Among Candida species, Candida tropicalis ranks second only to Candida albicans as a cause or morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised hosts, especially in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy or those with fungal endocarditis. Any strategy to prevent candidal infections should include both of these species, which together account for more than 75 percent of cadidal infections. However, unlike C. albicans C. tropicalis does not form filaments (e.g. germ tubes, pseudohyphae, or true hyphae) under most conditions relevant to the clinical setting. Therefore, an understanding of virulence in candidal species must address not only morphogenesis in C. albicans but also those mechanisms used by non-dimorphic candidal species to attach to and invade their human hosts. Recognition of the extracellular matrix fibronectin (FN) is one means by which C. tropicalis attaches to human epithelial cells; moreover, adhesion of C. tropicalis can be inhibited by purified FN, by polyclonal antibodies to FN, and by peptides encompassing the RGD sequence and flanking residues in FN. We have now purified a FN receptor from C. tropicalis, have calculated its KD at approximately 2.3x10-9 M and have isolated novel internal peptide sequences.
In Specific Aim One, we will use these novel peptide sequences as the basis for degenerate oligonucleotides to identify the gene encoding the FN receptor by screening a library of C. tropicalis genomic DNA. We will analyze the conservation of the FN receptor in patient isolates of C. tropicalis and other pathogenic fungi by Southern blotting or PCR.
In Specific Aim Two, we will use in vitro assays and isogenic mutants to define the localization of the FN receptor, the functions of the gene product in adhesion and invasion, and the binding site for C. tropicalis on the FN molecule.
In Specific Aim Three, we will use surface biotinylation and immunoprecipitation to characterize other surface proteins in C. tropicalis that may interact with the FN receptor.
In Specific Aim Four, we will co-express the C. albicans gene product Int1p and the FN receptor in both C. albicans and C. tropicalis to determine effects on morphogenesis and virulence.
In Specific Aim Five, we will use our isogenic mutants, reintegrants, and co-expression variants in a murine model of intravenous infection and immune response to understand whether the FN receptor is a virulence factor for C. tropicalis. If either the heterozygote or the homozygous deletion mutant proves to be less virulent than the parent strain, we will analyze the role of C3 and FN as opsonins for candidal phagocytosis. These experiments should enable us to define a novel surface protein in C. tropicalis, its roles in adhesion and invasion in vitro, and its contribution to pathogenesis in vivo. The surface protein(s) identified in C. tropicalis should enable us to develop innovative preventive and therapeutic modalities to address two species that account for more than 75 percent of candidal infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI045145-01
Application #
2861305
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Program Officer
Dixon (Dmid), Dennis M
Project Start
1999-03-01
Project End
2004-02-29
Budget Start
1999-03-01
Budget End
2000-02-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
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McDonough, Justin A; Bhattacherjee, Vasker; Sadlon, Tania et al. (2002) Involvement of Candida albicans NADH dehydrogenase complex I in filamentation. Fungal Genet Biol 36:117-27
Hostetter, M K (1999) Integrin-like proteins in Candida spp. and other microorganisms. Fungal Genet Biol 28:135-45