Plasma membrane architecture protects Candida albicans from killing by copper. 2019

Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America.

The ability to resist copper toxicity is important for microbial pathogens to survive attack by innate immune cells. A sur7Δ mutant of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans exhibits decreased virulence that correlates with increased sensitivity to copper, as well as defects in other stress responses and morphogenesis. Previous studies indicated that copper kills sur7Δ cells by a mechanism distinct from the known resistance pathways involving the Crp1 copper exporter or the Cup1 metallothionein. Since Sur7 resides in punctate plasma membrane domains known as MCC/eisosomes, we examined overexpression of SUR7 and found that it rescued the copper sensitivity of a mutant that fails to form MCC/eisosomes (pil1Δ lsp1Δ), indicating that these domains act to facilitate Sur7 function. Genetic screening identified new copper-sensitive mutants, the strongest of which were similar to sur7Δ in having altered plasma membranes due to defects in membrane trafficking, cortical actin, and morphogenesis (rvs161Δ, rvs167Δ, and arp2Δ arp3Δ). Consistent with the mutants having altered plasma membrane organization, they were all more readily permeabilized by copper, which is known to bind phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine and cause membrane damage. Although these phospholipids are normally localized to the intracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane, their exposure on the surface of the copper-sensitive mutants was indicated by increased susceptibility to membrane damaging agents that bind to these phospholipids. Increased copper sensitivity was also detected for a drs2Δ mutant, which lacks a phospholipid flippase that is involved in maintaining phospholipid asymmetry. Copper binds phosphatidylserine with very high affinity, and deleting CHO1 to prevent phosphatidylserine synthesis rescued the copper sensitivity of sur7Δ cells, confirming a major role for phosphatidylserine in copper sensitivity. These results highlight how proper plasma membrane architecture protects fungal pathogens from copper and attack by the immune system, thereby opening up new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007113 Immunity, Innate The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Immunity, Native,Immunity, Natural,Immunity, Non-Specific,Resistance, Natural,Innate Immune Response,Innate Immunity,Immune Response, Innate,Immune Responses, Innate,Immunity, Non Specific,Innate Immune Responses,Native Immunity,Natural Immunity,Natural Resistance,Non-Specific Immunity
D008565 Membrane Proteins Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors. Cell Membrane Protein,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Protein,Cell Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Proteins,Membrane-Associated Protein,Surface Protein,Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Protein,Membrane Protein,Membrane-Associated Proteins,Membrane Associated Protein,Membrane Associated Proteins,Membrane Protein, Cell,Membrane Protein, Integral,Membrane Proteins, Integral,Protein, Cell Membrane,Protein, Cell Surface,Protein, Integral Membrane,Protein, Membrane,Protein, Membrane-Associated,Protein, Surface,Proteins, Cell Membrane,Proteins, Cell Surface,Proteins, Integral Membrane,Proteins, Membrane,Proteins, Membrane-Associated,Proteins, Surface,Surface Protein, Cell
D008668 Metallothionein A low-molecular-weight (approx. 10 kD) protein occurring in the cytoplasm of kidney cortex and liver. It is rich in cysteinyl residues and contains no aromatic amino acids. Metallothionein shows high affinity for bivalent heavy metals. Isometallothionein,Metallothionein A,Metallothionein B,Metallothionein I,Metallothionein II,Metallothionein IIA
D009024 Morphogenesis The development of anatomical structures to create the form of a single- or multi-cell organism. Morphogenesis provides form changes of a part, parts, or the whole organism.
D010717 CDPdiacylglycerol-Serine O-Phosphatidyltransferase An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylserine and CMP from CDPdiglyceride plus serine. EC 2.7.8.8. CDP Diacylglycerol-Serine O-Phosphatidyltransferase,CDP Diglyceride Serine O-Phosphatidyltransferase,CDP-DG Synthase,Phosphatidylserine Synthase,Phosphatidylserine Synthetase,CDP DG Synthase,CDP Diacylglycerol Serine O Phosphatidyltransferase,CDP Diglyceride Serine O Phosphatidyltransferase,CDPdiacylglycerol Serine O Phosphatidyltransferase,Diacylglycerol-Serine O-Phosphatidyltransferase, CDP,O-Phosphatidyltransferase, CDP Diacylglycerol-Serine,O-Phosphatidyltransferase, CDPdiacylglycerol-Serine,Synthase, CDP-DG,Synthase, Phosphatidylserine,Synthetase, Phosphatidylserine
D002176 Candida albicans A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis). Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D002177 Candidiasis Infection with a fungus of the genus CANDIDA. It is usually a superficial infection of the moist areas of the body and is generally caused by CANDIDA ALBICANS. (Dorland, 27th ed) Candida Infection,Moniliasis,Candida Infections,Candidiases,Infection, Candida,Moniliases
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002473 Cell Wall The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents. Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D003300 Copper A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55. Copper-63,Copper 63

Related Publications

Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
October 2009, Proteomics,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
June 1995, The Journal of infectious diseases,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
June 1993, The Journal of infectious diseases,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
June 2007, The Journal of biological chemistry,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
August 2008, Letters in applied microbiology,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
March 1996, The Journal of investigative dermatology,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
November 1991, Journal of bacteriology,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
January 1986, European journal of biochemistry,
Lois M Douglas, and James B Konopka
March 1991, Journal of general microbiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!