for C. albicans pathogenesis.

• Klíčová slova
• C2_04360W, MCC domain, ORF19.4518, Ypl150w, eisosome, eisosomes, hyphal morphogenesis, stress resistance,
• MeSH
• buněčná membrána * metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčná stěna * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Candida albicans * genetika   patogenita   enzymologie   MeSH
• fungální proteiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• fyziologický stres * MeSH
• hyfy růst a vývoj   genetika   MeSH
• proteinkinasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u hub MeSH
• virulence MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fungální proteiny * MeSH
• proteinkinasy MeSH

The regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes relies largely on the action of exoribonucleases, evolutionarily conserved enzymes that digest decapped messenger RNAs in the 5'-3' direction. The activity of Xrn1, the major yeast exoribonuclease, is regulated by targeted changes in its cellular localisation in direct response to the cell's metabolic state. When fermentable carbon sources are available, active Xrn1 is diffusely localised in the cytosol. Upon depletion of these sources, Xrn1 is sequestered at the plasma membrane-associated protein complex, the eisosome, and becomes inactive. Although this phenomenon has been described previously, the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain unknown. We report that the binding of Xrn1 to the plasma membrane is subject to glycolytic flux, rather than the availability of a fermentable carbon source, is independent of TORC1 activity and requires the core eisosomal proteins Pil1 and Lsp1. We identify the SH3-like domain of the Xrn1 protein as a putative interaction domain. In addition, we show that when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the human orthologue of Xrn1 mirrors its yeast counterpart, i.e., it segregates to the eisosome under conditions of halted glycolysis. Our results not only advance our understanding of Xrn1 regulation but also indicate that this regulatory principle is conserved from yeast to humans.

• Klíčová slova
• Eisosome, Exoribonuclease, Glycolysis, SH3-like domain, Xrn1, Yeast,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Sphingolipids are essential building blocks of eukaryotic membranes and important signaling molecules that are regulated tightly in response to environmental and physiological inputs. While their biosynthetic pathway has been well-described, the mechanisms that facilitate the perception of sphingolipid levels at the plasma membrane remain to be uncovered. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Nce102 protein has been proposed to function as a sphingolipid sensor as it changes its plasma membrane distribution in response to sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibition. We show that Nce102 redistributes specifically in regions of increased sphingolipid demand, e.g., membranes of nascent buds. Furthermore, we report that the production of Nce102 increases following sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibition and that Nce102 is internalized when excess sphingolipid precursors are supplied. This finding suggests that the total amount of Nce102 in the plasma membrane is a measure of the current need for sphingolipids, whereas its local distribution marks sites of high sphingolipid demand. The physiological role of Nce102 in the regulation of sphingolipid synthesis is demonstrated by mass spectrometry analysis showing reduced levels of hydroxylated complex sphingolipids in response to heat stress in the nce102Δ deletion mutant. We also demonstrate that Nce102 behaves analogously in the widespread human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, suggesting a conserved principle of local sphingolipid control across species. IMPORTANCE Microorganisms are challenged constantly by their rapidly changing environment. To survive, they have developed diverse mechanisms to quickly perceive stressful situations and adapt to them appropriately. The primary site of both stress sensing and adaptation is the plasma membrane. We identified the yeast protein Nce102 as a marker of local sphingolipid levels and fluidity in the plasma membrane. Nce102 is an important structural and functional component of the membrane compartment Can1 (MCC), a plasma membrane microdomain stabilized by a large cytosolic hemitubular protein scaffold, the eisosome. The MCC/eisosomes are widely conserved among fungi and unicellular algae. To determine if Nce102 carries out similar functions in other organisms, we analyzed the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans and found that Nce102 responds to sphingolipid levels also in this organism, which has potential applications for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The presented study represents a valuable model for how organisms regulate plasma membrane sphingolipids.

• Klíčová slova
• eisosome, microdomain, plasma membrane, sphingolipid, stress sensor,
• MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• Candida albicans MeSH
• fungální proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny * analýza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sfingolipidy * analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fungální proteiny MeSH
• NCE102 protein, S cerevisiae MeSH Prohlížeč
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny * MeSH
• sfingolipidy * MeSH

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an inherited mitochondrial disorder characterized by a decrease in total cardiolipin and the accumulation of its precursor monolysocardiolipin due to the loss of the transacylase enzyme tafazzin. However, the molecular basis of BTHS pathology is still not well understood. Here we characterize the double mutant pgc1Δtaz1Δ of Saccharomyces cerevisiae deficient in phosphatidylglycerol-specific phospholipase C and tafazzin as a new yeast model of BTHS. Unlike the taz1Δ mutant used to date, this model accumulates phosphatidylglycerol, thus better approximating the human BTHS cells. We demonstrate that increased phosphatidylglycerol in this strain leads to more pronounced mitochondrial respiratory defects and an increased incidence of aberrant mitochondria compared to the single taz1Δ mutant. We also show that the mitochondria of the pgc1Δtaz1Δ mutant exhibit a reduced rate of respiration due to decreased cytochrome c oxidase and ATP synthase activities. Finally, we determined that the mood-stabilizing anticonvulsant valproic acid has a positive effect on both lipid composition and mitochondrial function in these yeast BTHS models. Overall, our results show that the pgc1Δtaz1Δ mutant better mimics the cellular phenotype of BTHS patients than taz1Δ cells, both in terms of lipid composition and the degree of disruption of mitochondrial structure and function. This favors the new model for use in future studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Barth syndrome, mitochondria, phosphatidylglycerol, tafazzin, valproic acid,
• MeSH
• acyltransferasy metabolismus   MeSH
• Barthův syndrom * metabolismus   MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fosfatidylglyceroly * antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiolipiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolismus   MeSH
• transkripční faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acyltransferasy MeSH
• fosfatidylglyceroly * MeSH
• kardiolipiny * MeSH
• TAFAZZIN protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory MeSH

Membrane proteins are targeted not only to specific membranes in the cell architecture, but also to distinct lateral microdomains within individual membranes to properly execute their biological functions. Yeast tetraspan protein Nce102 has been shown to migrate between such microdomains within the plasma membrane in response to an acute drop in sphingolipid levels. Combining microscopy and biochemistry methods, we show that upon gradual ageing of a yeast culture, when sphingolipid demand increases, Nce102 migrates from the plasma membrane to the vacuole. Instead of being targeted for degradation it localizes to V-ATPase-poor, i.e., ergosterol-enriched, domains of the vacuolar membrane, analogous to its plasma membrane localization. We discovered that, together with its homologue Fhn1, Nce102 modulates vacuolar morphology, dynamics, and physiology. Specifically, the fusing of vacuoles, accompanying a switch of fermenting yeast culture to respiration, is retarded in the strain missing both proteins. Furthermore, the absence of either causes an enlargement of ergosterol-rich vacuolar membrane domains, while the vacuoles themselves become smaller. Our results clearly show decreased stability of the V-ATPase in the absence of either Nce102 or Fhn1, a possible result of the disruption of normal microdomain morphology of the vacuolar membrane. Therefore, the functionality of the vacuole as a whole might be compromised in these cells.

• Klíčová slova
• eisosome, membrane microdomains, sphingolipid metabolism, vacuolar morphology, yeast,
• MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolismus   MeSH
• vakuoly metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• NCE102 protein, S cerevisiae MeSH Prohlížeč
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny MeSH

One of the best characterized fungal membrane microdomains is the MCC/eisosome. The MCC (membrane compartment of Can1) is an evolutionarily conserved ergosterol-rich plasma membrane domain. It is stabilized on its cytosolic face by the eisosome, a hemitubular protein complex composed of Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain-containing Pil1 and Lsp1. These two proteins bind directly to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and promote the typical furrow-like shape of the microdomain, with highly curved edges and bottom. While some proteins display stable localization in the MCC/eisosome, others enter or leave it under particular conditions, such as misbalance in membrane lipid composition, changes in membrane tension, or availability of specific nutrients. These findings reveal that the MCC/eisosome, a plasma membrane microdomain with distinct morphology and lipid composition, acts as a multifaceted regulator of various cellular processes including metabolic pathways, cellular morphogenesis, signalling cascades, and mRNA decay. In this minireview, we focus on the MCC/eisosome's proposed role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. While the molecular mechanisms of the MCC/eisosome function are not completely understood, the idea of intracellular processes being regulated at the plasma membrane, the foremost barrier exposed to environmental challenges, is truly exciting.

• Klíčová slova
• MCC, eisosome, ergosterol, lipids, microdomain, phosphoinositides, regulation, sphingolipids,
• MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• fosfatidylinositol-4,5-difosfát metabolismus   MeSH
• fungální proteiny chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• homeostáza MeSH
• houby metabolismus   MeSH
• metabolismus lipidů MeSH
• proteinové domény MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fosfatidylinositol-4,5-difosfát MeSH
• fungální proteiny MeSH

The plasma membrane of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans forms a protective barrier that also mediates many processes needed for virulence, including cell wall synthesis, invasive hyphal morphogenesis, and nutrient uptake. Because compartmentalization of the plasma membrane is believed to coordinate these diverse activities, we examined plasma membrane microdomains termed eisosomes or membrane compartment of Can1 (MCC), which correspond to ∼200-nm-long furrows in the plasma membrane. A pil1∆ lsp1∆ mutant failed to form eisosomes and displayed strong defects in plasma membrane organization and morphogenesis, including extensive cell wall invaginations. Mutation of eisosome proteins Slm2, Pkh2, and Pkh3 did not cause similar cell wall defects, although pkh2∆ cells formed chains of furrows and pkh3∆ cells formed wider furrows, identifying novel roles for the Pkh protein kinases in regulating furrows. In contrast, the sur7∆ mutant formed cell wall invaginations similar to those for the pil1∆ lsp1∆ mutant even though it could form eisosomes and furrows. A PH-domain probe revealed that the regulatory lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was enriched at sites of cell wall invaginations in both the sur7∆ and pil1∆ lsp1∆ cells, indicating that this contributes to the defects. The sur7∆ and pil1∆ lsp1∆ mutants displayed differential susceptibility to various types of stress, indicating that they affect overlapping but distinct functions. In support of this, many mutant phenotypes of the pil1∆ lsp1∆ cells were rescued by overexpressing SUR7 These results demonstrate that C. albicans eisosomes promote the ability of Sur7 to regulate plasma membrane organization.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčná stěna metabolismus   MeSH
• Candida albicans metabolismus   MeSH
• endocytóza fyziologie   MeSH
• fosfoproteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• fungální proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• hyfy metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové mikrodomény metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• proteinkinasy metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fosfoproteiny MeSH
• fungální proteiny MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• proteinkinasy MeSH

Regulation of gene expression on the level of translation and mRNA turnover is widely conserved evolutionarily. We have found that the main mRNA decay enzyme, exoribonuclease Xrn1, accumulates at the plasma membrane-associated eisosomes after glucose exhaustion in a culture of the yeast S. cerevisiae. Eisosomal localization of Xrn1 is not achieved in cells lacking the main component of eisosomes, Pil1, or Sur7, the protein accumulating at the membrane compartment of Can1 (MCC) - the eisosome-organized plasma membrane microdomain. In contrast to the conditions of diauxic shift, when Xrn1 accumulates in processing bodies (P-bodies), or acute heat stress, in which these cytosolic accumulations of Xrn1 associate with eIF3a/Rpg1-containing stress granules, Xrn1 is not accompanied by other mRNA-decay machinery components when it accumulates at eisosomes in post-diauxic cells. It is important that Xrn1 is released from eisosomes after addition of fermentable substrate. We suggest that this spatial segregation of Xrn1 from the rest of the mRNA-decay machinery reflects a general regulatory mechanism, in which the key enzyme is kept separate from the rest of mRNA decay factors in resting cells but ready for immediate use when fermentable nutrients emerge and appropriate metabolism reprogramming is required. In particular, the localization of Xrn1 to the eisosome, together with previously published data, accents the relevance of this plasma membrane-associated compartment as a multipotent regulatory site.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• exoribonukleasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• reakce na tepelný šok MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• reportérové geny MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• exoribonukleasy MeSH
• glukosa MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny MeSH
• XRN1 protein, S cerevisiae MeSH Prohlížeč

In many eukaryotes, a significant part of the plasma membrane is closely associated with the dynamic meshwork of cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cortical ER). We mapped temporal variations in the local coverage of the yeast plasma membrane with cortical ER pattern and identified micron-sized plasma membrane domains clearly different in cortical ER persistence. We show that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is initiated outside the cortical ER-covered plasma membrane zones. These cortical ER-covered zones are highly dynamic but do not overlap with the immobile and also endocytosis-inactive membrane compartment of Can1 (MCC) and the subjacent eisosomes. The eisosomal component Pil1 is shown to regulate the distribution of cortical ER and thus the accessibility of the plasma membrane for endocytosis.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána fyziologie   MeSH
• endocytóza * MeSH
• endoplazmatické retikulum fyziologie   MeSH
• fosfoproteiny fyziologie   MeSH
• klathrin fyziologie   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny fyziologie   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae fyziologie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fosfoproteiny MeSH
• klathrin MeSH
• PIL1 protein, S cerevisiae MeSH Prohlížeč
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny MeSH